What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a state-of-the-art device used in cosmetic dentistry to align teeth without unsightly and uncomfortable metal restraints. Invisalign aligners are clear, removable trays crafted with the help of modern scanning technology to fit the patient’s teeth by a specialized Littleton dental office and they are almost completely invisible.

The process of using Invisalign starts with creating a 3D alignment plan, developed with the help of special scanning to see how the aligner will move the teeth over time. In the next phase, the patient’s custom-made aligners are prepared, with each item in the set following the 3D plan. The first aligner is placed on the teeth, then it is replaced with the second one after two weeks and the process is repeated using the aligners in the tailor-made set until the clear aligners move the teeth to the desired position.

For best results, you wear your Invisalign aligners at least 20 hours a day in the first period, then towards the end of the process you can reduce the time, wearing your aligners only during the night. Most patients start seeing results after two or three months, but it may take much longer to achieve the desired alignment. The trays should be cleaned with a toothbrush and regular toothpaste – other substances might cause the plastic to discolor.

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What Makes a Great Dentist?

Great dentists all seem to share a set of qualities – here are the most important ones:

• Dexterity – a great Pediatric dentist Littleton CO area are appreciated by their patients for their very light hands. Most dental interventions are performed on small surfaces, with sharp, pointed tools, often with drills that rotate at very high speeds, so it is very important for dentists to develop the dexterity necessary for working in the patient’s mouth without causing pain or hurting the oral cavity,
• Interpersonal skills – great dentists are friendly, communicative and they know how to put their patients at ease, even the ones who are terrified of the treatment they need to undergo,
• Compassion – a great dentist understands the patient’s concerns,
• Passion for the profession and the desire to learn – dentistry is in permanent change, new materials and technologies are invented all the time. Great dentists stay up to date about all the innovations in the field of dental treatments,
• A sense of business – successful dentists are good businessmen as well. They need to know how to set their rates right, how to manage the staff they work with, how to keep track of their incomes and expenses and how to manage material purchase processes.

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What Are the Advantages of Implants?

Dental implants are metal structures surgically fixed into the jaw bone to which the replacement teeth are added. The implants fuse into the bone they are in, thus providing a solution to dental issues that is much more comfortable and much more stable that crowns or bridges. If you are currently considering getting one or several dental implants, here are a few things that you should know about these great, modern dental solutions:

• Implants are not for everybody – you need to have perfectly healthy gums and jaw bones to be able to receive implants. A good Littleton dentist can provide an exam to let you know the health of your gums and bones.
• Implants are more expensive than other solutions, but they are also more durable and more comfortable and they offer more function.
• Reduced bone loss – extracted tooth leave behind a hole in the jaw bone where the jaw becomes more prone to bone loss. Implants integrate completely into the jaw, filling in the hole in the bone, preventing the loss of bone tissue.
• No need to remove healthy teeth – implants are put in one by one, they don’t work like bridges that are fixed on multiple teeth and require complex adjustments and often the extraction of healthy teeth to install.
• Implants are easier to clean than bridges or crowns, assuring better oral health.

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How to Choose a Great Dentist

Beautiful teeth are very difficult to maintain and even people with the most beautiful smile need dental treatment every now and then. If you have recently moved to a new city and you had to leave your old dentist behind, here are a few tips about how to find a superb Littleton Family dental office in your neighborhood to make sure your teeth are treated by the best doctor:

• Ask around for references – ask your neighbors or your coworkers about the dentists they go to. Find out about the doctor’s personality, the rates they practice and about their expertise as well.
• Location – look for a dentist that works from a doctor’s office close to where you live or where you work to avoid having to waste a lot of time commuting to and from dental appointments.
• Cost – dentists determine how much they charge for their services and the rates can vary widely from one doctor to the other. The best way to avoid unpleasant surprises is to make an appointment for a dental inspection, then to discuss the possible treatment options and the prices with the doctor upfront. If you need lengthy and expensive treatment, discuss the possibility of paying in installments as well – many doctors offer various payment options.

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Why Hire a Dentist for Teeth Whitening?

Having a bright white smile is the dream that many of us are willing to do a lot for. The tooth whitening methods available fall into two broad categories: do-it-yourself methods that involve the usage of various pastes and varnishes at home and are not always successful (in some cases not even completely harmless) and professional methods available through dentists who know exactly what tools and substances to use to achieve the desired results without damaging the surface of the teeth or the gum.

One of the most important benefits of professional Littleton dentistry whitening procedures is safe efficiency. Dentists have the knowledge and experience necessary to evaluate the condition of the patient’s teeth and to determine the best whitening method and they also have the technology and the tools to achieve the desired color. Dentists can also determine the type of the discoloration (whether it is intrinsic discoloration that affects the inner tissue of the tooth or extrinsic discoloration of the enamel). The bleaching agents used by dentists are stronger than the bleach in home tooth whitening kits and many dentists nowadays provide laser whitening, manual residue removal and other whitening methods to improve the results in a safe and pain-free manner.

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How Often Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned?

Oral hygiene is an important factor for the prevention of dental problems as well as for the prevention of other health problems as every great Littleton dental specialist will tell you. It is recommended to clean our teeth at least two times a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste, but for most of us, brushing our teeth in the morning and in the evening is not sufficient for proper oral hygiene, that’s why it is a good idea to get your teeth cleaned by professionals.

The frequency of your visits to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned depends on the condition of your denture. If your gums and your teeth are healthy, it is enough to get your teeth cleaned by a dentist twice a year. If, however, your teeth tend to develop plaque very quickly or you suffer from an inflammation in the oral cavity or from some sort of gum disease, it is a good idea to get your teeth professionally cleaned at least every two or three months.

Professional dental cleaning comes with lots of benefits. Dentists use advanced tools to remove even the tiniest spot or food residue from the surface of the teeth as well as from the surface of the gum and they efficiently clean the spaces between the teeth as well, so professional cleaning can help you prevent tooth decay and gum problems.

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At What Age Should I Have a Dentist See My Children?

The first visit to the dentist should take place very early, around the age of 1 or a few months after the first teeth erupt. Ask a neighbor for their recommendation of a trustworthy Littleton dentist so you can relax, knowing your child is in good care.  There are many reasons why dentists encourage parents to make the first appointment for their child so early – here are some:

• Getting familiar with the environment – the dentist’s chair and the tools used during the treatment are scary for many adults, but not for children if they get the chance to touch them and to get used to them in a playful and friendly way. The first few visits to the dentist are much more about playing – the dentist will not even ask your baby to open his or her mouth first, he or she will only show the baby around the office and play a bit together.
• Learning about oral hygiene – children around the age of one try to put everything in their mouths, so it is the best age to teach them how to use a baby toothbrush, first without toothpaste, then, after a few months, with a mildly flavored toothpaste for babies.
• Teaching parents how to maintain the baby’s oral hygiene – these first visits to the pediatric dentist are great opportunities for the parents to learn how to clean baby teeth in a playful way and they can also ask the doctor questions about how to handle painful gums or other issues related to the eruption of the first teeth.

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