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May 7th, 2012
 Disorders of the jaw, which is also known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), can be painful and disruptive to a patient’s daily routine. This collection of problems with the jaw can arise for a number of reasons.
The jaw joint is a complex structure with various components that facilitate all of the movements needed by the jaw for chewing and speaking. When anything goes wrong with even one of the jaw’s elements, a TMJ disorder can result.
Different symptoms may lead your family dentist to suspect that you have a TMJ disorder. The most prominent sign is severe jaw pain. That pain may radiate upward to the ear or downward to the neck. Patients may also notice a clicking or popping noise coming from the jaw.
At this time, TMJ disorders are not very well understood, but a number of factors may be at fault for the condition. Malocclusions, genetic predispositions or teeth grinding can all cause jaw pain.
If you present with signs of TMJ disorder, your dentist will take x-rays and examine the jaw to determine the particulars in your case.
After the likely source of your TMJ disorder has been identified, your dentist can provide treatment. In many cases, the condition will respond to a very conservative self-care regimen involving over-the-counter painkillers and hot/cold compresses.
Behavioral changes may also be needed. Patients with TMJ disorders may need to give up chewing gum and make other dietary changes. Stress can also be a contributing factor in TMJ disorders, so stress management techniques may also be useful for patients.
Certain circumstances associated with TMJ disorders may warrant special treatments. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can be addressed through mouth guards or splints worn at night, while malocclusions can respond to orthodontic treatment.
In very rare cases, when the patient does not get relief from other interventions, surgery may be indicated. However, all other treatment options should be exhausted before this approach is taken.
Patients with TMJ disorders do not need to suffer through their pain. Effective treatments are available. Contact Alpine Dental Center, serving Thornton Colorado, and explore your options to learn which methods will work best for you. Call 303-428-6367 to schedule your consultation.
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April 20th, 2012
Dental crowns and veneers are both used for reconstruction and cosmetic dental work. However, there are several differences between the two treatments. These differences mean that in some cases crowns are a better choice than veneers depending upon your individual situation. In general, veneers are better for cosmetic applications while crowns are used more commonly for restorations.
Differences in the Procedures
One of the major differences between dental crowns and veneers is how they are placed on the teeth. The procedure used to place a crown is more invasive than that used to place a veneer. For this reason, many cosmetic dentists use veneers for procedures that were once accomplished with crowns.
To place a crown, the tooth must be reshaped to accommodate the crown. The dentist makes a mold of your tooth both before and after the reshaping procedure. These molds are used to make a permanent crown. While the permanent crown is manufactured, a temporary crown will protect your tooth. Crowns are placed in two visits—the first to reshape the tooth and make the molds, and the second to place the permanent crown.
By contrast, veneers require very little reshaping of the teeth. Veneers are very thin, so only a thin layer of the tooth is removed. As with crowns, temporary veneers are placed while the permanent, custom-made veneers are manufactured. These temporary veneers are then replaced with the permanent ones.
Differences in Application
Because of the invasive nature of the procedure, crowns are more often used when teeth have been severely cracked, decayed or otherwise damaged. They are also placed over a tooth that has undergone a root canal. At one time, crowns were used for cosmetic applications such as chipped, pitted, or discolored teeth. These issues are now treated more commonly with veneers.
In addition to covering chips, cracks, pits, or discoloration, veneers can be used to make your teeth look more symmetrical, close small gaps between the teeth, or even give your teeth the appearance of being straighter. These cosmetic applications make veneers one of the most versatile cosmetic dentistry treatments available. To schedule a consultation, call Dr. Gurman’s office, serving Thornton CO.
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April 6th, 2012
 In recent years, lasers have been used more and more often for medical and dental applications. Lasers are less invasive, more comfortable, and heal more quickly than traditional surgical methods. A laser dentist can perform numerous routine procedures with lasers rather than traditional tools, reducing discomfort and anxiety during your visits to the dental office.
Waterlase Laser
The Waterlase laser is a special tool used for dental work. A laser dentist can now use the Waterlase instead of a traditional drill to remove decayed tissue and make room for fillings. Because of the way the Waterlase works, patients experience considerably less discomfort and can often have work done with much less anesthesia than is necessary for drilling.
The Waterlase laser uses a combination of laser light and water to precisely remove decayed tissue. The laser does not use friction, as does a drill, nor does it generate heat during the procedure. These two factors create much of the discomfort associated with traditional dental drills. In addition, the Waterlase works quietly, removing the loud sound associated with drills. Often this sound, rather than the actual procedure, is what triggers anxiety in patients who are uncomfortable at the dentist.
When used for soft tissue procedures, the Waterlase produces very little bleeding, and often no stitches are required after surgery. The water and air used by Waterlase helps keep tissues cool, while the laser cauterizes any incisions, helping accelerate healing.
Uses for the Waterlase Laser
The Waterlase laser can be used for a variety of dental procedures including:
- Preparation for fillings or crowns
- Periodontal procedures
- Other soft tissue procedures such as growth removal
If you require any of the above procedures, ask our laser dentist about Waterlase. This groundbreaking dental tool can make your visits to our dentist, serving Thornton Colorado, comfortable and stress-free, and can even help you overcome your dental anxiety. To find out more about Waterlase and how it can help you, call Alpine Dental Center at 303-428-6367 today to schedule a consultation.
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March 21st, 2012
If you have suffered from tooth loss and it is affecting your self esteem, you may want to consider exploring the possibility of dental implants. A dental implant is a long lasting and effective way to restore the look of your smile, and therefore restore your confidence.
A dental implant is a replacement for the root of a lost tooth. The implant dentist inserts the implant (often a titanium rod or screw) into the patient’s jaw bone, where it fuses with the surrounding bone over a period of several months. A replacement tooth is color-matched to the teeth surrounding the implant and then attached to the rod. The replacement teeth can be permanent or a removable denture, according to the needs of the patient. A dental implant is a long lasting and effective way to restore the look of your smile, and therefore restore your confidence.
A dentist may recommend dental implants to replace lost teeth for a number of reasons. They can help improve your speech pattern by replacing loose-fitting dentures. They improve your appearance because the implants are permanent, match your teeth, and won’t slide out. You can smile, speak, and chew with confidence. They are also more comfortable than dentures.
Unlike alternative tooth replacement options, dental implants do not require the implant dentist to reduce the size or appearance of surrounding teeth (which can lead to dental problems down the line, including receding gums and bone deterioration). You will be able to floss between your natural teeth and the artificial tooth without worrying about whether the permanent implant will come loose. The ability to care for your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene without disrupting the implant is another reason to have confidence in your new smile.
Candidates for dental implants can replace one, several, or even all of their teeth without affecting surrounding teeth or damaging their gum tissues. The patient can smile with confidence, knowing that their replacement teeth look just like regular teeth, and can be cared for in a similar fashion. Dental implants will return your smile to you.
To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, contact our experienced team at Alpine Dental Center in Thornton and schedule your consultation today.
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March 7th, 2012
 Whitening your teeth is one of the fastest ways to dramatically improve your appearance. Your smile introduces you to the world, and having white teeth can help you make a good impression. Once you undergo a teeth whitening treatment, you will probably be curious about how long the treatment will last.
There are several different types of teeth whitening treatments, including bleaching and laser whitening. In general, professional teeth whitening treatments of any type, performed by a dentist, will last between 6 to 12 months. The oral hygiene habits and age of the patient will determine exactly how long the whitening treatment lasts.
There are steps you can take to help the treatment last as long as possible. Avoid smoking, which can brown your teeth over time. Avoid coffee, red wine and dark teas, which also contain tooth-staining agents. Your dentist may recommend that you come in for routine touch-ups every 4 to 6 six months. These touch-ups will help the overall effect of whiter teeth last longer.
The structure of the patient’s teeth can also influence how long a teeth whitening treatment lasts. Overcrowded or crooked teeth may harbor plaque or bacteria in spaces between teeth, which may spread and lead to discoloration. Use a tooth whitening toothpaste that is recommended by your dentist after each meal, or at least twice a day. Floss daily. Use a mouth rinse that contains peroxide, or whatever rinse is recommended by your dentist. These steps will remove bacteria and stain-causing food particles from between your teeth.
Teeth whitening procedures will never produce permanent results. Teeth are naturally somewhat porous, and will absorb discoloration elements from the food we eat, though your food choices can slow this process. If you begin to notice your teeth are becoming yellowed again, ask your dentist before undergoing another tooth whitening (even if it’s an over the counter kit). Too much whitening too fast should be avoided.
To learn more about teeth whitening in Thornton Colorado, contact Alpine Dental Center at 303-428-6367.
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February 22nd, 2012
Tooth-colored fillings are certainly more attractive than their silver or amalgam predecessors. Fortunately, in dentistry, beauty alone is not enough to qualify any restorative material as acceptable. The restorative material of choice must first be biocompatible and safe for the body. It must also be strong enough to withstand the forces of eating and chewing. Finally, the material should be stable enough to endure the rapid temperature changes of the mouth as well as the constant moisture of the saliva. By offering tooth-colored fillings, your dentist has the ability to restore your teeth while adding strength and beauty.
For many years, amalgam was the most suitable restorative material available. Though not very appealing esthetically, amalgam was one of the few materials to meet or exceed the other important standards.
Today, your family dentist has access to state of the art dental materials that can address all of the clinical requirements while maintaining a higher level of esthetics. Tooth-colored fillings are an example of the advancements in available dental materials.
Right away, it is easy to appreciate the appearance of tooth-colored fillings. Available in a range of shades and multiple levels of translucencies, your dentist is able to blend these restorations perfectly with the shade of your enamel. Tooth-colored fillings will enable you to laugh and smile freely, with no worries about exposing dark silver fillings on the tops and sides of the teeth.
Impressively strong adhesive materials keep tooth-colored fillings bonded directly to the teeth. This bond adds additional strength to the teeth, but also reduces the risk of bacteria seeping in between the filling and the enamel. When bacteria are allowed to invade the space between the filling and the tooth, decay can develop; a major disadvantage to previously used materials such as amalgam.
Tooth-colored fillings can be made from various formulations of resins and porcelains that are safe for the body. These materials do not contain mercury or other questionable substances and do not conduct temperature sensations to the rest of the tooth. Patients typically notice significantly less temperature sensitivity in comparison to metal filling materials.
By offering tooth-colored fillings, your dentist has the ability to restore your teeth while adding strength and beauty. For more information about how tooth-colored fillings can improve your health and your smile, call Alpine Dental Center, serving the Thornton area, to schedule your appointment today.
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February 8th, 2012
 If your teeth are severely decayed, heavily worn down, injured or damaged, porcelain crowns might be the best treatment for restoration.
Conditions Treated with Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are highly versatile and can be used to treat a wide range of problems with your teeth. Your dentist can help you decide if crowns are the best possible treatment for your individual issues. Some problems treated with crowns include:
- Teeth damaged by trauma
- Severely cracked teeth
- Seriously decayed teeth
- Teeth that have been treated with a root canal
In many of these cases, treatment with a porcelain crown will help you keep a tooth that might otherwise require removal. Keeping your tooth intact will help maintain proper alignment of the rest of your teeth, preventing long-term problems with wear and tear, proper bite, or other issues that can affect your dental health.
How Porcelain Crowns Work
Porcelain crowns are placed in the same way as traditional metal crowns. First, the tooth is modified to make room for the crown to fit over it. Then your dentist makes a mold of the tooth, from which your permanent crown is manufactured. Porcelain crowns are made of a natural-looking material that matches the color of your other teeth.
While the final crown is being manufactured, your tooth will be protected with a temporary crown. When the permanent crown is completed, it replaces the temporary crown. The porcelain crown is bonded to the tooth with a special bonding agent. Your newly repaired tooth will look completely natural, without the distracting appearance of a metal crown.
To find out more about how porcelain crowns can help preserve your tooth and keep your smile bright and natural looking, please contact our Thornton CO office at 303-428-6367. We can evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment for your damaged, injured or severely decayed tooth.
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January 23rd, 2012
If you have periodontal disease, or gum disease, an ultrasonic cleaning can quickly and effectively do the scraping and planing that your Thornton family dentist typically did by hand.
With an ultrasonic cleaning, the machine uses ultrasonic vibrations that clean away tartar, decay and dental calculus that accumulate on your teeth. Like an in-home Water Pik, vibrating works to break away tartar and flush away tooth debris and accumulated bacteria. With an ultrasonic cleaning, the machine uses ultrasonic vibrations that clean away tartar, decay and dental calculus that accumulate on your teeth.
One of the great benefits of ultrasonic cleaning is that you don’t feel the vibrations or hear the machine’s sound waves, but you do feel how clean your teeth are afterward. What makes ultrasonic cleaning so perfect for those with gum disease, or gingivitis, is that your family dentist can clean thoroughly under your gum line.
Of course, ultrasonic cleaning cannot replace the skilled hand scaling of your experienced dentist or dental hygienist. When you have an ultrasonic cleaning, the key purpose is to remove large deposits of scale and tartar; the follow-up hand scaling takes care of the smaller details and deposits that aren’t washed away via ultrasonic cleaning.
Who is the best candidate for ultrasonic cleaning? If you have a lot of dental tartar or calculus on your teeth, then you may want to consider this procedure. If you have yellowed or discolored teeth, you may have a build up of dental plaque; you may also have swollen, red and inflamed gums that indicate gum disease. If not treated, these conditions can lead to tooth decay, and potentially tooth loss.
There are many benefits of ultrasonic cleaning, including:
- A complete, painless removal of dental tartar to improve oral health.
- A successful treatment to help prevent gum disease or its progression.
- The ability to remove stains and improve the appearance of your teeth.
Find out how an ultrasonic cleaning can improve your smile and the health of your mouth. Contact the office of Dr. Alan Gurman at 303-428-6367 today to see how we can make a difference in your smile.
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January 9th, 2012
 If you’re looking for a bright, beautiful smile, one of the easiest ways to achieve it is with Invisalign from your dentist serving Thornton Colorado. Invisalign is perfect for adults and teens who don’t want to bother with the aesthetics of traditional metal braces. Instead, these clear alignment trays are nearly invisible, so you can correct your smile without having anyone know.
The Invisalign alignment system consists of a series of specially crafted clear trays that are custom fitted to your mouth. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth and devise a treatment plan to achieve your specific teeth straightening goals. Depending on your treatment plan, your dentist will change the alignment trays every few weeks to accommodate your new tooth and mouth configuration.
The Invisalign system can correct many orthodontic conditions such as:
- Tooth overcrowding – when you have too many teeth or too little space for them to align properly, your teeth will become overcrowded.
- Tooth gaps – if you have missing teeth or misaligned teeth, you can have large gaps in your smile.
- Overbite – if your upper teeth project too far over your lower teeth, then you have an overbite. This can cause chewing and jaw problems if not corrected.
- Underbite – if your lower teeth project too far over your upper teeth, then you have an underbite. This can also lead to chewing and jaw problems.
- Crossbite – this is when one or more of your upper teeth fall inside your lower teeth when biting down.
One of the biggest considerations with wearing Invisalign trays is that they are not permanent like traditional metal braces. It takes a while to get used to consistently wearing them all day, every day and night. In order to achieve the desired results of straighter teeth, you must be disciplined in using the alignment system as directed by your dentist.
Invisalign can conveniently give you a healthy, bright smile. Call Alpine Dental Center at 303-428-6367 today to learn how you can benefit from the Invisalign system.
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December 21st, 2011
When we age, our body will not be able to heal itself as fast as it used to. This applies to both teeth and gums. Dr. Alan Gurman, your dentist serving Northglenn patients, wants you to have full use of your dentition in your old age. By incorporating proper dental hygiene into your daily life, you may not have to rely on dentures or dental implants when you reach your golden years.
Smoking constricts and reduces circulation. This is why many smokers have gingival tissue that is darker than the normal shell-pink color. All forms of tobacco can lead to periodontal problems, tooth loss and oral cancer. Your dentist understands that it may be hard to quit cold-turkey. You can enroll yourself in a support group to help you through the first few months.
Improper brushing techniques can also damage your teeth and gums. You can brush the occlusal portion with horizontal strokes and use the Bass technique for the other surfaces. Angle your brush at a 45 degree angle so the bristles rest on the area where teeth and gums meet. Move the toothbrush towards the incisal edge to remove the plaque found on the gumline. Repeat the procedure a few times to rid the area of plaque build-up. The procedure should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Your dentist would be happy to demonstrate this technique during your next visit.
Our alveolar bone is made up of osseous tissue and you may notice that older individuals who do not wear dentures exhibit a shrunken mandible or maxilla which purses their lips. Upon close inspection, the jawline will show resorption. This can be a problem if the patient wants dentures or implants. To keep your bones healthy, incorporate foods that are high in calcium into your diet. If you have lost a tooth, consider dentures or implants to prevent jaw shrinkage.
People with heart problems or diabetes need to prevent plaque from building up because it can actually worsen their medical condition. There are studies that show a link between periodontal problems and the fore-mentioned diseases. Individuals with familial history can lessen their risk of developing these conditions by maintaining proper oral hygiene, monitoring their food intake and regular exercise.
Contact Alpine Dental Center today to learn more and to schedule a consultation.
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