Archive for the ‘cosmetic dentistry’ Category

« Older Entries

Wisdom Teeth And Your Lafayette Dentist

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Wisdom Teeth And Your Lafayette Dentist Wisdom teeth are the last of the molars (grinding teeth) to erupt from the gum. They usually appear in the late teens and early twenties. Not all people develop these teeth while others have from one to four.

Though some people never experience any problems with these extra molars, many times Wisdom teeth can create serious dental complications. If the wisdom teeth do not have the room to develop and erupt normally, they are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted tooth may never emerge from the bone and gum, emerge only partially, or come in sideways.

Impacted teeth can damage the adjacent molar, cause infection or trigger gum disease. Sometimes these problems cause no noticeable symptoms for a period of time. To prevent these serious complications, wisdom teeth are often removed.

Wisdom teeth symptoms include pain when opening mouth, gum swelling, bad breath, and pain when chewing. These indicators can be constant or intermittent.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extraction, call 303-665-5335 to schedule an exam at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. We provide state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment.  Our dental team can recommend the best course of treatment.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry

Providing comprehensive dental care for Lafayette and Boulder area families since 1998.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , ,
Posted in Dental Health, cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, restorative dentistry, sedation dentistry | No Comments »

Overbites And Underbites in Lafayette

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Overbites And Underbites When the upper part of the jaw and the lower part of the jaw are not the same size, bite problems can occur. When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite. Another related alignment disorder is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.

Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty. Gum disease and tooth decay are also harder to prevent because proper oral hygiene can be difficult with a malocclusion. TMJ disorder can develop over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling issues for those affected.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for bite problems. If you suspect your child has a bite misalignment, it is especially important to have them examined as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure they avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry at 303-665-5335. dentist Dr. Gordon West, DDS is experienced in diagnosing bite disorders in patients of all ages. We can create a successful treatment plan for you. We also perform porcelain veneers and dental implants for Boulder area dental clients.

-Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Dental Health, cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, restorative dentistry | No Comments »

Oral Conscious Sedation

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Oral Conscious Sedation Some people experience severe anxiety when undergoing dental treatment. With oral conscious sedation, it is possible to relax during dental procedures instead of being tense and fearful. Oral sedation dentistry, relaxation dentistry, conscious sedation and anxiety-free dentistry are all terms used to describe this type of treatment. In addition to alleviating anxiety, oral conscious sedation can help patients with a variety of conditions.

You may want to consider oral conscious sedation if you have any of the following issues:

  • Strong gag reflex
  • Fear of needles
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • A history of negative dental experiences
  • Trouble controlling body movement due to Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy or related condition
  • Need extensive dental treatment requiring lengthy dental visits

If you have avoided dental treatment due to any of these factors, give us a call at 303-665-5335. We can give you more information about sedation options and help you determine which one is right for you. At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry we do all we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We look forward to discussing your oral health and dental goals.

Serving Lafayette dental patients since 1998.

Center for Advanced Dental Care.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Health, cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, restorative dentistry, sedation dentistry | No Comments »

Porcelain Veneers

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Porcelain Veneers With porcelain veneers, you can revamp your smile without significant restorative dental work.

Porcelain veneers are glass-like, wafer-thin covers that are attached to the front of your teeth. Porcelain has been used in dentistry for many years because no other restorative material is such an excellent match for natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is translucent and can be matched to the color of any tooth. It is stronger than enamel and resists stains. Dental ceramists who fabricate porcelain veneers are both artists and technicians. They create beautiful paper-thin wafers that adhere to teeth, correcting chips and stains. Porcelain veneers can also straighten crooked teeth for patients who don’t need orthodontic work.

Patients who receive porcelain veneers appreciate the less-invasive process of enhancing their smile. Newer techniques require no removal of healthy tooth enamel.

We would be happy to show you what dental veneers can do for your smile at our Lafayette dental office.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry is located at 1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette. We provide skilled dental care for patients in the greater Boulder area. Our phone number is 303-665-5335. You can visit http://www.bouldercountysmiles.com/site.cfm/Services-16 for information about our practice and our state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment team.

Smile – sunshine is good for your teeth!

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , ,
Posted in cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers | No Comments »

Professional Teeth Whitening

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Professional Teeth Whitening at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry A brilliant smile leaves a lasting impression. Professional teeth whitening in our Lafayette office can dramatically improve your overall appearance and give you a boost in self-confidence.

Our teeth often turn yellow or gray as we age. The things we eat and drink continually such as colored sodas, coffee and red wine contribute to the staining. Most of us are aware that smoking is not only bad for your lungs; it is an enemy to beautiful teeth. If you are considering having your teeth whitened, you must first decide which method to use. At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we enjoy discussing treatment options with our clients. To schedule a consultation to talk about teeth whitening or any other dental procedure, call 303-665-5335.

At-home tooth whitening treatments usually consist of trays filled with whitening solution. It takes 7-14 days to achieve 3-6 shades lighter. Brush-on teeth gels and whitening strips take up to 30 days to achieve barely noticeable results. Whitening toothpaste may lighten superficial stains but often provides no change in appearance of teeth.

Professional teeth whitening procedures performed by a dental professional achieve dramatic results that last far longer than other treatments.

All of the whitening methods may cause tooth pain or sensitivity, but this usually goes away in a few days. If you have dental crowns, porcelain veneers or bonding, it is important to talk to your dentist before choosing a whitening method.

We do smile makeovers!

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: ,
Posted in cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening | No Comments »

Creating Beautiful Smiles At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Creating beautiful Lafayette smiles at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry I am glad you found our blog! I’m Dr. Gordon West, DDS, of Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, a full-service dental practice in Lafayette. I am a proud member of The Crown Council. My profession is dentistry, but my passion is providing superior and affordable Lafayette dental care for my patients. I began serving Colorado dental clients in the Boulder area back in 1998. Since that time, my profession has undergone dramatic changes which have benefited my teeth whitening and tooth restoration patients in Longmont and Louisville.

My specialty in Lafayette is cosmetic dentistry, but I also perform many porcelain veneers and dental implants for my Longmont and Louisville patients.

I know my Lafayette dentistry patients have many choices for their dentistry care and work hard every day to surpass expectations.

I build long-term relationships with my Broomfield and Louisville cosmetic dentistry patients. I constantly educate myself on the latest procedures to determine what is truly innovative and what is merely a gimmick. My cosmetic and general dentistry patients appreciate the time I take to thoroughly analyze their total oral health. My staff enjoys keeping my Lafayette family dentistry practice running smoothly so I can concentrate on what I do best—serving my patients!

Dr. Gordon West, DDS

303-665-5335

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Health, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, general dentistry, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening | No Comments »

Common Myths about Lafayette Family Cosmetic Dentistry

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Common Myths about Lafayette Family Cosmetic Dentistry Myth #1: Cosmetic Dentistry is Never Necessary for a Healthy Smile

Many so-called Boulder cosmetic dental procedures are not solely cosmetic. Longmont dental procedures such as tooth replacement are smile-enhancing and, more importantly, prevent many potential problems such as tooth movement, bone loss and difficulty chewing and speaking.

Myth #2: A Louisville Dental Bridge is the Only Way to Replace a Missing Tooth

Dental bridges are a Lafayette dental cosmetic procedure that have been used for many years with success. However, dental implants are often a better choice for replacing one or more missing teeth. Dental implants have many advantages for Broomfield dental patients. They feel like natural teeth, they are stronger, and they are easier to clean than dental bridges. Colorado tooth implants can also be used to anchor dentures or partial dentures.

Myth #3: At-Home Kits are as Effective for Louisville Tooth Whitening Than a Professional Dental Solution

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we offer our Boulder dental patients teeth whitening treatments that provide a much greater level of whiteness than at-home kits. At-home kits may remove surface stains, but they do not provide optimum results and can often lead to uneven coloring.

Myth #4: Dental Bonding is the Best Way to Fix a Chipped Tooth.

Dental bonding can restore the shape of a tooth, but may not be the best long-term solution. If you have a damaged tooth, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Call us at 303-665-5335 to set up an appointment so we can determine the best solution for you.

Myth #5: Longmont Braces are the Only Way to Straighten Teeth

Braces are often part of a transforming dental makeover for our Boulder teens and adults alike. However, if your teeth are only slightly crooked, Invisalign invisible braces can dramatically improve your smile.

dentist Dr. Gordon West DDS
excellent patient care
Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201
Lafayette Colorado 80026
http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com
303-665-5335

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Health, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening | No Comments »

Questions To Ask Your Lafayette Dentist

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Questions To Ask Your Lafayette Dentist Sometimes we research our Lafayette mechanic or Longmont hairdresser more thoroughly than our Lafayette dental professional. Shouldn’t your dental care be far more important than the condition of your car or the style of your hair? At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we love to answer questions about your teeth. You should be asking your Colorado dentist any question you have about the care and status of your teeth.

For instance, you may have questions about the school of dentistry he or she attended and the dental specialties studied. Though important, dentistry school is not the only place to gain dental experience. Dr. Gordon West has been performing complex dental procedures in Colorado since 1998.

You should also be asking about the dentistry specialties your Longmont dentist offers such as tooth restoration and Invisalign invisible braces. These services may not be important to you now, but it is a good idea to have an understanding of your options, and to know what your Longmont dentist has to offer.

If you are contemplating smile restoration, tooth implants, or tooth whitening, evaluate cosmetic dentistry options with your Longmont dentist. Look at before and after pictures, and ask your Longmont dentist what procedures may be right for you.

General dentists in Boulder offer a variety of dental services such as tooth extractions and tooth fillings, and can treat every member of the family. At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we specialize in cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers and dental implants.

You have many choices for your Lafayette family dentistry. We welcome questions about all aspects of our Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry practice. Visit us at 1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette and talk to a member of our state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment team.

Visit our Lafayette dentistry website at http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Health, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, porcelain veneers, restorative dentistry, teeth whitening | No Comments »

Lafayette Whiter Smiles

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry Wishing for a whiter smile in Lafayette but not sure how to get it? New to smile tooth whitening lingo in Colorado? At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we educate clients on the variety of Boulder affordable teeth whiting treatments; from whitening trays to teeth bleaching to opalescence whitening or smile whitening in Louisville, Longmont or Brommfield.

Almost every toothpaste claims to whiten teeth, but as we age our teeth gradually turn yellow or gray, despite all the whitening toothpastes we use regularly. Tooth enamel, while one of the hardest substances in the body, is porous. Over time, the food and drinks that comes in contact with our teeth cause staining and discoloration. You probably have already discovered that a toothbrush cannot clean these microscopic pores.

Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the two main smile whitening ingredients. They can penetrate the outer layer of your teeth to remove the build-up, and help restore whitening to teeth. Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry at 303-665-5335 to schedule an appointment and we will explain the difference between these tooth bleaching ingredients and how they may affect your smile whitening results in Lafayette.

Boulder at-home teeth whitening products are probably not a good choice if you have dental crowns or porcelain veneers. You could end up with extremely uneven results or possible damage to your existing Colorado cosmetic dentistry.

We know the best Lafayette teeth bleaching options and can recommend the perfect white smile solution for you.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we hope to see you soon. Give us a call at 303-665-5335.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , ,
Posted in cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening | No Comments »

Lafayette Prepless Veneers

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Lafayette Prepless Veneers

One of the latest breakthroughs in Lafayette cosmetic dentistry is prepless veneers. Though thousands of Longmont and Louisville cosmetic dentistry patients who have received traditional veneers are happy with the results, some Colorado dental clients have delayed this procedure because they do not want to lose healthy tooth structure.

Lafayette prepless veneers are a less-invasive procedure for transforming Boulder smiles. New prepless veneers are incredibly thin shells which adhere to the face of teeth and require no removal of tooth enamel. Most Boulder prepless veneers are about the thickness of two pieces of paper. Because the color is built into the veneers (instead of being applied after fabrication), they look like your natural teeth–only better!

Our experienced Colorado ceramists are skilled artists. They create each custom Lafayette veneer with the optimum shape, color and thickness for your new smile. Another great feature of the Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry prepless veneers application procedure is that it requires no anesthesia or drilling.

If you are embarrassed by misaligned, discolored or broken teeth, Louisville prepless veneers may be a Colorado smile restoration solution that you can feel good about.

Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry to learn more about prepless veneers. It is the first step toward your dazzling new smile!

Dr. Gordon West

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201
Lafayette Colorado 80026
303-665-5335

http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , ,
Posted in cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers | No Comments »

« Older Entries