How dental crowns from your dentist in Westminster, Colorado can make your smile strong and beautiful

There are lots of things that can weaken your smile. Aging and everyday wear-and-tear can lead to a worn-down smile. Even large, old fillings can weaken teeth by separating teeth into sections, which are more prone to fracture when you bite down.

The good news is, dental crowns can restore your damaged teeth, making your smile whole again. Dr. Alexander W. Smith at The Family Dentist in Westminster, Colorado offers a wide range of dental services, including dental crowns to make your smile strong and beautiful.

Dental crowns provide the best protection possible against fracture or breakage because they cover the entire visible surfaces of your teeth. When you bite down or chew with a dental crown, the stress and pressure are spread out evenly across the surface of your tooth, protecting your tooth from breaking.

Dental crowns also improve the look of your smile. Your damaged teeth will appear whole again. Large metal fillings that may look unsightly, can be replaced with a more natural-looking, more protective dental crown.

You can choose from a variety of materials for your dental crown. Full gold crowns used to be the standard because of their strength and durability, but they don’t look natural.

Porcelain has become a more widely used material because of its important benefits:

• Porcelain reflects light, just like natural tooth enamel
   
• Porcelain resembles tooth enamel, so when a porcelain crown is placed, it is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth
   
• Porcelain is stain-resistant, so your new porcelain crowns will stay white and beautiful for years

When you have crowns placed on your back teeth, it’s important to have as much strength as possible. That’s why back teeth are often crowned with a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, also known as a PFM crown. These crowns combine the strength of a metal underlay with the beauty of porcelain.

Dental crowns can restore your damaged teeth and also provide enhanced beauty to your smile. To find out more about the benefits of dental crowns, call Dr. Alexander W. Smith at The Family Dentist in Westminster, Colorado. You can reach him at (303) 427-8690, so call today!

You go for the best in whatever you undertake. Why not apply the same philosophy to tooth replacement? The Family Dentist in Westminister, CO, is Dr. Alexander Smith. He places dental implants in patients who have lost teeth to accident, gum disease and decay. A dental implant could be your best option for permanent tooth replacement.

Dental implants and you

If you're a teen or adult with good overall health and a strong jaw bone, you could receive dental implants to fill those smile gaps. At his Westminster, CO, office, Dr. Alexander Smith will examine your teeth and gums and also scan your jaw bone to determine its size, health and density. If it's strong enough, he can surgically insert a titanium implant screw into your empty tooth socket.

Over the next weeks to months, that device will bond with your jaw bone. Osseointegration, as the action is called, anchors this artificial tooth root. Dr. Smith then attaches a metal alloy extension post and lifelike crown.

That completes a single-tooth implant. The more you use your dental implant, the stronger your jaw bone will become. You should have that new tooth indefinitely.

Other advantages of dental implants

Dental implants:

• Rarely fail or need replacement
• Look and feel totally real
• Are immovable and restore almost 100 percent of your natural chewing power (traditional dentures produce a small fraction of that)
• Clean-up with twice-daily brushing and once a day flossing (see Dr. Smith semi-annually for your exam and hygienic cleaning)
• Support bridgework or partial/full dentures
• Are customized to your specific needs
• Strengthen and support your remaining teeth
• Need no adhesives or soaking
• Keep your facial features youthful and your speech, clear

Get ready for the best

The American College of Prosthodontists says that 120 million Americans have lost at least one tooth. Are you included in that number? Then, contact The Family Dentist, Dr. Alexander Smith, in Westminster, CO. Dental implants really are as tremendous as they sound. Learn how they could improve your appearance and oral function. Phone our office at (303) 427-8690.

Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

Maintaining good habits to benefit your smile is a vital part of your oral and overall health. You need to know the best way to keep your teeth white and free from decay and your gums healthy. Dr. Alexander W. Smith of The Family Dentist, located in Westminster, CO answers some frequently asked questions about keeping good oral hygiene habits.

Am I using the right toothbrush?

You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits comfortably in your mouth. An angle-head toothbrush can give you the best reach over your teeth and gums. You should replace your toothbrush every three months or when it begins to show signs of wear.

What kind of toothpaste should I use?

Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride as this will help to strengthen your teeth. Toothpaste that contains whiteners can help to remove daily stains and keep your teeth brighter.

How often should I brush?

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you have recently eaten, wait at least thirty minutes before brushing.

Do I really need to floss?

Yes, flossing is very important for controlling plaque build-up. If you feel uncomfortable using string floss, try floss picks or a water flosser.

How often do I need to see my dentist?

You should get a check-up every six months. This gives your dentist time to find any problems, such as tooth decay, and treat them as soon as possible. It also gives you a chance to get a professional cleaning. Many Westminster residents book their bi-annual check-ups ahead of time so that they can be sure to get an appointment when they need one.

Our Westminster office is currently closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. If you have a dental emergency call Dr. Smith at (303) 427-8690.

If you're ready to replace missing teeth, dental implants offer an excellent restoration option. Your Westminster, CO, dentist, Dr. Alexander Smith, can help you decide if implants are right for you.

Dental implants completely restore teeth

Dental implants restore missing teeth above and below the gum line. Tiny titanium posts that naturally bond to your jawbone, implants are placed in the vacant spaces of your smile during minor oral surgery in our Westminster office.

Implants act as roots for your new teeth and become securely attached to your jawbone in as little as three to six months. Once your implants are bonded, your dentist adds small abutments to the top of them and makes an impression of your mouth that will be used to create dental crowns.

Crowns are artificial teeth that look just like the visible parts of your teeth. They're screwed on to the top of the dental implants to complete the restoration of your teeth.

Implants function just like natural teeth

Your dental implants won't slip or slide when you bite and chew or irritate your mouth. You also won't experience a significant change in your biting power and will be able to easily chew tough or hard foods with your new teeth.

Although your teeth may be synthetic, they'll feel perfectly real. In fact, many people who receive implants don't notice any difference between implants and their natural teeth.

Additionally, the constant stimulation of your jawbone by your tooth roots keep the bone strong. Resorption, a problem that can occur when the jawbone begins to shrink after tooth loss, won't be a problem if you replace your roots with implants.

Finally, caring for dental implants is quick and easy, for it only requires regular brushing and flossing. When you floss, however, you'll need to pay a little extra attention to the area around your new crown. Keeping this area clean and free of debris will help you avoid an infection that could jeopardize your new tooth. Fortunately, infections are rare if you practice good oral hygiene.
 

Call us for treatment

Restore your smile with dental implants! Call your dentist in Westminster, CO, Dr. Smith, at (303) 427-8690 to schedule an appointment.

Even if you have perfectly straight, healthy teeth, both stains and discolorations can ruin an otherwise beautiful smile. After all, a good oral hygiene routine can fall short in the face of dietary and lifestyle factors such as smoking, medications, and the natural aging process, all of which can diminish your smile over time. A professional teeth whitening treatment is the perfect antidote to surface stains and discolorations. Dr. Alexander Smith, a cosmetic dentist in Westminster, CO, offers cosmetic dentistry services to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile at any age—read on to learn what professional teeth whitening can do for you

Professional Teeth Whitening Services from our Westminster Office

These treatments deliver dramatic and lasting results, while also protecting your gums and tooth enamel in the process. The results are different for everyone, but in many cases, the results of a professional teeth whitening treatment can last for as many as five years.

Types of Dental Stains

There are a couple of things that can stain your teeth and dull your smile over time. One of the most common sources is through the food and drinks that come into direct contact with your teeth. Surface whitening treatments and bleaching work best on these types of stains; but they don't work on all types of stains. Dr. Smith will perform a comprehensive dental exam and recommend the best option to whiten and improve your smile. In addition to professional teeth whitening treatments, cosmetic bonding, crowns, and porcelain veneers are also available to cover damaged teeth.

Interested? Give our Westminster Office a Call

For more information about how a professional teeth whitening treatment can transform and improve your smile, contact The Family Dentist today by calling (303) 427-8690 to schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith.