Category Archives: Restorative Dentistry

Do I Need Dental Bonding, Veneers, or a Crown?

April 24, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

Preventive dental care emphasizes maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent issues from developing. Restorative dental care involves fixing the structure or health of damaged or compromised teeth. And cosmetic dental care improves the aesthetics and appearance of teeth. Our team can help you decide whether you only need preventive care or if your teeth would benefit from a restorative treatment, such as a dental crown, or a cosmetic enhancement, like dental bonding or veneers.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps that can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain and metal. While a dental crown can be used to hide an irregularly shaped or a severely discolored tooth, it is generally utilized as a restorative solution. It is bonded in place to cover the top of a cracked, broken, or decayed tooth to restore and strengthen its structure, or to complete a bridge or dental implant.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is when we apply tooth-colored resin to a tooth to improve its shape and appearance. This simple, quick procedure doesn’t require multiple visits nor extensive preparation of a tooth. Bonding is best for minor defects like small chips or little gaps between teeth.

Custom Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of a tooth-colored material, typically porcelain, that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. This permanent cosmetic procedure changes your tooth’s size, length, shape, and color. Veneers can hide chips that are too large for dental bonding and discoloration that cannot be corrected with professional teeth whitening. More severe structural issues should be addressed with dental crowns.

Comprehensive Dental Care in Denver

If you think you might need dental bonding, custom veneers, or dental crowns, contact us at Vero Dental in Denver. Our team provides all of these services and more at our practice. During a consultation, we can give you our professional recommendation about what your smile needs to shine.

Solutions for Common Denture Problems

April 10, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

Have you lost multiple permanent teeth? Partial or full dentures could be a great option to give you back a beautiful, full smile. While it can take some time getting used to dentures, the good news is there are solutions for common denture problems. Here are some tips!

Trouble with Chewing & Eating

After spending decades biting down and chewing food with your natural teeth, it can feel slightly odd to do it with dentures. Like with everything else, the easier it becomes the more you practice! Start off by eating small bites of soft foods. As you become more comfortable, ease into eating harder foods and larger bites that require more chewing.

Difficulty Speaking

You may not realize how much the position of your teeth affects speaking. If you’re new to dentures, you may find that some normal words are harder to pronounce since your tongue is having to move around your artificial teeth differently than it did before. Try privately reading aloud and singing to develop your confidence.

Dentures Slipping

Some dentures are held in place by suction and the work of the muscles in your mouth. It’s normal to deal with some slippage in the first weeks after you’ve gotten your dentures. If the problem continues and you can’t get the hang of it, ask your dentist about other options. Some patients use denture adhesive or have their dentures fixed in place with dental implants.

Consult with Our Team!

If you’re having a hard time getting used to dentures, please contact our team at Vero Dental in Denver, CO. We’d be happy to check the fit of your dentures and adjust them as necessary for your comfort. We can also give you more tips and tricks when it comes to caring for and wearing your dentures.

How to Eat with Dentures

January 9, 2023 7:51 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Though dentures are beneficial for patients missing all or most of their teeth, adjusting to your dentures while eating may take some practice and patience. We’re sharing five tips for how to eat with dentures to make your adjustment easier!

Start with Liquids or Soft Foods

Once you put on your dentures, you may notice excessive saliva, mild soreness, and some difficulty speaking. These temporary discomforts are normal. Drinking liquids or eating soft foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce, smoothies, yogurt, and eggs can make the transition easier. We also recommend you avoid very hot temperatures as dentures can make it trickier to tell how hot a beverage or food item is.

Take Small Bites

After soft foods have been a success, the transition to hard foods may pose a new challenge. It’s best to cut food into small pieces to give you better control of chewing.

Chew with Both Sides of Your Mouth

You may feel like one area of your denture is more stable than another. However, using both sides of your mouth when you chew can prevent your denture from slipping out of place. This can also speed up the adjustment of eating with dentures.

Limit Using the Front Teeth

Using your front teeth to bite into foods can cause the front part of your dentures to take on all the pressure. This can dislodge other areas of the dentures and cause soreness to that section of your gums. Using a strong adhesive is a great way to stabilize your dentures.

Be Patient

Adjusting to dentures can take time. Stay patient, confident, and hopeful! You will eventually be back to enjoying a balanced diet with ease.

Comfortable Dentures in Denver, CO

Whether you’re wearing full or partial dentures, it’s important to be aware that eating with dentures will feel different than eating with all natural teeth. Dentures also require special maintenance and routine visits to the dentist. Please contact our team for more tips on living with dentures and to schedule your next routine cleaning and checkup!

Denture images from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

The Difference Between Dental Bridges & Implants

December 30, 2022 12:47 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Missing teeth can throw a wrench in everyday activities such as confidently interacting with others, eating, and speaking. At Vero Dental, we understand that finding a tooth replacement solution that best suits your smile needs, lifestyle, and budget is important. Luckily, there are many restorative treatments to help patients fill the gaps in their smile. Two common tooth replacement options are dental bridges and dental implants.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth in a row. This versatile dental prosthetic is designed to mimic the natural appearance of teeth. A traditional dental bridge is made up of two crowns on both ends with an artificial tooth sandwiched in between. The crowns attach the bridge on each end to your natural teeth. Bridges can also be connected to dental implants.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. These bases provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth to attach onto. Once the implants fully fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, a dental crown, bridge, or denture can be put into place on top. Implants are the only tooth replacement method that stimulates the jawbone to help prevent bone degeneration and changes in your facial structure.

Tooth Replacements in Denver, CO

Are you ready to start your tooth replacement journey? At Vero Dental, our experienced team is committed to helping patients regain beautiful, complete smiles. We offer a wide array of treatments to help restore your smile’s functionality and boost your confidence. In addition to our Dental Savers Plan, our office accepts many forms of payment, including cash, debit and credit cards, dental insurance, FSAs and HSAs, and financing through CareCredit^® and LendingClub. Please contact our office today to schedule your tooth replacement consultation!

Bridge and implant images from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

What Should I Do If My Filling Falls Out?

November 25, 2022 9:46 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Acid from bacteria can strip minerals from a tooth’s enamel, its outer protective layer, and cause temporary weakening. If the tooth is not fortified with additional minerals, it will result in permanent damage to the tooth in the form of a cavity. This is a little hole in your tooth’s structure. An untreated cavity can get worse and cause infection that results in pain and tooth loss. Your dental team will check for cavities, and other dental issues, at your routine checkups and will recommend any necessary treatment. This can involve removing the decay, cleaning the area, and repairing it with a filling.

What Is a Filling?

A filling is a special dental material a dentist uses to literally fill up a cavity to restore a tooth’s strength and full function and to protect the inner tooth from damage. Fillings are typically tooth-colored so you can’t see them. While uncommon, a filling can fall out.

Treating a Lost Dental Filling

If your dental filling has fallen out, then you want to get the area treated as soon as possible. That filling was a barrier that protected the inner part of your tooth from being exposed to bacteria. Without it there, your tooth is more susceptible to decay and infection.

The first thing you should do is call your dentist so that they can bring you in to get a new filling. In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce any discomfort. Try not to chew food in the affected area since you want to keep the tooth as clean as possible. Drink plenty of water and regularly rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water and table salt.

Restorative Dentistry in Denver, CO

If you have any questions about your smile, please contact Vero Dental today! We provide a variety of restorative dental treatments, including dental fillings, in Denver, CO.

Completely Restore Your Smile This Summer!

July 23, 2022 11:39 pm
Published by Vero Dental

This summer could be the perfect time to start the process of getting the smile you’ve been dreaming of! At Vero Dental, we offer full-mouth reconstructions for patients dealing with issues like missing teeth, damaged teeth, deep stains, and more.

What Is a Full-Mouth Reconstruction?

With full-mouth reconstructions, we can restore the function, health, and appearance of a smile. A treatment plan typically consists of both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Which treatments you need depends on your specific case and what we need to rebuild. If you still have your natural teeth but they’re damaged, we can use treatments like crowns and veneers. For teeth that are too damaged or compromised to save, extractions are often the best option. To replace missing teeth, we offer restorative procedures like bridges, dentures, and implants.

What’s the Process Like?

The first thing we’ll do is examine your teeth, take X-rays, and discuss your goals and budget. Together, we’ll create a custom treatment plan. Because every plan is different, the reconstruction process could take a few months to a year. Some procedures are more complex than others, but we use anesthesia when necessary so you can remain comfortable and not feel pain. We’ll also provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you have a smooth recovery.

How Much Do They Cost?

Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on what treatments you need and what your insurance plan covers. We will provide a cost estimate before beginning any work. Our office accepts dental insurance and third-party financing. We also offer an in-house dental savers plan for uninsured or underinsured patients.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction in Denver, CO

Whether you have missing teeth, broken teeth, or teeth with major cosmetic issues, a full-mouth reconstruction could restore and transform your smile! If you have questions about any of the treatments a reconstruction may include (like extractions, implants, or veneers), please contact us to schedule a consultation with our team!

Can a Broken Tooth Be Fixed?

November 30, 2021 8:15 am
Published by Vero Dental

It’s possible to break a tooth whether you’ve eaten something hard, sustained an injury, or have advanced decay. Having a broken tooth can be damaging to your ability to eat and talk, not to mention your confidence.

Here are some of the ways we fix broken teeth at Vero Dental in Denver:

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is designed to cover an injured tooth to prevent further damage and protect what is left of your tooth. This cap is custom-crafted to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth.

Filling

A filling is a cost-effective way to fix a broken tooth if it doesn’t need to be reinforced with a crown.

Veneers

Veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that can be bonded to the front of a tooth to hide small chips and cracks to improve their appearance.

Root Canal Therapy

Breaks and cracks in a tooth can allow bacteria to infiltrate the sensitive inner layer called the pulp. This can lead to infection. A pulp that is damaged or infected will require root canal treatment. During this procedure, we will flush out bacteria from the inside of your tooth, clear away the damaged tissue, and replace it with a special dental material.

Dental Implants

If a compromised tooth must be removed, it can be replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants are a long-lasting and realistic-looking tooth replacement. Made of a titanium rod and a crown, these sturdy restorations can last for a lifetime if cared for well.

Comprehensive Family Dentistry in Denver, CO

There’s no need to live with a broken tooth or a lackluster smile. Vero Dental offers the above services and more to help you maintain a gorgeous, healthy smile. Our family-friendly dental office caters to patients of all ages and backgrounds so you can find a treatment for your unique needs all under one roof. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

Does a Dental Bridge Feel Natural?

October 31, 2021 7:43 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Severely damaged teeth and lost teeth can occur due to dental disease or trauma. Gaps in your smile can negatively affect your life, by making it more difficult to eat, smile, and socialize with confidence. Your remaining teeth can also shift into these gaps. This can result in facial sagging and crooked teeth that are harder to clean and thus more prone to decay.

To restore your smile, there are a handful of tooth replacement options. For many patients, a dental bridge is the right choice and will feel similar to having natural teeth.

What Are Dental Bridges?

A traditional dental bridge is made from two crowns that sandwich an artificial tooth between them. The crowns fit over your natural teeth on either side of a gap left by a missing tooth, which is now filled in with a replacement tooth. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants if you’re missing several teeth in a row. A cantilever dental bridge has only one adjacent supporting tooth.

Before we place the bridge, we’ll shape the teeth that the crowns (which are called abutment teeth) will cover. We’ll take impressions of these teeth to create custom crowns that fit perfectly over them. When your permanent bridge is finished, we’ll attach it to your smile and make sure it feels comfortable and looks amazing.

What Do Dental Bridges Feel Like?

Fixed dental bridges aren’t removable. They should feel similarly to natural teeth, since crowns are designed to look as close to real teeth as possible. When you first get your bridge, you might feel mild discomfort and tenderness as your mouth adjusts. This should be temporary. Let us know if it gets worse and/or persists for more than a few days.

How to Care for a Dental Bridge

While the crowns in a dental bridge cannot decay like natural teeth, your gums and the natural teeth beneath the crowns are still susceptible to disease. Brush twice a day for two minutes each time and floss every day. An electric toothbrush and water flosser are great tools if you have a bridge. Additionally, consume a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, avoid tobacco, and visit Vero Dental for routine professional cleanings.

Restore Your Smile at Vero Dental in Denver, CO

Missing teeth can significantly affect many areas of your life. A dental bridge is a comfortable and budget-friendly option to restore your smile and self-esteem. For more information, please reach out to Vero Dental to schedule a consultation with our expert team!

Images from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Tips for Effective Denture Care

August 31, 2021 9:44 pm
Published by Vero Dental

If you have dentures, do you know if you’re caring for them properly? Denture care is important to ensure safe and comfortable wear. We have some tips to help our patients get the most out of their dentures.

Remove After Eating

One of the most pivotal times when care for your dentures matters most is after eating. This is because food particles and bacteria have a tendency to cling to the dentures and cause problems with your oral health. After eating, remove the dentures and rinse them off. Do be careful when you clean your dentures so that you don’t drop and break them.

Handle with Care

The key to long lasting dentures is handling them with care. When you aren’t wearing your dentures, be careful not to drop them. Lay them on a towel, or fill the sink with water when you’re cleaning them. Don’t bend the dentures or harm the clasps while cleaning.

Clean Daily

Your dentures are in your mouth for much of the time each day, so you want them to be clean and fresh. This means they need to be cleaned regularly. On a daily basis, remember to take out your dentures and soak them. Then, use a soft bristled brush along with a dental cleaner to get them good and clean.

Prioritize Dental Health

Even with dentures, it’s important that you still clean your mouth, too. After you remove your dentures, use a soft toothbrush to clean your remaining natural teeth, tongue, cheeks, and mouth. There may be some lingering dental adhesive that you’ll need to target while you clean. And, of course, keep up with those regular visits to the dentist every six months.

Dentures in Denver, CO

Here at Vero Dental, we offer several restorative dental solutions, including full and partial dentures. If you’re interested in exploring one of these solutions, let’s get you in for a consultation. Give us a call or click the contact link below.

Photo from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Recovery Tips After Full-Mouth Reconstruction

April 26, 2021 10:54 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Patients with several missing teeth, severe decay, or seriously broken teeth might think there isn’t anything that will improve the look and function of their smile. However, full-mouth reconstruction is a treatment designed to overhaul even the most damaged teeth. We’re pleased to offer full-mouth reconstruction treatment at Vero Dental! Read on to learn more about this treatment that can transform the look of your smile.

Why Would I Need a Full-Mouth Reconstruction?

A full-mouth reconstruction is ideal for individuals who have extensive damage to the overall look and function of their smile. Good candidates include those who have multiple missing teeth or many teeth that have been damaged or broken by decay or trauma.

Full Mouth Reconstruction Consultation

If you believe you’re a candidate for full-mouth reconstruction, stop by our Denver dental office for a consultation. Our team will assess your situation and work with you to determine your smile goals. We will discuss the potential treatments we recommend to bring you relief and peace of mind. During this consultation, we will perform a thorough examination and take X-rays if needed to help us determine the ideal solution for your smile.

It can be hard to determine a set timeline or give an estimated price for treatment before the consultation. Full-mouth reconstruction involves complex planning and likely will take several visits to complete. Once the plan is in place, we will provide you with a cost estimate before you agree to treatment. We will also work with you to find a payment plan that suits your budget.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction Procedure

Because your treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, it can be hard to say what the exact full-mouth reconstruction procedure will entail. For some, it might require a few tooth extractions, followed by a series of dental implants. For others, it might mean receiving a full set of dental veneers. We have many restorative procedures available which can be used together to rebuild a smile. Our doctors work with each patient to make sure they get a smile that not only functions properly but also looks natural with their face.

Recovering From Full-Mouth Reconstruction

While aftercare tips will vary greatly from patient to patient, we will provide you with thorough instructions to help you have a pain-free, quick recovery. Here are some of our go-to aftercare tips for dental procedures.

Ice your cheeks in 10 minute increments if you are experiencing pain or swelling
Take over-the-counter or prescribed medications as directed to ease the pain.
Do not use any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, as you recover.
Eat soft, nutrient-dense foods like mashed sweet potatoes, low-sugar yogurt, smoothies, pureed soups, and applesauce as you recover.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to prevent infection.
Do not drink with a straw.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction in Denver, CO

We provide many other services at Vero Dental in addition to full mouth reconstruction. Do you need a general dental cleaning and examination? Are you interested in a cosmetic procedure? Do you require a restorative treatment? Or are you searching for a family-friendly dentist? Whatever you need, you’ve come to the right place! Call Vero Dental or click the contact link below to get started!