Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Insights into a Cosmetic Dentistry career

I just finished breakfast with a long-term dentist friend of mine. We've had a standing annual breakfast meeting for about 15 years now. Time flies... As I write this I am sitting in a Starbuck's. Not just ANY Starbuck's, but one that used to be my old dental office. It's actually sort of creepy. Who knew then that a little ramshackle dental building would later be converted to a neighborhood coffee hotspot.

Back in 1991 I started my first dental practice in Denver, near the DU campus. Even from the beginning, one of the first organizations I became involved with was the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. I placed my first veneers almost 20 years ago now.

Even though, the years are starting to really add up, I still enjoy cosmetic dentistry more than anything else I do. I appreciate the opportunity to change smiles and change lives. I am looking forward to the next 15 years too (though I'm fairly sure we have enough Starbuck's now).

So if you are looking for veneers, or maybe to revitalize your smile, contact me today. I'll even buy you a cup of Starbuck's if you mention my old office...

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Dr. Scott at 9:50 AM

Friday, October 16, 2009

State of the Art Cosmetic Dentistry and Sherlock Holmes



I am blogging to you from the 2nd ever annual meeting of the Colorado Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. I feel fortunate to be a Charter member here in Denver. This group is an affiliate of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Like a lot of things in life, hanging and associating with the right people makes all the difference.
Here are some of my biggest observations for today:

A great cosmetic dentist is really a great photographer. You have to imagine, see, then capture the problems in teeth. I personally believe that many clues to issues in teeth are just missed. It's like those old Sherlock Holmes stories. There's a dead body on the floor, Watson makes some theory like he was shot by a random passer-by through the window. After a few moments of unbelief, Holmes goes on to explain in detail how the corpse had recently returned from the far east, inadvertently upset a local warlord, and was followed home and poisoned while he slept with some exotic Asian spider venom.

CLASSIC-- they both are in the same room, but it's all in how the details are seen (IF they are recognized) and how they are linked together to tie the important details together correctly. Any really good dentistry has to be done in this same manner. Cosmetic dentistry has to be done in the same way. For cosmetic dentistry to produce an exciting result, and for it to hold up well over time, the cosmetic dentist has to be a master at collecting clues (photographing) and fitting them together for that indiviual patient.

I really enjoying winding through these mysteries and journeys. Every day it is our mission to solve problems, and create beautiful cosmetic dentistry.

So, watch out for Asian warlords, and exotic spiders... but leave your teeth to us.

Labels: , , , , , ,

posted by Dr. Scott at 10:49 AM

Friday, May 29, 2009

Current Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry: Tooth Whitening

The number one most unappealing aspect of a person's smile is stained or discolored teeth, according to a consumer poll conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Statistics back this current trend. The AACD reports that teeth whitening procedures are the most popular cosmetic dental treatment today, having increased more than 300 percent since 1996.

Although daily home care and routine cleanings are crucial for maintaining optimum oral health, some foods can actually help to remove stains from your teeth. The AACD says that foods like apples, carrots and cucumbers produce saliva that combines with the natural fiber in these foods. The combination naturally cleans your teeth and removes bacteria.

Foods and tips for a brighter, whiter smile

  • Avoid the following or use them sparingly: coffee, dark syrup sodas, red wine, blackberries and blueberries. These will stain your teeth quickly.
  • Strawberries help naturally whiten your teeth.
  • When possible, drink from a straw. Doing so allows food to bypass your teeth completely.
  • Besides being healthy for your body, raw vegetables will help clean your teeth and rid them of surface stains.


Chewing sugarless gum has also been proven to stimulate saliva and clean the tooth surfaces. However, if you suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD), you should not try this.

If you are interested in a teeth whitening procedure or would like to learn more about other cosmetic dentistry options, please call or email Lakewood Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Greenhalgh today.

Labels: , ,

posted by Erica at 9:40 AM

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Power of Unexpected Service


I recently attended the 25th annual session of The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. It was a great meeting presenting cutting edge advancements in cosmetic dentistry techniques.

 It's typically a very large meeting with thousands of dentists from around the world. With the economy being somewhat uncertain this year, I think it also filters what practices are really committed to cosmetic dentistry, and which just want to be on the bandwagon. In fact, this year only 900 dentists worldwide attended this meeting. I anticipate having the exact number of dentists from Colorado that attended, but I would guess about a dozen at the most from all areas of the state.

At big functions, customer service typically goes out the window because it's a captive audience. I have to say I had a number of really unexpected great experiences throughout the week. 

For example, before you can enter any of the lectures, you have your registration badge bar codes scanned. Typically these are people who have to sit at a table all day for hours. Not exactly fascinating work. I met probably the friendliest person of the whole week at one of these check in areas. I happened to have a number of my seminars in the same room, so there she was day after day. She used my name, "Hello again Dr. Scott!" and was all smiles. 

A number of years ago one of my study clubs brought the Ritz-Carlton to Denver to teach us the "Customer Service Secrets of the Ritz-Carlton".  Rule number one- "Always give a warm welcome". This was a talent for her, she genuinely enjoyed welcoming people. 

We hope you'll leave with that same happy feeling when you visit our cosmetic dentistry office. 



Labels: , , , ,

posted by Dr. Scott at 11:00 AM

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Best of Cosmetic Dentistry

All this week I am attending the 25th annual session of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. It is the world's largest organization for cosmetic dentistry. I had the good fortune to be invited to serve as a New Member Concierge. This is a huge group, but what continues to impress me is the spirit of mentorship. In the past, I have enjoyed mentoring graduating dentists from The University of Colorado School of Dentistry. 

The thought of the morning is that it is important to be involved in teaching in your field. For me, mentoring allows me these things:
  • Share some hard earned lessons, maybe someone else can benefit from what I have learned along the way.
  • Encourage those younger in the field. Face it, ANY new career is hard at first. It takes nothing away from me to encourage a younger colleague.
  • Being involved in giving back information causes me to be a better teacher and communicator.
  • It gives me a good barometer of the successes I've had and illuminates areas where I can still get better.
As each year passes, Cosmetic Dentistry continues to offer more options and create more natural results. Every year, advancements in cosmetic procedures offer the power of a beautiful smile to more and more people. EVERYONE notices your smile. I am proud to be involved in an organization that impacts people daily. 

I look forward to bringing you the latest advancements in cosmetic dentistry through the week!

Labels: , ,

posted by Dr. Scott at 12:29 PM

3190 South Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300 | Lakewood, CO 80227

Phone. 800-757-6680 | Fax. 303-479-7599 | Contact Us

Office Hours:
Monday: closed Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.