Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Why you need a GREAT Dental Examination


I see new patients almost everyday. I see people that are new to Denver, haven't been to the dentist for years, or have had a major disappointment with their old Denver dentist. I would say that 80% of these people hope to have one of those "check-up" examinations that last about 5 minutes like when you have your teeth cleaned. What they seem to want is to run in and run out, and largely get the blessing on their teeth, you know, "I don't have any cavities, right Doc?"

When we see new patients, our examination takes at least an hour. We commonly see people who have had some sort of an issue that still isn't resolved, or some problem that no one else could fix (see my other dental blog about clues, Cosmetic Dentistry and Sherlock Holmes).

Here's part of what is important on that first visit (for more detail see "what to expect on your first visit"). One, the history of what has happened to your teeth (and why it happened) is critical. Why you went or didn't go to the dentist before, along with how you feel about going to the dentist now. These impressions and opinions affect how likely you will be to really take care of your teeth well for the future.

Here's another critical part: your X-rays. One of my pet peeves is when you go for a medical X-ray. No one gives you any information. If you are lucky, maybe they'll let you look at the image, but it's like the whole X-ray department is run by the CIA. No one will tell you anything about what it means or what's on the darn X-ray.

I sit down with our new patients and spend 10 minutes just showing you your X-rays. I know that's sort of controversial stuff. Actually SHOW you what's there, TALK about what it means, and discuss anything important in that whole set (another aside, YES, you really do need those periodic X-rays-they show changes and the things that start as small problems before they start to hurt).

After that we start checking the outside of your face and mouth. Yeah, the OUTSIDE. Things like the TMJ, your facial muscles, and glands. These all are windows to your overall health and how well your jaw joint works (or sticks) and how prone you are to clench or grind your teeth. And how balanced your bite is.

After that THEN we start to look at teeth. It usually takes FORTY minutes before we even start looking at teeth. That's how important all of these other things are. FORTY minutes.

So, this is really just the beginning of a great examination. The point is that we study YOU, we talk about YOU and then tailor the recommendations to YOU. So whether you are looking for a Denver cosmetic dentist or a family dentist in Denver, it all starts with a great exam. Contact us today to see the difference for yourself.

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posted by Dr. Scott at 9:39 AM

Monday, March 1, 2010

How to make your mom have dentures

Recently I was finishing up some crown work for my mom. She's a great patient; she worries about if she is sitting still enough, and making my work easy enough for me. She's happy that my dental office has a fish tank-somehow every dentist should. Last week, I finished a new crown for her. As I sat her up and we were chatting at the end of her appointment, it dawned on me...

A little background though. When I was in high school, I was decent at math. Somehow in the grand sorting out process, my mom was convinced that I should become an accountant. For years, she was convinced that this would be a good field for me (and I suppose, that I would be good at it). As the years go by, I do enjoy some good number crunching, and you can make some pretty cool things in Excel, but somehow I was never really drawn that direction. In fact, when I had the letter of acceptance from my dental school, even then, she still thought I should be an accountant. I think even at my graduation from dental school and actually becoming a dentist, she still thought that maybe this dental fad would pass, and that one day I would still be an accountant.

So, now we return to my dental office. As I sat her up finishing that crown appointment, I reviewed in my mind the dental work I had done for her over the years. She had told me that her mom had dentures from a fairly early age. She thought that she would probably have dentures one day, and that that would be no big deal. In fact every time I planned or brought her in for any sort of major dental work, she would say to me, "why don't we just pull them out and you can give me dentures?"

It dawned on me...If I had become an accountant my mom would have dentures!

We actually had a laugh about this. If I had gone down this different career path she would have had a different dentist, she would have been convinced that dentures would be OK, and then just have started losing teeth.

As I have practiced as a Denver dentist for almost 22 years now, I have seen that dentures are rarely the solution. Most people have no idea of how miserable a mouthful of plastic teeth can really be (that's part of why dental implants give amazing results for people). I'm really glad my mom still has all of her own teeth!


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posted by Dr. Scott at 2:05 PM

Thursday, February 11, 2010

What's New? (dental implants)


What's new right now? EVERYTHING! There really is a lot happening in modern dentistry right now. Dental implant technology is exploding and becoming more and more commonplace. Many people have either had dental implants or know someone who has. We will keep seeing advancements that make it easier and easier to have dental implants (see our short dental implant video). Once of the best innovations recently has been the process called "All on four".

Four implants are used to replace all of the teeth on one jaw. They can be done rapidly and in some circumstances, patients can have their new implant teeth or bridge the same day. In the past it often required six to eight implants, possibly sinus surgery or sinus bone grafting, then wait six to twelve months, then wait another two to three months to make the new teeth.

We can look forward to more and more advancements like this, ones that make lessen the complexity, lessen the amount of surgery necessary and shorten the time that it takes until you receive your final teeth. And now more than ever before, we have great cosmetic dentistry to connect to those implants, making them not only work well, but look better than ever! Contact us today to learn more about how implants can fit your lifestyle. we are happy to offer dental implant dentistry in Denver.

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posted by Dr. Scott at 10:06 PM

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Should I quit my Dentist job?


The word Doctor derives largely from the concept of "one who teaches." I find myself constantly trying to teach my patients about all-things-dental. In fact, I may have to quit my day job as a Denver Cosmetic dentist, and become a full-time blogger or internet writer.

I am currently working on a series on "How to read and understand online reviews." You'll see some more editions before long. Today I started a series on "Why you need a GREAT dental exam." I see new patients almost daily, so we spend a lot of time helping people understand what's right and what's wrong in their mouths (see what to expect on your first visit). I believe that patients deserve sooooo much better than what they usually receive. Most patients just simply haven't had the opportunity to have personalized attention (see Why Choose Us?").

Ok, I've decided....I AM keeping my day job (as a cosmetic dentist). I'll just have to talk faster, and type faster... so hang on!


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posted by Dr. Scott at 4:03 PM

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Stem cells advancements!

As you know I have an interest in the role that preserving stem cell from dental sources can have on the future of medicine.

 

I found an interesting source called "latest Stem Cell News". here's their link: http://www.stem-cells-news.com/1/

 

We are going to see some amazing breakthroughs-things that even now still smack of science fiction or medical thriller novels. 

 

For now, here's some down-to-earth things you can do: stay apprised on the developments by visiting sites like these, and you can also preserve your own family's stem cells from either baby teeth or wisdom teeth. Visit my site at www.ScottGreenhalghDDS.com to learn more.

We are leading the Denver dental community with our enrollment in two different Stem cell preservation services; one called Bioeden, and the other StemSave. Each have different purposes.

 

If you have more interest in how you can preserve Stem cells for the later medical use for your family, contact us today at: (303) 988-9060.

 

 

Posted via web from scottgreenhalgh's posterous

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posted by Dr. Scott at 10:08 AM

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Dr. Phil and Cosmetic Dentistry


Every once in a while, I'll pass by a day-time TV on. Sometimes I catch Dr. Phil out of the corner of my eye. I'll stop and listen as he twangs out "So you think it's a good idea to steal money and give it to your boyfriend so he can buy drugs?" The guest sits there wide-eyed, speechless, then the camera pans to the audience. Two women tearing up, shaking their heads back and forth as if to say "NO, stop giving him the money!"

What does this have to do with cosmetic dentistry? I see people everyday who are like that girl. Hoping that Dr. Phil will say it's all OK, give them a big hug and make all of the bother of life go away. But if you've watched the show, many stories have a happy ending: the ones where people face into the real issue and are ready to make changes. Everyone hugs and cries and you can see the realizations of what has to happen going through their expressions. 

Other stories don't end that way. The other ones you can see the guest sitting there with a look on their face of "this is too hard to change" or "I really don't get what is at stake here", or "I don't really want to hear that."

After 21 years of dentistry in Denver, I can fix ANY smile, or repair any mouth problem. I still see people everyday with discouraging problems in their mouths, or major disappointments about cosmetic dentistry that they have had done in another office. 

My role is like Dr. Phil's. My role is to help you change and avoid the terrible pitfalls ahead. My role is to help you accurately see the REAL picture of what is going on in your mouth. Like Dr. Phil, most of our stories end well. I am happy to say I have a practice of many patients that have attained great results and will do well for the rest of their lives (you can read some of their stories in these dentist reviews.) 

I'm sad to say that I still too often see that dazed look, where people just can't believe what is really going on inside their mouths. But you know, just like on TV, pretty much Dr. Phil (or Dr. Greenhalgh) is right...

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posted by Dr. Scott at 3:30 PM

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

What does the FDA say about silver fillings?



The recent expected update from the FDA regarding the status of dental amalgam (silver filling) was released yesterday. There has been controversy for decades about the mercury in these fillings. Some have been very adamant about the mercury vapor causing all sorts of many illnesses and diseases.  In fact the dentist who really helped form my interest for me to go into dentistry, later became very anti-amalgam (it's some sort of ironic twist that I actually have a couple of silver fillings placed by that dentist before he went on the Anti-amalgam bandwagon).

I have found that good dentistry is generally healthful dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry creates smiles that people love. When you love something, you take care of it better. So, cosmetic dentistry is actually more-healthful for your teeth than regular dentistry. In fact, I'm sure cosmetic dentistry kept my patient Bob from going on to losing some teeth and having some sort of denture.
    

The FDA ruled as expected: they placed dental amalgam and dental mercury in a moderate risk class. (big deal). This may give them grounds to regulate it more in the future, but for now, there is really no big change for dentistry or patients. There's a lot of science and research to consider. In the end, it's best to discuss with your dentist exactly what will be right for you. In our Denver cosmetic dentistry office, we spend time with people to find out what their concerns are and spend the time to craft the right solutions. Solutions that create results and solve problems (and look great!). 
The beauty of healthcare here in Denver, is that you have a choice of what you put in your teeth. And, I think it might as well bypass the controversy and just create something to smile about! 


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posted by Dr. Scott at 3:56 PM

Monday, June 22, 2009

How does a dentist choose a new dentist?


Well, OK it wasn't a dentist. It was the professional son of a practicing dentist who we saw in my office the other day. So if his dad still practices, why did he arrive in my office? Well, actually, I think he's a bright gentleman. His dad practices 1500 miles away, so it's just no longer practical to go home for everything. Since Denver is now really his home, he realized he need to get back on track with a new Denver dentist.

I checked out the Dentist/Dad's website. Most of the 
dental websites I've seen are dreadful. They should be for selling dog toys or something. (I'm very glad I found Dan Goldstein and his crew at Page1 solutions for my website). I was impressed and left with the impression that he was an excellent dentist. (I don't often enough get to say that). You can check us out here.

So, what do you say to a Dentist's son?  After a deep breath and a moment to REALLY focus... Well, actually nothing different than what I tell ALL of my new patients. We perform an exhaustive exam, checking MANY, many things. We spend a lot of time talking about prevention, talking about  unique things that they may be prone to. We take a LOT of photos, I showed him exactly what was going on with his teeth. HE could see exactly what 
I was talking about. If his dentist dad wants to see the pictures, HE will be able to see the same thing. It winds up being really simple. No pressure, no wondering IF there is a real problem-everyone can see it for themselves. In fact, it's the same way I do it when my kids come into the office, or if YOU come in. 

We try to find everything that's important. We try to help you know exactly what dental disease you are prone to, as well as what problems you are likely to have on the future. We educate you about how you can prevent problems. We give you options about how it can be fixed. We talk through all of your comfort options-no matter what you need there is a comfortable way to have it done. (We do it the same way for my kids, the other Dentist's son, and you).

So what brought him to MY office-why choose us? There is an online service called DrOOgle that collects comments about dentists. I have been fortunate enough to have many wonderful patients take the time to go post their comments on sites like these (thank you all again!) . In fact as of today, our practice is the highest rated Cosmetic dental practice in the Denver metro area. Surprisingly, we are also the highest rated Family dental practice in Denver as well. 


You'll see a new page on our website this month about How to read and Use online reviews. There is more to it than meets the eye. Like a lot of other things in life, you have to expend a little effort and think for yourself. 

SO if you are looking for a new dentist , check out some of our reviews, if you're already a patient here (thanks again), you might want to forward to one of your friends or co-workers. EVERYONE thinks their dentist is the best, we'll now they don't have to just take your word for it, they can see what (everyone) else is saying.


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posted by Dr. Scott at 11:42 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.