Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry

Friday, March 12, 2010

If you are afraid of the dentist, what helps most?


Statics say that 50% of the population doesn't visit the dentist regularly. That would be like if NO women ever went to the dentist. That's a lot of people. I have found that one of the most profound reasons people don't see the dentist is because they are simply afraid.

It often starts with some crummy childhood dental visit. Something to the effect of he didn't believe me when I said that it hurt. The dentist just ignored them, just kept doing his thing....didn't really have time to be bothered.

It's really sad. I saw at least three new patients this week who hadn't been to the dentist for many years. They took a chance again, that maybe THIS time, the experience would be better, that things would work out (they did great!).

After seeing people with a range of issues from normal nervousness to paralysis, or that they can barely get in through the door of our cosmetic dentist office, to being deeply emotional, to a the cold sweats. I have seen about every severe type of anxiety about visiting the dentist.

So, what helps most? Get a pencil and write this down. LISTENING.

There are some really great advances with sedation and sleep dentistry. They do have a profound role in helping heal these anxieties, but really, most can be healed with listening.

I have found that by listening for the clues to want went poorly before, strategizing a new way to specifically avoid that problem, and then discussing it together, well, it fixes things a lot.

SO, if you are anxious about care you have put off, first look for a dentist with a track record that listens (see our dentist reviews for examples).

No need to put it off any longer, start the healing today.

It all starts with a simple conversation... so contact us today.

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posted by Dr. Scott at 11:04 PM

Monday, March 8, 2010

Dentures, bleeding and muscle weakness



I don't speak a lot about dentures. The reality is that there are a lot of them out there, and that many do not fit well. Many don't look very good either, since I see a lot of patients want to finally have the perfect white straight teeth that they never had naturally. Except...now it just looks UN-natural.

As a cosmetic Dentist in Denver, I have found that there is even an art to making dentures have great smiles. Natural, harmonious, one that just goes with that person's face. I find it usually means bringing in some element from their smile from early in their youth.
I received a notice from a manufacturer of denture adhesive saying that they had stopped the manufacture and distribution of it because of "myeloneuropathy and blood dyscrasias". I don't think either of us wants that. Here's what seems to have happened: there is some zinc in this adhesive, people swallow some of it, over years it causes a copper deficiency, then weak limb and difficulty walking.

Here's why the problem developed: the manufacturer says use a little bit, and only once per day. I suspect that many people use MORE of it and MANY times per day.

The best denture adhesive is a dental implant. Even better, get rid of a standard denture by using "all on four", which means real teeth that don't come out, connected to four dental implants.

The next best denture adhesive is a great fit. Tricky for some people, virtually impossible as decades of tooth loss add up, since the jaws continue to get thinner and thinner as the years go by.

ALL dentures need some regular care and maintenance. ALL dentures need to be relined every three to five years. In that time the jaw shape changes significantly but the shape of the denture does not. Refitting it by relining, is a way to keep a good fit.

Dentures cure unrepairable dental problems or uncontrollable periodontal disease. They are a replacement for NO teeth, but they are not real teeth. In much the same way as a prosthetic leg is not a real leg, but allows someone to be mobile, walk and maybe run. Still not without pain, discomfort and frustration, but still much better than not have a prosthesis.

Dental implants provide a way to overcome this. If you are frustrated with the limitations of your denture or the unnatural look of your denture then contact Denver cosmetic dentist, Dr. Scot Greenhalgh, DDS today!

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posted by Dr. Scott at 10:06 AM

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, January 4, 2010

Hey, check us out on Google!

I had a few minutes to check what was happening out on the web. You might know I am in the middle of writing a series about "How to use reviews to find a new Dentist".

As I was wandering around the web, and searched for "denver cosmetic dentist". I wound up at Google. How exciting to see that our practice has the most reviews listed by Google! And to their credit, Google has condensed a lot of information and a lot of quotes from patients who have posted reviews (in a lot of places).

I encourage you to visit the Google reviews. (and thanks to those of you who have been such great supporters, we look forward to serving you again in 2010!).

I was pleasantly surprised to see how all of those web-bots summarized our practice!

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posted by Dr. Scott at 4:46 PM

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Why Toyota is a lot like Cosmetic Dentistry

I drove by the neighborhood Toyota dealer today. Rows and rows of shiny cars and trucks. But I thought to myself, they are just another brand now.

In one of the latest issues of Consumer Reports, they put in print what I had known internally for at least a few years now. They stated that Toyota is no longer the #1 brand for quality. I'm sure somewhere in Japan it is not a pretty sight.

Here's my take on how they got there, and how it is like cosmetic dentistry. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter whether I have done a great set of veneers or built wonderful teeth on dental implants. What matters is if you, my patient love them. If in reality, day after day, you look in the mirror and just grin at your self. If day after day, you can say to yourself- "I'm GLAD I did that!"

What I personally found with Toyota, is that I own a 2001 SUV. We have had more than the average amount of things wear out and break. Not what I consider to be representative of the best brand n the world. And then the little things-the plastic door that hides the little storage compartment in the trunk- except that it always falls off and never stays shut.

With dental work I liken those little things to: my new crown feels smooth enough, or the bite does feel just right, or my tooth stopped hurting all the way and feels good now.

Our practice at Scott Greenhalgh DDS has a strong reputation for customer service and excellent results. People come to us when others have tried to solve the problems, but failed. Many kind patients have posted their Denver dentist reviews online for others to see. THAT's our brand right now. What WE do with it today, and tomorrow and next week and next year will be determined by our commitment to resolve problems, listen and follow up until you are internally happy and constantly be attentive.

We want to continue to be the #1 reviewed denver dentist office because we have served you well. As long as we are #1 to YOU, then we are succeeding.

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posted by Dr. Scott at 9:41 AM

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.