Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry

Monday, November 23, 2009

Missing Teeth, Dental Implants, and options

As a cosmetic dentist in Denver, I want to give you a few of my thoughts on why it is important to replace a missing molar, and what a few of the options are. (Click to find out more about Scott Greenhalgh, DDS).

I see people almost everyday that have had a situation where they have lost a tooth. Sometimes the best answer to a major dental problem is actually to remove a tooth. It shouldn't be the best answer too often, but realistically, sometimes it is. While in as fast as 24 hours, the problem: toothache, swollen jaw or whatever, begins to clear up and feel pretty good again, it can be misleading that that's the end of the story.

Unfortunately, the problem doesn't really end there. When a tooth is missing it starts a cascade of other dental problems. One problem is that the neighboring teeth can begin to shift. If they shift too much you can develop TMJ or jaw problems. In addition, the force that used to be on the problem tooth, is not spread onto fewer teeth. This can produce sensitivity and gum recession. It can even begin to loosen remaining teeth.

I see people everyday and ask them, "Has anyone ever told you about why it is important to replace a missing tooth?" Most disappointingly say, "No- no one ever has".

A missing tooth can be replaced with a dental implant (watch our short dental implant video). Implants have been successfully used for about 50 years now. The success rates are very high, usually in the neighborhood of 95%, so I always emphasize to patients that dental implants are not new or not experimental.

I have found that most of the time, a dental implant is the right solution, but not always.

You should be aware that there are other options including placing a "bridge", which is another type of permanent solution (meaning that you never have to take it out). Some people have the mistaken impression that a bridge is what their Uncle Joe had, that he would always pop out after meals, or that had those big silver hooks. That device is really a "partial denture" or "partial".

Partials are another way to replace missing teeth. It is better than not replacing them at all, but has limitations. Some of the limitations are that it can have silver hooks that show, or that you have to take it out frequently to clean under it.

After more than 20 years of dentistry in Denver, I have found that after a short conversation and a thorough examination, the right solution for YOU can be found. All that matters in the end is that YOU get the results, solution, approach and budget that fits for YOU.

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posted by Dr. Scott at 2:36 PM

Monday, November 2, 2009

Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Cosmetic Dentistry



I'm nearing the end of a good read entitled "Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs" by Carmine Gallo. Steve is known for engaging, powerful communication about Apple's new products. I really enjoy the insights into how the great ones think.

One of my insights thus far is that Steve has a fanatical involvement in crafting his messages. He could farm them out to a speech writer, he could pencil sketch some slides that he wants to use in his presentation and send them off to the best graphic artists on the planet, but it largely appears that HE creates all of these things himself.

I really believe that personal involvement makes his message so powerful and persuasive.

Another insight is his ability to take the complexities of new technologies and products, and simplify them to he point that anyone can understand them. I think this is one of the single biggest mistakes in healthcare.

The doctor has volumes of knowledge, but he speaks in a way that sounds like he is speaking to his peers, rather than translate it into a message that his patient can easily grasp. I find the same is true with cosmetic dentistry in Denver. The majority of patients don't really care about what percent are we going to make the Golden Proportion of the front teeth. How many millimeters (or fractions) are we going to add here. I believe my roll is to bring clarity and to understand what my patient's concerns are, understand what technically needs to be constructed, and then converse about them in a way to build confidence about the process and the planned results.
I've watched some of Steve's presentations on YouTube. (In fact, you can watch some of my videos on our media page (or on YouTube as well.). So far, no one is writing a book about me, and I haven't had the call to speak to thousands (though you can see what 125 people have said about our practice in these dentist reviews. I AM passionate about cosmetic dentistry, and I really believe that virtually ALL dental problems can be stopped forever. Maybe someday, I 'll get invited to speak about cosmetic dentistry, or even about creating amazing dental health.

For now, I am more than pleased to speak with my patients one-on-one and help them create their results and experience they have been hoping for.

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posted by Dr. Scott at 11:53 AM

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