6 Signs You Need a Root Canal

signs you need a root canal - green dental care

6 Signs You Need a Root Canal

signs you need a root canal - green dental care

Do you suspect that you could be having an infection deep inside your tooth? The best way to be certain about your need for a root canal is by visiting Green Dental Care in Parker CO. Dr. Chris Green will examine you and put together a treatment plan if needed. In the meantime, there are some of those warning signs that a root canal is in order.

Darkened or Discolored Enamel

Teeth normally darken at approximately the same rate. However, one tooth may darken at a faster rate than the teeth near it. This scenario could be an indicator that tooth decay is occurring at a high rate or the internal structures of that particular tooth are degrading very fast. Regardless of the cause, visit Green Dental Care so that appropriate treatment can be started promptly.

Dr. Chris Green explains that tooth discoloration often sounds the alarm for infected or decayed teeth that aren’t causing other easily noticeable signs, such as sensitivity and pain.

Pain

Do you feel pain when you bite crunchy food or when you apply pressure on a particular tooth? Do your teeth hurt if you jump or lay down? This pain may be alerting you that you have an infection inside the affected tooth or teeth. See a Parker dentist immediately so that the root cause of the pain can be addressed before it costs you your tooth. If a root canal is deemed to be necessary, then it will be done so that further damage to your tooth is avoided.

Lingering Sensitivity

It is common and normal to experience some tooth sensitivity when you sip a hot drink or bite into ice cream. This sensitivity normally ends a few seconds after the incident that has triggered it. However, we asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about root canals. Dr. Kacos cautions that you should be concerned if the sensitivity you feel lingers even when you haven’t eaten or bitten into anything to trigger it. The prolonged tooth sensitivity can indicate that some nerve damage may have occurred and a root canal can prevent the damage from spreading.

Gum Inflammation

Gum inflammation often shows that a patient is suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease. However, gum inflammation could also point to an infection inside the root of your tooth. See a dentist in Parker CO promptly if you notice swelling, a raised bump close to the affected site and pain accompanying the inflammation. A root canal could fix the problem and put an end to your suffering.

Headaches and Jaw Pain

You may need to visit Green Dental Care for a root canal if the pain you feel in your tooth is spreading to your jaw and even causing you a headache. If you feel some pain in your ear, then the tooth problem is originating from one of the molars on that side of your mouth. A root canal is in order if you are experiencing these symptoms since the problem is more than just a cavity.

Chipped and Cracked Teeth

You may also be a candidate for a root canal in Parker CO if one or more of your teeth are chipped or cracked. Such damage can expose the nerves inside your tooth to infection. Dr. Chris Green cautions patients against immediately thinking of undergoing a root canal once they chip or crack their tooth because not all situations of this nature warrant a root canal. The Parker CO dentist will therefore examine you and only recommend a root canal if that is the best option in the circumstances.

Steps to Take When You Suspect You Need a Root Canal

If you are experiencing any of the warning signs described above, it is imperative that you make contact with Green Dental Care immediately so that an appointment can be scheduled for you. If your symptoms, such as pain, are severe, seek emergency dental care from Dr. Chris Green.

The second thing that you should remember if you suspect that you may need a root canal is to avoid doing anything that could potentially worsen the condition of the affected tooth. For example, avoid using that side of your mouth to chew hard food substances since they can make a crack or chip worse.

Thirdly, take an over-the-counter medication to ease your symptoms. Talk to a Parker dentist about the right OTC medication to take and how to use it. For example, Dr. Chris Green warns patients not to place an aspirin on a painful tooth since this mode of administration isn’t helpful in this situation. Aspirin is systemic, meaning that it can only work after being ingested orally and absorbed into the bloodstream. Worse still, aspirin will trigger a chemical burn on any gum tissue that it comes in contact with. Talking to a dentist before you use any medication to ease your symptoms is therefore warranted.

Don’t make any assumptions about your condition. For example, don’t put off going to the dentist because an online search you have done has shown you that the treatment you need could be expensive or invasive. Instead, visit Green Dental Care sooner rather than later so that a correct professional assessment can be done. You will receive the appropriate treatment in a timely manner so that avoidable complications can be averted.

7 Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

signs you need your wisdom teeth removed - Green Dental Care

7 Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

signs you need your wisdom teeth removed - Green Dental Care

While most people dread having to undergo wisdom tooth removal, this dental procedure can become unavoidable. You must educate yourself about the conditions that can necessitate wisdom tooth removal so that you visit your local dentist in Parker, CO. In this article, Dr. Chris Green from Green Dental Care discusses some of the common signs you need your wisdom teeth removed.

Jaw Stiffness

As your wisdom teeth emerge, they can push against the existing teeth in your mouth. This pressure can cause your other teeth to shift from their positions, and this could trigger discomfort in your mouth and jaw. If you don’t see a Parker dentist about this discomfort, the situation can deteriorate, and you will start feeling pain. When the pain develops, Dr. Chris Green may be compelled to extract the wisdom tooth, which is the instigator of your pain and discomfort.

Gum Sensitivity

For many people, the development of wisdom teeth causes teeth crowding. The crowding is due to the lack of space available to accommodate the emerging and the existing teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth will cause pain in your mouth and jaw. We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown KY about gum sensitivity and wisdom teeth. Dr. Neda says the gums can also become extremely sensitive to cold, heat, and pressure. The swelling, tenderness, and soreness make it harder for you to brush or eat, and an infection will set in before long. It is therefore wise to have your wisdom teeth removed as soon as you suspect that it could be responsible for the gum sensitivity that you are experiencing.

Unrelenting Wisdom Tooth Pain

If you experience pain around a wisdom tooth while eating or drinking something, or randomly throughout the day, consider seeing a dentist in Parker, CO about removing the wisdom tooth triggering this pain. Tell your Parker dentist the level of pain as well as how long you’ve experienced the pain. Dr. Chris Green will complete an oral exam and determine whether wisdom tooth removal will put an end to the pain.

Tooth Damage and Decay

You may also need to visit Green Dental Care to have your wisdom teeth removed if your tooth is causing nearby teeth to decay or become damaged. For example, an impacted wisdom tooth can cause nearby teeth to move out of position and become hard to clean. The resultant decay may then easily spread to the other teeth unless appropriate treatment is provided. In this case, a lasting solution would be for your Parker dentist to extract the wisdom tooth.

Frequent Tooth Infections

Problematic wisdom teeth can cause recurring tooth infections in their vicinity. Several factors could explain this recurrence, but the most likely reason is that your wisdom tooth in the affected area didn’t grow properly, and it is creating room for bacterial infections to develop.

A visit with Dr. Chris Green at Green Dental Care in Parker, CO, could shed light on the reasons behind the recurrent tooth infections. If these frequent infections can be attributed to problems caused by the wisdom tooth, then a decision will be made to extract that wisdom tooth before it causes more serious oral health problems.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

An impacted wisdom tooth is one which erupts when it is crooked. Because its angle of growth differs from that of the teeth which are already grown, the impacted wisdom tooth can cause tenderness, pain, swelling as well as damage to the nearby teeth. In such a situation, your dentist in Parker, CO, will remove the wisdom tooth so that your remaining teeth don’t continue to be affected by this problematic wisdom tooth.

Elective Wisdom Tooth Removal

Many times, people choose to remove their wisdom teeth when they have not yet developed deeply-embedded roots. This elective extraction is better than waiting for teeth that have shown signs that they will be problematic to start causing problems. Parker dentists say that if the problem wisdom teeth will be removed sooner or later, it is far better to remove them sooner when they aren’t embedded in your jaw so firmly as yet.

Not everyone must have their wisdom pulled, and not everyone needs to have all the wisdom teeth in their mouth pulled. However, some situations warrant the removal of your wisdom teeth that develop in the mouth. Contact Dr. Chris Green as soon as you develop any of the signs indicating that one or more wisdom teeth could be threatening your dental health. Your Parker dentist will assess the wisdom teeth and schedule the tooth extraction procedure so that you don’t suffer needlessly because of these wisdom teeth.

Sedation Dentistry

sedation dentistry faq

Sedation Dentistry

sedation dentistry faq

Each year, millions of people in the U.S. keep away from making a needed visit to the dentist because of dental anxiety. If you get the jitters each time you think of a dentist, you are not alone. The Green Dental Care team in Parker, CO, understands your concerns, which is why they provide conscious sedation to ease any fear or pain that you may have. This article gives you an overview of what you need to know about conscious sedation dentistry in Parker, CO.

What Is Conscious Sedation?

Dr. Chris Green explains that conscious sedation refers to the ways through which a dental patient who panics or becomes anxious during a needed procedure can be helped to relax and go through that procedure comfortably.

The technique is called conscious sedation because you remain responsive throughout the procedure. The medication simply helps you to relax. This is different from general anesthesia that makes you unconscious until the medication wears off, or its effects are reversed by your Parker, CO dentist at the end of the procedure.

What Dental Procedures Can Conscious Sedation Be Used For?

Green Dental Care can offer conscious sedation dentistry for patients who feel anxious or have a low pain threshold yet they need to undergo procedures like dental cleanings, cavity treatment, root canals and many other procedures. Discuss your dental fears with Dr. Chris Green, and he will determine your suitability for conscious sedation dentistry.

How Are the Sedatives Administered?

The drugs used during conscious sedation dentistry can be administered in a variety of ways depending on the specific circumstances of a patient. For example, you may simply inhale the sedative through a mask placed on your face. Alternatively, the dentist in Parker, CO, may give you a pill that you take before your appointment. Some sedatives can be administered by giving you a shot in your arm or butt. If the situation warrants, Dr. Chris Green can also administer the sedative intravenously (using an IV).

How Long Do the Drugs Take to Kick In?

The mode of administration used has a bearing on how long you will have to wait before you start feeling the effects of the conscious sedation drugs that you have been given.

For example, sedatives administered orally could take anywhere between 30-60 minutes after ingestion while those given through an IV line kick in almost immediately. Dr. Chris Green will explain to you how long the sedative you receive will take to kick in before your procedure. Be assured that the professionals at Green Dental Care will not start the dental procedure until they are certain that the sedation is working as expected.

How Quickly Does Conscious Sedation Wear Off?

One key advantage of conscious sedation over general anesthesia is that conscious sedation wears off quickly. So, most people are able to go back home on their own. However, dentists in Parker, CO usually take the precaution of asking patients who undergo sedation dentistry to have a designated driver. The sedation usually wears off in an hour or so, but some side effects, such as feeling sluggish, could last the rest of the day.

What Are the Stages of Conscious Sedation?

Your Parker, CO dentist determine the degree to which you will be sedated after talking to you about your dental anxiety and other related factors. Three distinct stages of sedation exist.

The first is mild conscious sedation. This minimal sedation is also called anxiolysis. When you are minimally sedated, you become relaxed but remain fully aware of your surroundings and are responsive.

The second degree of sedation is moderate sedation. In this stage, you will be sleepy and may lose consciousness, but are still responsive to some extent.

Deep conscious sedation is a stage of sedation in which you fall asleep once the medication kicks in, and you will be unresponsive most of the time. This stage of conscious sedation is suitable for people with intense dental phobias.

Can I Develop Complications?

Like any other medicine, conscious sedation also carries some risks, even if it is considered safe. To minimize these risks, Dr. Chris Green will conduct a detailed evaluation of your overall health before deciding to administer conscious sedation.

It is therefore helpful for you to give the Parker, CO dentist your medical history as well as information about any medication and supplements that you are taking. This information will help Dr. Chris Green to design an appropriate plan for the sedation dentistry procedure. He may postpone the treatment if he discovers any circumstance, such as pregnancy, which elevates the risks of undergoing sedation.

If you are afraid, apprehensive or anxious, let Dr. Chris Green know. Your Green Dental Care team will use conscious sedation to help you keep your attention focused on your dental health rather than on the discomfort that you experience each time you undergo a dental procedure.

 

What to Consider Before You Choose a Dentist

What to consider before you choose a dentist - Green Dental Care

What to Consider Before You Choose a Dentist

What to consider before you choose a dentist - Green Dental Care

Are you new to Parker, Colorado, or don’t love your dentist? Or maybe you have switched dental insurance plans and you need to find another service provider? Whatever your reasons for needing a new dentist are, you’ll need to exam the following to make the right choice. In this article, we discuss the 5 things to consider before you choose a dentist. 

Is the Dentist in Your Current Provider Network?

We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, about choosing a new dentist. Dr. Neda explains that you need to pay special attention to your dental insurance plan during your selection process. Only shortlist dentists who participate in the dental insurance plan to which you belong.

If you aren’t sure about this particular factor, talk to your primary healthcare provider (your doctor) and ask him or her to give you a list of participating dentists in your area.

Alternatively, you could visit the website of your dental insurance provider and extract a list of the dentists who are service providers in that network. The HR department at your place of work can also be helpful in this regard since the company could be having an updated list of the different participating dentists that company employees can see.

Should You Restrict Yourself to ADA Members Only?

You may have read or seen numerous recommendations advising people to only see dentists who are registered with the American Dental Association (ADA). This advice is primarily aimed at helping patients to identify a high-quality dentist in Parker, CO.

However, ADA membership isn’t the only factor that shows that a dentist is competent. For example, other professional associations for dentists exist and these include the Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and American Academy of Oral Systemic Health.

A dentist is free to choose which professional body to belong to based on his or her own needs. For example, one dentist may prefer to associate with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine because he or she has a keen interest in helping patients with sleeping disorders, such as teeth grinding, which affect their oral health.

Once a dentist enrolls as a member of a given academy or dentists association, he or she must adhere to the code of conduct of that body in addition to undertaking continuing education classes with them.

Dr. Chris Green also points out that one pays to be a member of those bodies, but the associations aren’t very vigilant in enforcing the standards indicated in the code of conduct.

What You Need to Know Before Dental Implants

What You Need to Know Before Dental Implants

You may be undecided on whether you should get dental implants or not because of some unanswered questions lingering in your mind. In this article, you’ll find the answers you’ll need to know before getting dental implants in Parker, CO. If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a dental implant consultation, contact Green Dental Care. 

Can the Entire Dental Implant Procedure Be Completed at the Office?

Some people worry that they will be shuffled from one dental practice to another in order to have different aspects of the dental implant procedure completed. If you decide to have your dental implants placed at Green Dental Care by Dr. Chris Green, you will not have to go anywhere else during your treatment. We complete every step of the process at the office until you get your final restorations for the smile you have always dreamt about.

How Long Does the Surgery Take?

As you may already know, dental implants are titanium screws placed in the jawbone to act as artificial roots for restoration teeth. As any dentist in Parker, CO will tell you, dentistry has advanced so much that the surgery to place dental implants no longer takes a long time. Dr. Chris Green relies on 3D technology to develop a detailed plan of how the surgery will go, and this information helps him to place the implants in about 30 minutes. People who need more than one implant should expect the surgery to last longer.

Is the Dental Implant Procedure Painful?

The advancements in the field of dentistry also mean that you don’t have to worry about discomfort or pain during dental procedures, including implant surgery. The Parker, CO dentist will use either a local anesthetic or IV sedation to remove any discomfort or pain that you may feel during the procedure. So, you can be sure that the entire procedure will be painless.

How Soon Can I Return to Work?

Since the implant placement procedure requires the use of an anesthetic, Dr. Chris Green recommends that you take the rest of the day off after your surgery so that the sedative can wear off. Most patients typically return to work the next day, unless the dentist in Parker, CO recommends otherwise based on the specific circumstances pertaining to a patient.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

While insurance policies vary, most of them cover at least a portion of dental implant treatment. Talk to a Parker, CO dentist at Green Dental Care if you are concerned about the cost of implants. A way will be found for you to get your smile back.

When Can I Receive My New Teeth?

Dr. Chris Green explains that the time needed before you get your restoration teeth varies from one patient to another depending on how quickly one can heal after the surgery. It is best to visit Green Dental Care in Parker, CO so that you can learn what the treatment duration will be for you.

Can I Have Metal-Free Implants?

Nearly all materials used to make restoration teeth have some metal in them in order to increase the strength and durability of those restorations. If you are concerned about the likely effects of having metals in your mouth, worry no more. Dental implants are typically made from titanium, a metal which has a long track record of being biocompatible (the body easily accepts and integrates it). Additionally, the metal is so chemically stable that it can last for your entire lifetime without undergoing any change. Dentists in Parker, CO assert that to date, no material has been found to perform to the same exceptional level as titanium.

Are Implants Removable?

Dental implants aren’t removable like removable dentures. As already mentioned, the implant is surgically placed in your jaw and osseointegration (bonding between the jaw and the implant) takes place to give a very strong anchor for the restoration teeth you receive. The upper portion of the restoration called the crown can be removed or changed, but the implant remains.

How Many Teeth Can I Replace With Dental Implants?

It is possible to replace one or more teeth with implants. For example, if you are missing one tooth, then it can be replaced using one implant. However, as few as four implants may suffice to replace an entire set of teeth in either your lower or upper jaw. Dr. Chris Green will examine you during the initial consultation and recommend the number of implants that you need to replace your missing teeth cost-effectively.

Still Have Questions?

Come to Green Dental Care in Parker, CO and get answers to all your concerns about dental implants. Dr. Chris Green will examine you and discuss a written treatment plan with you so that you make an informed decision regarding how soon implants can play a part in restoring your beautiful smile. 

Sedation Pre Op & Post Op Instructions

Sedation Pre and Post Op Instructions - Sedation Dentistry in Parker CO

Sedation Pre Op & Post Op Instructions

Sedation Pre and Post Op Instructions - Sedation Dentistry in Parker CO

Sedation Pre Op and Post Op Instructions

Once you decide to undergo oral conscious sedation at Green Dental Care in Parker, CO, we will give you oral medication before your appointment, and this medication will put you in a dream-like state in which you will be very relaxed throughout your dental procedure. You will have no recollection of the procedure, and the oral sedation medication is very safe. Read on and learn what Dr. Chris Green will explain to you as the sedation pre-op and post-op instructions.

Sedation Pre-Op Instructions

Smoking. The bodies of people who smoke cigarettes are more resistant to the sedative, so you should stop smoking until after your dental procedure.

Alcohol and Other Drugs. It is also advisable for you to refrain from taking any alcohol or other street drugs, such as marijuana, within 24 hours before your dental procedure. Alcohol and drugs slow down the effectiveness of the sedative you will be given, so it is best to avoid these substances.

Caffeine, Food, and Drinks. You should also avoid eating or drinking anything, especially caffeinated drinks, 8 hours before your dental procedure under a sedative. Anything in the stomach delays how soon the sedative can kick in. Dentists in Parker, CO also explain that there is an increased risk that you will throw up during the dental procedure if you eat or drink anything within 8 hours of the procedure.

Medications. Dr. Chris Green urges patients to reveal what medication they are currently taking so that he can review that medication and assess how it will interact with the oral sedative. The sedation dentistry procedure may be put on hold if you are taking any medication other than that for diabetes or hypertension. If you take sleeping aids or any medication that induces sleep or makes you drowsy, then you will need to stop taking such medication the night before the sedation dentistry procedure. Any medication that you have been cleared to take on the morning of the dental procedure should be taken with a little water so that your stomach is empty at the time of the procedure.

Pregnancy. If you are pregnant, then Dr. Chris Green will not sedate you because it may not be safe for you and your unborn baby.

Dressing. Green Dental Care recommends that you wear comfortable clothing on the day you are coming in for your sedation dentistry procedure. Avoid wearing jewelry or any other accessory that could get in the way during the procedure.

Contact Lenses. People who wear contact lenses should use their glasses instead of on the day of the procedure. You will be sleepy, so it isn’t advisable for that to happen while your contact lenses are in place.

Driving. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you to your dental appointment, and then drive you back home. The sedative may take a few hours to wear off, so it isn’t safe for you to drive or be alone during this time.

Sedation Post-Op Instructions

Driving. As already mentioned, it isn’t safe for you to drive in the first 24 hours after your sedation dentistry procedure, so avoid sitting behind the wheel during this time.

Operating Equipment and Machinery. Parker, CO dentists also recommend that you don’t operate any machinery or hazardous devices until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed after the sedation dentistry procedure.

No Heavy Lifting. In the same vein, it isn’t advisable to engage in any heavy lifting in the first 24 hours after you have undergone a dental procedure in which sedatives were used. 

No Important Decisions. Put off making any important decisions in the first 24 hours from the time of your dental procedure. You may not be in the best state of mind to think clearly and make the right decisions within this time window.

No Stairs. Do not climb any stairs in the first 24 hours after the sedation dentistry procedure at Green Dental Care. You risk falling and hurting yourself if you attempt such an exercise. Stay in a room downstairs if you live in a storied house.

No Staying Alone During the First 24 Hours. As already mentioned, it is unsafe for you to be alone during the first 24 hours because you may still be groggy after your dental procedure. Ask the companion who drove you to Green Dental Care in Parker, CO, to stay and monitor you during this time. The staff at the dental practice will also give your companion a printed copy of these instructions so that he or she knows what is or isn’t permitted before and after your procedure.

Your safety is our number one concern, so get in touch with Dr. Chris Green if you have any questions. Also, get a printed copy of these instructions and follow them so that your procedure goes without a hitch!

The Benefits of Fluoride Treatments

The Benefits of Fluoride Treatments

benefits of fluoride treatments

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that has been discovered to have protective effects on teeth. This substance can be put on your teeth as a gel, mouth rinse or varnish. Once on the surface of your teeth, it soaks into the tubules (tiny holes) in order to kill any bacteria there and strengthen the enamel of your teeth. In this article, you’ll discover why you need to get fluoride treatments at Green Dental Care at least twice each year.

Why Fluoride Treatments are Good for You

Remineralization. Fluoride treatments help to restore minerals to tooth surfaces that have had these minerals eroded by acidic food and drinks. Bacterial activity also erodes tooth surfaces, and regular fluoride treatments at Green Dental Care can help to restore those minerals so that the teeth retain or regain their strength.

Prevents cavities. Fluoride also helps to combat tooth decay in both children and adults. We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about the benefits of fluoride. Dr. Kacos explains that fluoride goes in and kills any bacteria which is lodged in the tubules of your teeth. The fluoride also fills the tiny microscopic holes formed in the initial stages of tooth decay. This prevents the decay from progressing into the deeper layers of the teeth.

Reducing the cost of dental care. The modest fee that you pay for a fluoride treatment at Green Dental Care in Parker, CO pays off massively in the savings you make on dental care costs. The protective effects of the fluoride on your teeth mean that you will have fewer caries or tooth decay, and that means that the money you would have spent on treatment for these conditions is saved.

Preserves your perfect smile. As already mentioned, fluoride protects your teeth from various problems, such as gum recession due to gingivitis and teeth discoloration since the fluoride fills the tubules and makes it harder for stains to form. Regular fluoride treatments at Green Dental Care, therefore, increase the odds of having your beautiful smile for your entire life.

Preventing teeth sensitivity. As enamel is eroded due to bacterial activity and acidic eats and drinks, the soft dentine is exposed and your teeth can become sensitive each time you consume hot or cold substances. Fluoride gets into the tiny pits formed in your teeth and prevents the softer dentine from being exposed, hence averting sensitivity.

How Often Should I Get a Fluoride Treatment?

For most patients, Dr. Chris Green recommends that they get a fluoride treatment once every six months. However, the frequency of treatments can vary depending on a variety of factors. For instance, Parker, CO dentists recommend that people who face a higher risk of caries, such as those with poor oral hygiene habits and those with limited or no saliva production, get fluoride treatments once every three months. For some people, even a single fluoride treatment in 12 months may suffice.

The exact frequency of fluoride treatments that you need will, therefore, be determined after Dr. Chris Green examines your teeth and recommends the best frequency of treatments for you.

How Are the Fluoride Treatments Done?

The most common way through which a fluoride treatment is administered at Green Dental Care is by “painting” it on the surface of your teeth. This layer of fluoride stays on your teeth for 4-6 hours before you can brush your teeth to remove the excess fluoride.

Fluoride treatments can also be administered by the use of a tray which is fitted onto your teeth for the required duration. Your dentist in Parker, CO will then remove the tray and ask you to brush your teeth.

Alternatively, the Parker, CO dentist may give you a fluoride mouthwash and ask you to rinse your teeth with it for a few seconds after which you spit out the liquid. After a set interval, you can brush your teeth once the fluoride has penetrated the surface of your teeth.

How Soon Can I Eat After a Fluoride Treatment?

Dr. Chris Green may ask you to wait for about 30 minutes before you eat anything. This precaution is intended to prevent what you eat from washing away the recently applied fluoride on your teeth.

However, it is also possible to eat right away after you have had a fluoride treatment as long as you don’t consume anything very hot or sticky. The hot food or drinks may melt the fluoride from your teeth, while the sticky eats can adhere to the fluoride and remove it from the surface of your teeth.

As you can see, fluoride treatments are simple, yet packed with benefits for your oral health. Contact Green Dental Care today if you haven’t had a fluoride treatment in more than six months. Our friendly staff will clean your teeth and administer this protective treatment so that you can enjoy a lifetime of good dental health.

The Green Dental Care Dental Savings Plan, DSP

Dental Savings Plan Parker CO

The Green Dental Care Dental Savings Plan, DSP

Dental Savings Plan Parker CO

At Green Dental Care, we take you and your family’s dental health so seriously that we have designed a dental savings plan (DSP) to cater for your dental care even if you don’t have insurance. Read on and discover more details about this dental savings plan and how you can benefit when you enroll for it.

What You Get in the Dental Savings Plan

Green Dental Care’s DSP includes;

  • 1 Comprehensive Dental Exam
  • 1 Annual Dental Exam
  • 1 Emergency Dental Exam
  • 2 Professional Dental Cleanings
  • 2 Screenings for Oral Cancer
  • 2 Fluoride Treatments when you come for the dental cleanings.
  • Needed dental x-rays during the year of the DSP.
  • A variety of discounted services and dental procedures.

DSP Membership Options

At Green Dental Care, Dr. Chris Green, and the entire team believe that there should be no barriers to quality care for people regardless of their insurance status. The following fee schedule has, therefore, been designed to take care of the dental health needs of individuals and families of various sizes as outlined below.

  • Single/Individual membership $365 (You save $362 from the fees you would pay for the services included in the plan)
  • Dual membership $714 (the two of you save $740 on the normal cost of the services you receive)
  • A family of 3 $1,038 (this comes with savings of $1,143 off what you would pay for the services provided under the plan)
  • A family of 4 $1,338 (you get to enjoy savings of $1,570 off the cost you would incur if you weren’t on this plan)
  • Each additional family member once the four members have been registered attracts a fee of $199.

What Discounted Services Do DSP Members Qualify For?

Root canals, fillings, and crowns. People who are enrolled in the dental savings plan and need these dental procedures get a 15 percent discount on the total cost of the procedures.

Invisalign and other orthodontic procedures. Lack of dental insurance should not stop you from getting the best orthodontic treatment, such as the use of Invisalign to treat underbites, overbites, and other orthodontic issues. For this reason, Green Dental Care in Parker, CO, offers a discount of $500 from the total cost of the needed orthodontic treatment.

Teeth Whitening. We know that over time, medications, pigmented drinks and foods, and other factors can cause your teeth to become discolored or stained. The members of the dental savings plan enjoy teeth whitening treatments as part of their package for having this plan. This treatment alone would cost $325 if you were to pay for it out of pocket!

Have More Questions?

Feel free to call Green Dental Care today. Our staff is waiting to answer any question you may have about the Dental Savings Plan, and any other question about your overall dental health. We want to make sure that you receive the dental health care you need throughout the year whether you have insurance or not, so get in touch with us today!

Dental Implants vs. Bridges

dental implants vs. bridges

Dental Implants vs. Bridges

dental implants vs. bridges

Two popular options that many people consider when they want to replace missing teeth are dental bridges and dental implants. The key question which each person wants to answer is, “Which option is right for me?” This article discusses dental implants vs. bridges and other related questions.

How Dental Implants Work

A dental implant is an artificial root of a tooth anchored in the position left by the missing tooth. The implants are usually made from titanium, a metal which has distinguished itself as being readily accepted by the body and its high durability. Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, explains that after the implant has been surgically placed, a temporary covering is placed on it as osseointegration (a process through which the dental implant fuses with your jawbone) takes place. Osseointegration can take up to six months to be completed, but this is time well spent because the outcome is a very stable and long-lasting prosthetic. The dental experts at Green Dental Care will remove the protective covering on the implant and replace it with a temporary crown once osseointegration has taken place. This temporary crown has a base which guides the gum on how to grow around the implant. The final stage of this process entails removing the temporary crown and placing a permanent crown in its place.

How Dental Bridges Work

Picture a bridge on a river if you want to grasp how a dental bridge works. The bridge on the river is supported on both sides of the river and the middle of the bridge is suspended over the water. Similarly, a dental bridge replaces a missing tooth by relying on the surrounding teeth to provide support to the artificial tooth. A crown is placed on the neighboring tooth on either side of the gap and the crown taking the place of the missing tooth fills the gap. The process of getting a dental bridge typically takes a shorter time than the time needed to get a dental implant. However, Dr. Chris Green explains that a dental bridge can be seen as more invasive because the neighboring teeth onto which crowns are to be placed have to be filed down to create room for those crowns. This step is irreversible.

Are You Eligible?

Dental bridges and dental implants both have some requirements which one must meet before being found fit for these restorations. Your eligibility will be ascertained during your initial consultation with Dr. Chris Green.

Experts usually wait until someone is passed adolescence in order to be eligible for dental implantation. This milestone is necessary because an implant should be placed when the individual has passed the stage when their bones are still growing. Your dentists at Green Dental Care will also use a CT scan or an x-ray to assess the bone quality and density for successful dental implant placement. People with insufficient bone mass may undergo a bone graft so that ample support for the implant is available. Research has shown that smoking increases the risk of dental implant failure, so you will be advised to quit smoking before dental implantation can take place. People with cancer, diabetes or periodontal disease may need to have those conditions managed before dental implantation.

Eligibility for dental bridges isn’t as restrictive as that for implants because the process is, in some respects, less invasive than dental implantation. The health and stability of the surrounding teeth is the most important eligibility factor, according to Dr. Chris Green. For example, tooth decay may render the neighboring teeth too weak to take on the task of supporting the dental bridge. Additional procedures may be required to fix any issues which may compromise the ability of those neighboring teeth to support the bridge.

The Cost of Dental Bridges & Dental Implants

Many times, patients opt for implants or bridges depending on their immediate ability to pay for either one of those procedures. However, the cost can be a tricky factor to base your decision upon because the price tag you see may not tell the whole story about the cost of these options.

For example, the process of getting a dental implant may cost twice the cost of a dental bridge. This cost excludes the cost of any other procedures, such as bone grafting, which may be needed before you get your restorations.

However, the experts at Green Dental Care in Parker, CO caution that sticker shock should not lead you to discard implants as an option. This is because if well cared for, dental implants can last an entire lifetime. We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about the ROI of dental implants. Dr. Kacos says, “Dental implants have incredible durability which makes them more cost-effective in the long term since dental bridges aren’t as durable and will need to be replaced after 10-20 years. The time and money which you spend on replacement bridges can turn out to be higher than what is required for a one-time investment in dental implants.”

Have you lost a tooth or teeth and want to explore tooth replacement options? Contact Green Dental Care and talk to one of our professionals about your needs. Dr. Chris Green and his team will examine you and make recommendations regarding the most cost-effective way to restore your smile.