Oral Sedation for Kids: Questions to Ask About

oral sedation for kids - green dental care

Oral Sedation for Kids: Questions to Ask About

oral sedation for kids - green dental care

Going to the dentist can be an overwhelming prospect for children. Being told that they need to work on their teeth can be enough to cause a significant amount of anxiety. Kids are sure to have plenty of questions to ask you about the treatment that they are facing. At Green Dental Care, we are always happy to help our patients in any way we can. 

Oral Sedation for Kids: Questions to Ask Prior

These questions will help you to best know what to expect during your consultation with your child’s dentist in Parker, CO. These questions are similar to the questions that you should ask about your own treatment, including the dental implants Parker dentists can offer.

  • What information about my child’s medical history do you need to know? If your child has a history of complications, it’s important for your dentist to have this information at hand.
  • Will the prescriptions and over-the-counter medications they are taking impact them during the procedure? Some medications can thin the blood and cause complications during procedures. Your child’s dentist will need to be aware of what your child might be taking, even prescribed antibiotics.
  • Does my child need to abstain from food and drink before the procedure? Some procedures will require your child to avoid eating or drinking anything for several hours prior to undergoing a procedure that uses oral sedation or anesthesia.

Oral Sedation for Kids: What Should I Expect?

Asking these questions will help you and your child to know what should be expected during the procedure itself. Your Parker CO dentist and team members will provide you with all of the information that you need to know.

  • How long will my child be under oral sedation or anesthesia? Your Parker CO dentist will take a conservative approach, ensuring that your child receives only the amount of medication needed to complete the procedure pain-free.
  • What are the risks to this procedure and the sedation method being used? You’ll find that even the best dentist in Parker cannot guarantee that there’ll be zero potential for risks during the procedure. Your dentist will place the health and safety of your child above all else.
  • What are the steps you’ll take in the event of an emergency? Your dentist and assisting staff will know the right steps to take in the event of an emergency situation.
  • What type of sedation will be used on my child? Oral conscious sedation is commonly requested at Green Dental Care.  

Oral Sedation for Kids: Post-Care Questions

Knowing what to expect when your child is home and resting can help you to best understand the type of care your child needs during the recovery phase. We asked our friend, Dr. Jordan Smith, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, about which post-care questions parents should ask. Dr. Smith recommends the following:

  • What are some potential sedation dentistry complications to be aware of? Knowing what to look for can help you to ensure your child is safe at all times.
  • What should I do if my child has a fever? Fever could be an indication of infection. Calling your dentist should be your first step so that infection can be ruled out.
  • When should I reach out for urgent treatment? Fever or other signs of infection, bleeding or pain that cannot be readily managed are all signs that you need to call the office for further guidance.
  • Should I call the dental office or go to the emergency room? If the concern is dental related, you should call an emergency dentist in Parker, CO to get further guidance from your dentist. If it is after hours or the fever is very high, you should seek out emergency treatment in the emergency room.

You and your child no longer have to be scared of going to the dentist thanks to oral-conscious sedation. Being reassuring and honest will help heir comfort levels. This can also help make every dental procedure less of an overwhelming process.

To learn more about the types of oral sedation and anesthesia that works well for children, call Green Dental Care and schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that we offer solutions that work for adults, too. 

Temporary Crown Falls Out

temporary crown falls out - Green Dental Care

Temporary Crown Falls Out

temporary crown falls out - Green Dental Care

Your local dentist in Parker, CO, will place a temporary crown over your teeth if you’ve undergone restorative treatment. The temporary crown is designed to protect your tooth after treatment like root canals. Your temporary crown can also preserve aesthetics until you are fitted with your permanent restoration.

Parker CO dentists emphasize that temporary crowns are not as durable as the permanent dental crowns that will replace it. If your temporary crown becomes damaged, cracked, or falls out entirely before your permanent dental crown is placed, you’ll need to fix this problem ASAP. It can be worrisome when this happens, but there’s no need to panic just yet. Keep reading to find out what steps you should take if your temporary crown does happen to fall out.

Understanding the Temporary Crown

The temporary crown is a tooth restoration solution that is custom-made to cover and protect a tooth that has been reshaped for placement of the permanent crown. It helps to protect the vulnerable tooth from damage. It could also protect you from feeling any sensitivity that may otherwise send you cringing when you eat or drink something cold.

The temporary crown can be made from a number of materials, including a type of acrylic-based material that is molded to the shape of your tooth and bite. The interim crown is set in place using a temporary adhesive that’ll make it easy to remove the temporary at your return visit to your dentist in Parker CO. If all goes smoothly, the temporary crown should stay in place until your next visit. 

If Your Temporary Crown Falls Out 

There is a possibility that your crown can falls out or breaks before your next scheduled appointment. This is often seen with molars and premolars as they incur much more force when you are chewing. Even if you do keep your meals to soft-to-chew food, it’s still possible for the crown to break free.

If you have some time to wait before your next appointment, take these steps to avoid pain and also keep your mouth and teeth safe:

  • Remove the crown or any broken pieces from your mouth
  • Rinse out your mouth with warm water so that you can remove any sharp pieces remaining in your mouth
  • Examine the now-exposed tooth and see if there are any jagged edges that you may inadvertently cut your tongue or inside of your cheek
  • Call the best dentist in Parker and explain the situation to us in full detail. We may offer some instructions to get you through to the next available appointment.
  • Return to the office when possible, to have another replacement crown placed, or have the temporary crown bonded back if it is not damaged. 

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about his suggestions when your temporary crown falls out. Dr. Kacos says, “Be very careful with the new temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready to be placed. Avoid directly chewing on the interim restoration, and do not floss between the crown and your other teeth. This could accidentally tug on the temporary crown and lead to it coming out all over again.”

It’s not a huge deal if the temporary does break loose before your permanent crown is ready. It can just expose you to the potential for some sensitivity and discomfort until the restored tooth has been covered once again. Follow these helpful tips and get in touch with our dental office in Parker, CO. We are here to keep you smiling. Whether you’re looking for dental implants in Parker, CO, or looking for other smile restoration solutions, we have options to help you meet your dental goals.

What You Need to Know About a Tooth Abscess

What You Need to Know about a tooth Abscess Green Dental Care

What You Need to Know About a Tooth Abscess

What You Need to Know about a tooth Abscess Green Dental Care

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in different sections of a tooth due to a bacterial infection. This condition often comes with moderate or severe pain that can radiate or spread to your neck or ears. Experts at Green Dental Care in Parker, CO, share what you need to know about a tooth abscess and what they can do for you when you are diagnosed with an abscessed tooth.

Types of Dental Abscesses

Dr. Christopher Green, an emergency dentist in Parker, CO, explains that tooth abscesses are distinguished from each other depending on where they are located. The first type is the periapical tooth abscess. This type of abscess is found at the tip of the root of one’s tooth.

The second type is referred to as a periodontal abscess. The professionals at Green Dental Care explain that this kind of tooth abscess is located on the gum near the root of your tooth. This abscess often spreads to the nearby bone and tissue.

The third type of dental abscess is a gingival abscess. This abscess is found in the gum, but not close to the root of the tooth.

Causes of an Abscessed Tooth

Dental abscesses can usually be traced to dead dental pulp resulting from trauma or tooth decay. That dead pulpal tissue gives bacteria a chance to thrive and spread right through to the root of the tooth. Parker, CO dentists, explain that once the infection reaches the root, a pocket of pus develops.

A dental abscess can also result from the growth of bacteria in the gingival pockets (the gaps between your teeth and the gums). This bacteria will trigger an infection that can spread and affect your jawbone. When this happens, you may feel some relief because the deterioration of the bone tissue creates room for the pus that was exerting pressure on the nearby tissue. The deterioration of the jawbone eventually causes your tooth to become loose, and you could lose that tooth if you don’t see an emergency dentist immediately.

The Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

It is important for you to recognize when you have a dental abscess so that you can see a professional. Here are some of the symptoms that could indicate that you have an abscessed tooth:

  • Intense tooth pain that persists.
  • Feeling that there is unexplained pressure in the vicinity of an affected tooth.
  • Swollen or red gums.
  • Swelling around your jaw or face.
  • Fever.
  • An unpleasant or salty taste in your mouth.
  • Generalized lethargy (you feel generally unwell).

Treatment Options for an Abscessed Tooth

Depending on the severity and type of your dental abscess, Dr. Christopher Green will pick one of the following treatment options:

  • Draining the Abscess. The emergency dentist in Parker, CO, may decide to make a small incision in the abscess and drain out the pus therein. Dr. Christopher Green will then clean the area thoroughly using a saline solution.
  • A Root Canal. If the abscess is inside the tooth, the Parker, CO dentist may drill a hole into the tooth and drain the abscess. He will then clean out the root canal by removing all the infected pulp. You may need to have your tooth capped, or a dental crown placed.
  • Tooth Extraction. As mentioned earlier, dental abscesses can be linked to tooth damage, such as trauma, which allows bacteria to enter the root and cause an infection. In such a situation, the expert at Green Dental Care could examine you and conclude that the tooth has suffered such extensive damage that it is beyond saving. In that case, Dr. Christopher Green may extract the tooth and then drain the pus from the abscess.
  • Use of Antibiotics. If the tooth infection hasn’t spread inside of the tooth, then it can be managed using antibiotics. Let your emergency dentist in Parker, CO know you’re experiencing a tooth abscess, and they can prescribe antibiotics.
  • Extraction of the Foreign Object. Some dental abscesses can be caused by the presence of a foreign object in the gum. This foreign object can get lodged in the gum during an accident or some other kind of trauma. For such situations, the Parker, CO dentist, will remove the foreign object, drain the abscess, and send you home to recover.

Abscessed Tooth Pain Relief

Our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, says that when draining the tooth abscess, you will often experience immediate relief. However, some pain may still remain, and over-the-counter pain medication may be prescribed to deal with that pain. You could also apply an ice pack to your cheek to relieve the pain and discomfort.

There is no reason for you to suffer with the pain resulting from an infected or abscessed tooth. Dr. Christopher Green and his team can help you to get relief from the infected or abscessed tooth. Call today and make an appointment if you live in or near Parker, Colorado.

About Temporary Crowns

About temporary crowns - Green Dental Care

About Temporary Crowns

About temporary crowns - Green Dental Care

A dental crown can be described as a cap, that is used to cover, and customized according to, a patient’s tooth. The crown is placed on the tooth for its protection, and its advantages include strengthening the tooth and getting it back into its original shape. 

What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns

There are many different types of dental crowns available at Green Dental Care, but all of them can be divided into two categories – temporary and permanent. The different types of crowns available are:

Temporary Dental Crowns

These are made in the dental clinic, unlike the permanent crowns. Most often, the materials used to make temporary crowns are stainless steel or acrylic material. 

Stainless Steel Dental Crowns

These are a temporary fix, put into place till the time the permanent crown is made. They are often used to prevent the decay of deciduous teeth of children and come out automatically when the permanent tooth appears. 

Base Metal Alloys Dental Crowns 

These crowns are incredibly strong and corrosion-resistant. One of their advantages is that they are gentle against the neighboring teeth. Another reason to opt for this crown is that out of all other types of crowns, this type enables you to remove the least amount of your healthy tooth to fit this crown. 

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Dental Crowns

These crowns can blend in with the natural teeth as the color of these crowns can be matched with the teeth beside them. A drawback is that a moderate amount of tooth structure needs to be removed in order to place this type of crown.

Ceramic Dental Crowns

Typically used to restore the front teeth due to their ability to provide the best natural teeth color match, Dr. Brian Leeson, a St. Pete dentist, says that these are arguably the best choice in dental crowns when it comes to aesthetics. These crowns are not suitable for molars as the ceramic material is not as strong as metal, and can become brittle when exposed to heavy biting forces.

All-Resin Dental Crowns

These are the cheapest option of the lot, but they do have a tendency to wear down over time, and if compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal, the all-resin crown is the one more likely to break. 

When Should You Get a Dental Crown?

You should think about contacting Dr. Christopher Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, to discuss the right time for getting a dental crown. The following are some common reasons to get a dental crown:

  • You require a root canal: If the decay or infection in your affected tooth has become irreparable, it is time for you to get a root canal. And the logical step after a root canal is to use a crown in order to restore the strength of your tooth. 
  • Improve your dental aesthetics: A dental crown can cover all your dental aesthetic problems – an ugly filling, a discolored tooth, or a damaged tooth.
  • Prevent a tooth from breaking: If you have a cracked tooth, it is high time to get a crown in order to protect the structure of the tooth, increase its strength, and most importantly give you relief from pain. 
  • After you get dental implants: The crown aids you in chewing your food properly after a dental implant.

What is the Procedure of Getting a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is placed in two appointments with your Parker dentist. 

Initial Appointment

Most of the work is completed in the initial appointment. Your Parker dentist assesses what needs to be done, the tooth structure is trimmed to get it in the proper shape for crown placement, bite impressions are taken, a temporary crown is placed, and a color match is made.

Follow-up Appointment

This appointment has the primary purpose of removing the temporary crown, placing the permanent crown, and add the finishing touches. 

How to Care for Your Dental Crown?

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about dental crown care. Dr. Kacos says the best way to care for your dental crown is to take care of it just as you should ideally take care of your natural teeth: regular brushing and flossing. The extra precaution you need to take is to avoid hard foods like ice. In case you grind and clench your teeth at night, it is advisable to wear a mouth guard to provide protection to your crown and teeth in general. 

 

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.

 

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.