Benefits of Digital X-rays at Prairie Hawk Dental

Dental technology has improved greatly over the years, enhancing every step of dental care, from diagnosis to treatment. New technology has even made dental X-rays safer and more convenient, and many dentists have adopted digital radiography to view their patients’ teeth. At Prairie Hawk Dental, we have use many state-of-the-art technologies, including digital X-rays, to provide our patients in Castle Rock, CO with the best dental care available.

Digital X-rays are taken in a similar manner to traditional X-rays that use film, but rather than placing film in the patient’s mouth, a digital sensor is used. This sensor is connected to an imaging program on a computer that projects the image, allowing Dr. Aaron Goodman to view your teeth more closely and with better accuracy than traditional dental X-rays. Better images mean that there is a greater chance that the dentist will spot potential problems and be able to fix them before they become more serious or possibly more painful. In addition to better accuracy, digital radiography produces 90 percent less radiation than regular film X-rays, granting peace of mind to those who take X-rays frequently.

Whichever treatment you’re receiving at our practice, from a regular check-up to dental implants, we will strive to provide you with the best service with the most up-to-date technology.

To schedule an appointment with our Castle Rock, CO office, call 720-515-1801. For more information on our practice, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

At our practice in Castle Rock, CO, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. While many do this consciously throughout the day, even more grind their teeth at night while sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to your enamel, as well as jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation, so it is important to treat it. Night guards are usually the best way to prevent grinding’s negative effects.

Similar to mouth guards worn by athletes during sports, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth when you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. We custom fit these night guards to make them as comfortable as possible. If you are a night grinder, we will take an impression of your teeth and have a mouth guard created in our dental lab. These guards are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, which can lead to a change in the appearance of their faces. To diagnose and treat your night grinding, call 720-515-1801 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Aaron Goodman. For more information about Prairie Hawk Dental, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

CEREC Crowns at Prairie Hawk Dental

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. By covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At our office in Castle Rock, CO, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure is compromised. At Prairie Hawk Dental, we use CEREC restorations, which are made of compressed porcelain and possibly stronger than the layered porcelain crowns created in a laboratory. In addition to being stronger and longer-wearing, CEREC restorations can also be created and installed in only one visit, unlike laboratory restorations, which can take weeks to complete and require a temporary crown or restoration to be placed in the meantime.

The placement procedure for a CEREC restoration is easy and doesn’t require you to bite on any goopy and uncomfortable impression material. First all the decay is removed from your teeth, and then the dentist shapes the tooth in preparation for the digital 3D video impression that is taken with a digital camera. The camera is attached to a computer screen, which displays the 3D image, allowing the dentist to design the restoration in front of you. Then the CEREC machine creates the crown in about 15-30 minutes and the dentist adheres it to the tooth preparation. The entire process, from design to installation, takes around an hour and a half per tooth.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Aaron Goodman, call 720-515-1801. For more information, please visit www.prairiehawkdental.com. 

Snap-On Smile at Prairie Hawk Dental

If you’re looking to improve your teeth and increase your confidence, Snap-On Smile provides a way for you to make over your smile without extensive dental procedures. This procedure can solve your teeth insecurities and help you feel great about the way you look in only two visits to our office in Castle Rock, CO.

Without having to undergo extensive dental work, you can snap on a new smile with a custom set of teeth that fit right over your existing ones, covering up stains, chips, cracks and any crooked or missing teeth. During the first visit, you and Dr. Aaron Goodman will pick the shade and style of your new smile, and then he will take an impression of your teeth for proper fitting. The Snap-On Smile is made with a light and durable resin to create a set of teeth that are strong yet still thin enough to snap onto your smile. You need only wait three weeks between appointments, and when your new smile is snapped on, you will be able to leave our office with a grin you will love to show off.

With Snap-On Smile, you will be able to eat and drink normally, and the cosmetic device can easily be removed for cleaning your natural teeth, for participating in sporting events and for sleep. Snap-On Smile can last for three to five years with proper care.

Schedule an appointment with us by calling 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Extractions in Castle Rock, CO

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will need a tooth extraction, and at Prairie Hawk Dental, Dr. Aaron Goodman can perform one to help you restore your oral health in Castle Rock, CO.

   

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. If it is a simple extraction, the tooth will be loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Dr. Goodman may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone afterward, and once he is finished, he will possibly suture the gums.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, the dentist can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in Castle Rock, CO by calling 720-515-1801. For more information, please visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Crown Lengthening with Dr. Aaron Goodman

A dentist’s first goal is always to save your teeth, which means that dental professionals have developed many dental procedures that help prevent tooth extraction. One such procedure is crown lengthening, which we use at Prairie Hawk Dental in cases where decay has decimated a tooth to a point where there is not enough tooth structure left upon which to fix a crown.

If a tooth has broken below the gum line or if decay has developed underneath an existing crown or filling, crown lengthening allows a new crown to be placed rather than extracting the tooth.

While called crown lengthening, this common surgical procedure does not actually lengthen the crown. What it does is lower the gum line, and it does this by removing gum tissue, bone or both to expose more of the tooth and provide a foundation for the crown.

The procedure is performed with a local anesthesia to numb the area. When the area is fully numb, Dr. Aaron Goodman will gently and with a state-of-the-art laser expose the roots and surrounding bone. In some cases, removing a little of the gum tissue will expose enough of the tooth for placing a crown. However, it is more likely that some bone will also have to be removed from around the roots of the teeth. After removing the necessary amount of tissue and bone, the area will be washed. 

Occasionally, the gums will have to be sutured or stitched, but most of the time with the laser, that is unnecessary. 

Our office works hard to always protect your teeth and to provide the best quality of dental care available. To schedule an appointment at our practice in Castle Rock, CO, call 720-515-1801. For more information, please visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Sirona XG 3D CBCT at Prairie Hawk Dental

At Prairie Hawk Dental, we use Sirona’s Orthophos XG 3D imaging—an advanced imaging technology that allows Dr. Aaron Goodman to access 3D, high-resolution images of our patients’ mouths and provide superior dental care in Castle Rock, CO.

Orthophos XG 3D technology provides 3D, high-resolution images that allow the dentist to accurately assess your mouth and customize your procedures for the highest quality of care. Offering a clear view of the teeth, the entire upper and lower jawbone, the temporomandibular joints, the nasal sinuses and the mandibular nerve, the technology allows Dr. Goodman to visualize parts of the anatomy that cannot be diagnosed externally or with only two-dimensional images. A typical scan only takes 14 seconds, and images are ready for viewing in about three minutes.

Because they value the health and safety of their patients, Dr. Goodman also chooses to use this type of imaging for its low radiation emission. Able to capture a superior image while exposing patients to minimal radiation means that Sirona’s Orthophos XG 3D imaging is one of the best diagnostic tools on the market. 

Schedule an appointment by calling 720-515-1801. For more information about our services, please visit www.prairiehawkdentalcom.

Dental Bonding

Here at Prairie Hawk Dental in Castle Rock, CO, we provide our patients with multiple options when it comes to improving their smile, including bonding. Ranging from cosmetic to restorative procedures, bonding can be used for many different purposes. It is often the go-to solution for discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth.

Bonding is made from a composite resin material that can be mixed to match the shade of the teeth and molded over the teeth in any shape they desire. This enables our patients to benefit in a number of ways, covering up imperfections and restoring smiles.

Some reasons a patient might choose bonding include:

1. To cover staining or discoloration of their teeth.

2. To repairing chipped, cracked or severely decaying teeth.

3. To fix misaligned teeth or spaces between the teeth.

4. To cover exposed roots from gum recession.

5. To improve the look of uneven teeth due to varying shapes or sizes.

The bonding process is simple and can be done in a single visit. Our dentist, Dr. Aaron Goodman, first mixes the resin material to the shade desired, then molds it over the teeth being treated. It is dried with the help of an ultraviolet light, polished, and complete.

Call our Prairie Hawk Dental practice at 720-515-1801 to learn more about how bonding can improve the look of discolored teeth, chipped teeth and more.

Dental Veneers

If you are not happy with your current smile because your teeth are discolored, misaligned, or misshapen, did you know that you can get veneers right here at Prairie Hawk Dental? Well, you can! Dental veneers are made from thin pieces of ceramic or porcelain that cover your teeth. They can fix anything from decay and discoloration to gaps between the teeth or misshapen teeth.

Veneers are made to match the patient’s other teeth in color and general size and shape, so they don’t stand out. They look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Here in Castle Rock, CO, we provide veneers to any patient that wants to improve their smile without orthodontic treatment or other procedures.

The process of veneers begins when our dentist, Dr. Aaron Goodman, files down the tooth to be corrected, followed by getting impressions. He must make room for the veneer, which is why some filing down is necessary. Once the impressions are sent to the lab, it takes about two weeks before the patient returns to our office. Next, the dentist bonds the veneer to the tooth, and polishes it.

The procedure is then done, and the veneers last for about 10-15 years on average. If you want to improve your smile with veneers, contact us at Prairie Hawk Dental.

Teeth Whitening

Having whiter teeth is on the minds of many of our Castle Rock, CO patients here at Prairie Hawk Dental. Even patients that take very good care of their teeth by brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, can develop staining and discoloration over time. Things like decay, eating foods with sugar, or drinking dark beverages like coffee and red wine, can stain the teeth. Our dental practice understands the desire for whitening the teeth, which is why we offer three different methods of teeth whitening.

The first type of teeth whitening is through semi-custom trays that we provide our patients and have them take them home for whitening their teeth. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way for teeth whitening. These semi-custom trays are of higher quality and get better results than store-bought trays, but are not quite as effective as our fully custom trays. The next option is custom whitening trays, which are made from impressions of the patient’s teeth. We start the whitening procedure in our office, then send them home for our patient to continue using trays over several days.

Lastly, our dentist Dr. Aaron Goodman offers a whitening mouthpiece that whitens the teeth with a bleaching gel in the office. This is done entirely in our office in a single visit.

If you would like to try any of these teeth whitening options, call us at 720-515-1801.

Mini Implants

If you have a missing tooth, there are options for replacing it. But among the options, dental implants are the only everlasting option. With implants, a titanium metal post is implanted into your jawbone, which then heals around the post, holding it in place. The crown on top of the implant is replaced after 10-15 years, but the post lasts forever. Mini implants are simply a shorter version of the implant, benefiting patients with less healing time and less bone needed to hold in the post.

Here at Prairie Hawk Dental, we offer mini implants to our patients who either want to save money on the implant, want it completed faster, or who have less jaw bone to work with. The titanium post is about half the size of a traditional implant, so it heals faster. In most cases, the implant is complete the same day as the crown, instead of waiting three months like with a traditional implant. There are many benefits to choosing mini implants for replacing missing teeth, including their permanency, convenience, and likeness to natural teeth.

Call Dr. Aaron Goodman at 720-515-1801 to discuss mini implants.

LightWalker Laser

LightWalker lasers were designed for dental perfectionists and forward-thinking professionals who try to keep their practice stocked with the best technology on the market. This is why Dr. Aaron Goodman has adopted the technology to improve his patients dental experience in Castle Rock, CO. Using patented QSP (quantum square pulse) mode, the LaserWalker laser has superior interaction with tissues, increasing the speed of procedures, their results and patient comfort.

The LightWalker laser’s state-of-the-art design, engineering and technologies have made it the fastest-cutting Erbium laser in the world. Not only does it outperform rotary burs in both speed and precision, the laser also offers a wide-range of highly-effective treatments for both hard and soft tissues.

Whether you are receiving fillings, root canal therapy, dental implants, a frenectomy or other soft-tissue surgery at Prairie Hawk Dental, the LightWalker laser offers the most comprehensive list of applications of any other dental laser. Perfect for cosmetic and restorative dental procedures, this laser will ensure that you receive the oral care you need at our practice with less pain and with less healing time than conventional treatments.

Dr. Goodman and the rest of our staff is deeply dedicated to providing top-of-the-line dental care in a comfortable setting, and the LightWalker laser allows us to provide the type of care we can be proud of. To schedule an appointment, call 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Panorex

At Prairie Hawk Dental, we use panoramic digital radiography to provide high-quality care to our patients in Castle Rock, CO and surrounding areas. Panorex is an X-ray machine that is capable of capturing more of the mouth structure than a traditional, dental X-ray and can, therefore, identify many issues.

To take the X-ray you will sit in a chair with your chin on a small ledge. Once positioned, the machine will rotate 360 degrees around your head, capturing X-rays of your teeth, head, sinuses and bone, which allows Dr. Aaron Goodman to see any potential problems and ensure that everything is functioning properly. The Panorex can also view specific types of structural problems, including infections or asymmetry.

In addition to clearer and more comprehensive images, the Panorex and other digital X-rays also produce up to 90 percent less radiation that traditional dental X-rays. This is because the digital sensor is much more sensitive to radiation than film so less is needed to form an accurate image. While traditional X-rays are considered safe by professionals, those who receive X-rays frequently or who are concerned about radiation will feel more comfortable with digital radiography.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Invisalign or Clear Braces?

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile, but they also play an important role in maintaining your overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. We offer several options at Prairie Hawk Dental in Castle Rock, CO, and both our Invisalign and clear braces options offer correction without the noticeable appearance of tradition metal brackets and wire.

While metallic, contemporary braces offer some customization with different colored bands that can be added, if a mouth full of metal doesn’t appeal to you, Dr. Aaron Goodman offers both Invisalign and clear braces. Clear braces are as effective as metal braces but less eye-catching. They are made of translucent ceramic and are specifically designed to not stain or wear over time.

If you are in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. Made of a thin, comfortable plastic, unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable, which allows for convenient cleaning and eating. Because the aligners are removable, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

To schedule a consultation on orthodontic options at our office, call 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

What Is a Frenectomy and Do You Need One?

A frenulum is a small fold or ridge of tissue that either supports or prevents the motion of that to which it is attached. In the mouth, there are two frenulums: the one that connects the upper lip to the gums above your two front teeth and the one that connects the tongue to the base of your mouth. If a frenulum is too short or thick, it can cause speech impediments and gaps between teeth, so corrective action is necessary to resolve the situation.

At Prairie Hawk Dental in Castle Rock, CO, Dr. Aaron Goodman performs frenectomies to resolve frenulums that have proven troublesome. A frenectomy is a safe and effective surgical procedure to remove this fold of skin. Frenectomies are performed with either a scalpel or a laser, but at our office, we use a laser, which causes very little bleeding and doesn’t require stiches. The laser is also preferable to the scalpel method because there is less discomfort and healing time after the procedure. If performed on a young child, a conscious anesthesia is used to relax and numb the child, while adults receive just a local anesthesia numb the area while the fold is removed. A typical frenectomy takes less than 15 minutes.

If your frenulum is causing problems for your smile, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Root Canals

While the thought of having root canal therapy can fill patients with dread, the procedure is a necessary one for those whose teeth have become infected at the nerves. Besides causing pain and dead teeth if left untreated, root canal infection can become abscesses, which are much more serious and can spread the infection to the jaw, which can eventually lead to a loss of bone mass. At our office in Castle Rock, CO, Dr. Aaron Goodman can relieve your pain and save your tooth with a root canal.

Although root canals can be scary, they are well worth it to stop your pain and improve your oral health. While there is some resultant soreness after the procedure, it is only temporary and usually nothing over-the-counter painkillers cannot take care of.

During root canal therapy, Dr. Goodman removes the infection by applying a local anesthetic to the area and drilling into the tooth to create an opening in the canal. Then he is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area. Once the infection has been removed, the tooth is filled with a sealant and then fitted with a crown to protect it from an infection in the future. The crown also helps improve the appearance and strength of the tooth.

Once the procedure is complete and the tooth has healed, you will be able to eat without experiencing pain and sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure. If you’re in pain, you don’t need to suffer. Schedule an appointment with Prairie Hawk Dental by calling 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com. 

Dental Implants

If you have teeth missing or are in need of an extraction due to decay, disease or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While bridges and dentures can also solve the problem of missing teeth, these alternatives either require alteration to the teeth adjacent to the gap or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. At our office in Castle Rock, CO, Dr. Aaron Goodman uses dental implant restorations to help patients achieve a complete smile that you can be proud of.

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone through an incision in the gums. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, the gums are sutured and the bone is left to heal around the implant. The healing process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place over the next several months, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either screwed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that both looks and feels natural.

To schedule an appointment at Prairie Hawk Dental, call 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Bridges

If you’ve had a tooth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to fill the resulting gap with a tooth restoration. Besides improving the appearance of your smile, restorations can keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of place and becoming more susceptible to disease and decay. One effective restoration used in Castle Rock, CO is the dental bridge, which Dr. Aaron Goodman uses to help keep his patients’ smiles beautiful and functional. 

Called a bridge because it literally creates a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing, this prosthetic tooth replacement is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than a decade if properly cared for.

The process of creating a bridge takes two visits to our office. In the first, Dr. Aaron Goodman will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your missing tooth. This is where the bridge will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge will consist of two crowns, which will be fixed to the abutments, and a pontic, which is the prosthetic that will replace your missing tooth. We provide you with a temporary bridge while your permanent one is crafted in the lab. On the second visit, the permanent bridge will then be fixed to the abutments with an adhesive.

For more information, call our office in Castle Rock, CO by calling 720-515-1801. You can also visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Bone Grafting

In some cases, our patients do not have the proper amount of bone mass in their jaw to allow for the placement of dental implants. However, thanks to recent developments in bone grafting, people who would not have qualified a few years ago can now receive dental implants. In Castle Rock, CO, Dr. Aaron Goodman performs bone grafting to increase the amount of bone in his patients’ jaw to allow for future implants at Prairie Hawk Dental.  

There are several bone grafting techniques, but they can all be grouped into two types. The first type of bone grafting is the most extensive type and is performed only by an oral surgeon. Always done as a surgery separate from dental implant placement, this first type makes large changes to the shape and size of the dental ridge for the sake of implants, which are usually not implanted until several months later.

The second type of bone grafting is usually performed if the jaw has enough bone for implant placement but not enough to completely cover the sides of the implant. These grafts are usually small and performed when dental implants are placed.

Whether you need bone grafting or not, if you’re looking to receive dental implants, we can make it happen. To schedule an appointment, call 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Scaling and Root Planing

At Prairie Hawk Dental in Castle Rock, CO, we strive to help our patients maintain optimal oral health and retain all their original teeth. By offering scaling and root planing to treat early gum disease, Dr. Aaron Goodman can restore your health and save your smile in a noninvasive way.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into more serious periodontal disease. The procedure allows the dentist to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar that is causing your inflammation.

A local anesthetic is sometimes used to numb your gums for the procedure, and some dentists will use an ultrasonic tool for the planing and scaling, which can be more comfortable than a standard scraping tool, but it is not always necessary. 

The procedure is an incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth. However, if you don’t maintain proper dental care after the procedure, the gum disease can continue to spread. Patients should quit smoking and receive frequent cleanings to ensure that there gums stay healthy.  

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.PrairieHawkDental.com. 

Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Your last set of molars to emerge are your wisdom teeth, and they usually come in when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Because these teeth often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary for them to be removed before they cause pain or crowd your other teeth. At our office in Castle Rock, CO, Dr. Aaron Goodman can determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed and extract them if they do.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. This flap of skin makes the molar extremely hard to clean, which means you are susceptible to an infection called pericoronitis.

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Goodman extracts the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue over the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.

After surgery, rest is required. You will also need to change the gauze applied to the incision every couple hours.

To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with Prairie Hawk Dental, call 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.PrairieHawkDental.com.