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.