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.