Creating beautiful smiles to last a lifetime.
Make Healthy Teeth Your New Year’s Resolution
Start out the New Year right by getting the smile you have always wanted. Treat yourself to a straighter and brighter smile for the New Year. Zoom whitening is a great way to brighten up your smile and get rid of last year’s staining. Our highly trained staff will get your teeth dramatically whiter while you lay back and relax. If you have always wanted straight teeth but didn’t want traditional braces, then Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. Straighter teeth not only look better but are also healthier and easier to maintain. This year make your first impression a lasting one with a dazzling smile.
The beginning of the year is also a great time to get that dental treatment you have been putting off done. Many insurance plans start over after the first of the year, so now is the perfect time to take advantage of those new benefits. Spending your Christmas money on your teeth may not seem as glamorous as a new flat screen TV but unlike the TV, healthy teeth will last you a lifetime. A great healthy smile is always worth the money. One visit, CEREC crowns make it easy and convenient to get the work you need done. Unlike traditional crowns that take a minimum of two visits and you have at least two weeks in a temporary crown, CEREC crowns are designed and milled right in our office during your appointment. In about an hour and a half, your tooth is as good as new and you leave with your permanent crown.
Good dental care is a resolution that is easy to keep and will help you to enjoy those great holiday meal for a lifetime. If you are one of those people that is a really good flosser just before and after your last dental visit but not so much the rest of the year then an easy resolution is to make it a daily habit. It doesn’t cost much and we always tell people to only floss the teeth they want to keep. Trust us, your gums will thank you for it. So call us today to schedule your next dental visit. Don’t you deserve a great smile?
Boulder Dental Office Welcomes New Cosmetic and Restorative Dentist to the Practice
Dr. Jim Harding, DDS
Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is proud to welcome Dr. James Harding as the newest member of our team. Dr. Harding will be in our office on Wednesdays and Thursdays. He will offer the finest treatment in general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Harding is trained and skilled in aesthetic and neuromuscular dentistry in addition to the placement and restoration of implants. He also treats sleep apnea.
Dr. Harding is a graduate of University of North Carolina with a DDS and a degree in Psychology. Dr. Harding also has a practice, The Vail Valley Center for Aesthetic Dentistry in Avon, Colorado. He has been an LVI clinical instructor since 2001 and teaches ten or more courses a year. Dr. Harding has received a fellowship from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). He was president of the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetic Dentistry (IACA) from 2007-2008. He is the official dental provider to the US Ski and Snowboard Teams and the dental provider and team dentist for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. Dr. Harding is a member of many well-known organizations including the American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and the International College of Oral Implantologists to name just a few. He has also published several articles and papers.
Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is excited to welcome Dr. Harding as a great addition to our team and will be both a very skilled and valued member.
Tags: James Harding DDS
Dental Insurance Benefits | Use It or Lose It
End of the Year Benefits
The cooling temperatures outside remind us that the end of the year is fast approaching. Most insurance companies base their plans on a calendar year so any benefits that have not been used by the end of the year are lost. Insurance benefits are Use It or Lose It, so now is the perfect time to get any needed dental treatment done that you may have been putting off.
It is always a good plan to try to maximize what your dental insurance will cover this year so that next year’s benefits can be used for any unexpected treatment that may come up. If you have questions about what insurance you have remaining for the year or what treatment has been recommended, please contact Heather or Kim. They are always happy to help with scheduling or insurance questions.
Call us today at 303-449-1119 to schedule your next appointment and take full advantage of your remaining dental benefits.
Tags: dental insurance
Tongue Thrusting Causes Bad Bite
Many orthodontists have had the discouraging experience of completing dental treatment, with what appeared to be good results, only to discover that the case had relapsed because the patient had a tongue thrust swallowing pattern. If the tongue is allowed to continue its pushing action against the teeth, it will continue to push the teeth forward and reverse the orthodontic work. The force of the tongue against the teeth is an important factor in contributing to malformation (“bad bites”).
Tongue thrusting is the habit of thrusting the tongue forward against the teeth or in between while swallowing. It is normal for infants to thrust their tongues between their gums but by the age of 6, normal swallowing patterns should be developed. A normal swallowing pattern involves squeezing the tongue against the roof of the mouth instead of pushing it forward against the teeth. For tongue thrusters, the constant pressure of the tongue pressing up against the teeth during each swallow and even at rest causes a number of different problems and will force the teeth out of alignment.
There are several different types of tongue thrust and resultant orthodontic problems:
• Anterior open bite – the most common and typical type of tongue thrust. In this case, the front lips do not close and the child often has his mouth open with the tongue protruding beyond the lips. In general, it has been noted that a large tongue usually accompanies this type of tongue thrust.
• Anterior thrust – upper incisors are extremely protruded and the lower incisors are pulled in by the lower lip. This particular type of thrust is most generally accompanied by a strong mentalis (muscle of the chin).
• Unilateral thrust – the bite is characteristically open on either side.
• Bilateral thrust – the anterior bite is closed; however the posterior teeth from the first bicuspid to the back molars may be open on both sides. This is the most difficult thrust to correct.
• Bilateral anterior open bite – the only teeth that touch are the molars with the bite completely open on both sides including the anterior teeth. Once again a large tongue is also noted.
• Closed bite thrust – typically shows a double protrusion meaning that both the upper and lower teeth are flared out and spread apart.
When a tongue thrust exists, the upper arch collapses from improper lateral development usually provided from a normal posturing tongue. A patient with a tongue thrust often has difficulties with speech, especially the “S” and “Z” sounds. The patient is often a mouth breather, and when at rest, rests with their mouth open with a forward tongue position. Tongue thrusters will often make a funny face when swallowing or appear to be frowning. Most tongue thrusters are unable to “Click” with their tongues.
In order for orthodontics to be successful, tongue thrusting habits have to be re-trained into normal swallowing patterns prior to the completion of treatment. Dr. Adler prefers to use a Fixed Myo-Functional Tongue Trainer also known as Myo-Functional Bead. The Myo-Fuctional Bead is used to train the tongue to swallow in a correct pattern. The patient is instructed to spin the bead with the posterior aspect of the tongue. This exercise teaches the tongue to squeeze against the roof of the mouth instead of pushing forward against the teeth. There are many designs for a Myo-Functional Bead. Ideally, the bead is placed posteriorly, between the 1st molars. A Myo-Functional Bead can be placed on numerous appliances both fixed and removable, and can be added to prefabricated appliances.
It is important to recognize tongue thrusting during early development so that the behavior can be retrained and cause less damage to the bite and speech patterns. Dr. Adler is available for complimentary consultations regarding tongue thrusting and orthodontics. Please call the office at 303-449-1119 to schedule.
Tags: boulder, Colorado, denver, orthodontics
We Know You | Personalized Dental Care
We get to know our patients but there are a few things that patients may or may not know about us. It is only fair that if we know you that you know us as well. Here are just a few things that may surprise you.
Dr. Adler's Lost Falcon - Jasmine
Dr. Michael Adler – Dr. Adler grew up in upstate New York. He went to dental school in Michigan. He has two children, his son Nathan is 8 and his daughter Audrey is 5 years old. His lovely wife Karen is an artist. Dr. Adler is a Falconer and currently has one Peregrine falcon. He used to have another Peregrine named Jasmine but unfortunately she was lost and has most likely reverted back to the wild. His dog Gracie, an English Pointer, helps him track and protect his falcon while also being a great family pet. Dr. Adler is an avid Avalanche fan and both of his kids play hockey. Dr. Adler enjoys riding bikes, running, fishing, cooking, and salsa dancing.
Susan (Hygienist) – Susan is originally from Florida. She has been a hygienist for more years than she cares to admit and has practiced in Florida and was also licensed to practice in Texas. The great love of her life is Stetson, a nine year old Doberman, who she rescued from a puppy mill and who she has nursed through cancer and other illnesses. Susan works weekends at All Pets Animal Clinic. She is a great animal lover and a very compassionate person.
Heather in Spring Cave
Heather (Office Manager) – Heather is originally from San Diego, California and moved to Boulder about 6 years ago. She has been in the dental field for 13 years and possesses skills and expertise in many areas of the field including administration, bookkeeping, insurance billing, front office as well as dental assisting. Heather enjoys being physically active and regularly rides her bike to work. She enjoys hiking, working out at the gym, yoga, dancing, camping, traveling, hanging out with friends, a good glass of wine and good food. She can often be found hanging out at the Boulder Café on Pearl Street, where her brother Bret is the executive chef. Heather has two very active dogs, Jazzy and Ava, both mixed breed rescues, as well as Ollie a rescue cat.
Kim's alter ego Mirage
Kim (Front Office/Dental Assistant) – Kim is a Colorado native but lived in Maine and Vermont for 10 years where she attended high school and collage. She used to be a bat biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department before moving back to Colorado and getting involved with dentistry. Kim has been in the dental field for 6 years. She is married to Russ who is an auto painter and has two step-children, Chad and Sarah. Chad, 15 yrs old, lives in Texas and Sarah, 20 years old, is currently in boot camp for the National Guard. Kim is a very active belly dancer who teaches classes in both Denver and Lafayette. She can often be seen performing at the Kasbah Moroccan Restaurant in Lafayette. Her stage name is Mirage and she is the co-founder of Indigo Rain Belly Dance troupe. Kim enjoys reading, speaking spanish, traveling, going to the dog park, and spending time with family. She had two dogs, Ice and Sienna, both mixed breed cattle dogs rescues and two cats, Sasha and Kitkat.
Maureen (Sterilization Technician/Dental Assistant) – Maureen is the newest member of the team. She was an LPN (licensed practical nurse) for 20 years before decided to switch to dentistry and became a dental assistant. She recently moved into the area from Indiana. She is married to Dan who is a chemical engineer. Maureen has two daughters Hannah, a senior at CU, and Amanda a high school senior. She enjoys cross stitch, photography, walking, reading, biking – she biked the 150, racket ball, classic movies and is an active member of her church. She also has a Great Pyrenees named Saltheart and four cats named Oreo, Barbie, Alaska, and Midnight.
Fractured Tooth Restored with CEREC Crown
- Donna’s Fractured Tooth
Donna has been a long time patient of Dr. Adler of Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry. Donna had a white composite filling in one of her upper left back molars, tooth #15, which had begun to fracture the tooth. If left untreated the fracture could continue to spread down the tooth and into the pulp chamber of the tooth causing infection. Symptoms for fractured teeth can vary. Fractured teeth can be intermittently painful even when small and occasionally have no pain at all. Usually patients will notice that they are having pressure sensitivity and sometime sensitive to hot and cold. Not wanting to wait until the problem required a root canal or possible loss of the tooth, Donna was eager to treat the problem. Dr. Adler recommended treating the fractured tooth with a CEREC porcelain restoration. Dr. Adler is able to design the restorations to remove a little of the natural tooth as needed.
Tooth #15 Before - note fractures
Dr. Adler used an interoral camera to get a closer look at the fractured area. Luckily it appeared that the fracture did not extend into the pulp chamber or split the tooth entirely. Dr. Adler removed decay and prepped the tooth for the crown. The prepped tooth is coated with a reflective powder and then optical images of the tooth are transmitted to the CEREC where they are turned into a digital 3-D model. Dr. Adler then designs the crown on the CEREC and sends the image of the crown to the in office milling unit. The crown is fabricated during the appointment from a solid block of porcelain. Patients can even watch as their crown is made. Donna’s crown was designed to contain any part of the fracture that was not removed during the prep. Fractures can extend into the tooth below the margin of the tooth.
Tooth #15 with the CEREC Crown
Due to this reason, Dr. Adler doesn’t “chase” the fracture during the preparation but designs the crown to best stabilize the tooth and contain the fractured areas. The crown is chemically bonded to the tooth using the highest quality bonding agent and cement. The chemical bonding works with the crown to insure that the fracture is contained and will not continue to fracture. The porcelain restoration is very strong and durable in addition to looking great. Now Donna has a great looking tooth that looks natural and she doesn’t have to worry about losing her tooth to an out of control fracture.
Tags: cerec, fractured teeth, restoration
Boulder Dental Insurance | Not the Only Reason for Choosing a Dentist
The most common question we are asked when people call is “Do you take my insurance?” The simple answer is we accept all major insurance coverage. To be more specific, we are not in-network for most of those insurance companies. What this means is that as long as you have out-of-network coverage (can see any provider without having to select one from a list) then you should be fine to come to our office and still get the benefits of your insurance.
An in-network dentist is contracted with that particular insurance company saying that the dentist agrees to a contracted fee and will write off the difference between their fee and the contracted fee. An out-of-network dentist is not contracted with the insurance company so any difference between the doctor’s fee and the allowed amount is paid by the patient. The difference in fee is often times insignificant. Dr. Adler chooses not to be in-network for most insurance companies because he wants to provide the best care possible to his patients without feeling that the insurance company is dictating the type of treatment to be provided. The main thing that people should look for in a dentist is the quality of care that is offered instead of whether or not they are in-network. Although Dr. Adler is not in-network, he provides exceptional treatment and uses the highest quality materials and latest technology. The cheapest treatment is the treatment that only needs to be done once because it was done right the first time.
By dealing with insurance companies on a daily basis, we understand that insurance companies can be extremely confusing and frustrating at times. We do our best to pass our knowledge onto our patients but also strongly encourage people to become familiar with their own dental plans benefits and limitations. In most cases, we bill your insurance for you and collect your estimated portion at the time of service. We always stress estimated because the insurance companies do not provide us with the exact amount that they will pay until they actually pay unless we submit a pre-determination. A pre-determination is a claim that asks the insurance company what they would pay if we were to do this exact procedure on this patient based upon the information provided. The only issue with this is that the insurance company can take over a month to respond so it is not very practical, especially if the dental treatment you need is urgent.
As a courtesy to our patients, our team does their very best to check your dental benefits to give you the most accurate estimate possible. Please understand though that this is done as a courtesy but that the insurance company is contracted with the patient and not the dental office so we are just acting as a middle man on the patient’s behalf. Our front office staff dedicates a significant amount of time to following up on insurance claims, checking benefits, and providing estimates of coverage. We do this because we want to help our patients as much as possible. If there is ever a dispute with the insurance company, we will do what we can to help resolve the situation but don’t hesitate to call your insurance company directly because they are often more helpful to the patient then they are to the dental office since their contract is with you. By understanding your policy you can help yourself to get the most benefits out of it. So next time before asking if a doctor takes your insurance, ask yourself if that doctor will provide the quality of care that you are looking for and deserve.
Tags: dental insurance
Pediatric Orthodontics from A Neuromuscular Perspective
Dr. Adler of Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is constantly expanding his knowledge of the most up to date technology and treatment techniques available. Recently Dr. Adler has attended several courses at the world renowned Las Vegas Institution (LVI) on Pediatric Orthodontics – A Neuromuscular Perspective. These courses focus on understanding the facial development, skeletal malocclusions, airway obstruction and the value of early intervention. Early detection and treatment of malocclusion and airway obstruction in children is important to prevent these issue from developing further and causing additional problems to the patients as they grow older and have to treat these compounded issues as adults.
Dr. Adler has been treating his patients with neuromuscular dentistry for many years with great success. The use of orthodontics from a neuromuscular perspective for both his adult and pediatric patients has added another valuable tool to his already impressive arsenal. When people think of orthodontics they immediately think of wearing braces. Braces along with an assortment of other retention devices can not only straighten teeth from an aesthetic prospective but also realign a misaligned bite and open up obstructed airways. Dr. Adler is excited to be able to offer his patients this new and expanded treatment option as a way to resolve their dental needs.
Tags: neuromuscular, orthodontics, pediatric
Boulder Kid Dentist | Happy Visit | Great First Experience for Children
We have learned from our own experiences as well as from our patient’s, that traumatic experiences in the dental office happened as children. We commonly hear that the dentist was very short and impatient, and they experienced pain and trauma during the procedure. Many of these patients may not have had a bad experience since, but are still nervous or even scared of going to the dentist because of their first experience.
Dr. Adler understands a childs first visit to the dentist is important. At Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we like to start our newest patients off on the right foot with a “Happy Visit”. Children usually have their first visit to the dentist when they are about 2 or 3 years old. A Happy Visit should be exactly what it says – a happy visit to the dentist.
The child is welcomed into the office by our very patient and sweet hygienist, Susan. Susan recognizes that sometimes just showing the child our office is enough for the first time With a parent present, Susan gives the child a ride up and down in the chair to get used to the idea that it moves. Susan also plays a short video, “Andy’s First Visit”. With the help of two of the cutest Jack Russell terriers, the child is able to see the equipment and tools used by Susan in this dramatized version of dogs going to the dental office. Andy and Buddy is a gentle way to expose children to their first visit to a dental office. Susan will then interact with the child, such as letting them feel the suction, air and water. She talks to them about how she would like to look in their mouth and count there teeth and even brush all the “germ bugs” off of them so they are nice and clean. Dr. Adler also joins the fun and says hello. Dr. Adler does as much of an exam as the child is comfortable with. In some instances bitewing xrays are taken. Some children are not ready to have anything done , & are not pressured to do more than they are comfortable with. We want the overall experience to be positive. Kids always enjoy ending any visit to the office by picking a prize out of our Treasure Chest.
We have had several mothers tell us that their children were actually upset when they found out that mom went to the dentist without them. We love to see children come in who are excited for their appoinment and ask to be the one to go first! Through their patient and friendly methods, Dr. Adler and Susan have been very successful with their treatment of children and are grateful that the children enjoy coming to the dentist.
Boulder Dental Hygienist | Gentle Hygienst Makes All The Difference
Susan
For most patients, the person that they spend the most time with in the dental chair is the hygienist. It is always nice to have a familiar friendly face when you come in for your regular dental check up and cleaning. Here at Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry we are lucky to have an outstanding hygienist, Susan. She has been in dentistry for more years then she would care to admit and has been a valued member of Dr. Adler’s staff for over 12 years. Her experience is a great asset to her patients and co-workers.
The hygienist plays as an important a role in your dental care and treatment as the doctor. Hygienists are highly trained professionals with degrees from accredited hygiene schools and are licensed by the state in which they practice. One of the major roles of a hygienist is to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. This is done by removing both soft and hard deposits from teeth, teaching patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. They examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the presence of any diseases or abnormalities. One of the procedures that you would see a hygienist for include, Scaling and Root Planning – a procedure where the hygienist administers local anesthetic and removes calculus deposits from below the gum line. This procedure can be required for patients with periodontal disease to clear up pockets of infection beneath the gums that could eventually lead to bone and tooth loss if left untreated. Hygienists use an assortment of tool such as hand scalers, rotary instruments, and ultrasonic devices to clean and polish teeth, which includes removing tartar, stains, and plaque. They also take dental x-rays and apply cavity-preventative agents such as fluorides and sealants. Often times hygienist are your first line of defense against gum disease and cavities.
Susan does all of this and more. Many of our patients have commented on her friendly nature and her thorough but gentle treatment. More often then not you can overhear Susan talking to our patient about how their children and pets are doing. Being a dog-lover, Susan is always happy to exchange stories with our patients about their furry friends or if they ask tell them the latest about her beloved Doberman, Stetson. Susan is a great combination of highly developed skill and personal care. Come into Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry and see for yourself.
Creating beautiful smiles to last a lifetime.