Elizabeth's smile before

Elizabeth had just moved to Colorado from Florida and was ready for a new smile to go with her new start. Friends had recommended she see Dr. Adler of Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry. Elizabeth felt that her smile didn’t look good and wasn’t happy with how some of her restorations were looking. She had a Maryland bridge on her upper left front teeth to replace tooth #10 for about 8 or 9 years. She also had a very small lateral incisor, #7, that had been “built-up” to give it a larger appearance.

Maryland bridges are a slightly different design than traditional bridges. Traditional bridges have crowns on the two teeth adjacent to the missing tooth and are fused to a pontic crown which replaces the missing tooth. A Maryland bridge has a pontic fused to a crown on one side and a rest that attaches to the tooth on the other side. Maryland bridges can cause undue stress on the crowned tooth since it is taking the load of two teeth where as a traditional bridge distributes that pressure between two or more teeth. Since anterior teeth have a single root then it is important to have the load distributed among more teeth to insure that the root of the tooth is not reabsorbed because of the undue stress. Elizabeth wanted to replace her bridge and make the small incisor that was built up also look better. Most of all she wanted her whole smile to look good and balanced. She was tired of her smile looking pieced together. Dr. Adler recommended that she replace her Maryland bridge with an all porcelain bridge and also place porcelain restorations on five of her remaining upper anterior teeth to insure that her smile would be symmetrical and look amazing.

Elizabeth first whitened her teeth with the ZOOM! Whitening system so that her lower teeth would be as white at her new upper teeth would be. During the Zoom whitening procedure, all of her gum tissue was isolated to keep it from getting exposed to the whitening solution and activating light. The whitening solution and Zoom light were applied in four 15 minute sessions. Elizabeth was dramatically whiter by the end of the Zoom treatment.

Elizabeth's great new smile

Eight of Elizabeth’s upper anterior teeth were prepped for the restorations including the bridge. Once the teeth had been properly shaped for the restorations, temporary crowns and bridge were placed. The temporaries looked almost as good as the crowns would and better than what she had had before. The impressions of the prepped teeth were sent to the lab for fabrication. Each restoration is custom made to insure that the overall smile is symmetrical, functional and aesthetically appealing. Once the crowns and bridge were back from the lab the temporaries were removed and the crowns were chemically bonded to the teeth to insure the strength and longevity of the restorations.

The results are dramatic. Elizabeth looks like a new woman with her great new smile.

Rachael’s alignment issues, forward head posture, loose teeth, wear, off center midline, and migraines were strong indications that her bite was not in its correct position. Giving Rachael a correct bite and restoring all of her teeth at one time would alleviate the problems that she faced. In order to correct her bite problems and give Rachael the smile she always wanted and deserved, Dr. Adler recommended neuromuscular dentistry in conjunction with aesthetic and functional dentistry.

Rachael’s treatment began with neuromuscular dentistry. Dr. Adler did a K7 evaluation with TENS to determine her correct bite. Based on the information gathered during the K7 evaluation, a fixed orthotic splint was fabricated and bonded to Rachael’s lower anterior teeth. The orthotic would maintain her ideal bite position until the full mouth restorations were completed. The full mouth restorations consisted of a root canal, placement of carbon fiber posts, preparation and bonding of 22 porcelain crowns, tissue re-contouring and custom shading. The root canal eliminated any infection in the tooth and the carbon fiber posts gave the additional support and stability needed for the crowns on teeth with root canals. When performing the tissue re-contouring, Dr. Alder used a diode laser to reshape the tissue around the teeth to make Rachael’s smile even, symmetrical and natural.

Due to the extensive nature of the preparation, the case was sent to Aurum Ceramic Dental Lab for fabrication of the crowns. The teeth were prepared in a single visit for the convenience of the patient. Preparing the teeth in a single visit also allowed Aurum to construct the crowns in relationship to her proper and newly established bite, and not just as individual teeth. Using Aurum insured that her smile was not only aesthetically beautiful but also functional and in the proper bite. Rachael now has a beautiful, comfortable smile that will last a lifetime.

Orthodontics is very hands on for the assistants. The majority of appointments are spent almost entirely with the assistant. This is great for the assistant because we get the chance to spend time with our patients regularly and really develop a good working relationship with them. Because orthodontics is very hands on, LVI had the assistants practicing their skills at placing brackets, bands, wires and ligatures in addition to other exercises. This was great because it allowed us to apply the techniques and tools that we had already learned about in lectures. The lectures went over a wide range of information from placement of brackets and appliances to types of materials and instruments to use. The assistants also got a chance to sit in with the doctors during some of their lectures so we could better understand the reasoning behind some of the doctor’s treatment decisions. Orthodontics is an exciting new aspect of Dr. Adler’s practice that the entire team is ready be involved in.

Dr. Adler continues to expand his abilities and his teams’ skills so that he can offer the best treatment available to his patients. Orthodontics has a wide variety of cases where is can be an extremely beneficial and valuable tool in Dr. Adler’s arsenal of skills and techniques. Dr. Adler’s strives to be on the cutting edge of new dental technologies and techniques and believes that continuing education for himself and his staff is an important way to achieve this goal.

Boulder, Colorado, June 3, 2010 –  Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry today announced a special limited time discount for Invisalign teeth straightening treatments begun in June 2010.

To celebrate the start of summer Dr. Michael Adler of Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry has designated the entire month of June to be ‘Invisalign Month’. The first five patients that begin Invisalign treatment during the month of June will save $500 on the cost of their treatment. Patients that are not one of the first five to take advantage of this special offer will still save $300 on the cost of Invisalign treatment begun in June. The special Invisalign pricing is intended to provide patients with an added incentive to get that great looking smile they’ve always wanted while still saving summer fun money.

Additionally Dr. Adler is providing free consultations to answer questions about Invisalign treatment. Patients who’ve wondered whether Invisalign is the right treatment for them are encouraged to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Invisalign is the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without braces. The Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to move teeth over time to give the smile patients want and deserve.

Among the chief advantages of using Invisalign are:

• Absence of ugly, metal bands and brackets
• Results in months instead of years
• Aligners are virtually invisible, so it’s nearly imperceptible to others that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Among the conditions that are treatable using Invisalign are: 1) Overly crowded teeth. This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally, 2) Widely spaced teeth. This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone, 3) Crossbite. This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned, 4) Overbite. It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth, and 5) Underbite. This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth.

Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is open weekdays by appointment. Additional information about the practice and services offered is available at www.adlerdentistry.com.

About Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
The cosmetic and family dental practice of Dr. Michael Adler is based in the Colorado community of Boulder, a convenient and scenic drive from most locations in the Denver and Front Range areas. Boulder, Colorado is also an inviting destination location for visiting out-of-state patients seeking Dr. Adler’s specialized attention. Dr. Adler is nationally recognized for his work and is committed to providing his patients with the highest level of care in both cosmetic and family dentistry. The practice maintains a website at www.adlerdentistry.com and regularly publishes information on its blog at www.adlerdentistry.com/blog.

Contact
Name:  Heather Ramsey
Email:  heather@adlerdentistry.com
Phone:  (303) 449-1119

Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
1810 30th Street
Boulder, CO 80301

Boulder, Colorado, May 31, 2010 – Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today released an announcement confirming the availability of neuromuscular orthodontics services in the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Dr. Michael Adler has advanced training in the specialization known as neuromuscular orthodontics and holds a fellowship from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Dr. Adler and his practice is widely known in the Denver-Boulder area, along the Colorado Front Range, and nationally for its exceptional skills in the practice of advanced dentistry.

Neuromuscular orthodontics can be used to reposition an improper bite. Its practice goes a step beyond traditional orthodontics as a method of restorative therapy. Neuromuscular orthodontics considers the entire system that controls the positioning and function of a patient’s jaw – the teeth, muscles and joints – resulting in jaw position.

Misalignment of the bite or TMD/TMJ is reported to affect approximately 15 percent of American adults, with an even higher prevalence among women. Symptoms may include headaches, neck pain, clicking or popping of the jaw, clenching or grinding, dizziness, ringing in the ears, tingling of the fingertips, nervousness, and sleep disorders. Using neuromuscular techniques a patient’s bite can be adjusted to its optimal functionality to address the related symptoms. Neuromuscular orthodontics is also an ideal approach for children to guide their growth to a more ideal position.

If it is determined that the bite is the likely cause of the dysfunction, a new jaw position is identified that leaves jaw muscles in a more relaxed state. Numerous treatment options are available and can be discussed with Dr. Adler. Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry works to determine the proper states of the muscles, teeth and joints to develop a fully balanced treatment plan. The result is a smile and bite that is not only aesthetically appealing but neuromuscularly correct.

Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is open weekdays by appointment. Additional information about the practice and services offered is available at www.adlerdentistry.com.

About Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
The cosmetic and family dental practice of Dr. Michael Adler is based in the Colorado community of Boulder, a convenient and scenic drive from most locations in the Denver and Front Range areas. Boulder, Colorado is also an inviting destination location for visiting out-of-state patients seeking Dr. Adler’s specialized attention. Dr. Adler is nationally recognized for his work and is committed to providing his patients with the highest level of care in both cosmetic and family dentistry. The practice maintains a website at www.adlerdentistry.com and regularly publishes information on its blog at www.adlerdentistry.com/blog.

Contact
Name:  Heather Ramsey
Email:  heather@adlerdentistry.com
Phone:  (303) 449-1119

Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
1810 30th Street
Boulder, CO 80301

To celebrate the start of summer Dr. Adler of Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry has designated the whole month of June to be Invisalign Month. The first five patients who start Invisalign within the month of June will save $500.00 on the cost of their treatment. Even if you are not one of the first five to take advantage of this great deal you will still save $300.00 on the cost of your Invisalign treatment if started in June. Get that great looking smile that you have always wanted while still saving your summer fun money.

Straighter teeth not only look better but are better for you also. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and so less prone to get cavities. I did Invisalign about 4 years ago. I had an overbite, a gap in my front teeth, and a tooth on the low that was rotated. I had wanted to have my teeth straightened for a while but when I got engaged I decided that it was time to have the picture perfect smile I had always wanted. Prior to the start of my Invisalign treatment I had all my cavities filled. I needed more fillings then I care to admit. During my first appointment, impressions were taken of my teeth. This was easier said then done since I had a gag reflex that was active that day.

The impressions were sent to Invisalign where they created a computer generated model of my teeth, known as a ClinCheck, showing how each aligner was going to move my teeth. This Clincheck was shown to me so the doctor and I could make any changes to the treatment plan before the aligner were actually fabricated. It was fascinating to see how my teeth would be transformed during treatment to the final results. Once the ClinCheck was approved by the doctor, Invisalign fabricated all of my aligners. It was important for me to have my fillings done before treatment started because all the aligners are created at the beginning and any changes to my teeth could have resulted in the aligners not fitting properly.

My Perfect Smile for My Perfect Day

Once the aligners arrived, clear “buttons” were bonded to selected teeth. “Buttons” are small dots of composite resin that help the aligners to move selected teeth into the proper position. IPR (inter proximal reduction) was also done at this and other appointments. IPR is where the dentist removes a very minuscule amount from between certain teeth to allow them the room to move properly. Placing the buttons and doing the IPR was quick and painless. I wore my aligners 24/7 except to take them out to brush and eat. It was great. No one knew I was wearing them and I could still eat and clean my teeth like normal. I would change the aligners every 2-3 weeks. They would feel tight at first but by the time it was time to change them, they felt loose and comfortable. I got to the point where it felt strange not to have my aligners in. I could even see the changes in my teeth throughout treatment.

I was engaged for a year and also did Invisalign for a year. Once treatment was over, the buttons were removed and I only had to wear my retainers at night to keep my teeth from shifting back. The retainers are like traditional retainers. They are exactly like the last aligners but don’t have the button attachment bumps and are of a sturdier material. It was easy and pain free. I was done with treatment in time for my wedding and I had the picture perfect smile that I always wanted just in time for my perfect day.

If you want to see my results just ask for Kim, I work as both front office and dental assistant for Dr. Adler at Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry.

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.

Boulder, Colorado, April 26, 2010 – The cosmetic dentistry office of Dr. Michael Adler today released an announcement confirming the expansion of cosmetic dental services to the Denver metro area. Dr. Michael Adler has received advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and holds a fellowship from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Adler Cosmetic Dentistry is widely known in Boulder, along the Colorado Front Range, and nationally for its exceptional skills in the practice of cosmetic dentistry.

Adler Cosmetic Dentistry is committed to providing the highest level of cosmetic dentistry services to all patients interested in enhancing the aesthetic appearance of their smiles as well as improving overall dental health. Cosmetic dentistry services today are very affordable for most patients. More extensive procedures can easily be financed by a wide variety of lending companies that specifically work with Adler Cosmetic Dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry includes everything from safe teeth whitening, veneers, white fillings, to complete smile makeovers. The results are often times dramatic in improving patients’ smiles and self esteem simultaneously. The practice features a variety of case histories with before and after images on its website and blog.

For misshapen teeth, unsightly gaps, or deep discoloration, porcelain veneers may be the best approach. Veneers are thin porcelain coverings that fit over and are bonded to your teeth, look natural, and are made from the most advanced dental ceramics available. Since veneers are so thin, often little to no tooth reduction is necessary. For teeth whitening Adler Cosmetic Dentistry recommends the ZOOM Teeth Whitening system. The ZOOM Teeth Whitening system can be applied in a single office visit.

Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is open weekdays by appointment. Additional information about the practice and services offered is available at www.adlerdentistry.com.

About Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
The cosmetic and family dental practice of Dr. Michael Adler is based in the Colorado community of Boulder, a convenient and scenic drive from most locations in the Denver and Front Range areas. Boulder, Colorado is also an inviting destination location for visiting out-of-state patients seeking Dr. Adler’s specialized attention. Dr. Adler is nationally recognized for his work and is committed to providing his patients with the highest level of care in both cosmetic and family dentistry. The practice maintains a website at www.adlerdentistry.com and regularly publishes information on its blog at www.adlerdentistry.com/blog.

Contact
Name:  Heather Ramsey
Email:  heather@adlerdentistry.com
Phone:  (303) 449-1119

Adler Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
1810 30th Street
Boulder, CO 80301

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.

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.