Creating beautiful smiles to last a lifetime.
Porcelain Restorations | A Great New Smile makes a Lasting First Impression
- Jim’s Teeth Before the Restorations
Jim had a smile that he was not proud of and that didn’t represent him well. He travels across the country frequently for business and wanted a smile that would make a good first impression. Jim came to Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry because he wanted a quality smile that would give the best impression.
During Jim’s consultation, he was able to discuss with Dr. Adler what his needs and concerns were. He wanted to have restorations placed on his upper teeth to improve the look of him smile and would plan on doing the lower teeth at a later date. Jim also needed to have treatment completed in a relatively timely manner because his hectic travel schedule did not have him in town for more then two months before he had to fly out again. Dr. Adler knew that he could give Jim the smile he was looking for and so was up for the challenge.
Jim's Smile Before
Jim began by doing Zoom Whitening to lighten all his teeth so that his lower teeth would better match the new restorations. All of Jim’s tissue was carefully isolated to insure that it was not exposed to either the whitening solution or the light. Once the tissue was fully isolated, the Zoom whitening gel was applied to the teeth and then activated with the Zoom light for 15 minutes. This process was repeated four times to insure the best results. Afterwards, Jim’s teeth were dramatically whiter.
Dr. Adler and Jim had decided that eight restorations would be placed on his upper anterior teeth. They wanted to make sure that when he smiled that people would only see his great smile and wouldn’t notice that the restorations were not his natural teeth. Eight restorations were chosen so that when Jim smiled the restorations would go back as far as his smile and there wouldn’t be any awkward area visible between where his restorations were and his natural teeth started. Because Jim has a deep bite, his lower teeth are not visible when he smiles which was part of the reason he decided to wait to have the lower teeth restored.
Jim's Great New Smile
The eight upper anterior teeth were prepared for all porcelain restorations. Any existing decay was removed and the teeth were shaped for the restorations. A shade of the underlying tooth color was taken so that the lab could take that into account when designing the shade of the restorations. The lab will use multiple shades in each restoration to insure that it looks as natural as possible. A darker shade is chosen for around the gum line and then the color gradually lightens toward the tip of the tooth. The end of the restoration will have some translucency to mimic the natural look of a tooth. Many crowns will look fake because they are a single shade and are not translucent so they look dark and flat in color. Our lab makes sure that the crowns are as close to the real thing as possible. After the teeth were prepped for the restorations, impressions were taken so they could be sent to the lab for custom fabrication. Temporaries were then placed. The temporaries are not as good looking as the final restorations but they come pretty close and still look better then what he had.
Once the final restorations were returned from the lab, Jim came in to have them seated. The temporaries were removed and the teeth cleaned with an antimicrobial solution to disinfect them. The teeth and restorations are etched to insure a good bond. A bonding liquid is then placed along with the cement to chemically bond the restorations to the teeth. Dr. Adler is constantly upgrading his materials to insure that the finest products are being used and that the patient is getting the strongest bond. Once cemented the bite is checked, any excess cement removed and the restorations are polished. The final result is a great smile and some good looking teeth. Jim now has the lasting smile he was looking for and will be able to make a great first impression.
Tags: boulder, Colorado, cosmetic dentist, denver
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.
Full Mouth Reconstruction Remakes Smile
Over the years, Rachael spent a lot of time in the dental chair patching one tooth at a time. When she came to Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, her bite was not feeling right and she was not happy with her smile. She wanted her teeth to look natural, have healthy teeth and gums, and most of all to have a smile that would last her a lifetime. When Dr. Adler met Rachael he noted that she had several issues that needed to be addressed. Rachael had alignment issues, she had a deep bite and her midline was off center. She also presented with loose teeth, multiple cavities, crowding, wear, periodontal problems, gum height variations and her teeth were different shades. Dr Adler also noticed a forward head posture and the patient informed him she suffers from migraines.
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.
Tags: boulder, Colorado, Cosmetic Dentistry, denver
Invisalign Special | Boulder Denver Adler Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Announces $500 Off Invisalign Treatment
Nationally recognized Colorado based cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Adler announces Invisalign invisible braces promotion effective for June 2010.
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
Tags: boulder, denver, Invisalign
Neuromuscular Orthodontics | Boulder-Denver Colorado Adler Dentistry Introduces New Service to Area
Adler Cosmetic Dentistry of Boulder announces availability of neuromuscular orthodontics treatment for the greater Denver-Boulder metro area. LVI trained dentist Dr. Michael Adler provides nationally recognized dental services from his Boulder Colorado office.
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
Tags: boulder, Colorado, denver, neuromuscular, orthodontics
Boulder Denver Invisalign | JUNE IS INVISALIGN MONTH | Great Discounts
JUNE IS INVISALIGN MONTH
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.
Tags: boulder, denver, Invisalign
Denver Cosmetic Dentist | Adler Cosmetic Dentistry Expands Service Availability to Denver Area
Adler Cosmetic Dentistry of Boulder announces expanded cosmetic dentistry service availability for the greater Denver metro area. LVI trained cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Adler provides nationally recognized cosmetic dentistry services from his Boulder located office.
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
Tags: cosmetic dentist, denver
Creating beautiful smiles to last a lifetime.