Working in the dental field means we learn terminology and take for granted that patients know what we are talking about. However, if you are one of the lucky ones who has not had to have much dentistry, you may never have had an occasion to learn the terminology we take for granted each day. I hope you find it helpful!
What is a crown?
Also known as a "cap," a crown is a protective covering that goes over a tooth that has been cracked, had a root canal, a large amount of decay or is, in some other way, compromised. Crowns in our office are custom made to fit your bite and they come in a custom shade, to match the rest of your teeth. Occasionally, Dr. Johnson may recommend a gold crown, but our crowns are typically made of noble metal and porcelain.
What is a veneer?
A veneer, known under such brand names as Lumineers, is also a protective covering that goes over a tooth. Like a crown, a veneer can be for function just as much as for beauty. Do you know someone who has teeth that are short or have been leveled off all the way across? Veneers can serve the purpose of elongating the teeth you have chipped or ground down to the dentin. They can also be used to provide the illusion of straight perfect teeth without the lengthy committment in orthodontics. To see if you are a candidate for this procedure, give us a call to schedule an appointment. 303-422-8748
What is a tooth colored filling?
A tooth colored filling, also known as a resin or composite filling, is a procedure where decay is removed from the tooth and in order to protect the affected area, it needs some type of covering, but is not serious enough to require a crown. After sterilizing the tooth and removing all decay, it is filled in with material that matches the color of your tooth. It is then polished and tested to make sure that your bite comes together correctly. Dr. Johnson is a perfectionist when it comes to making sure your dentistry looks natural and functions well.
What is an amalgam filling?
An amalgam, also known as a black filling, silver filling or mercury filling, is like a resin, but uses a different material that is dark in color and contains mercury. We choose not to use this material in our office.
What is an Oral Surgeon? What do they do?
An oral surgeon is a dentist who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgeries such as the removal of wisdom teeth, jaw surgery, bone grafts, implant placement, extractions and biopsies. We work with a team of oral surgeons who will make sure your surgery goes smoothly and comfortably.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in your gums. For example, if you have had a serious infection or need gum grafting due to recession, we will refer you to a trusted periodontist. Periodontists can also place dental implants and perform sinus lifts. They are the ones who you may see if your infection is recurring and we are concerned about you losing tooth or bone due to infection. Infection is characterized by bleeding of the gums and pocketing.
What is an Endodontist?
An endodontist performs root canals. They have special equipment and training in the area of endodontics. What is a root canal? A root canal is a procedure to repair a tooth that is badly infected. During the process, the tooth is cleaned and the nerve is removed, the tooth is sealed and a crown is often placed on the tooth as protection because once the nerve is removed, the tooth is dead and it becomes extremely fragile.
Do you have more questions? Contact us and we will give you an answer!
Each year, Denver magazine 5280 publishes Denver's Top Dentists in each specialty. Dr. Johnson, along with our referring doctors in specialties such as Oral Surgery, Orthodontics and Periodontics vote on which doctors have earned a place among Denver's Top Dentists.
In order to be a 5280 TOP Dentist, it is necessary to be nominated by another dentist who has noticed that the work you do is at a standard above the rest. Then, a process of voting occurs to narrow the results even further.
Being nominated by other dentists is such a great honor and Dr. Johnson is grateful that others have noticed the he goes the extra mile. Whether it is a crown, veneer or filling, Dr. Johnson approaches dentistry with an attitude of perfection, not only in the artistry of his work, but especially in the areas of comfort and function. His goal is to always provide dentistry that looks great, feels great and lasts a long time.
The heart of our practice comes from patients just like you. Our practice is referral based, which means that our best patients come from other patients or doctors that we refer our patients to for work. We are never too busy to accept your friends and family into our office and give them the same great five star experience you are used to receiving.
When a new patient calls our office, one of the main concerns that people express is a fear of dentists or dentistry. We offer oral conscious sedation to patients who want a more comfortable dental experience or would like to get more work done in one appointment. people who are afraid of the dentist can truly benefit from sedation dentistry.