Getting older presents a range of challenges, not least of which is maintaining a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. In fact, the aging process will often impair your sense of taste, while diseases, medications, and dentures can also contribute to this sensory loss. Then of course, as you age, so do your teeth and gums, becoming less resilient and less healthy over time.

As your Littleton dental implants specialists, we often speak with patients who tell us they are confused by the phrase, "tooth replacement therapy." As with so many things medical, understatement is not at the top of the list of physicians’ traits. To put it simply, tooth replacement therapy includes all the ways your prosthodontist can replace your teeth for you; from dentures and partials, to crowns and bridges, to dental implants. We are able to replace one tooth, or entire mouth full of teeth for you.

The most common disease worldwide is the common cold. The second most common disease is tooth decay, and that includes cavities.

Sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), September is National Gum Care Month, a time for all of us to focus on oral health and gum disease prevention.

Not all prosthodontists and dental implant clinics are created equal; then too, it is also true that not all patients seeking implant tooth replacement are good candidates for dental implant surgery.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental implants have become the standard by which all other types of tooth replacement therapies are measured. The reasons for this are numerous, though patient benefits are easily the most important.

According to a recent article by Jennifer Calfas at USAToday.com, the birth rate in the US has begun to rise for the first time in seven years. Whether this is actually evidence that the US economy is improving as the author claims, the facts are these:

Whether you're looking for total tooth replacement or partial tooth replacement, dental implants are a remarkably effective tooth replacement therapy for most people of virtually any age. A dental procedure that anchors a new, "artificial tooth" using a surgically-placed titanium post, implant dentistry is considered a "modern miracle" by those with missing teeth that are now able to smile and eat the foods they love again.

For a number of reasons, dentures remain the most popular tooth replacement therapy available. They’re convenient and cost-effective of course but, perhaps most important, patients are familiar with the idea of wearing dentures. In this case, familiarity does not breed contempt. Rather, patients have a fairly good sense of what’s involved with using dentures, and a certain comfort level with this very common dental prosthetic.

While it may be unfortunate, it’s not at all uncommon for individuals to lose teeth: one, some, or all. An accident may result in tooth loss, as may ineffective dental care over time. Whatever the reason, if you do lose one tooth or many, your dentist and/or prosthodontist has a variety of ways to help you – known as tooth replacement therapy, which is something we specialize in at The Colorado Center for Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry.

You probably have no idea but, your teeth tell a story; the story of your life, your oral health, and of your health overall.

Tooth whitening, whether performed by a professional or done at home, will lighten your teeth and help to remove stains and discoloration. Since it can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth – and your smile – is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures performed by dentists and prosthodontists.

For patients who, for a variety of possible reasons, are not good candidates for dental implant tooth replacement therapy, replacing lost teeth with dentures remains a viable and effective alternative. In fact, thanks to some truly remarkable advances in dental technology, modern denture therapy allows us to design and fabricate "false teeth" that are far more comfortable and realistic looking than ever before.

As an effective tooth replacement therapy, dental implants are not only a product of scientific discovery, research, and understanding; they have also developed through application and implementation in clinical practice. The practice of implant dentistry requires extensive training and experience in diagnosis, planning, and oral surgery, as well as fabrication and tooth restoration.

The most common cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque between and around the teeth, which triggers an immune response, which in turn can eventually lead to the destruction of gingival (gum) tissue, and eventually further complications, including the loss of teeth.

Commonly known as gum disease, the medical term "Gingivitis" indicates inflammation of the gums (or gingiva, which is the medical terms for gums). It is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and gums.

While there are still questions about causality, the latest research seems to indicate a link between poor oral health and age-related mental decline. In a new report from Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, investigators reviewed studies on oral health and cognition published over 20 years, from 1993 through 2013.

We try to keep you up to date on the latest oral health news here at the Dental Health Blog, which sometimes means getting back to the basics of dental health.

Still the most popular method for total tooth replacement, dentures and partials are a relatively inexpensive and effective choice. And, here at the Colorado Center for Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry, Dr. Maroney offers the most customized and personal denture treatment in the entire Denver metro area.

Here at the Dental Health Blog our goal is simple, to keep you informed on the latest in dental health news and to stay engaged with you. We hope that, through this simple format, the subjects we pursue are important to you and that they are worth your reflection and consideration. We also hope that, as your Littleton area prosthodontist for the past two decades, the information we provide has, or will, help you make an informed decision on your dental care.