10 Very Good Reasons for Restorative Dentistry

Dr. Ken Versman and Dr. Doug Heller of Periodontal Associates in Aurora, CO and serving the Denver Metro area,  would like you to know the Top 10 reasons for restorative dentistry:

1. Enhance your smile. 
2. Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
3. Improve or correct an improper bite.
4. Prevent the loss of a tooth.
5. Relieve dental pain.
6. Repair damaged and decayed teeth (cavities).
7. Replace missing teeth.
8. Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.
9. Restore normal eating and chewing. Eat whatever you choose to eat!
10. Restore confidence and self image. 

For a free dental implant consultation,  or to schedule a periodontal checkup, contact us today at 303-755-4500. Periodontal Associates, Colorado's Premier Provider of Dental Implants and Periodontics

Drs. Versman & Heller discuss dental implants - Now Showing!

As seen on TV, Dr. Kenneth Versman and Dr. Doug Heller of Periodontal Associates - The Dental Implant Team, discuss the cost, options and benefits of dental implants. Our office has been receiving many calls due to the informative show broadcast on KCDO-TV (Channel 3) in Denver. If you missed it, here's your chance!

Hygiene Study Club Announced

Calling All Dental Hygienists, Assistants and colleagues in the Denver Metro Area! 

Dr. Ken Versman and Dr. Doug Heller of Periodontal Associates in Aurora, CO would like to extend an invitation to attend our upcoming Periodontal Associates' Hygiene Study Club.


October 19, 2010
Tuesday evening
MDDS/CDA Building
Denver, CO
A light buffet and beverages will be served.

Improve your X-Ray Vision.
See More. Do More. 

 Presented by Dr. Brad J. Potter

Presented by Dr. Brad J. Potter
Sponsored by OralB 
 
Discovering new techniques, tips and tricks to taking better x-rays and future trends in dental imaging

Dr. Potter is an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine. In addition he teaches the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology curriculum in the Department of Diagnostic and Biologic Sciences. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.



For more information or to RSVP, email us at hygienestudyclub@gmail.com

 

Periodontal Associates' Hygiene Study Club 

Periodontal Associates' Hygiene Study Club invites dental hygenists throughout the Denver, CO and surrounding metro area to learn and discuss a variety of topics of interest within the dental community. Each meeting allows attendees to facilitate knowledge, competence and communication skills while networking with other hygienists in the area. If you are interested in joining the Hygiene Study Club or have any questions, please contact us:

 Periodontal Associates - The Dental Implant Team 
Dr. Kenneth Versman and Dr. Doug Heller
303-755-4500 or hygienestudyclub@gmail.com 

Labor Day wishes from Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller at Periodontal Associates in Aurora, CO

Labor Day Trivia from Periodontal Associates

Labor Day. For most of us, this holiday marks the end of summer. It’s a last hurrah, a last chance to have friends and family over to fire up the barbecue, chill at the pool and just enjoy the care-free attitude that comes with the beautiful summer sunshine here in Denver.

We know that Kathy (here with Dr. Heller), our winner of the Dog Days of Summer contest, will be enjoying her new prize and celebrating her win.

But what will you be doing this holiday weekend?

Other than serving as the unofficial end of summer, what else do we know about Labor Day? Periodontal Associates would like to share some facts about the holiday’s history and labor in general. Rattle these bad boys off this weekend and you are sure to impress your fellow grill meisters.

• Labor Day is the first Monday in September and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The Department of Labor calls it a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

• The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882.
• The day of the holiday was changed to the first Monday in September in 1884. Congress passed an act officially making the first Monday in September a legal holiday on June 28, 1894.
• For many decades, Labor Day was seen as a day for workers to voice their complaints and discuss better working conditions and pay.
• In 2009, 155.1 million people were in the nation’s labor force.
• Approximately 7.2 million people identify their occupation as a teacher. Comparatively, 1.7 million are chief executives, 751,000 are farmers and ranchers and 773,000 are hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists.
• There are 15.7 million labor union members in the United States, which is about 12 percent of wage and salary workers. Alaska, Hawaii and New York have some of the highest rates of the states. North Carolina has one of the lowest.
• About 3.4 million workers have an at least 90-minute commute to work each day. Aren't we lucky to have such relatively easy commutes in Denver!
• The origin of the word labor is from the Anglo-French word labur and the Latin word labor. It was first used in the 14th century.
• Roughly 7.7 million people have two jobs. Of those people, 288,000 work two full-time jobs.
• There are about 5.7 million people who report they work from home.
• About 28 percent of workers 16 or older work more than 40 hours a week. Meanwhile, 8 percent of workers work more than 60 hours a week.
• And in other labor news: For a first-time mom, the average time span for labor is 16 hours. After the first baby, mothers can expect to be in labor for an average of 7 to 8 hours for following pregnancies.

 

So spend this Labor Day celebrating the holiday the way it was intended to be—sit back, relax and pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you do. -- Drs. Versman and Heller - Periodontal Associates - The Dental Implant Team

Top Causes of Bleeding Gums according to Periodontal Associates in Aurora, CO

"Why do my gums bleed when I brush?" is a common question that our periodontists, Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller, are asked at Periodontal Associates in Aurora, CO.

Bleeding gums can be extremely discomforting physically and mentally. It is important that a person understands that gums that bleed signify a problem that needs to be addressed to both stop the gums from bleeding and to heal your gums.

Let’s take a look at the top possible causes of gum bleeding.

Gum disease: This is the most common cause for bleeding gums. The initial stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis in which gums become swollen and tender. These bleed upon touch especially during actions such as brushing or eating. Gum disease also known as Periodontal Disease occurs due to accumulation of plaque which irritates the gums. If gum disease is not treated initially, it progresses to Periodontitis and finally tooth loss. For more information and frequently asked questions about gum disease, treatment and more including Seven Danger Signs, an initial self-evaluation and a visual guide, visit our website at www.periodontalhealth.com.

Vigorous brushing: Brushing with toothpaste is abrasive in nature. Overzealous brushing does more harm than good to the teeth. In rare cases, overzealous brushing can also cause the gums to bleed but getting healthy gums to bleed by vigorous brushing is rare.

Smoking or chewing tobacco: In addition to the irritating effect of tobacco the gums, smokers tend to have more tartar on their teeth than non-smokers which causes gum disease.

Hormones: Hormone receptors are embedded in gum tissue. If certain hormone levels rise above their normal level, they can cause an increase of fluid level in the gum tissue. This change results in gum becoming red, tender and swollen. When hormone levels become normal, so do your gums.

Vitamin K deficiency: Vitamin K is an important factor in the process of blood clotting. A deficiency in Vitamin K can cause gums to bleed.

Drugs: Some drugs such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants, nasal sprays and anticoagulants may have the tendency to cause bleeding gums.

Autoimmune disorders: Autoimmune disorders are disorders in which a body’s own immune system damages its own cells. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are a few autoimmune disorders which can cause bleeding gums.

Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. One of its characteristic symptoms is bleeding gums.

It is often found that a patient with gums that bleed suffers from some degree of gum disease. If you are experiencing bleeding gums, call Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller at Periodontal Associates for an appointment to check your overall gum health and to determine the appropriate course of action.

Eat your fruits and veggies...for your gums?

We've talked about the benefits of including fruits and vegetables into your diet as healthy snacks before.  Eating fresh fruit, such as an apple, stimulates the gums, increases saliva flow and reduces the build-up of cavity-causing bacteria that harms your teeth.

But did you know that a lack of Vitamin C can promote Gingivitis? 

Yep, that's right, a diet deficient in Vitamin C can promote bleeding gums which can lead to gingivitis if left untreated. You can read more about it here.


  

Most of us think of citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, as being the best source of vitamin C. A serving of orange juice, 3/4 cup, provides you with 60 mg/day. Although citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C, other not so obvious and sometimes surprising foods contain vitamin C as well. In addition to that morning glass of OJ, here are some ways to put vitamin C on your table:

• Eat more broccoli. A 1/2-cup serving provides 45 mg of vitamin C.
• Add a slice of tomato to your sandwiches. A small tomato provides 25 mg of vitamin C.
• Slice up a papaya or mango for dessert. Half a medium papaya or mango provides 95 mg of vitamin C.
• Think peppers! Red, yellow, and orange peppers have about twice the vitamin C of green peppers.
• More obscure vegetables, like kohlrabi and jicama, provide about 45 mg of vitamin C per half cup. Just grate each into a green salad.
• Believe it or not, potatoes contain vitamin C, too! A small baked potato has 25 mg.
• Kiwi fruit, the fuzzy little brown fruit with the deep green interior, has about 55 mg of vitamin C. 

So remember to eat your fruits and veggies and you'll be doing your body, teeth AND gums a favor.

Dog Days of Summer Sonicare Giveaway

Periodontal Associates is celebrating the dog days of summer with a fabulous giveaway geared to keep you smiling!

The GIVEAWAY:

Prize: One (1) Sonicare FlexCare+ Rechargeable sonic toothbrush set with UV Brush Head Sanitizer, 2 ProResults brush heads (Compact + Standard), travel charger, travel case AND a 2 year supply of replacement brush heads (standard size). Price package valued at $250

Winner: One (1) Winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries

Deadline: Giveaway ends 11:59pm MDT August 31, 2010

How To Enter: 

Leave a comment below telling us why Summer makes you smile. It's that simple!

(Be sure to include a valid email address so that we may contact you if you're chosen. We will not collect emails nor use them for any other purpose than to notify the winner)

Optional Additional Entries:

• Subscribe to our Blog 
• Follow Periodontal Associates (@theGumDocs) on Twitter and/or send out a Tweet about this giveaway
• Become a Fan (or “Like”) Periodontal Associates on our Facebook page
• Follow us on Google Friend Connect
• Comment on any of our other posts
• If you have a blog or website, link back to this giveaway and let us know that you did.

The Rules:

This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 years of age or older. Entries can be submitted until 11:59 pm MDT August 31, 2010. The winner will be selected via random draw and will be notified via email (please make certain to include an email with your entry and that your email is legit!). Winner will have 48 hours to respond. Failure to respond within 48 hours will forfeit prize eligibility to the second randomly selected winner.

 Good Luck!