Helping you maintain a healthy smile

Our doctors’ extensive training in comprehensive care is evident from your very first exam. During this thorough assessment, our doctors will take a detailed look at your dental health. With a strong focus on patient education, our knowledgeable team goes above and beyond to provide you with the information, tools, and resources you need to become more informed about your oral health and dental care.

Components of a Comprehensive Exam

Examination

Our doctors take a comprehensive approach to your oral health, conducting a thorough examination of your teeth and periodontal (gum) health, evaluating the jaw joint and muscles, and performing an oral cancer screening. This in-depth assessment ensures that all aspects of your dental health are carefully considered.

Imaging

If you have recent x-rays, we can contact your previous dentist to obtain copies. If not, we can take complete x-rays right here in our office. Additionally, we will take photographs, as recommended by the AACD, to assist our doctors in performing a thorough and comprehensive evaluation.

Diagnosis & Risk Factors

Based on the images and exam, our doctors will inform you of any diagnosed conditions. They will also assess your risk for tooth decay, periodontal disease, and dysfunctional occlusion, offering personalized advice on steps you can take now to prevent future issues and maintain optimal oral health.

Our hygienists are some of the best in their field and have all undergone extensive training that goes above and beyond that required by the State of Colorado for their Dental Hygiene License. In addition, our hygienists truly care about you and your wellbeing. They are passionate about preventative care and helping you maintain a healthy smile.

Gum disease

70% of adults suffer from some form of gum disease and over 70% of all adult tooth loss is caused by gum disease. The effects of gum disease are minimized by identifying it in its very early stages, treating it appropriately, and managing it consistently over time.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease (Periodontal Disease) is characterized by swollen, inflamed gums surrounding the teeth. Plaque, a sticky substance that forms in the mouth from food, saliva, and bacteria, gets inside the space between the gum line and the tooth. If not removed, plaque hardens into a substance called calculus or tartar that is very difficult to remove. Eventually, the bacteria in the plaque and tartar eat away at the fibers that hold the gums to the teeth, creating deep pockets. As bacteria spread, the pockets become deeper until the bacteria finally eat away the bone that holds the tooth in place.

Think of it as if bugs are eating away at the soil around a tree trunk. Eventually, they eat away all of the soil that supports the roots, causing the tree to fall.

A preventative approach

Dr. Owens and our team take steps during each patient’s appointment to prevent gum disease. During a comprehensive exam, Dr. Owens and his team examine the health of your gums by doing a thorough periodontal charting. This, along with images and x-rays taken in the mouth, can reveal the early stages of periodontal disease, which is often referred to as gingivitis. In this stage, early detection, treatment and improved home care are imperative to avoid more serious gum disease.

Symptoms of gum disease can include:

• Gums that bleed when you floss
• Swollen or tender gums
• Bad breath
• Receding gums
• Loose or shifting teeth

Treatments for gum disease

Gum disease is treated by carefully removing the bacteria and tartar that form in the pockets around the teeth. The removal of this material occurs on a microscopic level and requires great skill. Our team has advanced training regarding how to effectively remove bacteria and tartar from the hard-to-reach areas.

This process of removing the debris usually requires several visits to our office. Once it has been removed, the pockets must be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis by your dentist. Otherwise, the debris will return and the bacteria will continue to cause damage to the support structures of your teeth.

Long-Term Care

Keep in mind that once you have periodontal disease, you will always have the disease due to the damage that it does to your body. Careful daily hygiene and regular dental visits to clean your pockets are required. After the initial dental appointments to remove bacteria, you will be placed on a regular appointment schedule called “periodontal maintenance” to maintain healthy gums.

Remember, it is always better to prevent disease than to treat disease.

While there is no single cause, common factors contributing to gum disease include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Genetic predisposition
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean
• Specific medications
• Teeth grinding

For further reading, see the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) – Periodontal Disease.

The Facts About Oral Cancer

• 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year
• 8,000 People will die from oral cancer this year.
• 90% Survival rate with early detection.

Early detection saves lives.

With early detection, the survival rate for oral cancer increases exponentially.

This is why we offer in-office oral cancer screenings to all of our patients. During your oral cancer screening, our doctor team carefully examines the interior of the mouth, including the back of your throat and tongue, as well as the lymph nodes in your neck. If any abnormalities are found, a biopsy may be taken and sent to a local lab for further analysis.

It is our goal to detect oral cancer in the earliest stages possible. If you think you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact us to schedule an exam and oral cancer screening immediately.

Some of the late stage symptoms include:

• Bleeding sores
• Difficulty chewing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Numbness of tongue
• Ear pain
• Lumps in mouth

The majority or oral cancer patients do not experience any symptoms until the later stages.

Custom-made mouth and night guards protect your smile around the clock.

Mouth and night guards can protect your smile from wear and tear, grinding and potential loss of teeth. We create custom mouth guards for our sports-playing patients of all ages. For our patients who grind their teeth while they sleep, we also offer custom-fit night guards.

Fort Collins Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are commonly worn for sports or other physical activity to protect your teeth from trauma. Your mouth guard protects your teeth and the soft tissues such as the tongue, lip, or cheek lining, which could be bitten or punctured during activity.

Fort Collins Night Guards

Wearing a night guard offers significant protection against tooth damage caused by grinding or clenching during sleep. It helps prevent enamel wear, cracks, and jaw discomfort. A custom night guard provides a comfortable fit, ensuring your teeth stay protected and your smile remains healthy. Our doctor team not only customizes the night guard to your teeth, but also for your bite to help your jaw have ideal placement when you are wearing your night guard.

At Owens Dental, our doctors often recommend lower night guards for comfort, as they are less bulky and easier to sleep in. However, if you have prior trauma or a specific preference for an upper night guard, that option is available too! Discuss your individual needs with your doctor to find the ideal solution that works best for you.

Night guards are designed to be worn during sleep and are frequently used to prevent teeth grinding or teeth clenching. Night guards can also be incorporated into a TMJ treatment plan to protect the teeth from damage. The night guard can help to stabilize the bite during sleep and alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorders.