Darren G. Koch's Blog

If you’re facing dental problems that have jeopardized your teeth, you may be tempted to have them pulled. But before you do, it’s worth it to learn about the impact it can have on your oral health and quality of life. In fact, even missing just one tooth can lead to several problems down the line that require more time and money to fix at the dentist. Keep reading to learn about common issues that damage teeth, why it’s so important to save them, and how they can be restored!

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If you’ve recently had porcelain veneers placed to cover tooth imperfections, you’re probably aware of how beneficial this method of treatment can be. But now that they’re in place, do you know how to properly care for them and extend the life of your veneers? The investment you’ve made in your smile is one you want to last, right? If so, let a cosmetic dentist explain how to keep your veneers healthy and strong and what to do if one should break.

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Have you heard about the most recent trend that involves whitening your teeth with charcoal? Images all over the internet show models and famous celebrities with blackened teeth, all swearing by the “positive” effects of charcoal. Unfortunately, this worldwide phenomenon isn’t as great as it’s cracked up to be. Instead of jumping on the charcoal bandwagon, listen to a dental professional who can explain why take-home teeth whitening kits are much more effective.

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When you lost your permanent tooth, you recognized the obvious gap in your smile, but perhaps you didn’t realize that missing just one tooth can affect more than just your appearance. This empty space in your smile can cause your remaining teeth to shift out of place, creating an uneven bite. Changes in your bite can lead to jaw pain, excessive wear and damage to your teeth, and potentially additional tooth loss in the future. To prevent these negative outcomes, you can take advantage of one of the replacement options available with your dentist: a dental implant or a dental bridge. In this post, learn about these treatment choices to help you determine which is right for you. (more…)

It’s been a while since you’ve seen the dentist, but you’re back for your checkup now. They examine your teeth and discover that a cavity has developed. Untreated, tooth decay can spread to encompass the entire tooth, jump to other teeth and the supporting jaw bone, and even cause permanent damage or death. Getting your cavity filled prevents all that and saves your natural tooth. But what is a filling exactly? What is it made of? Why is it important to know what materials your dentist is using for your fillings? Get the answers to all your questions about fillings here in this post! (more…)

Your smile is often the first thing that people notice about you. Does that worry you? What kind of impression does your smile make? If your aren’t confident in the way your teeth look, you may avoid smiling or interacting with others altogether, closing off many important and fulfilling opportunities in life. Whether you need just a little touchup or a complete smile makeover, your cosmetic dentist can help you achieve your smile goals and regain your confidence through these four dental services. (more…)

You’ve lost a permanent tooth and need to replace it. After all, you don’t want to have a gap in your smile! The more you research, the more that dental implants seem to stand out from the rest of the replacement choices available. But what makes them such a highly recommended treatment option? How do you know whether you qualify for dental implants? In this post, get more background information about dental implants and understand what you need to have successful treatment. (more…)

In your research about ways to straighten your teeth, you’ve found that Invisalign is touted as the most modern, effective way to achieve the results you’re looking for. These clear braces seem to have so many benefits, including a subtle appearance and easy maintenance. Can you use insurance to help pay for this treatment? How can you make sure you’re saving as much money as possible during treatment? Get the answers to your questions about Invisalign here in this post. (more…)