Our Blog

What is the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion?  Laymen’s terms, please! At its most basic, the vertical dimension of occlusion is a measurement between two specific points when the teeth are biting fully.  As teeth wear or shift, this measurement changes.   It is very important if you are having major dental work that your face and your mouth are comfortable when […]

We are excited to announce that our experienced dentist and fearless leader, Dr. Julie Gillis, was the subject of a recent profile in BEACON Senior News! In the article, “Grand Junction Dentist Uses Creative Background to Serve Patients,” Dr. Gillis talks about her background in architecture and sketching, and how her artistic talents ultimately led to her interest in pursuing […]

When is it necessary to complete Full Mouth Restorations & Periodontal Plastic Surgery? Let’s start this discussion by looking at a dental situation where Full Mouth Restorations are the best treatment for the patient’s concerns. This case also demonstrates a situation where Periodontal Plastic Surgery significantly improved the outcome. Jody’s main concerns: Alignment – The teeth used to be even […]

What can be done when the teeth are severely worn and uneven? Sometimes the damage to the teeth is so extensive that the only way to make a significant change is to complete what we call “Full Mouth Restorations.”  This blog describes how completing full mouth restorations provided a solution to the problem of severely worn and uneven teeth. So […]

How Much Toothpaste Should You Really Use? Is More Toothpaste Better? We have all seen the toothpaste commercials that make a ‘loop-de-doo’ of toothpaste on the bristles.  Is this excessive?  Absolutely!  There are three basic benefits of toothpaste: Flavor Medicaments Grit The first – Flavor – makes brushing more fun.  But too much flavor, and too much toothpaste and you […]

What is a chairside tooth veneer or a direct composite veneer? Is a direct composite veneer different than a porcelain veneer?  This blog will answer some basic questions about the differences between direct composite veneers which are also called ‘chairside veneers’ and porcelain veneers. The patient above was concerned about the appearance of her front four teeth.  She had heard […]

What is a ‘Reverse Smile’? and Options to Correct a ‘Reverse Smile‘. Have you heard the term, ‘Reverse Smile‘?  What does that mean?  What is a ‘reverse smile‘ and what are some options to correct this? A reverse smile is simply a when the edges of the upper teeth follow along a reverse or inverted curve to the lower lip. […]

If you have had a tooth extraction, you probably expect some bleeding. But, what should you do if the bleeding doesn’t stop? This blog will review things that should be done after tooth extractions and how tea can be used to stop bleeding. Let’s say you had a tooth extracted. This sometimes necessary treatment can of course cause bleeding. Teeth […]

Oral hygiene and specifically flossing is just one more thing to get done.  But it’s important?  I think that health campaigns can make a difference in people’s health.  Think of Nike’s “Just Do It”.  Does anyone else think about blowing off exercising with lots of excuses and then BAM! you think, “Just Do It!” and you get the job done.  […]

Can teeth get longer or move over time as tooth wear occurs? This is a very good question because so many people grind their teeth or have extensive wear.  If the teeth wear down and then nothing else happened, there would be gaps between the teeth and the teeth would no longer fit together!  Can the teeth move as you […]