Dedicated General, Family & Restorative Dentistry
The dental practice of Dr. Matt Philson D.D.S. offers the highest level of dental care in Pueblo, CO. As a family and general dentists, we are proud to serve patients of all ages from across the Lower Arkansas River Valley. Our goal is to help you and your family members achieve and maintain great oral health, no matter what stage of life you are in. We specialize in microdentistry, which focuses on minimal dentist intervention, the conservation of existing tooth structure, and slowing down tooth decay and loss.
Maintaining good oral health is important for good overall health. Together with you, Dr. Philson and his staff will help develop a comprehensive dental health care plan that helps improve your immediate and long-term dental health.
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General Dentistry
Our general dentistry services are concerned with helping our patients improve their dental health and overall health. General dentistry procedures help our dentist and staff diagnose and treat a range of teeth, gum and jaw problems, before they result in more painful, larger, and expensive issues. Making regular visits to your dentist can help you save a significant amount of money in the long run, as procedures like routine exams, cleanings, and oral cancer screenings help us identify problems in the early stages. In addition, we will work with you and your family members to establish health at-home oral health habits.
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A dental health consultation gives new patients a chance to get to know our staff and dentist. It also helps our staff evaluate your dental health, discuss your treatment options, answer any questions you may have, and help you establish a treatment plan.
For most healthy patients, regular dental cleanings are recommended bi-annually. This typically involves preventive and diagnostic services including removing tartar, plaque, calculus and stains from the surface of teeth, X-Rays, polishing the teeth, gum disease evaluations, and oral cancer screenings.
Digital radiography or x-rays use small sensors instead of traditional film. There are many advantages to using digital x-rays: it uses 80-90% less radiation, saves time, and allows your dentist to view enhanced digital “x-rays” of your mouth and teeth. These images give us the clearest view of your tissues while reducing the amount of radiation your tissues are exposed to.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is found on either side of the jaw and holds the upper and lower jaws together. If you experience pain in these joints and difficulty moving your jaw, you may have a TMJ disorder. This type of disorder can lead to a number of other issues including ear, tooth, and jaw joint pain. Teeth grinding, joint dislocation, and misaligned bites can contribute to TMJ disorders as well. Practicing relaxation techniques, physical therapy, surgery or having a custom-fit oral appliance created are all treatments for this type of disorder.
Part of our goal with children’s dental services is to create a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment for children and their families. This way, kids develop positive associations with the dentist, and help them develop healthy smiles for life.
As we age, our dental healthcare needs change. Geriatric dentistry is the dental care for older adults, and diagnosing, preventing and treating common problems associated with aging. Our goal is to help our older patients maintain good oral health so they can maintain good overall health.
Restorative Dentistry
When our teeth are healthy, you can easily take for granted things such as smiling, eating, talking, and laughing. If you are missing teeth due to an accident or dental condition, these things can become increasingly difficult. Restorative dentistry focuses on helping you regain a natural looking, radiant smile. Together, our dental healthcare team will help you find the treatment options to fit your situation and return function, aesthetics, and strength back to your teeth. Together, we can help you achieve a bright, long-lasting smile.
For patients with suffering from tooth decay or severe damage to their teeth, dental crowns may be necessary. A crown restores function, strength, and esthetics to the remaining tooth structure by covering it. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials. The material used depends on the area of the mouth being restored. Together with you, we will determine which material best fits your needs.
Dental bridges can be used if decay, injury, or gum disease cause tooth loss. If a missing tooth is not corrected, it can cause greater problems for your health. Bridges prevent your remaining teeth from shifting, which can result in discomfort and pain. It is attached to adjacent natural teeth and is used to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge can be removable or permanently cemented into the mouth.
Tooth colored or composite fillings can help you achieve a more natural looking smile, while also adding protection against broken teeth in the future. Composite fillings also provide teeth with improved strength, stability, and color. When placing your filling, we carefully match the material to your existing tooth structure. This also enhances the aesthetics of your smile. In addition, composite material can be used to correct cracks in teeth, gaps, and cover up stains.
Dental implants provide a great restoration option for patients who are missing teeth due to decay or extractions. The implants consist of metal frames or posts which are surgically inserted into the bone beneath the gums. To be a viable candidate for dental implants, you must have sufficient bone structure to support the posts.
Once the posts have been placed, they fuse to the jawbone. When the posts can effectively support replacement teeth, custom crown or prosthetics will be mounted, which improves the function and aesthetics of your teeth and mouth. Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth and provide added stability, strength, and durability to your tooth structure.
Root Canal Therapy or Endodontics is necessary when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth and caused an infection. This procedure may be necessary if you have experienced severe trauma to your tooth as well. Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent the need for endodontic therapy, but once the pulp has been infected, it must be treats. Your body is unable to heal this type of infection itself, so you must get it treated to avoid future problems.
If you have a sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids, pain and swelling, or have a bad taste in your mouth, you may have an infected pulp. In some cases, patients are unaware of a problem until they are at a routine visit with their dentist.
It is important to attend regular visits to the dentist to monitor and identify any signs of gum disease, even if you feel healthy and do not exhibit any symptoms. Gum (periodontal) disease can progress without a patient knowing. If left untreated, it can destroy the supporting bones in a patient’s mouth. Early prevention and treatment is essential for this reason. We provide you with the highest level of care to help prevent gum disease and help you maintain great oral health.
Prosthodontic care includes a range of cosmetic and restorative dental procedures including crowns, bridges, dental implants, veneers, and more. These services are provided by both general dentists and prosthodontic specialists.
An Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon completes an additional four to six years of formal trainings to develop an expertise in treating the craniomaxillofacial complex. This allows them to diagnose and treat a variety of neck and head conditions and injuries. Some of these conditions include: dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, misaligned jaws, oral cancer, apicoectomy, and temporomandibular (TMJ) joint pain.
Laser dentistry refers to a dental procedure that involves the use of a laser. There are a variety of laser dentistry treatments, both to restore function and aesthetics to a patient’s smile. Common laser treatments include treatment for gum disease, oral surgery, teeth whitening, and cavity treatment. Laser treatments provide you with a reduced need for anesthesia, minimal bleeding, and controlled swelling.
If you are looking to enhance the brightness of your smile, teeth whitening (or bleaching) provides you with a simple, non-invasive option. Together with our dentist, we will help you determine which teeth whitening treatment best suits your needs and current oral health.
Dental emergencies can be very frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is generally required to alleviate pain and ensure the patient’s oral and overall health. If you’re dealing with a dental emergency, call us immediately at 719-543-1132 and we will schedule you in as soon as possible.
Filling vs. Crown
Gingival Probing
Gingivitis
Progression of Decay
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Professional, Compassionate Dental Care in Pueblo, CO
Here at the dental office of Dr. Matt Philson, D.D.S., we are committed to providing quality dental care in Pueblo, CO. We are dedicated to serving our community and helping its members achieve and maintain good oral health and overall health. We are proud to serve patients from Pueblo and surrounding communities including Colorado City, Canon City, Trinidad, Westcliff, Walsenburg, and other areas in Southern Colorado.
For more information about our dental services and practice, to schedule an appointment, or for general questions, please contact us at 719-543-1132 today. We look forward to caring for you and your family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Medium and firm ones can damage teeth and gums. Use soft pressure, for 2 minutes, two times a day.
Both powered and manual toothbrushes clean teeth well. Powered toothbrushes may be easier if you have trouble using your
hands.
Set a reminder to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Toss it sooner if the bristles look bent or splayed out.
Bent bristles don’t clean as well. (They’re also a sign you may be brushing too hard.)
Most toothpaste will clear away bacteria growth and acids from food and drinks. Toothpastes with the American Dental
Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance always have fluoride, which strengthens and protects teeth. If you want a
non-fluoride option, stores carry toothpastes and powders made with natural ingredients that don’t have ADA testing and
approval.
Kids under 6 shouldn’t use toothpaste with fluoride to avoid the chance of them swallowing it.
There’s no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears food and plaque from
between teeth and under the gumline. If you don’t, plaque hardens into calculus, which forms wedges, harboring bacteria,
and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums and bone pull away and teeth loosen.
Either waxed or unwaxed floss will do the job. Using floss picks or interdental brushes is another easy option.
Sort of.
Mouthwashes for cavity protection, sensitivity, and fresh breath may help when you use them with regular brushing and
flossing — but not instead of daily cleanings. Your dentist can recommend the best type for you.
Some people need twice-daily rinses for gum health or alcohol-free washes for dry mouth.
Kids under 6 shouldn’t use mouthwash to avoid the chance of them swallowing it.
YES and YES!
Sometimes dentists may recommend X-rays to diagnose a special problem. Advancements in technology means today’s digital X-rays release much less radiation and are safer than in the past.
Expect to get them during a first exam after not seeing a dentist for a while. This helps check tooth and gum health. If you have gum disease, the dentist may want pictures every 6 months. For regular check-ups, it’s about every 1-2 years, depending on your home care and risk of cavities.
Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association
(ADA), and the CDC all agree that kids should use fluoride toothpaste for brushing, taking care not to swallow it.
Adults benefit from using fluoride to protect their teeth, too.
surface, enamel, and eats away at the softer inner layer, dentin, causing a cavitation or cavity. Tooth decay is
associated with a variety of factors, including your dietary choices and dental hygiene routine.
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing once a day are the most effective ways to remove plaque
buildup from between the teeth and below the gumline. Regular teeth cleanings and checkups at your dentist also support
proper oral and dental hygiene, especially when combined with fluoride treatment. To minimize acid-producing bacteria
that attack your tooth enamel, drink fluoridated tap water and maintain a well-balanced diet that is low in sugary or
starchy foods and acidic beverages like soda pop.
Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. If you have knocked out a
tooth, these tips may be able to save it:
- Rinse, do not scrub, the tooth to remove dirt or debris
- Place the clean tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gum or under your tongue
- Do not attempt to replace the tooth into the socket as this could cause further damage
- Get to the dentist. Successful re-implantation is possible only when treatment is performed promptly
- If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze
and immerse it in milk.