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Cosmetic Dentistry is Making Smiles More Beautiful in Castle Rock, WA

December 20, 2014

158554263Not many people are born with movie star smiles… not even movie stars. But you don’t have to be a Hollywood celeb to have a smile like one. Today, cosmetic dentistry offers many options to improve and enhance your smile. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his staff at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, can take your smile from bland to beautiful with cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentistry at Cowlitz River Dental

To help you have the smile you’ve always wanted, the following cosmetic dentistry services are some of the most popular ones we offer.

Teeth Whitening Whether you choose our in-office whitening system or our professional grade at-home system, you will be amazed at the results. For a whiter smile in about an hour, we recommend our in-office treatment. If you prefer to whiten at home on your own schedule, then our at-home treatment is for you.

Cosmetic Bonding If you have a tooth that is slightly chipped or cracked, cosmetic bonding is a fast and simple solution. Dr. Kennington applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth and then molds the material to restore your damaged tooth’s shape.

Porcelain Veneers For teeth that are more severely damaged with chips, cracks or discoloration, there are porcelain veneers. These dental wonders are made of ultra-thin sheets of dental porcelain that are custom designed for your smile. Once cemented to your existing teeth, they will last for years with a little tender care.

Invisalign® If you would like to straighten your teeth, but don’t want to contend with the appearance of metal braces, there is Invisalign clear plastic aligners. Your custom aligners will be fabricated in the Invisalign lab according to Dr. Kennington’s treatment plan. You’ll wear the aligners according to plan and in about a year you’ll have the smile you’ve always wanted.

Call Our Office Today

If you’d like to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can give you a star-quality smile, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA. We also conveniently serve patients from Kelso, Longview and Lewis County and the surrounding area.

Family Dentistry: Start the New Year Off Right with a Visit to Cowlitz River Dental

December 10, 2014

170082992Have you started thinking about your resolutions for the New Year? Well, here’s one that will help every member of your family—schedule their dental checkups now! At the foundation of any good dental practice is family dentistry, which focuses on the all-important prevention of tooth decay and dental disease. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his staff will care for all of your family’s dental needs.

Family Dentistry for You and Yours

From children to teens to adults, Dr. Kennington builds healthy and beautiful smiles with preventive care like checkups and cleanings. In accordance with the American Dental Association, Dr. Kennington recommends scheduled checkups every six months for you and your family. At these intervals, we are able to not only maintain your oral health, but we can also spot problems before they begin to develop serious symptoms.

At a checkup, our dental hygienists will clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar to help reduce your risk of gum disease, and take x-rays when necessary to spot imperceptible decay. We also perform an oral cancer screening and check for uneven tooth surfaces that may indicate nighttime teeth grinding, which can lead to the painful symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction.

For the youngest members of your family, Cowlitz River Dental offers the best in children’s dentistry. In addition to what is normally part of a dental checkup, we offer dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children. With dental sealants, we apply a thin coat of white plastic to the surface of your child’s molars to create a barrier between the teeth and bacteria-causing decay. Fluoride treatments strengthen the tooth’s enamel for added protection against cavities.

Call Our Office Today

To start the New Year with a healthy smile, schedule dental checkups for everyone in your family. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, we provide family dentistry services for patients in Kelso, Longview and Lewis County and the surrounding area.

Straighten Your Teeth Inconspicuously with Invisalign from Cowlitz River Dental

November 20, 2014

177241677Braces are wonderful. A bit of metal and a couple of wires and voila! Straight teeth. But what if you’re not at a stage of life when metal braces are practical? Then the solution is Invisalign® clear braces. With Invisalign, only you and Dr. L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, will know that you have braces.

Invisalign clear braces, or aligners, are made of clear plastic that is BPA-free. Aside from being barely noticeable by you or anyone who sees you, they are also more comfortable than metal braces, which can scrape your cheeks and irritate your gums.

When you see Dr. Kennington for Invisalign clear braces, he’ll first conduct a thorough assessment of your oral health. Then, with the aid of x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, he’ll develop a treatment plan. This plan allows you to see how your teeth will gradually move into position and what your finished smile will look like. In addition, the treatment plan acts as a blueprint for the Invisalign lab to fabricate your custom designed aligners.

Your aligners come as a series of sets for your upper and lower arches. You’ll wear each set in the series for about two weeks, and then move on to the next set. Invisalign aligners should be worn for the better part of everyday except for when you eat or need to brush and floss. Dr. Kennington will monitor your progress with regular check-ups. As you move through the sets, you’ll actually be able to see your teeth shift into place. In the end, you’ll have a straight and healthy smile that you’ll want the world to see!

Call Our Office Today

To learn more about Invisalign clear braces, schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA. We also conveniently serve patients from Longview, Kelso and Lewis County.

Give Your Children the Gift of Healthy Teeth with Children’s Dentistry at Cowlitz River Dental

November 10, 2014

469174173Well, Halloween has just passed and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. You know what that means… Your children will likely be eating more sweet treats. Apple pie, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, candy, cookies and the list goes on and on. So, now is the time to bring your children to Dr. L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental, the children’s dentistry specialist in Castle Rock, WA.

Although your children’s first visit to the dentist is not necessary until they are one or two years old, their dental health can begin much earlier. And it begins with you. The bacteria that cause tooth decay are frequently transferred to a child’s mouth via saliva from a parent or another caregiver. If you share a spoon with your baby or clean the baby’s pacifier in your own mouth, then your saliva is introduced to your child’s mouth. So in this case, spare the share!

Your Child and the Dentist

When you do bring your children to Cowlitz River Dental, we’ll count their baby teeth, check for any signs of tooth decay, gently clean their teeth and offer some tips for your at-home dental hygiene routine. Of course, your children’s baby teeth will fall out. Until then, however, they play a critical role in your child’s general health and more specifically, they are the guides and placeholders for adult teeth.

When their adult teeth do come in, we usually recommend dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Dental sealants are a white plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of molars to protect those hard to clean crevices from plaque that harbors cavity-causing bacteria. Fluoride treatments have been proven to strengthen enamel, the tooth’s first natural line of defense against cavities.

Call Our Office Today

Before the holidays arrive, schedule an appointment for your children to see Dr. Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA. We also serve patients in Kelso, Longview and Lewis County.

Same-Day Emergency Dental Care in Castle Rock, WA

September 20, 2014

465464685When you or someone in your family experiences a sudden dental emergency, you want to know that you’ll be able to get the urgent care you need right when you need it. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team provide same-day emergency care to ensure the comfort, safety, and ongoing oral health of patients from throughout our community.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency can happen at any time. Keep the following guidelines in mind in case of an emergency situation at work, at play, or at home:

  • Knocked out tooth. Collect the tooth carefully (avoid touching the root).  Do not scrub the tooth or attempt to remove any attached tissue. Do not let it dry out. Rinse it with milk if it is dirty. Place it in a container of milk to preserve the viability of the cells and call us immediately. It may be possible to re-insert the tooth if you receive care in a timely manner. Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply pressure with sterile gauze to stop any bleeding.
  • Severe toothache. Check for any foreign objects lodged between the teeth and gently floss in the affected area. Do not use any sharp or pointy objects. If pain does not subside, contact us to make an appointment.
  • Chipped or cracked tooth. Retrieve any tooth fragments and store them in a moist paper towel. Schedule your emergency dental visit with our team, bringing the pieces with you. It may be possible to reattach them with dental bonding.
  • Soft tissue injury. Gently clean the area and apply pressure to stop bleeding. A cold compress may be used to decrease swelling and provide pain relief. If the injury is severe and bleeding will not stop, contact us or your nearest ER.

If you experience any type of trauma to the mouth and are concerned about injuries or other complications, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you address and manage the situation properly until you can reach our office for emergency care.

Emergency Dentistry: Here for You and Your Family

While no one can effectively prepare for all dental emergencies, knowing that you have a caring, experienced team standing by to address your family’s most urgent dental needs is a priceless reassurance. Contact us today to learn more about how our emergency dental services can help you should the unexpected occur. Our Castle Rock, WA dental practice warmly welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding areas as well, including Longview, Lewis County, Kelso, and more.

The Straighter Teeth You’ve Always Wanted with Six Month Smiles® in Castle Rock, WA

August 24, 2014

164125777Straight teeth are largely considered the building blocks of an attractive, healthy smile, but very few people are born with ideal alignment. Gaps, crowding, and crooked teeth can be corrected with orthodontic treatment, though traditional braces aren’t for everyone. That’s why patients in Castle Rock, WA and the surrounding areas turn to Cowlitz River Dental and Six Month Smiles for help. As a trusted provider of Six Month Smiles® orthodontics, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington helps patients with a variety of misalignment issues achieve the straighter, healthier teeth they need to smile with confidence.

Benefits of Six Month Smiles®

Six Month Smiles® orthodontic treatment is similar to traditional braces in that it utilizes gentle force to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. With this revolutionary short term orthodontic method, however, the front teeth are the primary focus of treatment. Using virtually invisible brackets and tooth-colored wires, Dr. Kennington will help you rapidly correct common problems like uneven spacing, gaps, and moderately crooked teeth.

Proven safe and effective, the Six Month Smiles® system can dramatically transform your smile  – often in as little as six short months. The shorter treatment duration means that you’ll save money, too, making Six Month Smiles® a highly preferred method for patients with a fixed budget. You’ll love how easy and quick the process is almost as much as you love your new smile!

A More Beautiful Smile in Just Six Months

Do you find yourself considering orthodontic treatment but feel that traditional metal braces just aren’t appealing to you? Perhaps you’re concerned that the lengthy treatment may interfere with your professional or personal life. Six Month Smiles® may be just the solution you’ve been searching for. Contact our office in Castle Rock, WA today to learn more about our wide range of cosmetic dentistry services, including Six Month Smiles®. Our practice also serves communities in the nearby areas of Lewis County, Kelso, Longview, and more. Dr. Kennington and our team look forward to helping you achieve the gorgeous, healthy smile you deserve.

Implant-Supported Dentures: Reclaim Your Smile with Dental Implants at Cowlitz River Dental

July 21, 2014

shutterstock_81793408For hundreds of years, removable dentures have served as a viable tooth replacement option for edentulous patients, or those who have lost all of their teeth. Today, modern dental implant technology makes it possible to improve even further upon this method of treatment. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team offer a variety of restorative dental solutions to help patients with missing teeth enjoy more fulfilling and comfortable lives. One of these solutions is the placement of implant-supported dentures.

Why Should I Choose Implant-Supported Dentures?

Dental implants are widely recognized as the preferred restorative dentistry option for the replacement of missing teeth. First, a series of biocompatible posts are surgically placed within the gum tissue and the sturdy bone of the jaw. These implants will serve as the secure anchors to which your custom arch of prosthetic teeth, or dentures, will be attached.

Patients who undergo placement of implant-supported dentures experience a wide range of benefits following their restorative procedure. With your new full set of teeth, you’ll be able to return to a more complete and nutritious diet rather than eliminating foods that don’t mix well with regular dentures. Your smile and the shape of your face as a whole will benefit as well, allowing you to flash your gorgeous pearly whites with confidence anytime, anywhere. As with any of our restorative, cosmetic, or general dentistry services, we welcome your questions, concerns, and expectations regarding your treatment. We are here to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health for years to come.

Rebuilding Your Smile with Dental Implants

Whether you currently wear dentures and you’d like to learn more about dental implants or you are anticipating the need for new dental restorations soon, we’d like to help. Contact our office in Castle Rock, WA today and speak with our experienced, friendly staff about scheduling your appointment with Dr. Kennington. We can’t wait to show you what an amazing difference our implant dentistry services can make in your daily life. Our patient-centric dental practice happily welcomes patients from throughout Castle Rock and the surrounding areas, including Longview, Kelso, Lewis County, and more.

Keep Little Smiles Healthy and Strong with Children’s Dentistry at Cowlitz River Dental

May 5, 2014

Shutterstock Children Girl ToothbrushSummer is just around the corner and kids from all over the country are excited for school to end, freeing them to stay up later, spend their days at the pool, and enjoy everyday adventures with friends and family. Though school may be letting out for a while and schedules will undoubtedly soon switch to summer mode, it’s important that your children keep to their regular oral hygiene regimen just the same, preventing decay and other problems with routine checkups at Cowlitz River Dental. Conveniently located in Castle Rock, WA, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team offer comprehensive children’s dentistry services all year round, ensuring the full health, comfort, and beauty of your child’s smile.

The Importance of Children’s Dental Checkups

While it is true that your little one’s primary teeth, or baby teeth, will fall out eventually, taking exceptional care of them now is still crucial to overall oral health and wellness. These first teeth set the stage for the healthy development of the pearly whites your child will use for the rest of their lives, so keeping them strong is key to lifelong dental health.

When you visit Cowlitz River Dental, we’ll always take the time to ensure that your son or daughter feels completely comfortable and safe in the dental chair. We know that first impressions count for a lot, particularly when it comes to the dentist. Our honest, open, and patient-centric approach to children’s dentistry means that your child will begin life loving dental checkups. We’ll perform a thorough examination and cleaning, providing useful tips for at-home oral care and answers to any questions you may have. Should they be deemed helpful, dental sealants and fluoride treatments may be offered.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Has it been more than six months since your child last visited us for a dental checkup? If so, contact our office in Castle Rock, WA today to schedule your appointment. We can’t wait to show you what a difference our commitment to your child’s oral health and happiness can make! Our family-friendly dental practice also happily serves patients from Lewis County, Kelso, Longview, and beyond.

Finally Relax at the Dentist’s Office with IV Sedation at Cowlitz River Dental

February 5, 2014

Shutterstock Sleep SedationIf you’ve ever felt apprehensive about visiting the dentist, even for a simple procedure, you’re certainly not alone. Many adults harbor a fear of going to the dentist because they’re overdue for important work, while others suffer from anxiety that’s rooted in an unpleasant experience as a child. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team utilize IV sedation to calm and soothe anxious, fearful patients for an optimal dental experience.

How Can IV Sedation Help Me?

When you feel nervous or uncomfortable at the dentist’s office, the muscles throughout your body become tense. Your mind may jump to unfounded conclusions of fear based on past dental work or on horror stories from your friends. Unnecessary tension can make your procedure even more difficult, but IV sedation takes all of this apprehension away. Within minutes of administration, the medicine will lull you into a natural state of peace and comfort. You won’t feel a thing during your treatment, and many patients find that they don’t remember anything about their procedure after the sedative wears off.

Dr. Kennington and his team will monitor you periodically throughout the entire procedure, so you can rest assured that you are in careful, capable hands while you are sedated. Our comprehensive array of dental services – including everything from periodontal therapy, dental implants and oral surgery to endontics, cosmetic dentistry and more – allows us to provide you with all of the treatment you need under one convenient roof.

Safe, Proven and Effective

If you’ve been putting off vital dental work because you associate the dentist’s office with fear or anxiety, Dr. Kennington and the team at Cowlitz River Dental want to help. We’ll show you how remarkably comfortable and easy your procedure can seem under the soothing effects of IV sedation. Contact our office in Castle Rock, WA today and find out what a dramatic difference sedation dentistry can make for you. We also warmly welcome patients from surrounding communities in Kelso, Longview, Lewis County, and more.

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