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Cosmetic Dentist in Castle Rock Beautifies Smiles

November 7, 2016

Smile aesthetics are important to self-image. Improve yours with aesthetic treatments from L. Blaine Kennington DDS, cosmetic dentist in Castle Rock.Small changes or a complete smile makeover–whatever enhancement your smile needs, you can receive it at Cowlitz River Dental. Experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington, delivers state-of-the-art aesthetic services in his comfortable, patient-friendly office in Castle Rock. Treatment plans are individualized according to patient health and personal preference.

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Best Dentist Near Longview, WA

July 27, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-177769009You may not want to judge a book by its cover, but maybe you should judge dentists by their smiles. If you’ve ever visited a dental practice, other medical care office, or even a grocery store where all the other patients are frowning and the employees are surly and unapproachable, you probably didn’t go back. A dentist’s first priority should always be making you smile, and at Cowlitz River Dental, we believe that begins before you ever enter the patient care room. From the moment you arrive, our staff will make you feel welcome and comfortable. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington is dedicated to making sure every patient is at ease and looks forward to their next visit. Call to schedule your appointment today, and let Cowlitz River Dental of Castle Rock, WA put a smile on your face.

How to Choose a Dentist

Finding a dentist isn’t always fun, but it should be a priority. Whether you’ve recently moved or you just need a new dentist, take your time and make sure you choose the dentist that is right for you. Here are some tips for choosing a practice to meet your oral health care needs:

  1. Know what you need – If you’re a single, relatively healthy person, you likely just need a general dentist, but if you have children or need special dental care, you’ll want to pay more attention to what services are available before you choose a dentist. Most offices list their services on-line, or would be happy to tell you more over the phone.
  2. Know what’s covered – Insurance is rarely straightforward. Review your dental insurance coverage, and try to select an in-network dental care provider. However, almost all dental practices will process and file insurance claims for you regardless of what insurance coverage you have.
  3. Check the credentials – This matters. If your dentist doesn’t keep up their licenses or continuing education, they may not be reliable.
  4. Read the reviews – Look for on-line reviews from real patients. We recommend reading the highest and lowest ratings to see what the most and least satisfied customers thought.
  5. Ask other trusted medical professionals – Your previous dentist or other trusted medical professionals may be able to offer some recommendations for dentists in your area. Additionally, the American Dental Association provides lists of their members on-line, and this may be a good starting point for your search.
  6. Schedule a consultation – You don’t have to commit to a dentist before you see the office and meet the staff. Schedule a consultation to check the facilities for cleanliness, meet the staff and see the other patients, and ask the doctor plenty of questions.

Preventive, Restorative, Cosmetic, Implant and Sedation Dentistry

At Cowlitz River Dental, we’re here to help our patients with a full spectrum of dental services. Dr. Kennington has completed advanced training in numerous areas including dental implants, CEREC same-day ceramic restorations, and laser dentistry. Our state-of-the-art office allows patients to receive the most up-to-date care in a peaceful environment. We’re here for our patients in case of an emergency offering same day treatment whenever possible. Best of all, we welcome the whole family to experience our superior dental health care.

General and Emergency Dentist Near Longview, WA

Whatever your dental health care needs, Dr. Kennington and the Cowlitz River Dental team are here to help. From your 6 month checkups and cleanings to dental emergencies, oral surgery and more. Call to schedule an appointment today, or find out more about our superior dental care services. Our Castle Rock, WA office accepts patients from nearby Longview, Ryderwood, Vader, Toledo, Toutle, and beyond.

When is it time to see the dentist?

June 17, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-158668598Every six months since we were children, we have all had to visit the dentist. It’s not like it’s something everyone wants to do; it’s done because it has to be. Sure, a busy work schedule, hectic family life or demanding social schedule can get in the way of receiving the proper care you need. Blaming your absence on those situations can only work for so long. You should all make time for the dentist or hold some serious regrets later in life. Your Longview, WA cosmetic and sedation dentist, Dr. Blaine Kennington, offers fantastic cosmetic dentistry and general family dentistry services that will help you and your family achieve optimal oral health.

10 Signs to See a Dentist

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing a few times a week won’t keep every form of bacteria from growing inside your mouth, and it certainly doesn’t mean you are exempt from visiting us. If teeth aren’t properly cleaned at least once a year, you run the risk of serious health issues like gum disease (periodontitis), coronary artery disease and dementia, to name a few. If you are experiencing any of the signs below, it’s time to give us a call.

  • Tooth pain: When a toothache hits, you will do anything to get it treated. If pain resides after a day or two, don’t wait; your body may fight off the infection, but the root cause still remains.
  • Inflamed gums: Swollen gums are caused by hardened plaque that has accumulated under your gum line. It can often be a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis.
  • White spots on teeth: It’s the first sign of dental decay. It’s an infection where the enamel begins to dissolve in response to acid produced by bacteria.
  • Sensitivity to hold and cold: Tooth decay is a good possibility here. As the condition advances it makes its way into the center of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels are located.
  • Changes of color in the mouth: If your cheeks, the top and underneath of your tongue has discoloration, lumps or inconsistencies, it’s time to pick up the phone and call us.
  • Canker Sores
  • Dry mouth
  • Headaches
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Metallic taste in the mouth: It’s a very distinct taste that can lead to bad breath, and a popular sign of gingivitis.

 

General Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Every dentist wants his or her patients and their families to experience excellent oral health, and we’re no different. There is nothing that brings a smile to our faces more than helping a patient achieve their dreams and walk around showing off a beautiful smile. We provide the utmost care and professionalism when it comes to restoring your smile, whether it’s using cosmetic dentistry or general family dentistry services.

Our cosmetic dentistry services include:

  • Teeth whitening
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Invisalign
  • Six Month Smiles
  • Dental Implants
  • CEREC One-Visit Crowns
  • Cosmetic bonding
  • Complete smile makeovers

General family services include:

  • Checkups and dental hygiene
  • Children’s dentistry
  • Periodontal therapy
  • TMJ therapy
  • Emergency dental care
  • Restorative dentistry

 

Schedule an Appointment

Cowlitz River Dental helps southern Washington communities realize their dental dreams at our Castle Rock, WA office. Patients from all over the area, including Ryderwood, Vader, Toledo, Toutle, and beyond, have come to us for help. Schedule and appointment and make your smile pop!

CEREC One-Visit Crowns near Longview, WA

April 10, 2015

100047604Not long ago, having a crown to repair a tooth damaged by severe decay or a traumatic injury necessitated at least two visits to the dentist. Well, those days are gone. Now, at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, near Longview, WA, we can prepare your tooth, mill the crown—as well as an inlay or onlay—and set the crown all in one appointment. How, you ask? CEREC One-Visit Dentistry allows Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his staff to restore your tooth and refurbish your smile in short order.

The CEREC system uses CAD/CAM technology. Included in the system is a digital infrared camera that takes a photo of your damaged tooth, 3-D CAD software to design your unique tooth restoration and a milling unit that fabricates the restoration in our Castle Rock office.

The CEREC Process

Once Dr. Kennington determines that a CEREC crown is the appropriate choice, then the procedure is rather straight-forward. First, the tooth needing repair is isolated and the surrounding tissue is anesthetized. Dr. Kennington then prepares the tooth after which the digital camera creates a digital impression (instead of a molded impression) of your tooth. In turn, this impression is entered into CEREC’s computer system in order to develop a 3-D model of your tooth, including its shape, size and color. The design is electronically transmitted to the milling unit, which fabricates your metal-free crown in approximately 20 minutes or less.

After checking the restoration, Dr. Kennington adhesively bonds it into place. In only one visit, you have a fully restored tooth that’s as good as new. To care for your CEREC crown, brush and floss your teeth twice daily as usual. Also, try to avoid chewing hard foods with your new crown.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’d like to learn more about CEREC One-Visit Crowns, then call the office of Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA. We conveniently serve patients from Longview, WA, as well as Castle Rock, Kelso, Lewis County and the surrounding areas.

CEREC One-Visit Crowns: Beautiful Form & Function in One Day at Cowlitz River Dental

April 23, 2014

Shutterstock Senior Couple Hug SmilePorcelain crowns offer a number of key advantages in the field of restorative dentistry, simultaneously providing strength and beauty in cases in which a tooth has become damaged due to decay or injury. Previously, the fabrication and placement of dental crowns was a tedious and time-consuming process. Modern dental technology, however, has now made it possible for Dr. Kennington to provide patients with flawless porcelain crowns in less time than ever before. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, we feature revolutionary CEREC one-visit crowns, giving you all the advantages of a beautifully strong and healthy smile.

Benefits of CEREC Technology in Castle Rock, WA

Whereas the traditional dental crown process involved messy impressions that were often uncomfortable to the patient, CEREC one-day technology allows Dr. Kennington to take precise, accurate measurements of your dentition in mere minutes using a digital scanner. These measurements are used to formulate 3-dimensional digital images that are then used to create your custom porcelain crowns. There’s no longer any need to endure a temporary crown for weeks while you wait for your restoration to be completed. Dr. Kennington can complete the entire process in one comfortable visit so you can leave our office with a fortified, more confident smile.

CEREC restorations have become the new standard when it comes to dental crowns, offering the beauty and strength you’d expect with the incredible benefit of time saved as well. You’ll love how natural your new restoration looks and feels, fitting seamlessly into your smile while preserving as much of your existing tooth as possible. As with all of our cosmetic and restorative dental procedures, you’ll be made to feel comfortable and welcome in our family-friendly practice from the moment you walk through our doors. We’re not satisfied until you’re smiling freely and happily once again.

Schedule Your Consultation

Whether you are in need of a new crown or currently have a restoration that needs to be replaced, Dr. Kennington and his caring team are here to help! In our state-of-the-art dental practice in Castle Rock, WA, we possess the skills, expertise, experience, and cutting-edge technology necessary to restore your smile to its optimal state of health and beauty. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding CEREC one-day crowns, as well as any of our other restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures. We also serve patients in nearby areas, including Longview, Kelso, Lewis County, and beyond.