Toothaches don’t happen the day of your dental appointment, but the day you develop a toothache, you should call Cowlitz River Dental for a same-day emergency appointment. Our Castle Rock dental team emphasizes preventive dentistry to preserve oral health and natural dental structure. One of the best ways to ensure our team is able to repair your smile is to contact Cowlitz River Dental as soon as a toothache occurs. The sooner we diagnose and treat the cause of your toothache, the less likely it is we will have to remove and replace the affected tooth. Read on to learn the signs and symptoms of potentially damaging toothache causes, and when to reach out to our team for emergency care.
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Relieve the Pain of Your Toothache – Call Your Dentist near Longview
November 12, 2015
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Qualified Dentist Near Longview, WA
July 28, 2015
At Cowlitz River Dental, we emphasize preventive dentistry for the care and maintenance of your natural smile, but we also know that to meet the needs of all our patients, we have to offer exceptional restorative and cosmetic dentistry services as well as meeting the needs of the whole family including patients with dental anxiety. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team are also here to help your family in case of emergency. Whatever your dental care needs, let the superior dentist near Longview, WA put a smile on your face. Call our Castle Rock, WA office to schedule an appointment today.
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Best Dentist Near Longview, WA
July 27, 2015
You 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Check the credentials – This matters. If your dentist doesn’t keep up their licenses or continuing education, they may not be reliable.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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When is it time to see the dentist?
June 17, 2015
Every 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!
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Longview, WA Cosmetic Dentist L. Blaine Kennington DDS creates stunning smiles.
May 25, 2015
Cosmetic dentistry improves smiles and self-confidence. Longview, WA, area cosmetic dentist L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental delivers expert dental care focused on health and aesthetics.
What bothers you about your smile? It’s great that your teeth and gums are healthy, but discolorations, old fillings and the gap between your front teeth mar an otherwise attractive mouth.
Enter outstanding smiles created by the skilled and experienced hands of cosmetic dentist L. Blaine Kennington DDS at Cowlitz River Dental in the Longview, WA, area. Dr. Kennington and his professional team blend just the right mix of technical credentialing and skill with compassionate listening. They want you to have a healthy smile that also boosts your self-confidence.
Modern cosmetic dentistry offers many ways to improve your smile.
Take all your dental worries to Cowlitz River Dental. Along with a complete oral examination, including periodontal probing, x-rays and oral cancer screening, your hygienist will remove tartar and plaque, polishing your smile and leaving it feeling refreshed. Any health concerns such as cavities or gingivitis will be addressed before proceeding to a cosmetic smile makeover.
Dr. Kennington will discuss your concerns about and goals for your smile. In other words, how would you like to improve it? He can then offer treatment options that will fit your personality, wallet and schedule.
Among the cosmetic services offered are:
- in-office teeth whitening for a quick and safe color improvement of up to 8 shades
- porcelain veneers to cover stubborn stains, chips, and gaps and strengthen tooth structure
- solid porcelain CEREC One-Visit Crowns to makeover teeth with big fillings, fractures or decay
- strong and lifelike dental implants fill gaps caused by missing teeth
- cosmetic bonding to fix small gaps and chips, smoothing and improving teeth for a natural and attractive look that lasts
For milder orthodontic problems, teens and adults enjoy the benefits of clear Invisalign® aligners that straighten teeth without traditional wires and brackets. For a rapid fix in a patient’s “smile zone” at the front of the mouth, SixMonthSmile braces gently move teeth into cosmetically better positions.
This Longview, WA, cosmetic dentist focuses on you.
At Cowlitz River Dental, Dr. Kennington and his friendly team will address your dental care with your health, goals, convenience and comfort in mind. For patients who approach the dental office with some nervousness and anxiety, rest assured that the pace is relaxed and the atmosphere is caring.
Dr. Kennington is the go-to sedationdentist in Longview, WA. He can make you feel more comfortable with nitrous oxide for any procedure and also can administer many different levels of oral and IV conscious sedation. Relax or even nap during any of your treatments! For a full list of dentalservices, visit the Cowlitz River Dental homepage. We conveniently serve patients from Longview, WA, as well as Castle Rock, Kelso, Lewis County and the surrounding areas.
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Longview, WA dentist, L. Blaine Kennington, helps patients relax at Cowlitz River Dental.
May 10, 2015
Fear, anxiety and panic attacks keep people from receiving essential dental care. Longview, WA, dentist, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington, relaxes the most anxious of patients with different kinds of conscious sedation.
No one should be deprived of essential dental care. Examinations, cleanings and restorative care such as fillings, crowns and root canals help keep teeth and gums healthy for a lifelong smile. Yet, many dentists report that they see patients who have been so afraid of the dentist that they allow teeth to fail and even fall out.
Furthermore, poor dental health does more than affect what’s in the mouth. The accumulated bacteria associated with gum disease, cavities and abscesses can contribute to systemic health issues such as:
- diabetes
- stroke
- coronary artery disease
- heart valve problems
- heart attack
- low birth weight babies
- pre-term labor
- dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
How can patients overcome the devastating effects of “dental phobia?”
The staff at Cowlitz River Dental understand. No anxious patient will feel alone in our office. L. Blaine Kennington DDS and his kind team of professionals understand that past experience, concern about pain and simply, the language and tools of dentistry frighten some people–both young and old. As such, they have created a calm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout their offices, and Dr, Kennington has worked hard to become an accredited and expert sedation dentist in the state of Washington.
Longview, WA dentist, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington, offers conscious sedation.
Dr. Kennington can offer many different kinds of conscious sedation to help patients feel comfortable even during the simplest of dental procedures, such as cleanings, to the most complex, such as root canal therapy. Besides local anesthesia (pain shot) a common choice is tried and true nitrous oxide or “laughing gas.” Inhaled in varying amounts, this mild sedative allows the individual to be awake, but erases anxiety. The drugs wears off quickly and can be adjusted up or down during treatment, leaving the individual able to drive home.
Oral sedation is another frequent option. Administered in pill form, valium or halcion helps a patient feel peaceful enough to drop off to sleep. This medication is great for individuals who need multiple procedures, sitting still for a long period of time.
Finally, Dr. Kennington can use intravenous or IV sedation. Medication is delivered via a needle in the patient’s arm and can be adjusted during the procedures. Both oral and IV sedation can wipe out the memory of the procedure, and when administered, they require a friend or family member to drive the patient home.
Don’t put your dental health on hold any longer.
Contact Cowlitz River Dental right away and get an appointment for a dental evaluation. Dr. Kennington and his staff will put your mind at ease, fully explain dental procedures and offer sedation if necessary. While Dr. Kennington is also a great emergencydentist in the Longview, WA, area, don’t wait until you have a pressing dental problem. Call (360) 703-9092 now. We conveniently serve patients from Longview, WA, as well as Castle Rock, Kelso, Lewis County and the surrounding areas.
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Teeth Whitening near Longview, WA
April 25, 2015
Spring has sprung, so naturally it’s time for some cleaning. No, we’re not talking about cleaning the gutters, sweeping out the garage or weeding the flower beds. The kind of spring cleaning we’re talking about is the kind that leaves your smile fresher looking, too. At Cowlitz River Dental we offer teeth whitening, so the folks in Castle Rock, WA, near Longview, WA, and the surrounding communities will have even more to smile about this season.
Dr. L Blaine Kennington and his team know that there are many over-the-counter teeth whitening systems available in supermarkets, pharmacies and big box stores. However, the problem with those is that you never know how long they’ve actually been sitting on the shelf, which can affect the potency of the whitening formula. With the teeth whitening system that we use at Cowlitz River Dental, you can be sure that our professional grade gel is at the peak of potency.
Teeth Whitening in the Office or at Home
If you have a big event coming up this spring—a wedding, prom or a graduation—then you’ll want to choose our in-office teeth whitening system. In just one visit to our office in Castle Rock, you can have a smile that is several shades whiter and brighter. On the other hand, if your schedule doesn’t allow for another appointment—or if you’d simply prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home—then we also offer a take-home whitening system. With this, you’ll receive custom-fitted trays and a professional grade whitening gel. Fill the trays with gel and wear them according to Dr. Kennington’s instructions and you’ll begin to see results in no time, with the best effect happening in about two weeks.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’d like to spruce up your smile for spring, then call us at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, to find out more about teeth whitening. We conveniently serve patients from Longview, WA, as well as Castle Rock, Kelso, Lewis County and the surrounding areas.
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CEREC One-Visit Crowns near Longview, WA
April 10, 2015
Not 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.
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Endodontics, or Root Canal Therapy, in Castle Rock, WA
March 25, 2015
No one needs to tell you that if you’re in pain, something is wrong. If that pain happens to be a toothache, then the pain may indicate the presence of infection. To save an infected tooth, endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy, is necessary. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, gently performs root canal therapy so you can eliminate the pain and save your tooth.
To understand the need for a root canal, let’s first examine the structure of a tooth, which consists of three layers. The first is called enamel, the hard and protective outer shell that surrounds each tooth. Next is the dentin, the softer and more sensitive middle layer. Finally, at the core of each tooth is dental pulp, which is comprised of nerve and lymph tissue as well as blood vessels. If this pulp becomes exposed to bacteria—whether through extreme decay or a traumatic injury to the tooth—the tooth can become infected and begin to die.
Other than a toothache, signs that indicate you may have an infected tooth include swelling of the gum and facial tissue around the tooth; a newly discolored tooth; and visible indications of infection on an x-ray.
The Endodontic Procedure
To begin a root canal, Dr. Kennington gently anesthetizes the tooth and surrounding tissue so the procedure is completely painless. Then, the tooth’s pulp is exposed and the pulp chamber and associated root canals are cleaned of infection and any accompanying debris. A biocompatible anti-bacterial material is inserted into the chamber and the tooth is sealed. To protect the tooth, Dr. Kennington will likely want to place a crown. When the root canal procedure is completed, you’ll have a strong and healthy tooth.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re having any of the symptoms mentioned above that indicate an infected tooth, then call Cowlitz River Dental and ask about our endodontic treatment. We serve patients in Castle Rock, WA, as well as from Kelso, Longview and Lewis County and the surrounding area.
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Have Straighter Teeth with Six Month Smiles® from Cowlitz River Dental
March 10, 2015
Traditional orthodontic treatment takes time—usually two years or more. There is a way, however, to reduce that time significantly. With Six Month Smiles, you can have a straight and beautiful smile in, well, six months. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental has used Six Month Smiles to create happy smiles for many patients in and around Castle Rock, WA, and he can do the same for you!
Whereas traditional braces are meant to realign all of your teeth, Six Month Smiles focuses only on those teeth that are in your smile zone. Moreover, although Six Month Smiles uses common orthodontic mechanics, the emphasis is on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth and not the position of your bite.
Six Month Smiles and You
Speaking of the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, Six Month Smiles offers the added advantage of using clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, so the braces are less noticeable while you’re wearing them. Likewise, many of our patients tell us that Six Months Smiles are quite comfortable. This is probably because these braces use low force to move teeth more gently.
As the name implies, most adults complete their orthodontic treatment in about six months with Six Month Smiles. Because teeth have “memory,” you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new straight position once you’ve completed treatment. You can have a removable retainer or one that is bonded into place.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re an adult who has been considering different methods of orthodontic treatment, Dr. Kennington and his team at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, would be happy to speak to you about Six Month Smiles. Considering the reduced treatment time—and by the way reduced treatment cost—you could have a straighter smile before the year is finished! We also serve patients from Kelso, Longview and Lewis County and the surrounding area.
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