Cortez Family Dentistry

10 Tips for a Faster Tooth Extraction Recovery

sean@artofdentalmarketing.com (Sean Hamel) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:46:47 GMT

10 Tips for a Faster Tooth Extraction Recovery

The complexity of your tooth extraction directly relates to the length of your recovery as well as

the kind of aftercare experience you’ll have. But there are a few ways to encourage a shorter

recovery and a more comfortable one, too. So, grab your ice pack and settle in. Here’s a list of

tooth extraction recovery tips from our experienced dental team at Cortez Family Dentistry:

Avoid damage to the extraction site. This may sound pretty simple but there are

numerous habits in your daily routine that you may need to break in order to do so.

Beyond avoiding contact sports, you should also avoid rinsing, spitting or using a straw.

These habits can dislodge the protective blood clot within your extraction site and lead to

pain, bleeding and a lengthier recovery.

Skip the gym for at least two days. As we mentioned above, contact sports can lead

to unnecessary damage to your extraction site but so can running, riding a bike or other

activities that may elevate your heart rate. Strenuous activity can lead to an increase in

postoperative bleeding and discomfort.

Take medication as directed by your dentist. We may advise the use of pain relievers

and could prescribe antibiotics. It’s essential that you follow the instructions provided by

our dental team to ensure proper healing, that you avoid infection and that your comfort

is a top priority.

Manage swelling with ice. Don’t have a bag of frozen peas? An ice pack will do just as

well. During the first 48 hours, you may experience swelling around your tooth extraction

site. We encourage the use of ice packs on your cheek near your extraction site for 10

minutes at a time to reduce swelling.

Avoid smoking and alcohol. Similar to a straw, smoking creates suction that can

dislodge the healthy blood clot in your extraction site. Smoking and alcohol can also

delay healing so avoidance is highly encouraged if you’d like to recover as quickly as

possible.

Get lots of rest. Ample rest is healing in a number of ways. It gives your body the time it

needs to heal and to allocate resources to your tooth extraction site. If there was ever a

time for a nap, this is it!

Eat soft, nutritious foods. For the first few days, we recommend avoiding hard,

crunchy, spicy or acidic foods. Eggs, yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, cool soups,

smoothies, and pudding are all good options. We also recommend foods rich in healing

nutrients to give your body the tools it needs to rebuild. Avocado, bananas, steamed

broccoli, carrots and salmon are just a few of our favorites.

Stay hydrated. Consuming plenty of liquids improves healing by helping distribute

healthy nutrients throughout your body. Water is recommended, as it also helps clear

your mouth of harmful bacteria, however, other liquids are encouraged as well.

Maintain oral hygiene. Keep your tooth extraction site clean to avoid infection. You

should continue to brush and floss but make sure to avoid the extraction site. In the first

few days, it’s also important to avoid mouthwash and spitting, as this can create suction.

Don’t miss your follow-up appointments. During these follow-ups, we’ll examine your

tooth extraction site, assess your healing and provide additional guidance, if needed.

We’re also able to identify infection during this time so it’s important not to miss a visit as

we can spot and stop infection faster.

One Last Tip

The most important piece of advice we can give you is to follow the instructions we provide after

your appointment. We’ll send you home with even more tips and tricks to avoid pain and help

shorten your healing time after a tooth extraction. Contact our dentist in Cortez, Co to learn

more about tooth extractions, our minimally invasive approach and how we can help ensure

your healthy recovery!

The Truth About Professional Teeth Whitening

sean@artofdentalmarketing.com (Sean Hamel) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:38:36 GMT

The Truth About Professional Teeth Whitening

If whitening kits, pens, toothpastes and over-the-counter strips haven’t worked for you, then you

may be considering if professional teeth whitening is worth the investment. Compared to a

mouthwash you can pick up in the store on your next grocery run, professional teeth whitening

treatment can come at a high cost. But cost isn’t your only factor, right? You can’t forget the

length of time it takes to receive treatment and how long the effects last. We’ll help you take a

closer look at your options. Here’s what you should know about professional teeth whitening in

Cortez, Co .

Is Professional Whitening Worth the Investment?

First, let’s consider the possibilities for professional whitening. Typically, you’ll have two choices:

take-home trays or in-office treatment. Both can vary based on the approach your dentist takes.

In-Office Treatment: This is the premium option available today. Your dentist will use a

high-concentration whitening agent (hydrogen peroxide gel) to whiten teeth in just one or

two appointments. These visits usually last 60-90 minutes. A stand-out point here is that

a professional will be able to isolate the teeth, avoiding unnecessary contact with the soft

tissues in your mouth. In some cases, your dentist may offer laser teeth whitening as

well. This technique uses a high-intensity light to amplify the effects of the whitening.

Take-Home Trays: These generally take longer than in-office treatment but come at a

lower price. Your dentist will create a tray that’s custom-fitted to your smile. You’ll also

receive a bleaching agent to insert into the tray before wearing. This whitening gel

comes at a lower concentration than the in-office treatment so you’ll need to wear the

tray for three to five hours. However, as a perk, once you run out you can order more gel

to use at your leisure.

Important Considerations:

Tooth sensitivity. This is a common side effect of teeth whitening, whether over the

counter or professionally done. However, sensitivity is typically mild and short-lived.

Gingival irritation. When the bleaching agent comes in contact with your gums, it can

cause discomfort. This is experienced more often when applied incorrectly by take-home

tray users or when applying whitening strips that do not custom fit your smile.

Professional oversight. Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation can both be minimized

when whitening is properly applied and supervised by a licensed dental professional. If

you’re worried about sensitivity or existing dental health concerns, we recommend

seeking the advice of a professional before performing any teeth whitening on your own.

Time. There’s no doubt about it, professional whitening treatment, whether in-office or at

home, takes less time before seeing a brighter smile. This is due to the higher

concentration of whitening available by professionals. Plus, this treatment has also

shown longer-lasting effects, so time is always on your side.

Cost. DIY whitening and in-store options may seem cheaper when you first check out,

but when you consider how frequently you would need to purchase and reapply, your bill

really adds up. What’s more, many of these whitening agents don’t work for everyone

and can’t stand up to greater discoloration, meaning those “cheaper” options are actually

just dollars down the drain.

Our Assessment

It's hard to say what’s best for everyone’s situation but professional teeth whitening continues to

show long-lasting results that are achieved in a shorter time. The initial cost may be high but it’s

hard to beat the high value you get in return.

Learn More About Your Options

If you still have questions, schedule a teeth whitening consultation with our licensed dental team

at Cortez Family Dentistry. We’ll give you a dental health assessment, lay out all your options

and help you determine the best way for you to achieve the bright and attractive smile you’re

looking for!

2021 Calendars are ready

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:42:00 GMT

The new office calendars are back from the printers. You are welcome to pick one up at your next appointment. You can also park out front and let us know you are here if you prefer the covid safer, drive through method.

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Best of Cortez 2020

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:21:00 GMT

It is that time of year again when the Cortez Journal hosts the Best of Cortez event. Our staff and Dr. Walker have been working hard over the last year to ensure that we provide precise and compassionate dentistry to all our patients. We have been honored in the past years to receive the award due to all the support from our patients. This year has been an interesting year, but we have continued to do our best to provide our patients with the best care possible. We wish all the businesses the best of luck for the event and appreciate how the community has been able to pull together during this year despite the pandemic. We are proud to call Cortez home.

https://the-journal.com/2020/bestof#/gallery?group=354392

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We are currently open with COVID Protocols

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 23:14:00 GMT

We are currently open for appointments in restorative and hygiene. We are following the protocols outlined by the State of Colorado under the Public Health Order. You are welcome to call and make an appointment. When you arrive, please make sure you wear a mask. If you need one, we have masks to supply to patients. You will see some differences in the procedures but you won’t see any in our commitment to providing compassionate and precise care for our patients.

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COVID19 Updates

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 15:40:00 GMT

As per the public health order from the State of Colorado, we will resume seeing patients for appointments on a limited basis. We will reduce the number of patients in the office and at a time and use social distancing techniques. All patients must wear a mask. Hygiene appointments will be available but be using hand scaling equipment only. Patients will be required to fill out a COVID screening form. Thank you for your patience from Cortez Family Dentistry, Dr. Walker and the staff.

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Social Distancing Requirements

Wed, 06 May 2020 17:19:00 GMT

We miss all our patients! We usually do a team photo in the spring when everything is in bloom. Due to the executive order to keep dental office in limited mode for emergencies and social distancing rules, we did this instead to let you know we are all thinking of you. Hopefully soon, our work family will be reunited.

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COVID-19 Updates

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 19:59:00 GMT

Please call the office for assistance with payments and appointments.

970-565-7275

We will have someone available by phone from 10am – 2pm Monday through Thursday to field questions and accept deliveries.

The door will remain locked. If you need assistance please call the office at 970-565-7275 or knock on the door.

The Colorado Dental Association and the State of Colorado have provided direction to dentists on how to treat patients, increase the type of Personal Protection Equipment and which procedures to complete during the COVID – 19 pandemic. During this time, we will provide only limited dental care. We do not have an estimate on when supplies and equipment will arrive to accommodate hygiene appointments.

The CDA will continue to communicate with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. https://www.colorado.gov/ The continued spread of COVID-19 pressures everyone to crisis plan and react to a rapidly changing situation.

Our office will maintain limited staffing to make sure emergencies are addressed appropriately. Please call the office if you have any questions. We will make sure we stay informed with the requests of the CDA and the ADA.

We will be checking messages daily Monday through Thursday and making individual arrangement to address the dental health of our patients. Please leave a message and someone will return your call. Thank you for your patience and we hope everyone stays safe. Please wash your hands. Practice safe distancing and proper cough etiquette.

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COVID-19 Update

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:02:00 GMT

As per the Executive Order from the State of Colorado, our office will not being seeing patients for elective procedures. We will be working to remove patients from the schedule. Once things are back in order, we will be contacting patients to reschedule. At this time, no date is determined. We will have someone at the office once a day to field phone calls and answer questions. Please stay safe, wash your hands and practice safe distancing if you need to leave your home.

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Limited Services

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 21:09:00 GMT

The Colorado Dental Association and the American Dental Association recommend that all dentists close their offices for three weeks to patients seeking elective and non-urgent care. During this time, we will provide only emergency dental care. This will allow us to care for our most critical patients and alleviate any burdens on hospitals for those with emergencies.

The CDA will continue to communicate with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The continued spread of COVID-19 pressures everyone to crisis plan and react to a rapidly changing situation.

Our offices will not schedule any restorative or hygiene appointments until at least April 6 ^th depending on the status of the situation of the pandemic. Our office will maintain limited staffing to make sure emergencies are addressed appropriately. Please call the office if you have any questions. We will make sure we stay informed with the requests of the CDA and the ADA. Thank you for your patience and we hope everyone stays safe. Please wash your hands. Practice safe distancing and proper cough etiquette.

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COVID-19 Precautions

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 16:13:00 GMT

Our position to help reduce impacts on the community and our office, staff and patients from the Corona Virus includes:

Recommendations for everyone:

Recommendations for patients:

Recommendations for staff:

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Watch for our ad in Directory Plus for 2020.

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 22:13:00 GMT

Watch for our ad in Directory Plus for 2020.

Cortez Family Dentistry

Happy Holidays!

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 16:42:00 GMT

Happy Holidays from our team and their families at Cortez Family Dentistry. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

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2020 Calendars

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 16:06:00 GMT

The calendars for 2020 are hot off the press from Pioneer Printing. If you would like one, please stop by the office and pick one up for the new year.

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Thank You

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 18:06:00 GMT

We are proud to be recognized as the second best dental office in Montezuma County for providing precise and compassionate dental care for each of our patients. It is our promise to our patients to continue to offer the service that patients appreciate. It is difficult and takes hard work and attention to detail to maintain the high standards we set for the office. Every member of our team reflects these principles and are all a part of the reason patients selected to be recognized in this year’s Best of Montezuma County Awards. I want to thank our patients and dental staff for their contributions to make Cortez Family Dentistry worthy of selection in the awards. We will continue to provide a pleasurable experience with friendly service. Thank you again for your support of our office, but most of all for your interest and investment in excellent oral health.

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Dentrix Upgrades

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:33:00 GMT

Please note that we will be upgrading our dental office software on Thursday and Friday this week. The office will be closed. Happy Spring!

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It is good to be above average!

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 22:38:00 GMT

The recommended brushing time is 2 minutes, but the average person only brushes for 45 seconds. How long do you brush your teeth?

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Onward! Putt Putt Tournament

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:23:00 GMT

Everyone had a great time at the annual Onward! Putt Putt tournament this weekend. There were some great costumes and some ringer golfers in town. We entered two teams. One team was dressed up with influence from the Price is Right and the other team was Saved by the Bell.

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Experiencing tooth pain?

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:37:00 GMT

If you have a cavity, we may keep an eye on it. Reasons are if you have a cavity that is small you will need a fill right away. If you have a large cavity that is not filled, it can get bigger and cause pain. Schedule an appointment for your biannual check-up.

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Holiday Hours

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 22:02:00 GMT

Please note that the office will have limited hours over the holidays:

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Have you been sick this holiday season?

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 21:57:00 GMT

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Learn the advantages of dental implants

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 21:48:00 GMT

https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/types-of-implants-and-techniques/

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Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 18:26:00 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving. Please note we will be closed on Thursday and Friday. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our patients over the last four years .

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Cortez Family Dentistry is update with OSHA for another year…

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 22:38:00 GMT

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Dr. Walker achieved Fellowship Status with the ICOI

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 21:17:00 GMT

This past week, dentists from 43 countries attended the ICOI World Congress Implant Dentistry Conference. The International Congress of Implantology is an association. The association includes general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, laboratory technicians, auxiliaries, industry representatives, researchers, faculty members, pre and post doctoral graduate dental students as well as the general public. These professionals are devoted to dental implant education. In total, 91 countries participate with the ICOI.

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The History of the Property located at 115 N Beech Street

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 18:25:00 GMT

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Vote in the Best of Cortez contest.

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 17:51:00 GMT

https://the-journal.com/2018/bestof#/gallery

It is that time of year again. Don’t forget to vote. We would be honored to receive your vote.

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Office Closed for a Meeting March 9th at 3pm

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:15:00 GMT

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Congratulations Dr. Walker!

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:33:00 GMT

Dr. Walker has achieved his Fellowship Awards in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics in January in Nicaragua. He completed a very tough week of surgeries and long days and we are very proud of him. Congratulations Dr. Walker!

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Holiday Hours

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 16:59:00 GMT

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are wishing for snow to make the holiday season even better. Please note we will be closed on December 25th through the 26th. We will be open the 27th and 28th. Closed for New Years and open again on January 2nd. Happy holidays to Cortez, Montezuma County and everyone in the surrounding area from Dr. Walker and the staff.

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Holiday Hours

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 00:14:00 GMT

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Runner Up in Best of Cortez 2017

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 19:36:00 GMT

It is a difficult process to maintain the high standards we set for the office. Every member on our team reflects these principles and all are part of the reason patients selected us to be recognized in this year’s Best of Montezuma. I want to thank our patients, dental staff and my wife for our selection. We will continue to providing consistent treatment, with best integrity in a caring and careful environment.

Going forward it is clear to us that we need to focus on what got us to where we are now. It was patient care and relationships. We are providing “Ned’s” approach to dental care that was developed during 20 years in the industry. We are always excepting new patients in our practice. We accept personal referrals from our patients because they know us best and know that we can do our best to help their friends and family.

Over the last year, it became clear, that one of our intentions to add another dentist to the practice is not an easy task. As rewarding of an experience that can be, it became clear that it shifted the model patient care. We tried to introduce new dentists to our office and though not an easy decision we decided it was best to consolidate patient care under one doctor to maintain that consistent treatment that our patients expect.

We are thrilled to be recognized for providing precise and compassionate dental care for each of our patients. It is our promise to our patients to continue to offer the service that our patients appreciate.

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Office Closures this week

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 16:18:00 GMT

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Recognize your dentist?

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:42:00 GMT

http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20170129/NEWS01/170129889/Montezuma-search-and-rescue-workers-learn-avalanche-tactics

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Radiation Exposure Comparison

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 23:59:00 GMT

Exposure to Radiation Comparison

We live in a radioactive world – humans always have. Radiation is part of our natural environment. We are exposed to radiation from materials in the earth itself, from naturally occurring radon in the air, from outer space, and from inside our own bodies (as a result of the food and water we consume). This radiation is measured in units called millirems (mrems).

The average dose per person from all sources is about 620 mrems per year. It is not, however, uncommon for any of us to receive less or more than that in a given year (largely due to medical procedures we may undergo). International Standards allow exposure to as much as 5,000 mrems a year for those who work with and around radioactive material.

Calculate your individual exposure levels:

http://www.ans.org/pi/resources/dosechart/

Here’s a glance at a few more everyday sources of radiation exposure and how they rate, according to data from the American Nuclear Society and the Environmental Protection Agency. Keep in mind that the average radiation dose per person per year is about 620 millirem and that the doses below are per-year exposures unless otherwise

Dental X-rays – 0.5 millirem

Smoke detector: 0.008 millirem

Smoking a pack of cigarettes every day of the year: 36 millirem

Flying on a jet plane: 0.5 millirem per hour in the air

Chest X-ray: 10 millirem, Mammogram: 42 millirem, Abdominal X-ray: 700 millirem,

CT scan of the chest: 700 millirem, CT scan of the whole body: 1 rem

Living in a state that borders the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean: 16 millirem

Living on the Colorado Plateau: 63 millirem

Living anywhere else in the continental U.S.: 30 millirem

Living within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant: 0.01 millirem

From air (radon): 228 millirem

Viewing a TV or a computer monitor that uses CRT technology: 1 millirem

I calculated my own exposure levels just to see what the average Montezuma County resident can expect for exposures levels using the link on the American Nuclear Society website.

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 23:37:00 GMT

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Welcome our new staff dentists and assistants!

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 22:46:00 GMT

We have completed about 90% of the renovations to the new office we affectionately refer to as BB2. That stands for Big Baby #2! Our original office is BB1 of course. We still have some work to do but we are now using three operatories in BB2. Now that we have more space, we hired Dr. Patana to help out temporarily on Fridays. He has been delighted to reunite with old friends at the office.

We also hired Dr. Coyne. He recently moved from Ruidoso, New Mexico with his wife and son. They are excited to be in the area and to start exploring, especially the bike trails. Dr. Coyne has more than 13 years of experience and will be a great addition to the office.

To help out the doctors, we went through an extensive search for dental assistants. We interviewed so many fabulous candidates that it was difficult to choose only a couple of them. In the end, we decided to hire Tami Haines and Kiley Samora. Later in January, Linda Odell will also be joining our team. Tami is new to the area and enjoys her new found activity of rock climbing. She previously worked with oral surgeons and is happy to back in the dental field. Kiley is a local and aspires to be a dental hygienist. She will be with us part time as she finishes her pre-requisite classes and prepares for dental hygiene school in Fall 2017.

We hope to have most of the renovations completed by next summer. In the meantime, we welcome you to the office to meet our new staff. We are going through the transition the best we can without causing any disruptions to our wonderful patients. We will continue to provide you the same great service we strive to with compassion and with precision. Happy holidays.

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Oral Home Care Tips from the CDC

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 18:14:00 GMT

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Cortez CO Dentist Passes Part I American Academy of Implant Dentistry Associate Fellowship Membership Exam

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 21:11:00 GMT

Congratulations!

Congratulations Dr. Ned Walker! Dr. Walker just found out that he passed the exam for the Part I American Academy of Implant Dentistry residency. For the past year, he has been busying studying and traveling to various cities as a part of the program. He placed implants for the last 8 years while he worked in Carbondale, CO, but felt that the technology had changed significantly and he wanted to learn how to integrate new technology.

Preparation

Dr. Walker visited the simulation lab in Carlsbad CA, frequented many lectures in Las Vegas NV, worked with cadavers in Denver, CO and attended the radiation seminar in Phoenix AZ. He also purchased a 3D conebeam for the office.

Ned is excited to begin case work as a part of Part II. He has four years to complete Part II and complete the next exam.

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Renovations near completion – Associate dentist needed

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 17:35:00 GMT

New Addition Update

This is a behind the scenes photo of our new reception area. From the left, Renea, Mary or Simone are busying trying to find an appropriate place in the schedule for you, sending case reports to the specialist on the patients’ behalf or negotiating with the insurance companies to make sure claims are paid to cover the patients’ treatment. We are about 80% finished with the renovations of combining the two offices. We purchased the office next door from Dr. Carlson and have been working to blend the two spaces so that we can accommodate our patients in a more effective manner.

The new reception area has more light and more space. We moved the chairs from our original office over to allow for a private place for patient consultations regarding private matters away from the main front desk. We did our best to match the decor in our original office and installed a new coat of paint and new carpet for a more seamless transition. We also added new blinds. We have been working to install the new artwork so that area can be crossed off the list as complete.

We added additional staff. We now have five wonderful dental hygienists that provide exceptional preventative care for our patients. We have four on a regular basis and one that we can call just in case an emergency presents itself. In addition to Kenzie and Sierra, whom our patient have gotten to know and love we would also like to introduce Krystal and Brooke. We think you will enjoy them as much as we do at the office. Kim and Renea joined us from Dr. Carlson’s staff. We appreciate their hard work and ability to blend into our office and work family.

With the addition of the other office, we now have 9 operatories. We are currently using one on the new side as a hygiene room.

This room has been a favorite with our patients due to the abundance of natural light. New computers, upholstery for the chairs and paint have been added to four other operatories. We also turned the chairs around so patients can view the outdoors instead of the hallway. Now all we need is an associate dentist to use the rooms.

Associate Dentist Wanted

We are looking for an associate that will be fit in and be respectful to our staff. We are extremely lucky to have such great staff in our office. We consider our team our work family. The associate must also be able to treat our patients with compassion and excellent technical care. The potential candidate will find that possible with our upgrades for digital sensors, intra oral cameras and our new 3D x-ray machine.

We are so excited about the changes that are helping us improve our services for our wonderful patients. Now all we need is a second dentist to improve wait times for appointments and provide additional care for our fabulous patient base. We appreciate all of you. If you think you would like to be a dentist in Cortez, please contact us. We are very flexible and can provide the right candidate with an awesome opportunity to be a part of our team.

This is most of our current team. Brooke and Krystal are missing from the photo. We plan to update the photo and individual bios later this fall. Hopefully by then we will also be adding our potential new dentist too!

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Cortez Dentist Finishes the Implant Residency

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:47:00 GMT

Since last September, Dr. Ned Walker has been working towards an Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. After many road trips to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver and St. Petersburg, he has finally completed the course and written the final exam.

In a rural area, Dr. Walker feels it is important to be proficient in as many treatment areas as possible to best be able to treat his patients in the Cortez area. Patients don’t have many options for referrals in Cortez, so Dr. Walker works toward providing a wide range of services as a dentist in Cortez. When he worked in Carbondale, he placed implants for his patients there but the current technology has changed significantly since that time and he felt it was time for an update.

The following is a description of the program:

They are among the most respected and comprehensive training programs in implant dentistry. Offered in university settings throughout the U.S. and internationally, the course presenters include renowned university faculty, world-class clinicians and the country’s top authorities in implant dentistry.

MaxiCourses ^® provide 300 or more hours of lecture, laboratory sessions, live surgical demonstrations and home/office assignments . It normally is presented in 10 parts, once a month, over a 10-month period. Dentists who graduate from an approved MaxiCourse ^® will meet the minimum educational requirements for Associate Fellowship in the AAID.

This course is a must for all general dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons who want to be proficient in implant dentistry and a great way to begin the process of becoming an Associate Fellow Member of the AAID.

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Cortez Dental Hygienists Attend Western Regional Dental Convention

Wed, 11 May 2016 22:17:00 GMT

Contributed by Sierra Schaak:

In the early spring, fellow hygienist, Kenzie White, and I were given the opportunity to head for warmer weather in Phoenix, AZ to attend the Western Regional Dental Convention. The convention consisted of two full days of classes that would not only better our skills but gave us knowledge to bring back to Cortez to share with our fellow coworkers. The classes were very beneficial to us and covered issues such as “Are You Treating Enough?”The class took us back to the basics of periodontics. We were able to look more in depth into where disease starts, as well as the correct and proper way for billing our services.

We also attended “Oral and Systemic Health of the Periodontal Patient.” We learned that sometimes in our careers as hygienists, we are not limited only to caring for teeth. The oldest term in the book that every dentist and every hygienist will tell most patients is that you need to floss more. That direction is not always the answer. Sometimes risk factors for disease can come from other areas within the body. For example, diabetes can cause further problems if perio issues are not addressed early.

We were also able to become more educated on anesthetic techniques and calming procedures. These skills will help us in all areas but the focus was making the numbing process more comfortable for our patients. Overall, this was a great experience and gave us both more knowledge so we can continue to make improvements at the dentist office, here in Cortez. Once the classroom work was completed, Dr. Walker capped off the weekend with a treat to the Cubs vs Diamondbacks game! Although Dr. Walker wasn’t pleased with the outcome of the game. The Diamondbacks took the win in the final inning. He is a diehard Cubs fan. We are very grateful to Dr. Walker and Errin for sending us to the convention to further our education so we can better serve the patients of Cortez and surrounding area.

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Renovations at Cortez Family Dentistry

Thu, 05 May 2016 22:16:00 GMT

Renovation Update at Cortez Family Dentistry

Everything appears to be on schedule with the renovations next door. Over the last month, we have been working to combine our office with our newly acquired office. Between both offices, we will have 9 treatment rooms to meet the dental needs of our patients. We have added an additional hygienist to our staff. We welcome Tris Downer. She will be working on Mondays for the first month. After that, she will be working on Wednesdays. Be sure to say Hello, the next time you are here. We are continuing to interview other candidates. It would be ideal to have two more days a week available for our patients. Our preventative oral care program is a priority for us at Cortez Family Dentistry. We are also continuing our search for an additional dentist. We are hoping to find a great technical dentist that is as compassionate as Dr. Walker and will satisfy the needs of our patients and fit in with our staff family at Cortez Family Dentistry. Next week, the painting will be completed in the treatment rooms and the next week after that we will have the new carpeting installed. The colors and flooring will be similar to what everyone is accustomed to seeing in our original office. They will be natural earth tones that are found in the desert nearby.

Renovations at Cortez Family Dentistry

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How much radiation is at the dental office at Cortez Family Dentistry?

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 17:30:00 GMT

Many patients at Cortez Family Dentistry ask us, ” How much radiation am I being exposed to when I receive an x-ray?” Radiation is measured in Sieverts. In the medical profession, especially at the dental office, we measure in micro Sieverts. Dr. Walker and the Hygiene staff would like to assure you that the exposure amounts are minimal. Our new 3D Scanner emits 36 micro Sieverts and the periodic x-rays you receive during your periodic visits for your professional cleaning emit about 0.2 micro Sieverts.

At the hospital, you will be exposed to larger numbers – anywhere from 50 to 3,000 micro Sieverts for a chest x-ray or a mammogram. If you smoke 1.5 packs of cigarettes a day, you will be exposed to 3,600 micro Sieverts over the year. A flight across the country will expose you to 40 micro Sieverts. Just living in Colorado, you probably are exposed to at least 100 micro Sieverts because of the high elevations. The office of Cortez Family Dentistry is located at about 6200 feet.

X-ray technology is a useful way for the staff at Cortez Family Dentistry to diagnose and monitor your oral health. The technology allows the dentist and the hygienist to see things below the surface and things you can’t see with the naked eye. As you can see, the negative impacts of receiving an x-ray at the office is very minimal. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit to the dentist office.

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Big Changes at the Dentist Office!

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 22:50:00 GMT

We have some news at the office!

Initially we were looking to add just one more treatment room to our dental facility. As it turns out, on April 1st, we will be taking over Dr. Carlson’s Office. It is located next door adjacent to our office in the same building. That means we will be experiencing some changes:
– We are joining the two offices physically over the next two months.
– We are hiring two employees from Dr. Carlson’s office.
– We are in the process of interviewing and hiring a second dentist.
– We are in the process of interviewing and hiring another hygienist. We have already hired a hygienist that will be working part time in addition to our existing staff. Tris is looking forward to performing your dental cleanings.

We welcome Dr. Carlson’s patients to our office. While we are under construction, dental treatment will be completed in our existing office for both offices until we have finished the construction.

Things will change a little over the next 2 months and we thank all our patients from the Cortez, Montezuma County and area beyond for your patience while we get things organized. We are striving every day to minimize any interruptions and inconveniences so that we can continue to provide you with the best service possible during our transition.

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Hidden Benefits of Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 17:38:00 GMT

Dental cleaning is more than just having a pretty smile

We all know that dental cleaning has many benefits, from making your smile brighter to banishing bad breath. Regular check-ups are easy and essential, but there are other hidden benefits to consider. Many people aren’t aware that regularly scheduled visits to the dentist can have a positive impact on your overall health. Research has shown that dental cleanings may lower risk for some diseases, like stroke and heart disease by removing harmful bacteria. Your dentist can also detect the onset of several medical conditions during a regular check-up. It’s amazing what the mouth can tell us about our overall health.

Not only will a regularly scheduled dental cleaning prevent cavities and stop tooth loss, they can increase your overall health and give you an easy way to feel better and live a longer happier life. We think that’s definitely something to smile about.

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New Dry Vacuum System to be Installed in Cortez Dentist Office

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 18:50:00 GMT

Cortez Family Dentistry is making the transition to a dry vacuum system from a wet system. This Cortez dentist office recognizes the many advantages and environmental benefits it will have. When you visit your dental office, the last thing on your mind to contemplate is the amount of water your dentist uses. Dr. Walker is proud to announce that we will be converting the office to a dry vacuum system. That means that we will no longer be using 2-3 gallons a minute to flush the lines in the operatory all day during operating hours. This is a huge reduction in water wastage. Water conservation in the Southwest is particularly important. We realize how precious water is to all of the local areas around Cortez and beyond.

Not only are we reducing the amount of water that it takes to run the lines but the new system will also have an amalgam separator. That means that concentration of mercury in the effluents at the wastewater treatment center will be reduced. The new system is also oil free, which means the exhaust oil vapors from the current system will also be eliminated.

For more information on our new eco friendly dry vacuum system go here .

http://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/a-buyers-guide-to-dental-vacuum-systems/

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Take Oral Health to Heart

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 19:14:00 GMT

February isn’t just about Valentine’s— it’s also American Heart Month! You may be wondering how heart health is related to your oral health. The same bacteria that can cause periodontal (gum) disease can also contribute to heart disease and stroke. When you visit Cortez Family Dentistry, we look for signs of heart disease and other conditions at each of your dental examinations in order to help you prevent and treat them as early as possible.

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Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 15:38:00 GMT

Happy National Children’s Dental Health Month! We’d like to use this month as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of helping children form good dental hygiene habits. If you have a child in your life, check out 2min2x.org for great free resources that will teach kids about the importance of dental health.

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Tips for the cold and flu season

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 22:06:00 GMT

It’s that time of year when cold and flu season is at its peak. Here are 5 quick tips for avoiding catching a cold or the flu:

* Avoid contact with people who are sick if possible.
* Wash your hands frequently.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
* Stay home if you have a respiratory infection.
* Cover your mouth or tuck it into your elbow when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands afterward.

Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, and always replace it after you’ve had illnesses like the flu or a cold. Toothbrush bristles wear down, become less effective and can harbor bacteria over time.

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Reduce Sugar Cravings

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:13:00 GMT

Even those of us who work at a dentist office can have a sweet tooth, and know how difficult it can be to resist a craving. Fortunately, a new study found that you can retrain your taste buds to crave less sweets! Read about the study here .

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Best practices for pulling baby teeth

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:04:00 GMT

You may have heard about or seen a viral video of a South Carolina boy who used a bow and arrow to pull his first loose tooth. Please don’t try this at home! At Cortez Family Dentistry we’ve seen that yanking a baby tooth out by a string like this can leave tooth fragments behind. Here are some best practices for pulling baby teeth.

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What are you doing to honor Dr. King’s dream today?

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:53:00 GMT

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What are you doing to honor Dr. King’s dream today?

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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:13:00 GMT

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays from Dr. Walker and the staff at Cortez Family Dentistry.

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May your smile be merry and bright….

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:10:00 GMT

If you wish that your smile was a little brighter or whiter, or if you would like to make someone’s holiday merrier, call Cortez Family Dentistry today. Our team will help make you smile!

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Red is a color that we traditionally associate with Christmas

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 16:13:00 GMT

Red is a color that we traditionally associate with Christmas, but you don’t want to see it when you brush or floss! Bleeding gums are a symptom of inflammation, or gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. If you’re in Cortez, and seeing red when you brush or floss let our expert dentist have a look. You can learn to recognize more signs here .

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:41:00 GMT

Our entire dental team at Cortez Family Dentistry wishes you and yours a happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for choosing us for your dental care, and making us the most loved dentist in Cortez!

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Why smells trigger memories…

Fri, 02 Oct 2015 17:14:00 GMT

Why do certain fall scents like apple, cinnamon and pumpkin conjure up positive memories? The brain’s olfactory bulb is connected to both the hippocampus, which is involved in memory, and the amygdala, which is involved in emotion. Learn more here .

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White after Labor Day?

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 16:45:00 GMT

Have you ever heard someone say that you shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day? Regardless of whether you adhere to this fashion “rule,” a white smile is always in style! Call us today to learn how we can help you brighten up your smile.

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Gorillas Brush Their Teeth Too!

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:56:00 GMT

How do zookeepers train gorillas to let them brush their teeth? One Zoo Atlanta keeper says she used some of the same techniques for her own children! Read More .

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Don’t try this at home!

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:39:00 GMT

Don’t try this at home! In a disturbing new trend, people are trying to straighten their teeth at home with rubber bands using instructional YouTube videos. Doing this can have disastrous consequences including tooth loss. Learn more here .

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How well do you know your toothbrush?

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 19:25:00 GMT

Do you know how to choose the right toothbrush for you? Design attributes like shape, size, bristle softness and handle style all make a difference in the comfort and effectiveness of your toothbrush. Learn more here and feel free to ask us for recommendations at your next visit.

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How to get fresh breath…

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:41:00 GMT

Happy National Fresh Breath Day! Here are some tips to help you keep your breath fresh all day long:
* Brush and floss daily.
* Use a tongue scraper.
* Rinse your mouth.
* Chew sugarless gum after meals.
* Visit the dentist regularly.

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What does your tongue say about your health?

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 20:26:00 GMT

Have you ever noticed something unusual about your tongue, like red bumps or white spots? Your tongue can reveal a lot about the state of your health. Learn more here .

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Vote for Us!

Fri, 17 Jul 2015 19:50:00 GMT

If Dr. Walker is your favorite and you are pleased with our services, please vote. We aren’t listed so you will have to add Dr. Walker.

Click below if the link doesn’t work:

http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20150716/NEWS01/150719904/Best-of-Cortez-voting-starts-Friday –

http://durangoherald.secondstreetapp.com/l/Best-of-Cortez–Montezuma-Co

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Pueblo to Pueblo race

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:47:00 GMT

Good luck to all the racers this weekend in the Pueblo to Pueblo race hosted by the Cortez Cultural Center. We are proud to be sponsors. http://business.cortezchamber.com/events/details/pueblo-to-pueblo-run-2313

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New Ad in the Directory Plus

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:01:00 GMT

Coming in May – Watch for our new ad in this year’s Directory Plus. It should be out later this spring!

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New Logo for Cortez Family Dentistry

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 23:53:00 GMT

Hot off the press! Our new logo designed by Deon Staffelbach at d30n LLC . Deon did an amazing job and we had a ton of fun throughout the process. We went through three phases of analysis and discussions. Deon is so creative and we are pleased with the outcome. We have already had it embroidered on the staff uniforms.

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Precise Dentistry for Our Patients.

Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:06:00 GMT

Dr. Walker and the staff completed microscope training this week. The consultant, Stefan, looks over at the monitor. Thanks to all the patients that were willing to have their dentistry procedures during the training period. We thank you for your patience. Dr. Walker looks forward to incorporating the microscope into his daily schedule. The improved ability to see teeth in such great detail will enable Dr. Walker to do more precise dentistry for the patients.

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