Root Canal Therapy

Endodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the pulp, tissues, nerves, and arterioles of the teeth. The most common endodontic procedure is the root canal. In the past, when a tooth became infected it was often just removed. Today, dentists can save teeth with root canals. Drs. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Faranak Rahimpour DDS provide root canals to our patients at Southern Cross Dental.

 

There are a few signs that your tooth may be infected. Often, patients experience tenderness and inflammation in the gums. Your teeth will be sensitive when eating, or when exposed to hot or cold food. The tooth may change colors too. If you experience these symptoms, schedule an appointment immediately.

 

Bacterial infections are the main cause of a tooth infection. There are other reasons you might need a root canal as well. If you fracture or chip a tooth, the pulp will be exposed. An injury to the mouth might require a root canal to stabilize it. A tooth that has been completely knocked out will need this procedure to save it.

 

During the root canal procedure, a local anesthetic will be applied to your tooth. Once numb, Drs. Rahimpour will drill into the tooth. This opens up the root canal. The infected material is removed and the area thoroughly cleaned. The tooth will then be filled and a dental crown placed. The crown guarantees and helps progress the healing process.

 

Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Faranak Rahimpour DDS are located at Southern Cross Dental. We are located in Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 719-471-1717.

Inlays/Onlays

Inlay/onlay restorations are partial crowns that are used to restore function and appearance to your teeth. You are going to have your teeth, and your smile, the rest of your life. You might as well enjoy them! Drs. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Faranak Rahimpour DDS offer inlay/onlay services to our patients here at Southern Cross Dental. We are located in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

Inlays/onlays attach to the base of your individual teeth. Depending on the severity of the damage, you’ll either get one or the other. If the tooth’s cusp has no damage, an inlay will be used. Inlays are just bonded directly onto the tooth. If there is damage, an onlay is needed. Onlays are basically used to replace one or more of the tooths cusps. It extends onto the chewing surface on the back of the tooth.

 

These restorative devices can be made out of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. Porcelain is the recommended choice. It is the strongest and the most natural looking.

 

The complete process takes between 2-3 appointments. Drs. Rahimpour will first apply a local anesthetic to your tooth. The decayed areas will then be removed. In order for the inlay/onlay to fit perfectly, an impression of your tooth is taken. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory to create your personalized restorative device. A temporary sealant will be applied while the device is being manufactured. At the second appointment, the sealant is removed and the device is placed. It will be bonded permanently onto the tooth.

 

Southern Cross Dental is located in Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid Rahimpour or Faranak Rahimpour, visit our website or call 719-471-1717.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a covering that goes on the top of the tooth. It restores your tooths functionality and appearance. Once applied, dental crowns are extremely durable and can last 10-15 years. Drs. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Faranak Rahimpour DDS offer dental crowns to our patients. Southern Cross Dental is located in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

There are several types of crowns, porcelain and porcelain fused to metal are the most popular. These materials are the strongest and closely resemble your natural teeth. Your dental crown will be made to match the shape, size, and color of your other teeth.

 

Dental crowns are needed for a variety of different reasons. When teeth become broken, fractured, or decayed, you might experience sensitivity or pain. Crowns will let you chew and return to your normal routine. If you need a large filling, or you fracture a filling, crowns also remedy this. You may also get one after a root canal.

 

The complete procedure takes about two appointments. At the first appointment, your tooth will be numbed with local anesthetic. Decay will be removed and your tooth will be reshaped. Then an impression or mold will be taken. This impression is then sent to a dental laboratory to create your personalized crown. You will be given a temporary one in the meantime. At your final appointment, the temporary crown will be removed and the permanent one will be placed.

 

Southern Cross Dental is located in Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid Rahimpour DDS or Faranak Rahimpour DDS, visit our website or call 719-471-1717.

April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to detect and diagnose oral cancer. That’s why besides your bi-annual checkups, you should schedule an appointment anytime you experience abnormal oral symptoms. Drs. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Faranak Rahimpour DDS offer oral cancer screenings at Southern Cross Dental.

 

When you have strange symptoms in your mouth, especially if they don’t heal or they last over two weeks, you need to schedule an appointment ASAP. This is a serious indicator of an urgent medical problem. Make sure to take note of any of these symptoms:

 

Mouth sores or ulcers that refuse to heal or take longer than two weeks to heal, a strange discoloration of the gums, lumps or hard spots in the mouth, spots that bleed easily, and/or a lump on the outside of your neck that has been present for at least two weeks.

 

The symptoms for HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer differ from other oral cancer symptoms. With this type of cancer, you might experience a hoarse or sore throat, a constant cough, problems swallowing, pain in one or both ears, and a lump on the neck.

 

The major risk factors of oral cancer are heavy tobacco and alcohol use. Other tobacco products, like chewing tobacco, are just as dangerous to your health. Another large risk is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

Do not wait to make an appointment when experiencing these symptoms. Your health is not worth the risk. Prevention and early detection are the best tools for fighting cancer.

 

Southern Cross Dental is located in Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid Rahimpour DDS or Faranak Rahimpour DDS, visit our website or call 719-471-1717.

 

Do You Brush For a Full Two Minutes?

Many patients do not realize the short amount of time they spend brushing their teeth. The recommended time is about two minutes, which may sound long, but if you are brushing all that you need to, it goes by pretty quickly. Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS wants to remind their patients at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO of why the full two minutes is important. In addition, take some tips for making sure you do spend enough time.

Dental plaque is a film of bacteria that form on your teeth from food, drinks, and even our saliva. It is important to remove the bacteria from all areas of your mouth including the fronts of your teeth, the insides, the chewing surfaces, the backs of the back molars, your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the insides of your cheeks. All of this will take about two minutes.

Splitting the mouth into four sections is also a good way to break up the minutes and get an even brushing. Spend thirty seconds on the upper-right section, thirty seconds on the upper-left section, and so on for the two lower sections.  

There are also electric and manual toothbrushes that have timers on them. Or keep track by playing some music while you brush. Most music players have counters on them, so you’ll know when you hit the two-minute mark.

Good at-home dental care is essential for your oral and overall health. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Pregnancy and Oral Health

During pregnancy, nearly everything in your body goes through changes and that includes your teeth and gums. Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want our pregnant patients to know how to keep good oral health during these changes.

Pregnancy causes a big increase in hormones that can affect your teeth and gums. The extra hormones present can cause your gums to be more sensitive to plaque. Your gums can even become puffy, red, and irritated. This condition is known as “pregnancy gingivitis”. Pregnancy gingivitis should clear up after the baby is born, but left alone, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. This may be able to be avoided with more frequent home oral care and professional dental cleanings. It’s important to schedule an appointment with us if you think you are developing gum disease.

Cavities are also at an increased risk due to change in behavior during pregnancy. Being pregnant means you will be eating more carbohydrates than normal, which means the teeth are being introduced to a lot more sugar. Also, the increased frequency of acid in the mouth from morning sickness can wear away enamel, making teeth prone to cavities.

If you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant, ask us about what can be done to be proactive about your oral health. It is important for both you and your baby. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

What Happens When You Skip Brushing and Flossing?

We all know our dentist tells us to brush twice per day and floss once per day but do we all really do it? Maybe if you knew why it is needed, you would. Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want their patients to know the consequences of poor oral care.

There is a reason why brushing twice per day and flossing once per day is important. Failing to keep good care of your teeth can result in decay, gum disease, and the loss of teeth. Not to mention some pretty bad breath and an unpleasant smile.

Plaque is what forms on our teeth throughout the day. It looks like a whitish material and especially likes to collect near our gum lines. Plaque is actually a film of bacteria and it is formed from food, drinks, and saliva. Plaque in itself can cause enamel to weaken and form cavities. However, if plaque is not removed, it can soon turn into tartar. Tartar is a calcified form of plaque that can really only be removed by a dentist. If this plaque and tartar sit on your teeth for long enough, the gums become irritated and can begin to recede. Infected gums are painful, they bleed easily, and they lead to worse problems like lost teeth and spread of infection. Gum disease can even increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Plaque forms just hours after brushing and flossing, which is why it is important to brush several times per day. Flossing should be done once per day. The bacteria that get caught between teeth can begin to do damage after a day, which is why flossing is important to get to once per day.

Along with a great oral care routine at home, visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning are important, too. To schedule your cleaning with Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at (719) 471-1717. Appointments may also be made through our Southern Cross Dental website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

How to Take Care of a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are great because they can allow a tooth to remain in place even after some damage. Crowns repair the function of your tooth and restore your oral health. After having a crown installed, there will be some things to keep in mind. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, we can provide our patients with custom dental crowns. Read on to learn about taking care of a crown.

The process of installing a dental crown will include wearing a temporary crown for a short time. This is so that a dental laboratory can create the permanent custom crown. While you are wearing this temporary crown, you will want to avoid foods that are too hard or too sticky. These foods could cause the crown to pop off. Also, be careful when brushing and flossing.

After the permanent crown is installed, there may be some irritation or soreness in the gums surrounding the crown. This will subside as the gum tissue gets used to the new structure of the tooth. To deal with the irritation, it helps to swish your mouth with warm salt water. Ibuprofen can also be taken. Soon, your gums will adjust and your new crown will feel just like the rest of your teeth.

If you are interested in more about dental crowns, contact Southern Cross Dental of Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS, call our office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

The Stages of Gum Disease

Many of us have heard of gum disease, but do we really know how it develops? Gingivitis is considered the first stage of gum disease but if left untreated, it can advance into periodontitis. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS want to be sure our patients know how gum disease develops so we can work together to avoid it.

When gums become red, puffy, irritated, and start bleeding, this is often considered gingivitis. As stated before, gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is caused from plaque and tartar that remain on the teeth. Plaque and tartar are formed from bacteria and when they are not removed, they can irritate the gums. If gingivitis is not treated, it can advance into a worse form of gum disease, called periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a serious condition that can destroy soft tissue and bone tissue. It can also spread infection which leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Characteristics of periodontitis include swollen gums, bright red or purple gums, tenderness, receded gums, loose teeth, lost teeth, a bad taste in your mouth, and bad breath. Pus may also form in the spaces between your teeth and gums. Periodontitis is much harder to get rid of. Recovery can include full-mouth scaling and planing procedures and gum grafts.

While gum disease can turn very serious, it is also completely preventable. Taking great oral care at home and seeing your dentist for routine cleanings and examinations will make sure you stay on top of your oral health. To schedule your next appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at (719) 471-1717. Appointments may also be made through our Southern Cross Dental website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Healthy Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here which usually brings copious amounts of candy! This Valentine’s Day, take some tips for choosing healthier treats and doing an extra-great job cleaning your teeth! Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental here in Colorado Springs, CO want their patients to enjoy the holiday but still think of their dental health!

We know that Valentine’s Day is filled with lots of sweets, so it is important to really pay attention to your dental habits. Sugar can lead to tooth decay if not brushed away properly. Make sure to brush two to three times per day, but maybe throw in an extra brushing if you’re eating a lot of sweets! Flossing should be done once per day, especially during this time. Sticky candies can become stuck in between teeth and let the sugar just sit there until it is flossed away! Sticky candies are also known for pulling out dental restorations and pulling off dental brackets, so be careful!

Some healthier options for treats include chocolate dipped strawberries and berries with whipped cream! They are both delicious and not nearly as bad for your teeth as candy. In fact, strawberries even have the capability to help whiten your teeth!

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day and keep up your brushing! To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in our Colorado Springs, CO office, call us at (719) 471-1717. Appointments may also be set up through our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

How Smoking Affects Oral Health

When a person smokes, the smoke first enters the body through the mouth, so it should be no surprise that smoking is terrible for oral health. Drs. Navid Rahimpour and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS here at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want the best oral health for all of their patients. If you smoke and have been thinking about quitting, now is the perfect time to do so!

When the smoke enters your mouth, it changes the gum tissue and the blood vessels within them. The top layer of gum tissue thickens; a condition called keratosis. The blood vessels become constricted, which means not enough blood supplies the area. The salivary glands also become damaged, which creates dry mouth. These types of conditions affect healing, immune strength, and promote an environment for bacteria growth.

Increased bacteria can lead to gum disease, which if left untreated, can lead to loss of teeth. The risk of infections is also greater since the immune strength is lowered. Smoking also stains breath and darkens teeth.

Probably the worst effect of any is that smoking causes cancer. Cancerous lesions can form on the gums, the lips, the throat, the tongue, and other areas of the mouth.

Our patients’ oral health is our top concern here at Southern Cross Dental. To schedule an examination and cleaning with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

The Important Difference Between Plaque and Tartar

Anyone who has been to the dentist or read a toothpaste label has heard of plaque and tartar. While they are common dental terms, many do not know the difference between the two. Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental are committed to helping their patients lead a life of oral health. In our Colorado Springs, CO office, we want to help our patients understand the difference between plaque and tartar and why it is important.

Plaque is a thin, sticky substance that coats teeth. It is bacteria created from food, drinks, and our own saliva. It is often white in color or a pale yellow. Brushing and flossing remove plaque, but plaque forms just hours after doing so. That is why it is so important to brush your teeth two to three times per day and floss once per day!

Tartar is what forms when plaque is not brushed away. It commonly forms in hard-to-reach areas but can form anywhere plaque forms if oral hygiene is poor. When the plaque is not removed, it begins to form tiny crystals which eventually harden into calculus. Tartar is not removable by brushing and flossing and it must be removed by your dentist. Tartar left on your teeth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar may also begin to grow into the spaces between gums and teeth when irritated gums begin to recess.

To avoid plaque and tartar from forming and harming your oral health, develop a great at-home oral care routine! Also, make your cleaning and examination appointments with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS! To schedule with Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

When Your Child Fears the Dentist

There are some kids who love going to the dentist, but for the kids who fear dental appointments, it can be tough to calm them down. At our Colorado Springs, CO dental practice, Southern Cross Dental, Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS want all of our patients to enjoy their dental appointment and feel relaxed. Take some tips for calming down your child when he or she fears dental appointments.

The key to relaxing your child is familiarity. This is most easily done by taking your child to the dentist routinely from an early age. However, if your child is going to the dentist for the first time, you can still prepare them and make them more familiar. Take them with you to your dental appointments first so they can see the office, meet the staff, and see that you have no problem seeing the dentist. You can also help them understand what the dentist will do by setting up a pretend dental appointment at home. Have your child lay back on a couch or reclining chair and open wide. Look inside their mouth and maybe use a toothbrush to scrub each tooth. Pretend to look at each tooth and comment about how healthy they are. This helps them become familiar with the actual process so when it really happens, they will know more of what to expect.

Kids will also feel better when they know that their teeth will be clean and healthy after seeing the dentist. A good checkup will give them something to be proud of. To schedule your child’s dental appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

What is Xylitol and How Does it Help Teeth?

At Southern Cross Dental, we want you to know that the benefits for xylitol are numerous, but here we will explain a few. Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, which looks and tastes just like regular table sugar and is widely found in nature as well as most of the fruits and vegetables that we eat on a daily basis. Xylitol can benefit dental patients who have dry mouth, and can also help protect teeth from demineralization in patients who are low risk or prefer not to use fluoride.

Xylitol is a natural ingredient in sugar free chewing gums, candies, mints, diabetes friendly foods and oral care products. It also reduces the acidity of saliva, which helps to fight acid-driven degradation of tooth enamel. Xylitol stimulates salivary flow, allowing calcium and phosphate to be deposited into the enamel to keep the enamel strong. Xylitol starves harmful bacteria in the mouth, reducing plaque buildup and tooth decay. This prevents dental cavities and inflammatory gum diseases.

To learn more about services provided at the practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule a professional dental cleaning with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at 719-471-1717.

How to Choose the Correct Toothpaste

 

When it comes to selecting toothpaste, there is a large variety of types to choose from, to the point where even shopping in the toothpaste aisle may seem overwhelming. While all of the products on the shelf might seem the same, they are not. At Southern Cross Dental, we can help you determine which toothpaste is best for your specific oral health needs.

No matter the brand, it’s important to always select toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Almost all of the options on the market contain fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth decay, and actively strengthens tooth enamel. 

If your gums are red and swollen you may have gingivitis. Selecting an anti-gingivitis toothpaste can help reduce oral bacteria and be very effective in reversing this gum condition. If you experience tooth sensitivity on a daily basis, you may want to switch to desensitizing toothpaste. This type of toothpaste reduces pain by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve. For those who have healthy teeth and gums, you may just be looking to whiten your smile. Whitening toothpaste contains chemical agents that remove surface stains that maintain the natural color of your teeth.  

To learn more about services provided at the practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule a professional dental cleaning with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at 719-471-1717.

When it comes to selecting toothpaste, there is a large variety of types to choose from, to the point where even shopping in the toothpaste aisle may seem overwhelming. While all of the products on the shelf might seem the same, they are not. At Southern Cross Dental, we can help you determine which toothpaste is best for your specific oral health needs.

No matter the brand, it’s important to always select toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Almost all of the options on the market contain fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth decay, and actively strengthens tooth enamel. 

If your gums are red and swollen you may have gingivitis. Selecting an anti-gingivitis toothpaste can help reduce oral bacteria and be very effective in reversing this gum condition. If you experience tooth sensitivity on a daily basis, you may want to switch to desensitizing toothpaste. This type of toothpaste reduces pain by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve. For those who have healthy teeth and gums, you may just be looking to whiten your smile. Whitening toothpaste contains chemical agents that remove surface stains that maintain the natural color of your teeth.  

To learn more about services provided at the practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule a professional dental cleaning with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at 719-471-1717.

 

Preventive Care and Oral Hygiene

If you don’t take care of your teeth and properly maintain your oral health, you may find yourself spending thousands of dollars in restorative dental care down the line. Although we love to see you here at Southern Cross Dental, we want to save you money and help you keep your teeth for life. When the dental team and the patient work together, this can help to prevent the need for treatment.

Preventive dentistry emphasizes the importance of ongoing hygiene procedures and daily practices to prevent tooth decay and other dental diseases and conditions. Effective preventive dentistry combines at-home oral care by patients with chairside treatments and counseling by dental professionals. The American Dental Association recommends a minimum of two dental checkups each year for professional cleaning and management of any developing conditions. Obeying this recommendation can help our dentists stop dental disease in the earliest stages, protecting your smile and your wallet.

Considering that oral health is linked to overall health, preventive dentistry is important for the sake of your overall wellbeing. For more information on prevention dentistry, give us a call today or visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Benefits of a Tongue Scraper

At Southern Cross Dental, we want you to have the freshest breath on the block. If you’ve ever looked at your tongue in a mirror, you may or may not see a colored film on it. If your tongue is pink, then congratulations! That means you are cleaning your tongue properly. However, if build-up is there, it’s time to invest in a tongue scraper.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), bad breath affects up to 50% of the adult population. Bad breath can be the result of conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, diabetes, and liver or kidney problems, but more often than not, it’s a direct result of what’s going on in your mouth –or what’s not going on. A tongue scraper (tongue cleaner or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean off bacteria, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. Using a tongue scraper is easy: simply place it toward the back of your tongue, and drag it forward toward the tip of your tongue. Then begin to reap the benefits of fresh breath, improved ability to taste and most importantly, improved dental health.

For more information on maintaining proper oral hygiene give us a call today or visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, call 719-471-1717.

Are You Flossing Properly?

Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between the teeth and at the gumline. Here at Southern Cross Dental we want you to get the most out of your oral hygiene routine, which is why we want to be sure that when you floss, you are doing it properly.

If you eat a meal and experience pain in your gums shortly after, you probably have some food stuck in your teeth that you need to remove. Dental floss dislodges food particles trapped between the teeth and under the gums where the toothbrushes can’t reach. To receive maximum benefits from flossing, it is best to use the following proper technique.

•  Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.


• Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.


• Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline.


• Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

For more information on maintaining proper oral hygiene give us a call today or visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Are Dental X-rays Safe?

Dental X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when helping Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, at Southern Cross Dental detect damage and disease not visible during a regular dental exam. How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease. Dental X-ray exams are safe; however, they do require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small.

Dental X-ray tools and techniques are designed to limit the body’s exposure to radiation and every precaution is taken to ensure that radiation exposure is As Low As Reasonable Achievable (the ALARA principle). A leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen and may be used when it will not interfere with the acquisition of the dental radiograph.

If you are concerned about radiation exposure due to X-rays, next time you need a dental x-ray don’t be afraid to ask questions. To learn more about dental services offered at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, call 719-471-1717.

What is a Dental Implant Procedure Like?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. At Southern Cross Dental, the dental implant procedure is a team effort between you and Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, here at Southern Cross Dental we will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months. X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.

If you are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation to discuss your options. To learn more about dental implants, recovery, and other services offered at Southern Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, call 719-471-1717.