As parents, we’re always busy. There’s a band concert tomorrow, a basketball game on Friday and doesn’t it seem like there’s a big math or English test every single day? We have tons of responsibilities in parenting, and in the midst of it all, other things can slip by. For example, your child’s teeth — when was the last time he or she visited the dentist? And are you sure they’re getting brushed (and flossed!) properly, two times a day? These may seem like minor details in the midst of everything else going on, but your Waco dentist is here to remind you that your child’s oral health should be one of your top priorities.
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Oral Hygiene For the Whole Family: Tips from Dr. Rick Cofer
September 2, 2015
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Why Routine Dental Exams For Adults Matter
July 15, 2015
Your overall health is dependent upon the rest of your body, including your mouth. Proper dental care and oral hygiene are an important part of your overall well-being. From the moment our first tooth erupts, good oral care is vital. It helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, prevents problems that can lead to tooth loss, and helps you hold on to your natural teeth. Dr. Rick Cofer and his staff in Waco, TX want you to know just how important dental exams are for adults. You may think you’re a tough guy or gal, but oral problems that are left untreated can spawn a slew of dental issues that can become costly down the road. Dr. Cofer is the preferred general dentist in 76712.
Common Adult Dental Concerns
Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. But, the only way to ensure they stay healthy and strong is to have routine dental exams and other thorough cleanings. Plaque, tartar, and bacterial build-up can leave your smile at risk for major complications. You may not experience any problems soon, but at some point you will, and therapy may be painful, not to mention costly. Waco dentist Dr. Cofer understands you have concerns and wants to address them.
Some of the most common dental concerns among adults are:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Crooked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Dry mouth
- Gum disease (periodontal disease)
- Mis-spaced teeth
- Mouth sores
- Oral cancer
- Tooth decay
- Tooth erosion
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)
All of the above can be highly problematic, however, there are ways to combat the onset of many of these issues. Simple recommendations like drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugar-loaded beverages, can make a huge difference. Others include:
- Eating a healthy diet and limiting between-meal snacks
- Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (preferably after every meal)
- Floss at least once a day
- Have a regular dental exam and professional cleaning every 6 months
- Properly care for any dental appliance (retainer, mouth guard, plate, bridge, dentures, etc.)
Excellent Dental Care For Adults
We take preventive care very seriously. It’s recommended that adult patients visit every six months for routine general dentistry care which includes thorough cleanings, dental exams, and children’s dental care. Routine dental care combined with dental exams will keep your need for more extensive care to a minimum. This keeps you and your wallet happy.
Our general dentistry therapy includes:
- Dental cleanings and hygiene
- Dental exams
- Periodontal care
Schedule an Appointment Today
For the best general dentist, Waco’s own Dr. Rick Cofer and his staff are ready to handle all of your dental problems. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean preventive procedures should fall by the wayside. Schedule an appointment and let’s work together on transforming your smile! We serve patients in Waco, TX and the surrounding communities of Bellmead, Beverly Hills, Woodway, Robinson and beyond.
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Your 76712 Dentist
June 29, 2015
When it comes to your family’s health—and of course that includes their dental health—you only want the best. For the best in general and preventive dentistry, people in Waco, TX, and the surrounding communities turn to Dr. Rick Cofer at Premier Family Dental. Dr. Cofer is the Waco dentist in 76712 who would be delighted to see you and your family for all of your general dentistry needs.
Premier Family Dental is Dr. Cofer’s second practice, which he proudly opened on February 28, 2012. A native Texan who grew up in Irving, Dr. Cofer studied biology at McMurray University in Abilene before attending Baylor School of Dentistry. For more than five years, Dr. Cofer has been associated with Texas Advanced Dental Seminars and Seattle Study Club.
The Dentist 76712 Turns to for General and Preventive Services
At the top of the list of priorities for the team at Premier Family Dental is prevention. Why? Because if we can prevent you or a family member from have a problem in the first place, then we can most likely help you avoid bigger problems—and bigger expenses—in the future. With this in mind, Dr. Cofer would like to see everyone in your family every six months for a general checkup. That’s the recommendation of the American Dental Association, and we agree.
At these regularly scheduled checkups, we can monitor your oral health and more easily notice changes. And of course, at checkups we always clean your teeth and remove plaque, gauge the health of your gums and soft tissue, and we examine your teeth for any signs of decay.
Of course, if Dr. Cofer or one of our dental hygienists find anything of concern, then we will recommend a course of treatment that will usually involve one of our restorative dentistry treatments, which include:
- Tooth-Colored Fillings
- Dental Crowns
- Root Canal Therapy
- Dentures and Partials
- Dental Implants
Call Your 76712 Dentist Today
If you have any questions about our practice, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment, then call Premier Family Dental. Our Waco, TX, dental office is proud to serve patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Robinson, Lorena, and beyond.
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Crowns in a Day from Premier Family Dental, Your Waco Dentist
June 22, 2015
At Premier Family Dental, we understand that you’d really rather not hear that you have a tooth that needs a crown. Well then, hear this—with CEREC One Day Crowns, we can restore your decayed or damaged tooth in, well, a day. Now, a new crown from Dr. Rick Cofer and the team in Waco, TX, no longer requires two appointments in the office. The CEREC in-office dental CAD/CAM equipment by Sirona allows us to restore your tooth quickly and beautifully and send you on your way smiling.
Dental Crowns Waco Can Smile About
There are a variety of reasons why you may need a crown. Perhaps one of your teeth is severely decayed or is damaged due to injury. A root canal also usually necessitates a crown. Or maybe you need a crown to secure a bridge in place. Whatever the reason, with CEREC, Waco residents can have a newly restored tooth and smile in practically no time.
The CEREC system includes a digital camera with which we obtain an optical impression of the tooth that needs repair; 3-D CAD software that designs the restoration; and a milling unit that uses high-speed burs to fabricate your new tooth right in our office.
The One Day Crown Procedure
First, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable and that the area surrounding the affected tooth is adequately anesthetized. Then, a digital photograph is taken of the tooth and sent to the CEREC computerized system. This system in turn creates a virtual model of your teeth in order to create a crown that is accurate in color, shape and bite surface. This design is transferred to the CEREC milling unit at Premier Family Dental and your new crown is fabricated in about 20 minutes. Once the restoration is ready, it can be polished, stained or glazed for a completely natural appearance. Finally, your new tooth is inspected, checked for fit and cemented into place.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’d like to learn more about crowns in a day with CEREC, or to make an appointment, call Premier Family Dental. Our Waco, TX, dental office is proud to serve patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Robinson, Lorena, and beyond.
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ClearCorrect from the Cosmetic Dentist Waco, TX, Trusts
June 8, 2015
If you missed the chance to wear traditional braces with metal brackets and wires when you were a kid, then you may still be longing for a smile with beautiful straight teeth. However now, as an adult, you may not be game for the appearance or the hassle—the gum and cheek irritation, the frequent appointments to adjust your braces—that traditional braces require. So, consider ClearCorrect from Premier Family Dental in Waco, TX.
As the name suggests, ClearCorrect straightens your teeth—clearly. And we mean that literally. ClearCorrect uses a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth into their proper alignment. There are no metal brackets and no metal wires to bother you or for others to see.
The ClearCorrect Process
Dr. Rick Cofer and his team will take exact measurements of your teeth, as well as photographs, x-rays and molded impressions. These are then sent to the ClearCorrect lab where your custom designed aligners are fabricated. They’ll arrive in our office as a series of sets. All you do is wear each set for the predetermined amount of time before moving on to the next. As you progress through you sets, you’ll begin to see a change in the appearance of your teeth. Gradually your smile will become straighter and straighter. Of course, Dr. Cofer will need to see you in the office periodically to make sure you’re progressing as planned.
The Benefits of ClearCorrect
Wearing clear braces, Waco residents enjoy a number of benefits:
- Braces that are completely inconspicuous
- No uncomfortable and distracting metal wires or broken brackets
- Removable aligners, so you can eat what you want and brush and floss your teeth as usual
- A treatment time that is typically completed in 12 to 18 months
Call Our Office Today
If you would like to know more about how ClearCorrect can enhance your smile, then schedule an appointment with Premier Family Dental. Our Waco, TX, dental office is proud to serve patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Robinson, Lorena, and beyond.
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Teeth Whitening Waco, TX, Smiles About
May 25, 2015
Have you noticed that summer just seems to be a happy time? The kids are out of school, the pace slows down, there’s more time to enjoy the company of family and close friends and fun activities are plentiful around Waco. You could go for a bike ride at Cameron Park, spend a relaxing day cruising Lake Brazos or learn something new at the Mayborn Museum Complex. No matter what activity you choose, there are sure to be lots of smiles, and you want yours looking bright and attractive. If your smile could use a boost, then consider teeth whitening from Premier Family Dental in Waco, TX. Dr. Rick Cofer is the cosmetic dentist Waco area residents rely on for healthy and beautiful smiles. With teeth whitening now, your smile will be ready for the fun and sun of summer.
Teeth Whitening for You
As people age, teeth can become stained and discolored for a number of reasons—not the least of which is the unavoidable aging process itself. Other causes include:
- Frequently consumed foods and beverages, such as chocolate, berries, carrots, coffee, tea, and colas
- Smoking and chewing tobacco
- Minor cracks in your teeth that hide food particles and other debris
- Teeth grinding and clenching, which can darken the biting surfaces of your teeth
- Certain medications and medical treatments
- Your genetic predisposition for teeth that look more yellow, gray or brown
Whiter Teeth in a Flash!
For the fastest teeth whitening, Robinson and Waco can come to Premier Family Dental for Zoom! Teeth Whitening. This system can take your smile from drab to dazzling in just about one hour. With Zoom, we’ll apply the professional grade whitening gel to your teeth. Then, a special light activates and speeds the whitening process. Your smile will be up to eight shades whiter and brighter.
If your schedule is too busy for another appointment, then we also offer custom take-home whitening trays. We’ll give you bleaching trays that fit your teeth perfectly. Simply fill the trays with the gel we provide and wear them according to Dr. Cofer’s instructions. You should see dramatic results in less than a week.
Call Our Office Today
If you want your smile to be a white and bright as possible for summer, then schedule a teeth whitening appointment at Premier Family Dental. Our Waco, TX, dental office is proud to serve patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Robinson, Lorena, and beyond.
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