General Dentistry
General Dentistry
Finding a dentist in Boulder starts with knowing what kind of care you need. Some people want a routine exam and cleaning, while others are dealing with missing teeth, worn enamel, or a bite that no longer feels right. The right dentist has the training to handle your current concerns and the skill to plan for the years ahead. You also deserve clear answers about cost and comfort before you commit to treatment.
Our practice, BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics, is led by Dr. Marisa Patt, a prosthodontist who also provides general dentistry in Boulder. We take a gentle approach, use modern technology to keep visits precise and comfortable, and build every plan around your goals. Whether you need a check-up or a full smile restoration, you can work with one team from start to finish.
At BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, CO, we believe that a healthy smile is the cornerstone of overall wellness. Led by Dr. Marisa Patt, a skilled prosthodontist and experienced general dentist in Boulder, our team provides comprehensive preventive and restorative care to help you maintain strong teeth and gums for life. From routine dental cleanings and exams to fillings, tooth repairs, and emergency visits, every treatment is designed with your comfort and long-term oral health in mind. In our modern, welcoming office, you’ll experience personalized care that combines advanced technology with a gentle touch—so you can enjoy a healthy, confident smile at every stage of life.
Hear Dr. Patt explain
Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them—and at BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics, we always reserve time to help when they do. If you’re experiencing a toothache, broken tooth, or other urgent dental concern, we’ll make every effort to see you the same day. Dr. Marisa Patt will relieve your pain, stabilize the area, and provide either a permanent solution or a comfortable temporary fix until full treatment can be completed.
Your comfort and health are our top priorities—because when you need care fast, you deserve a trusted emergency dentist in Boulder who’s here for you.
General Dentistry at BOCO Dental
Alongside advanced prosthodontic care, we provide general dentistry for patients who want a trusted Boulder dentist for everyday needs. General dentistry focuses on preventive, diagnostic, and restorative care that keeps your teeth and gums healthy, and regular visits give us the chance to catch problems early. Our exams are thorough and our techniques are gentle.
Our general dentistry services cover the routine and urgent care most patients need, including the following.
- Cleanings and exams: routine visits that help us monitor your teeth and gums and catch concerns early.
- Fillings: treatment for cavities that restores the tooth and protects it from further decay.
- Root canals: care for a tooth with an infected or inflamed center, aimed at relieving pain and saving the tooth.
- Emergency dentistry: time reserved in our schedule to help when a dental emergency happens.
- Nightguards and bite adjustments: non-invasive options that protect your teeth and improve how your bite comes together.
If dental visits make you nervous, we offer nitrous oxide to help you relax. Because Dr. Patt provides both routine and restorative care, one team can manage your everyday dentistry and any advanced treatment you may need down the road.
What Sets a Prosthodontist Apart From Other Dentists?
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty focused on restoring function, comfort, and appearance for patients dealing with missing or damaged teeth, and it is one of the smallest specialties in dentistry. As of 2020, there were only 3,733 prosthodontists among the roughly 201,000 actively practicing dentists in the United States, which makes prosthodontic training genuinely rare rather than an incremental add-on to a general practice.
This training equips Dr. Patt to handle everything from a single restoration to complex, full-mouth reconstruction cases that require coordinating multiple treatments together. Our smile gallery reflects the range of cases we take on, from restorative work to cosmetic transformations, and gives new patients a realistic sense of what is possible before they ever sit in the chair.
Beyond Restorative Dentistry
Beyond restorative and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Patt also treats sleep apnea with custom oral appliances, an option many patients do not realize a dental specialist can provide. Unlike a CPAP machine, an oral appliance repositions the jaw during sleep to keep the airway open, and it may appeal to patients who struggle with a CPAP mask.
We participate with medical insurance specifically for sleep apnea appliance therapy, which makes this option more accessible for patients managing a diagnosis. Dr. Patt also offers facial aesthetics for patients interested in complementary treatments alongside their dental care.
Do You Take My Insurance?
We are a fee-for-service, out-of-network practice, which means every treatment recommendation is based on what is clinically right for you, not on what an insurance plan allows. We do not participate in dental insurance networks, and this arrangement lets us offer more flexibility in materials, techniques, and treatment approaches than practices constrained by insurance contracts.
We accept CareCredit and Alphaeon financing, and we offer an in-house membership plan for patients who want predictable, insurance-free access to preventive care.
Why Choose BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics
Choosing a prosthodontist over a general dentist matters most when a case involves multiple moving parts: a full-mouth rebuild, a combination of implants and crowns, or a bite that has shifted after years of missing teeth. Coordinating that kind of treatment requires someone trained specifically to sequence it correctly the first time, rather than referring pieces of the case out to several different offices.
Our office manager is fluent in Spanish, and Dr. Patt has functional Spanish as well, reflecting our commitment to serving Boulder County’s diverse community. Many patients come to us after being told by more than one office their case is too complicated, and we take that as the starting point for a plan rather than a reason to turn someone away.
We Are Accepting New Patients
BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics is currently welcoming new patients, whether you are coming to us through a referral from your general dentist or reaching out directly because of a dental concern.
A first consultation typically includes a full review of your dental history, a conversation about what has and has not worked in past treatment, and an honest assessment of which options make sense given your goals and your timeline.
Meet Dr. Marisa Patt and BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics
Dr. Patt brings over a decade of advanced dental training to every patient relationship, backed by a prosthodontic residency at New York Hospital – Queens and a general practice residency at Lutheran Medical Center. That combination means she can move fluidly between a straightforward restoration and a case that requires rebuilding a patient’s entire bite from the ground up.
Our team approaches each consultation the same way regardless of case complexity, by listening first and being direct about cost, timeline, and what a realistic outcome looks like. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, reach out through our contact form, and our team will help you find a time that works.
Choosing BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder means partnering with a dental team that truly prioritizes your comfort, health, and long-term results. From your very first visit, Dr. Marisa Patt takes the time to understand your dental history, goals, and concerns—creating a personalized care plan designed specifically for you. Using advanced technology such as digital X-rays and comprehensive oral cancer screenings, Dr. Patt delivers a complete, precise picture of your oral health, helping you maintain a strong, confident smile for years to come.
FAQs
About General Dentistry
We recommend scheduling a dental cleaning every six months. Regular cleanings help prevent cavities, gum disease, and maintain overall oral health.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, such as severe pain, a chipped tooth, or swelling, call our office right away. We offer same-day appointments to address urgent needs promptly.
Yes, digital X-rays are safe and use significantly less radiation compared to traditional X-rays. They provide detailed images to help us diagnose issues accurately and efficiently.
A comprehensive exam is a detailed assessment of your overall oral health, often performed during your first visit. Routine exams are shorter follow-ups to monitor your oral health and check for any changes or emerging issues.
Oral cancer screenings are an essential part of regular dental visits. We perform these screenings routinely for all patients to catch any signs early, as early detection is key to successful treatment.
During a periodontal evaluation, we assess the health of your gums, looking for signs of gum disease like redness, swelling, or recession. This helps us create a treatment plan to keep your gums healthy.
Absolutely! Regular cleanings and exams allow us to remove plaque buildup and identify potential problems before they become more serious, saving you time, discomfort, and cost in the long run.
Bring your dental and medical history, insurance information (if applicable), and any concerns or goals you’d like to discuss. This helps us create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.
We prioritize your comfort in every treatment. Most procedures are pain-free, and for those that may cause discomfort, we offer gentle techniques and local anesthesia to keep you at ease.
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, and using a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Eating a balanced diet and avoiding tobacco can also help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular dental visits ensure early detection of potential issues.
