Dr. Mark Birnbach
Cosmetic Dentistry
Boulder, CO
50 years experience male
Locations
bouldersmiles
Boulder, CO
About
Bio
Dr. Mark Birnbach earned his B.A. at Queens College
(CUNY), and his DMD from Tufts University. After graduation, Dr.
Birnbach spent a year practicing dentistry in Switzerland. On his return
to the states, he established his dental practice, which concentrates
on aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry. At his creek side location since
1977, he has taken over 3,500 hours of continuing education. He is one
of a few dentists in the world who has completed the Full Mouth
Reconstruction Course at the <strong>Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies</strong>.
Mark is now an instructor there. He has conducted dental seminars on
aesthetic dentistry and thrice been awarded "Clinician of the Year" by
the Boulder Dental Study Club.
In his spare time, Mark likes to
get out and take advantage of living in this beautiful area – enjoying
the fresh powder in the mountains in the winter, and riding his road
bike up to Jamestown, Carter Lake, Rabbit Mountain, Avon to the top of
Vail pass and participating in fund raising rides like Davis Phinney's
Road To Victory Bicycle Classic (in support of Parkinson's research) and
the Buffalo Classic Century Ride (a fund raiser for scholarships for CU
students). He also enjoys traveling and taking photos of the many
memorable places he's been fortunate enough to visit.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Doctor Q&A
278 Answers
46 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is defined as stopping breathing for 10 seconds. During that time, the body is not getting any oxygen. In addition , there can be instance... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring: Weight loss, avoiding sleeping on your back ( sew a pocket onto the back of a t-shirt and stick a tennis ball in it), breath rite strips, deconges... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Cosmetic dentistry: Absolutely! Cosmetic dentistry can range from whitening to veneers and will definitely improve one's smile. It is important to see someone that has ex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Teeth whitening: Over the counter whitening strips can be helpful, though they only cover the front 6 teeth and some people find them cumbersome.
Custom made trays mad... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
TMJ, Hearing: The temporal (T) bone contains the ear. When the teeth come together, if the lower jaw (Mandible) too far back, it puts pressure on the temporal bone ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring: Snoring is not treatable by medication. Lose weight, avoid sleeping on your back, see an ENT to evaluate for enlarged tonsils, adenoides, deviated ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Any snoring in an infant should be examined. It could be the result of allergies, or an obstructed airway due to enlarged tonsils and or adenoids, or... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: The lack of adequate oxygen due to sleep apnea means that the brain isn't getting an essential ingredient to keep it performing at it's optimal level.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Acid reflux: Yes. Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea which means that an individual is stopping breathing for at least 10 seconds. This causes pressure on the ab... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea means that a person is stopping breathing for at least 10 seconds, many times a night. That means they aren't getting enough oxygen to rep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: It is possible to suffer from sleep apnea in any sleep position. While it is often more prevalent when sleeping on the back, someone who is overweigh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Tonsils sleep apnea: Tonsils can block the airway at the back of your throat and this can cause snoring.
Please discuss with your physician as this can be a sign of sleep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring remedies: Options include:
avoiding sleeping on one's back.(sew a pocket on the back of a t-shirt and put a tennis ball in it)
have an ENT check nasal passage... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
CPAP: Cpaps are prescribed because the person is not getting adequate oxygen while sleeping. This is a life threatening disorder, putting one at risk for he... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring remedies: If you are overweight, losing weight not only reduces pressure on the airways, the tongue shrinks in size, further opening the airway.
Don't sleep on... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Fluoride : Fluoride has been shown to reduce decay. There are non Fluoride containing toothpastes that contain remineralizing agents ( mi paste available with a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
TMJ: The muscles and ligaments around the tm joint might have been stretched and otherwise traumatized. Please see the person that took out the teeth for ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea can be either obstructive or central. Correct diagnosis by a witnessed, overnight sleep study at an accredited center is essential. If obs... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Yes and here are a few suggestions:
avoiding sleeping on one's back ( sew a pocket on the back of a t-shirt and put a tennis ball in it)
losing weig... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Dental fluorosis : Depending on the severity, whitening your teeth may help. See a dentist who can do abraision and bond over the areas.
If it's really severe, veneers... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring: If you are overweight, losing weight not only reduces pressure on the airways, the tongue shrinks in size, further opening the airway.
Don't sleep on... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Fluoride: Research has proven that topical Fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acids that are the result of the bacteria breaking down foods, the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
TMJ: Self help- avoid: hard crunchy foods, chewing gum, opening widely. Soft diet, moist heat, and otc medications ( ibuprophen) can help. See a dentist wh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Custom made dental appliances have been approved as an alternative treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Seek out a dentist who has been trained... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Whitening teeth: The toothpaste cannot get under the braces, so it may result in your teeth having areas of different colors when the braces come off.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: If you are not getting a good nights sleep ( i.e. Not getting to rem stage) then your entire system remains stressed. Have you been evaluated for slee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Dentistry: Have your dentist write a letter to the insurance company describing the need to replace the missing teeth in order to return your mouth to proper for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring: Was this an overnight, witnessed sleep study?
Snoring solutions:
avoid sleeping on your back ( sew a tennis ball into a pocket on the back of a t-sh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep study: You will be connected to multiple leads ( with adhesives) to monitor your breathing, oxygen level, sleep position, brain wave activity, blood pressure... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Do you snore? Do you grind your teeth at night? Do you have difficulty breathing through your nose?
These night time symptoms may be connected to you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring: It may not be an issue with your lungs. See an ENT to evaluate for blocked nasal passages ( deviated septum, enlarged turbinates ), sinus issues, enla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
TMJ: Tmj ( or tmd) has multiple signs and symptoms. Without knowing more, here are some simple self help suggestions.
Don't chew gum.
Avoid hard crunchy ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: If you are overweight, losing weight not only reduces pressure on the airways, the tongue shrinks in size, further opening the airway.
Don't sleep on... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Post op extraction: You can brush your teeth with toothpaste , just be cautious to be gentle as you brush around that area.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Avoid back sleep: Avoid sleeping on your back ( sew a pocket onto the back of a t shirt and put a tennis ball in it)
lose weight
wearing a custom made device made by ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Broken tooth: Resin bonding can provide immediate repairs, however, they are not as strong/duable as a laboratory fabricated custom porcelain restoration.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Toothpaste : Some people react to some of the ingredients in toothpaste. Sodium laurel sulfate ( a foaming agent) is one that is often the culprit.
Look for a to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: See a dentist who knows how to make a mandibular advancement appliance. ( also known as oral appliance therapy )they have been approved as an alternat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Whitening toothpaste: All whitening toothpastes rely on being more abrasive to remove superficial stains from coffee, tea, cigarette smoke etc.
They do not contain any whi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Several possibilities:
losing weight.
See an ear nose ; throat specialist to evaluate your tonsils, adenoids and sinus
wear a CPAP or a custom made ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Inlays onlays: there is no specialty that is required to fabricate inlays or onlays. They are more conservative than crowns ( caps) .
For best results, see a dentis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Cosmetic dentistry: Dental schools teach the fundamentals of tooth care and disease prevention. Cosmetic dentistry is a field that requires additional training. There are... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Toothpaste use: Toothpaste is designed to treat teeth. It is not to be used to treat other areas of the body.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
tinnitus: The upper portion of the lower jaw ( condyle of the mandible) is in close proximity to the temporal bone which contains the ear. If the condyle is pus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Snoring: Options include:
avoiding sleeping on one's back ( sew a pocket on the back of a t-shirt and put a tennis ball in it)
losing weight
seeing an ENT t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Mouth sore: We swallow between 2-3,000 times a day. This action alone could be enough to make your tongue sore as i rubs against the broken tooth. In addition , w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is defined as stopping breathing for 10 seconds or more. It can develop for many reasons: allergies, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, devia... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Gum disease: A mouth rinse does not remove the hardened bacteria on the roots of your teeth- the likely cause of the infection in the gum and bone that you are cur... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Root canal: If there is a hole in the gum above the tooth, it can be an indication of an abscess . This might be caused by an infection caused by gum disease. It ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Birnbachanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 50 years experience
Sleep apnea: Was he tested with an overnight witnessed sleep study, or just a finger pulse oxygen device? An overnight study is necessary to diagnose sleep apnea .... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
223
Thank you notes
Mar 20, 2015
Great doc!!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Birnbach is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Birnbach is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Your answer was very helpful, thanks! Botox temp relief I'll try it til I can get help with bite guard
HealthTap member
Thanks. I'm having surgery to strengthen the wall of the noe
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Tufts University School Of Dental Medicine
Graduated 1973MD
Awards
Best Dentist- Boulder Weekly, Top Dentist 5280 Magazine
Clinician of the Year- 3 times- Boulder Dental Forum
Top Doctor, First Place, Boulder Region, CO - Summer
2013
Affiliations
American Dental Association
Colrado Dental Association
Boulder County Dental Association
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