Aspen is a community that holds itself to a higher standard — in architecture, cuisine, outdoor pursuits, and quality of life. Your dental care should be no different. At Rivers Dentistry, Dr. Connor Rivers has built a practice where every aspect of the patient experience is calibrated around one question: what is actually best for this person’s long-term oral health?
Since Dr. Rivers took over the practice in April 2022, Rivers Dentistry has earned a reputation throughout the Roaring Fork Valley for comprehensive, relationship-driven care that is simply not available at most general practices. For Aspen patients, that means access to the kind of dentistry you would expect at a top-tier urban practice — without leaving the valley. You can learn more about the communities we serve on our areas we serve page.
Whether you are coming in for a routine preventive visit or addressing years of deferred dental work, Rivers Dentistry is built to handle it all under one roof. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 26% of adults aged 20 to 64 have untreated tooth decay — a figure that underscores how common it is for dental concerns to go unaddressed. Our practice is designed to eliminate the barriers that keep adults from getting the care they need.
A healthy smile starts with consistent preventive care. Our comprehensive dental exams go well beyond a surface check — Dr. Rivers assesses the health of your teeth, gums, bite, jaw alignment, and airway as part of every exam. We offer professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral cancer screenings as part of routine visits. Catching issues early is the most cost-effective investment you can make in your long-term oral health.
Aspen patients have high expectations for their smiles, and Dr. Rivers has the skill and artistry to meet them. Our cosmetic dentistry services include porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, professional teeth whitening, smile makeovers, and clear aligner therapy. Whether you want to correct a single imperfection or pursue a complete smile transformation, we work with precision and an eye for natural-looking, lasting results. Rivers Dentistry is one of the few practices in the region where cosmetic and restorative treatment can be completed together in a single, coordinated plan — no referrals, no gaps in communication.
When damage, decay, or tooth loss has already occurred, we offer the full range of restorative solutions — tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns (including same-day options), root canal therapy, periodontal treatment, and tooth extractions. For patients with more significant needs, we also offer full mouth reconstruction, rebuilding the entire bite for function, aesthetics, and long-term stability.
Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, and Dr. Rivers has extensive experience placing and restoring them. We offer single-tooth implants, implant-supported dentures, and full mouth implant reconstruction for patients with significant tooth loss. Unlike bridges or removable dentures, implants replace the root of the tooth, preserving jawbone density and the natural contours of your face over time. With proper care, implants are designed to last a lifetime.
For patients who have been told elsewhere that they are not candidates due to bone loss, we also offer bone grafting as a preparatory step — expanding the pool of patients who can benefit from this permanent solution.
One of the most meaningful advantages Rivers Dentistry offers Aspen patients is access to the full spectrum of sedation — something no other general dentistry practice in this region can match. Our Aspen sedation dentistry options include nitrous oxide for light relaxation, oral sedation for moderate anxiety, IV sedation for deeper comfort, and hospital-level general anesthesia administered in our office by licensed anesthesiologists.
Many of our Aspen patients use sedation not because they are afraid, but because it is the most efficient way to get comprehensive care done well. Under sedation, Dr. Rivers can often complete several procedures — implant placement, crown work, cosmetic treatment — in a single appointment that would otherwise require multiple visits. For professionals and seasonal residents with limited time in the valley, that kind of efficiency matters.
Beyond traditional dental services, Dr. Rivers has a genuine clinical interest in the connection between oral health and systemic wellness. For Aspen patients who struggle with sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing, we offer custom oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP. These devices are compact, silent, and travel-friendly — a significant advantage for patients who are frequently on the move. Dr. Rivers uses a data-driven examination process to determine the precise jaw position that maximizes airway opening for each individual patient.
Rivers Dentistry operates on a fee-for-service model, which means Dr. Rivers is never influenced by insurance company protocols when making clinical decisions. We accept Aetna and Cigna Dental PPO and are out of network for all other carriers. Our patients understand that this model exists to protect the quality of their care — it ensures that the materials selected, the time spent, and the treatment plan developed are based entirely on what is clinically appropriate, not what a network allows. For Aspen patients accustomed to paying for quality, this model is a natural fit. Our team will always walk you through expected costs before any treatment begins.
Rivers Dentistry is located in Carbondale, Colorado, accessible from Aspen via Highway 82. Our Aspen patients consistently describe the commute as straightforward and well worth it for the quality and comprehensiveness of care they receive.
Yes. We offer a full range of cosmetic services including porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, professional teeth whitening, smile makeovers, and clear aligner treatment. Dr. Rivers takes a precision-driven approach to cosmetic work — the goal is always a result that looks completely natural and lasts.
We offer the complete spectrum: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and in-office general anesthesia administered by licensed anesthesiologists. This level of sedation availability is unique to Rivers Dentistry in the region — no other general dentistry practice nearby offers all four options.
We accept Aetna and Cigna Dental PPO. For patients with other insurance plans, we are an out-of-network provider. Our team can help you understand your out-of-network benefits and what reimbursement to expect.
Absolutely. One of the core advantages of choosing Rivers Dentistry is the ability to address cosmetic goals and restorative needs in a single, coordinated treatment plan — no referrals out, no starting over with a new provider.
Choosing a dentist in Aspen, CO is a decision that shapes the long-term health of your smile. At Rivers Dentistry, that decision comes with the confidence of knowing your care is guided by clinical excellence, not convenience or cost-cutting. Dr. Connor Rivers and our team are ready to meet you where you are — whether you are walking in for your first exam in years or planning a complete smile transformation.
When you are ready to experience dentistry that matches Aspen’s standard of living, we invite you to contact our office and schedule your appointment.
Dr. Connor Rivers brings over a decade of clinical experience to every patient he treats. He completed a General Practice Residency to expand his surgical skills, holds an IV sedation certification through DOCS Education, and currently serves as President of the Western Colorado Dental Society. From preventive care to complex restorative and cosmetic procedures, Dr. Rivers personally oversees every phase of treatment, making him the only provider in the Roaring Fork Valley offering the full spectrum of sedation dentistry under one roof.
We make quality dental care affordable with flexible payment options.
We are in-network with Aetna and Cigna dental PPO and work with most other dental PPO plans as an out-of-network provider. We file claims on your behalf and provide benefit estimates before treatment.
We offer 0% financing options, allowing you to break down treatment costs into manageable monthly payments that fit your budget.
No insurance? Our membership discount plan covers preventive care and offers reduced fees on restorative and cosmetic treatments with no deductibles or waiting periods.
Questions? Contact our office to discuss your insurance coverage and financing options.
Rivers Dentistry is located in the heart of Carbondale, Colorado, serving patients from Aspen and Basalt to Glenwood Springs, Newcastle, Rifle, and Gypsum. Our office is easily accessible from Highway 82, and we welcome patients from throughout Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle Counties who are looking for a dental team that puts comfort and quality first.
Regular exams detect problems early when treatment is simpler. Our thorough evaluations include cancer screenings, digital x-rays, and personalized prevention plans.
