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Do I Need A Deep Cleaning for Teeth? Watertown MN
Dentists recommend different types of dental cleanings to aid in the prevention and/or treatment of dental cavities and/or gum disease. Your dental professional will assess your mouth and recommend the right cleaning for your individual case, as well as the ideal interval for your regular cleanings.
For people with healthy teeth and gums, your dentist may recommend prophylaxis cleanings using fine hand instruments, as well as an ultrasonic scaler and a polishing cup and paste if there are no signs of gum disease. Generally, a good candidate for prophylaxis should have firm, pink gums with no bleeding or gum pockets over 3mm. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends these cleanings every as part of your preventative dental care to maintain optimal dental health and minimize the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Full Mouth Debridement
Prophylaxis should be performed every six months, though some people may require more frequent cleanings depending on their risk factors. In addition, there are some cases where prophylaxis may not sufficiently clean your teeth. If you haven’t been to the dentist in more than a year, heavy plaque and tartar (calculus) may build-up on your teeth.
A full mouth debridement using hand tools and a micro-ultrasonic scaler can be recommended to remove the plaque and calculus from your teeth and gums, and restore the health of your mouth. This procedure is typically performed before an oral examination and diagnosis to ensure good visibility of the actual condition of your mouth
Scaling and Root Planing and Periodontal Maintenance
If you’re suffering from gum disease, your dentist may recommend deep cleaning, which is also known as scaling and root planing. This procedure is for patients who exhibit signs of periodontal disease, such as deeper gum pockets (over 3mm), inflammation and bleeding gums, accumulation of plaque and tartar below the gumline, and/or loss of bone tissue supporting the teeth.
Following your treatment for advanced gum disease, which is a chronic condition, your dentist will recommend periodontal maintenance, which is a specialized cleaning that should be done every 8 – 12 weeks as part of your periodontal treatment follow up to reduce the risk of gum disease recurrence.
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning Today
Receiving dental cleaning is a great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy as a preventive treatment, or as a treatment for gum disease. Please visit your dentist to discuss your dental cleaning in Watertown MN today.
Dental Implant Treatment – Common Questions in Watertown MN
What can I expect during dental implant treatment planning?
The qualified dentist will:
1. Physically examine the gap in your mouth where you’re planning to get a dental implant placed.
2. Capture the necessary dental imaging including X-rays, CT scans, and/or panoramic films in order to assess the quality and quantity of jawbone.
3. Review your medical history for things like infections, allergies, bleeding disorders, existing medical conditions, and medications to ensure that you’re healthy enough to undergo dental surgery and heal and recover properly
4. Carefully plan your dental implant placement procedure
How can you help me relax for the surgical procedure?
During all your surgical procedure appointments, the dental surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to numb the surgical site, as well as any sedatives that you may require to calm your anxiety and make you comfortable.
Is bone grafting necessary?
If the site has sufficient bone tissue after tooth extraction, the implant may be placed immediately without bone grafting. But if there’re signs of bone loss, the dentist may place a cadaver or synthetic bone at the site in order to build up the bone tissue and achieve a solid base to support the implant. This process is referred to as alveolar bone grafting, and takes 2-6 months to heal before you can proceed with implant placement.
Can implants be placed in the upper jaw?
Though there is insufficient bone tissue in the upper jaw, especially in the back where the maxillary sinus is located, dental implants can still be successfully placed after building up the bone tissue with sinus augmentation or sinus lift procedure.
How safe are dental implants?
First, you should note that dental implant placement has been used in dentistry since the 1950s. Second, implants tend to be very successful with a success rate of 98%, and are even considered the standard of care for replacing missing teeth. re.
For more information on dental implants in Watertown MN and to find out the cost of your individual treatment, please contact us today.
Why Visiting a Family Dentist in Watertown MN is Essential for Your Loved Ones
Family dentistry provides your family with the best dental care for all your loved ones. A family dentist understands the dental needs of children, adults, and seniors while providing convenient care all in one office. Many families choose a family dentist to ensure maintaining proper dental health continues in every season of life.
How is a Family Dentist Office Different from Others?
For many families, the atmosphere of the dental practice is a significant factor for choosing their dentist. With a family dentist, you can expect
- State-of-the-art dental equipment
- High-level care
- A welcoming waiting room
- A warm, courteous staff
With your family dentist, you can trust that patient satisfaction is their top priority. With this in mind, most family dentists will happily provide oral hygiene demonstrations for members of your family from the youngest to the oldest to ensure your family is familiar with proper brushing and flossing techniques. Overall family dentistry offers your family the opportunity for convenient, professional dental care that is especially aware of the unique needs of each age group.
Specialized Dental Care For Children
Family dentists often have special training to meet the dental needs of the youngest members of your family. Children are often anxious about visiting the dentist. The team at a family dental practice will be aware of this fact and work with your child to help them feel relaxed and comfortable during their visit.
To learn more about what to expect with family dentistry, contact your dentist in Watertown MN to schedule an appointment. There you can ask questions, express concerns, and get to know the family dentist near you. The dentist will also explain more about the services provided and how your family can benefit from family dentistry.
Dental Crown Types, Procedure, When It’s Done | Watertown MN
A dental crown or tooth cap is a long-term restoration that provides a permanent solution for both restorative and cosmetic dental problems. Dentists particularly recommend them for large cavities, either as the only restoration, or to complement large unstable dental fillings or root canal therapy.
Crowns for Cavities
Dental fillings are the most common restoration for cavities. But if the cavity is too large, it may result in a weak filling with no durability. In such a case, your dentist may recommend that you get a crown instead of fillings to repair the cavity. Crowns can also be used to replace previously placed fillings to strengthen the tooth.
When you have severe decay that has infected the tooth pulp (section inside the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels), the condition is considered irreparable and you may end up losing the tooth. However, it is possible to save the tooth through root canal therapy, whereby the pulp is removed and replaced with dental filling material. The procedure requires a substantial amount of the natural tooth to be removed in order to thoroughly clean the pulp and completely remove the infection.
While you retain the original tooth, its structure will have weakened considerably, affecting its normal function. As such, your dentist may recommend that you get a dental crown to encase the restored tooth to strengthen it. The crown also serves an aesthetic function as it covers up the filler material, giving your smile a natural appearance.
Crowns for Cosmetic Dental Applications
Cosmetic reasons
Dental crowns are custom-made to restore the shape, size, and even shade of a damaged tooth if you use a tooth-colored crown. As such, your dentist may recommend crowns to enhance the appearance of imperfect teeth such as:
- Excessively or unevenly worn down – resulting in very short teeth
- Badly shaped teeth
- Severely stained teeth
- Widely gapped teeth
Other Applications of Dental Crowns
Crowns can also be used to repair a chipped, broken, or fractured tooth that is experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks; to support dental bridgework for replacing missing teeth; or to replace a missing tooth with dental implants.
There are different materials that can be used to fabricate dental crowns. Your dentist will help you choose the best material for your specific need. To learn more about Dental Crowns in Watertown MN please contact us today.
Dental Cleanings & Checkup in Watertown MN
At your six-month dental checkup, your dentist should perform dental cleaning as a preventive procedure to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Professional teeth cleaning is necessary to remove accumulated plaque and tartar from in between your teeth and gums, which may be responsible for various oral issues such as cavities, gum disease, bad breath, oral cancer, and so on.
During your routine dental visit, which should be every 6 – 12 months, your dental hygienist will first examine your teeth before cleaning them. The examination involves physical assessment of your teeth, gums, tongue, and the entire mouth for any concerns using a small mirror. If there are any noticeable problems, the dental hygienist will consult the dentist to determine whether it’s safe to proceed with the cleaning. But in some cases, it may be necessary to first clean your teeth and then perform the examination in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Your dental professional will determine the right sequence for your specific case.
What to Expect
Routine dental cleaning takes about 30 minutes depending on how long it has been since your last cleaning. This is because plaque will continuously calcify and mineralize on the surface of your teeth to form tartar. During this time, the dental hygienist will:
- Use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of individual teeth, between the teeth, and around the gum line.
- Polish the teeth using a high-powered brush with a soft rubber cup. This not only removes any surface stains, but also makes your tooth surface smooth and shiny to make it harder for plaque to form.
- Perform professional flossing in order to thoroughly clean the area between your teeth to remove any leftover plaque and toothpaste from the previous steps.
- Rinse your mouth using a solution containing liquid fluoride to remove any debris and clean your mouth.
- Apply flavored fluoride by putting it in flexible trays that are then placed over your teeth for 30 seconds. This helps to strengthen your teeth and enhance the protection against plaque and calculus.
Schedule Your Appointment
While many dental procedures can be dreadful, teeth cleanings are easily tolerated by most people because they’re not only simple and painless, but also an important part of maintaining your long-term oral health. To learn more about what to expect from a routine dental cleaning in Watertown MN, please contact our office today.
Advantages of Laser Dentistry in Watertown MN
For many patients, undergoing a dental procedure can be scary. Whether it is the tools being used or discomfort following a procedure, visiting the dentist often causes anxiety that can make you want to avoid receiving the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Fortunately, advances in dental technology make it possible for your dentist to treat certain issues with minimally invasive techniques. One such advancement is laser dentistry where the dentist uses a laser to correct issues such as cavities or gum surgery.
Why Choose Laser Dentistry?
Many dentists are now offering laser dentistry to treat issues as common as cavities to orthodontics and gum surgery. This new dental procedure allows the dentist to treat dental issues safely and precisely with minimally invasive tools. This mode of treatment has been used in clinical dental practice since 1989 and become popular in 1994 after FDA approval. In addition, laser dentistry continues to increase in popularity because it offers many benefits for both dentists and patients. It:
- Reduces or completely eliminates pain during the procedure
- Eliminates the need for anesthesia so it becomes an option rather than a necessity.
- Enhances precision when delivering treatment
- Reduces damage to surrounding tissues
- Promotes blood coagulation at treatment sites to eliminate or minimize the need for sutures
- Reduced recovery time
Final Note
Overall, laser dentistry is a safe and clear solution for patients who find traditional dental techniques to be a source of anxiety along with allowing your dentist to provide the best possible dental treatment to improve your oral health. Learn more about how visiting a laser dentist in Watertown MN can help improve your oral health by contacting our office today!
How Dental Implant Restorations Can Enhance Your Smile in Watertown MN
Whether you are missing a tooth or have several teeth that are beyond repair, restoring your smile will not only have a positive effect on your self-confidence but also your oral health. This is why many dentists now offer restorative dental procedures to improve their patients’ smiles for healthier teeth and gums. With dental implant restorations, your cosmetic dentist will be able to replace your missing or decayed teeth with natural-looking implant technology that look and feel like your natural teeth.
How Do Dental Implant Restorations Work?
An implant can be thought of as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. It is placed into the bone, covered, and then allowed to heal/ integrate with the surrounding bone. Once the area has healed, your dentist may place a crown or bridge that resembles your natural teeth. Common procedures that use implants to provide a durable and natural function include:
- Implants may be used to support a free-standing crown.
- Implants may be used to support fixed bridgework.
- Implants may be used to help retain a removable appliance (denture or partial).
- Implants may be used to support a full-mouth reconstruction.
It is important to consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist to determine if implant restorations is a possible solution for your smile. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to verify that implants will improve your oral while enhancing your smile. Ultimately, you will discover the best procedure to restore your smile and boost your confidence. To get started, contact your oral surgeon in Watertown MN to schedule your consultation today!
How the Advancement of Digital X-Rays Benefit You | Watertown MN
You may have noticed that your dentist is now offering digital x-rays as part of their routine dental exam and wondered what’s the advantage. Simply explained, digital x-rays allow your dentist to get a better quality image of your teeth and gums for a more accurate examination. This high-quality look at your smile will guarantee the maintenance of your oral health for longterm dental care.
How Does Digital X-Ray Technology Work?
Digital x-rays are quickly becoming adopted by a large percentage of the dental industry. A digital x-ray allows the dentist to take an image of the tooth or teeth and put it into an imaging program. Within this imaging program, there are a number of tools that will allow the dentist to take a very close look at the teeth and surrounding structures with amazing accuracy.
Protecting Your Health
The advancement of x-rays to a digital format means your dentist is better able to protect you from the exposure of radiation. For comparison, a digital x-ray provides nearly 80% less radiation than a standard x-ray. This is due to the fact that the digital version of the x-ray is much more sensitive to this radiation and has been specifically designed with the patient in mind. Therefore, a dentist who uses digital x-ray technology is not only using the most advanced x-ray system to examine your smile but is also keeping your overall health in mind.
To learn more about the benefits of digital x-rays, schedule your appointment with your dentist in Watertown, MN today!
How a Routine Dental Exam Can Prevent Severe Dental Issues | Watertown MN
Tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral problems are caused by the accumulation of bacteria-harboring plaque and tartar. Regular brushing and flossing are not enough to remove all the plaque hiding in hard to reach areas. Fortunately, a routine dental exam and professional teeth cleaning can help to get rid of the disease-causing bacteria and in the process, prevent most issues from arising in the first place, or to stop them in their earliest stages before they become severe and expensive to treat.
Teeth cleanings are usually done together with comprehensive dental exams. In most cases, dentists are able to detect potential problems before you’re able to see or feel them. With regular preventative dental appointments for professional cleanings and exams, you can successfully stave off gum disease and decay, as well as to detect the early stages of oral health problems for timely intervention before they become severe, painful, uncomfortable, and expensive to treat.
Some of the things you can expect from any appointment include:
- Oral Examination – the dentist examines your teeth/gums/mouth for existing cavities, worn dentition, damaged fillings or other restorations, gum disease, and other problems
- Discuss Your Dental Goals – After examining your mouth, the dentist will recommend the necessary treatments to address any urgent problems depending on the health of your mouth. In addition, the dentist will ask you a few questions about your goals or expectations in terms of improving the function or aesthetic of your smile.
- Treatment Planning – Based on your goals, your dental health, and the results of your examination, the dentist will come up with an appropriate treatment plan that addresses your unique dental needs and discuss it with you. In many cases, there are multiple ways to address any specific issue (fillings or crowns; bridgework or partial denture), so it’s important that you ask questions for clarification and to make an informed decision towards achieving your dental goals.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Your natural teeth should last a lifetime, but only if you take good care of them. This requires a good at-home dental care routine and regular dental exams and professional cleanings. Call your dentist in Watertown MN today to get back on track with your oral health.
Advantages of Single Tooth Anesthesia in Watertown MN
For many patients, avoiding necessary dental procedures because of the treatment process is more common than you think. Some patients may find having part of their mouth numbed with anesthesia uncomfortable or too invasive. Fortunately, advancements in dentistry offer dentists the ability to use single tooth anesthesia to numb only the tooth that needs treatment.
What to Expect
Your dentist will use a computer-assisted system for local anesthesia called The Wand. It carefully guides your dental professional as they are performing dental injections. Patients who experience this new technology will find it offers less pain and more contained numbness for the area that is being treated by using single tooth anesthesia (STA). Additional benefits include:
- Modernization – With STA, your dentist is using the newest one-of-a-kind technology that allows a single out a tooth to be numbed.
- Protection – The patented computer system releases the anesthesia in a painless way but also in a dose that is secure for the patient. Using this procedure, you will not run the risk of receiving too much anesthetic.
- Effectiveness – STA eliminates any guessing as your dentist applies the anesthetic. The effective delivery of anesthesia means the effects are felt faster and last longer.
- Less Pain. This treatment option removes the discomfort out of the anesthesia delivery and protects the surrounding areas of the mouth.
To learn more about what to expect with single tooth anesthesia, please contact your dentist in Watertown MN today!
New Patient Exam Xrays and Regular Cleaning $67
Includes consultation, exam, and x-rays. In the absence of periodontal disease. New Patients Only
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Invisalign
With advances in dental technologies, it is now possible to straighten your teeth discreetly without the use of traditional metal braces.
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