Watertown Dental Dental Blog

Family Dentist Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

For many families, finding a dentist that provides the best dental care for your entire family is a top priority. 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.

Choosing the Right Family Dentist Near You

The atmosphere of the dental practice is a significant factor for choosing the best family dentist for your loved ones. With most family dental practices, you can expect 

  • Advanced dental equipment to guarantee efficiency and comfort.
  • High-quality care to offer the most convenient and accurate techniques.
  • A relaxing waiting room.
  • A friendly, courteous staff that will always welcome you with a smile.

With your 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.

Providing the Best Dental Care for Your Children

Family dentists often have special training to meet the dental needs of the youngest members of your family. Children are often apprehensive about visiting the dentist. The staff 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 dentist near you.

What to Expect with Teeth Whitening in Watertown MN

Proper brushing and flossing every day can help to keep your smile bright and breath fresh. Factors such as aging, consuming colored foods and drinks, and lifestyle habits such as chewing or smoking tobacco products can cause your teeth to discolor and get darker. Fortunately, there are several options for teeth whitening in Watertown to help improve the shade of your teeth and maintain the shade with follow up treatments as recommended by the dentist.

Before treatment, the dentist will examine your teeth to establish the cause and severity of the discoloration, and then propose various whitening options that will be most suitable for your case to ensure that you get the desired results and the smile of your teeth. The results may fade with time depending on your diet, age, and lifestyle choices, so subsequent treatments may be necessary to maintain a white smile. 

Good Candidates for Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening in Watertown is most effective on surface stains, and while anyone from the age of 10 years and above can be a good candidate for bleaching, there are a few cases when your dentist may prevent you from proceeding with the treatment. These include: 

  • Tooth and gum sensitivity – Sensitivities may disqualify you from using certain whitening techniques 
  • The natural color of your teeth – Intrinsic stains are harder to bleach compared to extrinsic stains
  • The presence of crowns, fillings, bridges, or veneers – These do not bleach the same as natural teeth, which means that you may have to replace them after whitening your teeth to achieve a uniform look 
  • Exposed roots – These surfaces are harder to whiten effectively compared to tooth enamel, which means that you may have to consider alternative methods. 

Your dentist will assess your teeth and mouth during your first visit to determine your suitability. 

Final Note 

Teeth whitening is not permanent, and people who expose their teeth to tobacco products and colored foods and beverages that cause staining may realize faster fading of the results. The more you exercise proper oral hygiene after bleaching, the longer you will stay without requiring touch-up whitening treatment. 

Please contact your dentist in Watertown to discuss ways to improve your smile with teeth whitening.

What to Expect with Dental Implants in Watertown MN

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed in your jaw to form an artificial “tooth root” that functions as a sturdy support for the replacement tooth, denture, or bridge. Dental implants in Watertown MN are a popular, effective, and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. 

Dental implants in Watertown offer many other advantages over other tooth replacement options as follows:

  • Can be used to replace one or more teeth without affecting the health or structure of neighboring teeth like conventional bridgework 
  • They’re natural-looking and feeling, so you can enjoy your usual foods and care for your mouth as usual without necessarily giving the new tooth any special attention 
  • Can be used to support a denture, making it more secure and comfortable
  • Can be used to support a bridge to replace more than one tooth, as an alternative to removable partial dentures 
  • They stimulate the jawbone to prevent bone resorption, which can make your face appear older

Placing dental implants involves a surgical procedure that requires extreme care. The implant requires three to four months to integrate with the underlying bone tissue before crown placement. During this time, the dentist will place dentures or partials to cover the gap and allow you to eat normally. Complex cases that involve soft and hard tissue grafting will take nearly twice as long. But the actual time depends on your age, health, number of teeth, and quantity and quality of bone tissue. 

The Treatment Process

The oral surgeon uses state-of-the-art 3D digital imaging and advanced implant planning software to analyze your jaw anatomy and identify the best site for the implant before surgery. This is important to reduce the recovery time to a few months. After surgical placement of the implant, you need to wait 4-6 months for the gums to heal before the replacement tooth can be placed. If your gum and/or bone tissue needs to be rebuilt, like through grafting, then the full treatment time will be longer. 

Please schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon in Watertown MN for a proper assessment of your case. 

Dental Crowns Cost in Watertown MN

Although fillings and crowns seem to treat similar kinds of tooth damage – chips and fractures – dental crowns provide a stronger and more durable restoration. Crowns also help to strengthen severely weakened teeth that may otherwise need to be extracted, which makes the dental crowns cost more expensive compared to dental fillings. 

Here are some reasons for the popularity of dental crowns:

  • Can be used to treat a wide range of problems – Fillings can be successfully used to repair minor tooth damage. However, large fillings tend to be unstable, requiring the support of a dental crown. Rather than get a quick filling that won’t last very long, you can choose dental crowns 
  • Cosmetic dental treatment to improve your smile – Tooth-colored crowns, also referred to as white fillings, have become increasingly popular because they blend in with your natural teeth and make the repair unnoticeable, producing an even, white smile. 
  • Strong and durable materials – There are many different materials that can be used for dental fillings to provide a strong and durable restoration for your molars. 

Dental crowns give you value for your money, even if you spend a little more than fillings. However, the procedure should be done by a skilled and experienced dentist. So when considering the cost of dental crowns, it’s best that you don’t simply choose the least expensive dentist without fully understanding the reasons for the low-cost treatment. 

The cost of getting a crown varies depending on the material used and the amount of tooth preparation needed before placement. Naturally, a severely damaged or infected tooth that requires a core build-up will increase the overall cost of the procedure. You don’t necessarily have to pay the total cost of treatment out-of-pocket. Many insurance providers cover about 50% of the cost, though this also depends on your type of insurance and the specifics of your case. 

To find out the actual cost of your crown placement procedure, please schedule an appointment with your Watertown dentist today. 

Good Candidates for a Cosmetic Smile Makeover | Watertown MN

Your smile forms a central part of your image, which means that it affects both your professional and social relationships. Thanks to advancements in dentistry, there are many cosmetic smile makeover procedures, technologies, and tooth-colored materials that can be used to improve your smile. Even a subtle change to your smile can make a huge difference in the way you look, the way you feel about yourself, and the way others perceive you. 

You may be a candidate for a cosmetic smile makeover to address:

1. Stained or Discolored Teeth 

There are many things that contribute to tooth discoloration, including age, food, medications, smoking, and other lifestyle factors. Your dentist may recommend an appropriate teeth whitening or bleaching solution to whiten your teeth or conceal severe stains and brighten your smile. 

2. Tooth Decay 

Decay occurs due to the buildup of plaque, causing it to eat away your tooth structure and create cavities. Depending on the extent of damage, your dentist will remove the infection, treat the site, and then fill the cavity to stop further deterioration. 

3. Chipped or Fractured teeth 

Teeth can break due to any kind of trauma in an accident, due to a sports injury, or even bad habits such as chewing ice or opening soda bottles with your teeth. Broken teeth can be repaired in a simple in-office procedure to restore the aesthetics of your smile. 

4. Crooked, Overcrowded, or Misaligned Teeth 

Orthodontic issues typically require the use of custom dental appliances to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. The treatment may take longer than one year depending on the severity of the problem, age, and the health of your gums, teeth, and supporting bone. But modern teeth-straightening procedures allow you to see the results to expect at the end of your treatment, which helps to keep you committed. 

5. Missing Teeth 

There are several options for replacing missing teeth. You simply need to choose between temporary or removable options and permanent options. That said, the best treatment for your case depends on different factors, including the health of adjacent teeth, the health of the gum and jawbone tissues, age, and personal preferences, among others. 

If you’re self-conscious about your teeth or want to improve your smile, please visit your cosmetic dentist in Watertown MN to discuss your case.


Dental Implant Dentist Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

Dental implants are a safe, reliable, and highly successful solution for replacing one or more missing teeth permanently. The treatment involves implanting a small titanium screw into the jawbone, so it acts as the foundation for your new tooth replacement. Consulting with a dental implant dentist near you will give you better insight into the proven success of implants and if you are a candidate for treatment.

The technology behind dental implants has been around since the 1960s and has been well-proven to replace one or several missing teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. The result is an attractive, durable tooth replacement that stimulates the underlying bone, contributing to healthy gums around the new tooth. 

Other benefits of dental implants include:

  • Secure and permanent tooth replacement 
  • Look, feel, and function like natural teeth 
  • Stimulate the surrounding soft and hard tissues – helps to maintain the facial structure 
  • No interference with the surrounding healthy, natural teeth
  • The comfortable end result with no adhesives or routine adjustments required 
  • Easy to care and maintain your new teeth, with normal brushing and flossing 

What to Expect 

Dental implants are made from a biocompatible material that completely integrates with your bone tissue. If your dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for implants, the dental implant dentist will surgically insert the implant, which is usually in the form of a screw, into your jawbone. Dental implants come in different sizes to suit the quality of your jawbone. 

As it heals in the next few months, the screw will integrate with the underlying bone through a process known as osseointegration. This will provide strong and sturdy support for your new teeth that function as the root of your tooth replacement.  

When the implant has healed, an abutment is attached to it on one side to hold the tooth in place. Your replacement tooth is then connected to the abutment on the other side. The tooth is custom made to match the shape and color of your existing natural teeth. 

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

Dental implants are the ideal tooth replacement option for anyone missing one or several teeth. Each solution is custom designed for your specific situation, with some patients requiring additional treatments such as bone grafting to ensure a successful tooth replacement. 

Please visit your dentist in Watertown to learn more about dental implants and whether they’re right for you. 

Cosmetic Dentist Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of professional oral care aimed at improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. A beautiful smile is vital for a successful life, both professionally and socially. It makes you appear happy, healthy, and attractive, which gives you great confidence in your various pursuits and makes you feel like you can do anything. But if you’re feeling shy or hesitant about smiling or laughing with other people because of fractures, cracks, stains, or gaps in your teeth, then you should consider visiting a cosmetic dentist. 

Some of the common aesthetic problems that cosmetic dentists deal with include:

  • Stained or Discolored Teeth – May be caused by age, food, medications, smoking, and other lifestyle factors
  • Tooth Decay – Usually caused by plaque buildup due to poor oral hygiene, as well as consuming too many sugary items. 
  • Chipped or Fractured Teeth – May be caused by any kind of trauma in an accident, due to a sports injury, or even bad habits such as chewing ice or opening soda bottles with your teeth. 
  • Crooked, Overcrowded, or Misaligned Teeth – The cosmetic dentist will recommend the appropriate custom dental appliances to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. 
  • Missing Teeth – There are several options for replacing missing teeth depending on the health of adjacent teeth, the health of the gum and jawbone tissues, age, and personal preferences, among others. 

When scheduling your cosmetic dentistry consultation, you should have a good idea of what you want – your ideal smile – before approaching the dentist. Generally, you should know:

  • What shade of white you would like your teeth to be – natural, ultra-white, in-between 
  • Do you want your teeth to be in perfect alignment or slightly varied?
  • Do you think your smile is toothy, gummy, or awkward in any other way? 
  • What defects do you want to be fixed? – missing tooth, crooked or misaligned teeth, fractured teeth, stained teeth, etc. 

If you’re self-conscious about your teeth or want to improve your smile, please visit your Watertown dentist today to discuss your case. The dental team will examine your mouth and formulate a custom plan to help you achieve the beautiful, dazzling smile you’ve always wanted. 

Teeth Whitening Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

An estimated 80 percent of adults want a better smile, which most people relate with having whiter and brighter teeth. As a result, teeth whitening has become very popular in recent years. Bleaching or teeth whitening involves lightening the shade of your natural teeth and removing stains and discoloration. Whitening can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth and smile.

Why Do Teeth Get Discolored?

The color of your natural teeth is created when light is reflected and scattered off the outer layer of the tooth (known as enamel), combined with the color of the underneath tooth layer (dentin). The thickness and smoothness of tooth enamel is unique to every person as it depends on your genes. Thinner enamel means that more of the dentin color will show through. Additionally, smoother or rougher enamel affects how light is reflected, and therefore, the tooth color.

Every day, a thin film (pellicle) forms on the surface of the enamel, which makes it easy for stains to stick to the tooth. Enamel also contains tiny pores that can hold stains if you don’t clean your teeth properly. 

Some of the reasons for teeth discoloration include:

  • Age – tooth enamel is naturally white, but it thins over time due to normal wear, allowing the yellowish dentin to show 
  • Fluorosis – teeth darkening due to excessive fluoride consumption 
  • Food and drink – tea, coffee, red wine, and other food items contain intense color pigments known as chromogens that bond to tooth enamel, causing discoloration 
  • Tobacco use – chewing and smoking tobacco exposes you to two chemicals responsible for creating stubborn stains: nicotine and tar
  • Illness – early tooth decay or illness during tooth development can also cause spots on your teeth 
  • Medications – tooth discoloration can be a side effect of taking certain medications, like antihistamines and antipsychotics. Fetuses and babies may also be at risk of tooth discoloration of the adult teeth if exposed to antibiotics like doxycycline and tetracycline. 
  • Calculus – accumulated plaque can also reduce the sparkle of your teeth 

Anyone Can Enjoy a Whiter Smile

If you desire a brighter smile, you should discuss with a Watertown dentist near you about your suitability for teeth whitening to reduce staining and discoloration. This will help to improve your appearance and make you less self-conscious so you can smile more. Schedule your appointment today.  

Cost of Dental Implants in Watertown MN

If you are looking to replace one or more missing teeth, or perhaps you’re looking for a more reliable alternative to old dentures, partials, or loose teeth, your dentist may recommend, and restore your oral health, function, and youthful vibrancy with dental implants. Implants are a revolutionary tooth replacement option. They are safe, reliable, and well-proven for permanently replacing one or more missing teeth. Many people have benefited from dental implants as the preferred long-term solution for excellent comfort and function, which they claim to be similar to having your natural teeth making the cost of dental implants worth the time and expense. 

Unlike other tooth replacement options, like bridgework and dentures, the placement of dental implants involves a minor surgical procedure, during which the implant will be placed in the jaw. This single factor makes the treatment more costly than other options. Dental implants lie in the category of implantology under restoration dentistry. They require specialist care that is typically more expensive than general dental care. Actually, they can only be placed by an oral surgeon, periodontist, or dentist with relevant advanced training and experience.

The other things that affect the cost of implants are:

  • Position of the tooth – replacing a front tooth usually involves a lot more work because of the minimal work-space available compared to a back tooth. In addition, the abutment used in the front teeth is usually more costly than the standard abutments used in back teeth placement. 
  • Thorough examination – the consultation process also includes a number of costly exams including diagnostic imaging (panoramic X-ray). 
  • Multiple, unique parts – each implant comprises three elements: the implant, abutment, and crown, all of which are made from different materials, through different processes, and are placed at different appointments. 
  • Additional procedures – some patients require periodontal treatment or bone grafts to prepare your gums and bone tissue for implant surgery and increase your chances of a successful procedure, which adds to the overall cost of treatment. 

Please visit your dental surgeon in Watertown today to find out about the cost of getting dental implants for your specific case.  

What to Expect with Dental Implants in Watertown MN

Dental implants provide the most natural tooth replacement possible. The artificial tooth comprises a titanium post that acts as the tooth root, connecting the crown to the underlying bone tissue. The result is a restoration that looks, feels, and functions like your natural tooth. It also doesn’t require any special cleaning procedures. You just need to brush, floss, and schedule regular professional cleanings like normal. 

If you have one or more missing teeth, the gap in your mouth can be filled in a number of ways, including dental implants. That said, you need to visit your dentist to determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. 

The Initial Consultation

During your first appointment for dental implants, the dentist will review your medical history and investigate lifestyle factors that may affect your treatment, such as smoking and alcohol consumption. He will then physically examine your mouth and take x-rays, 3D scans, impressions, and photos to help design your tooth replacement and plan your treatment. 

Generally, to be considered a good candidate for dental implants, the gap should have a healthy amount of gum and bone tissue. In some cases, the oral surgeon may recommend that you go through additional procedures like bone grafting to build up the bone tissue so it’s sufficient to support the implant and replacement tooth. Soft tissue grafting may also be necessary to ensure that the gums can adequately cover the new tooth root (implant). 

Get Healthy for a Successful Implant Placement

The success rate for dental implants is over 95%. However, some patients are at risk of complications, especially if they smoke, consume excess alcohol, have gum disease, or are suffering from certain medical problems that prevent proper healing and timely recovery. 

If the dentist identifies any oral or medical problems that may reduce the chances of a successful implant, they will try to help you manage them. Ideally, the mouth should be free of gum disease, infections, and excessive teeth wear as it could indicate bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) that can prevent proper healing of the implant. 

Please consult your dentist in Watertown MN for a personal examination to determine if you’re a good candidate.

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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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