Watertown Dental Dental Blog

Benefits of Dental Bridges | Watertown MN

There are several types of dental bridges in Watertown, though the traditional bridge comprising one or more fake teeth (known as pontics) anchored by dental crowns (known as abutments) that are cemented to the teeth on each side of the gap, is the most common option. 

Dental bridges offer numerous benefits, compared to leaving a gap between your teeth unattended to, including:

  • Restoring your ability to chew food properly 
  • Restoring your ability to speak properly 
  • Restoring the natural aesthetic look of your smile and mouth 
  • Preventing adjacent natural teeth from shifting and affecting your bite 
  • Maintaining the normal structure of your face 

Moreover, there are different types of dental bridges in Watertown, each of which is suited for certain situations and offers specific benefits to the user. These types and benefits include:

  • Traditional fixed bridges – this is the most popular type of bridgework. Traditional permanent bridges can be used in any position in your mouth, including missing molars, provided you have strong adjacent teeth on both sides of the gap. Moreover, this approach can be used to replace up to 6 missing teeth using 6-unit bridgework. 
  • Cantilever bridges – this type of bridgework is not as common and is only used when the pontic can only be supported by healthy teeth on one side of the gap. The pontic is bonded to only one abutment crown. This option can only be used with front teeth where you can control biting force, as opposed to back teeth that are subjected to heavy chewing forces. 
  • Resin-bonded or Maryland bonded bridges – this option consists of a pontic that is attached to a porcelain or metal frame, which is then held in place using one or two wings that are attached to the adjacent healthy teeth. Resin-bonded bridges are typically used to fill gaps in the front of the mouth. They are a good choice because they’re conservative, with virtually no preparation of the adjacent teeth to support the pontic in place. But since they’re prefabricated, the dentist may need to trim the surrounding teeth to achieve a good fit. They’re also low-risk, strong, permanent, and look very realistic. 
  • Implant-supported bridges – if you’ve lost multiple teeth in a row, then implant-supported bridges can help to stabilize the bridgework. The pontics are secured to one or more implant-supported crowns spread across the gap, giving you a restoration that is just as strong as if the bridgework were anchored to your natural teeth. 

Please consult your dentist in Watertown MN to learn more about dental bridgework and to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure. 

Dental Crowns Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

Dental crowns near Watertown are one of the most popular restorative and cosmetic treatments in dentistry. They provide a strong and durable cap that holds together a tooth that has been severely damaged and weakened by trauma or decay, helping to save a tooth that may otherwise have been extracted. 

Other benefits of dental crowns near Watertown include:

1. Prevent Tooth Loss from Decay  

The crown protects the remaining natural tooth so you are not forced to extract it. Crowns can be used to save decayed teeth, where the cavity has formed on more than 50 percent of the tooth, such that a filling cannot be used. To save the tooth, the dentist needs to remove the decay, clean the site, and cement the custom crown in place, restoring the complete function of your mouth. 

2. Save Damaged Teeth 

Crowns are typically recommended for severe tooth damage, where other options are not sufficient to provide a strong restoration. Some of the common applications of crowns include:

  • To strengthen the tooth structure following root canal therapy 
  • To repair broken or fractured teeth 
  • To replace large fillings 
  • To fix chips and cracks 

3. Cosmetic Repairs 

If dental crowns are the only way to save your tooth, your dentist may recommend tooth-colored materials so the restored tooth is barely noticeable compared to adjacent teeth. In fact, tooth-colored materials reflect light just like natural teeth, which makes it hard to distinguish the restoration from tooth enamel. This allows you to both restore and improve your smile. 

Final Note 

Dental crowns are usually placed in two visits. During the initial visit, the dentist will determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental crowns, and then take digital impressions of the tooth so they can be used to fabricate your custom crowns in a lab. Before your permanent crown is ready, a temporary crown will be placed to protect the prepared tooth and allow your mouth to function normally. About 7 days later, on the second visit, the temporary crown will be removed and your permanent, custom crown placed so it “caps” the entire damaged or decayed area of the tooth. 

If you have any questions or concerns about porcelain dental crowns, please visit your dentist in Watertown today. 

Teeth Whitening Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

White teeth are associated with beauty, increased confidence, and a healthy lifestyle. However, smoking and chewing tobacco, drinking black tea or coffee and wine, using medications such as tetracycline, swallowing too much fluoride, and aging can cause your teeth to become stained. Teeth whitening in Watertown MN involves the use of simple and non-invasive treatments designed to change the color of your natural tooth enamel to give you a dazzling smile.

Having white teeth is the leading aesthetic concern for most dental patients. Fortunately, there are multiple ways – including home and in-office – to whiten teeth, with varying degrees of effectiveness. 

Reasons to Consider Teeth Whitening 

Some of the reasons why people consider teeth whitening in Watertown MN include:

  • To improve their smile
  • To increase their confidence
  • To prevent discoloration from worsening

Teeth whitening can be used to stop the progression of tooth discoloration, especially in combination with lifestyle adjustments

Since improving your smile is an investment, the last thing you want to see are signs of discoloration on your pearly whites coming up only a few months after treatment. To maintain your newly achieved bright smile, you should:

  • Avoid stain-causing foods and drinks – Many colored foods and drinks can stain your white teeth. So, reduce or avoid your intake of tomatoes, berries, grape juice, red wine, coffee, tea, sports drinks, cola, and grape juice. 
  • Rinse your mouth with water after eating and drinking – Every time you indulge in items that can stain your mouth, it is important that you rinse your mouth with clean water right after. Swishing a little water after eating or drinking can help reduce staining. 
  • Stop smoking – Smoking is not only bad for your health, but also your teeth. The nicotine, tar, and tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes will stain your teeth.
  • Practice proper oral hygiene – Daily brushing, at least every morning after breakfast and at night before bed, and daily flossing will help remove food debris and plaque and keep your mouth clean and stain-free.  

Final Note 

Tooth bleaching only works for natural teeth, and the results don’t last forever. Artificial dental treatments, including crowns, fillings, and veneers are resistant to stains, which means that these won’t respond to the whitening agents. Moreover, you need a touch-up every year or sooner – as advised by your Watertown dentist –  depending on your diet and lifestyle to maintain your bright smile

Please schedule your consultation today to discuss ways to improve your smile. 

Cosmetic Dentist Near Me, Watertown MN 55388

Your smile plays a big part in your appearance. It is the first thing that people notice about you, besides your eyes, which influences how people perceive you. A bright smile is associated with good health, confidence, and happiness, which essentially draws people to you and makes you more successful in your personal and professional relationships. This truth is why any patients visit a cosmetic dentist in Watertown to learn more about how they can enhance their smiles.

Preparing for the Initial Visit 

If you’re looking to restore or improve the health and appearance of your teeth, the first step would be a free cosmetic consultation at a cosmetic dental practice near you. To ensure the best results from 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. 

Thanks to technological advancements, dentists today have access to tooth-colored dental materials that help to deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results. Modern techniques are also less invasive, allowing you to preserve a greater portion of your natural tooth structure during restorations. And with 3D software, your dental team can design your smile and show you the expected results of your treatment plan on a screen before the procedures start. 

The Consultation Process 

A typical cosmetic dental consultation is a brief appointment with the dentist to discuss any issues that you have with your teeth and smile, as well as the various treatments available and the best options for your case. 

Your dental visit will also include a physical examination, a review of your dental and medical history, and dental imaging so your cosmetic dentist in Watertown can have a clear look at your teeth. Next, you will establish clear treatment goals based on your needs and concerns. This provides a great opportunity to ask other specific details about procedures you’re interested in.

Please contact your dental team in Winstead MN to learn more about available cosmetic dentistry treatments, and to schedule your appointment. 

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.


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.  

Watertown Dental Dental Offer

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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Watertown Dental Dental Offer

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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