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Should You Pay More for Different Types of Dental Bridges? | Watertown MN
Are you struggling with tooth loss? Perhaps you’ve changed the way you smile and laugh to conceal the gap in your teeth, or you’re having trouble pronouncing some words or enjoying your favorite foods. Whether you’ve lost one or more teeth to trauma, age, or tooth decay, your dentist may recommend dental bridges in Watertown MN to fill the space and restore the full function and aesthetic of your mouth.
Dental bridges are a common treatment that allows you to maintain the proper alignment of your teeth, which in turn helps to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy through your normal oral hygiene routine. They provide you with one of the most affordable, permanent tooth replacement options, making your mouth feel whole and normal.
Cost of Dental Bridges
There are different types of dental bridges in Watertown MN with varied costs depending on, among other factors, the type of dental materials used and type of bridgework used. Porcelain or zirconia are the most common materials and can be nearly as expensive as gold. But the materials are tooth-colored and look like your natural teeth, which makes them a popular option. Moreover, they’re very tough and durable, giving you a long-lasting replacement tooth.
Whichever material you use, the type of bridgework will influence your cost of treatment as follows:
- Traditional bridges are supported by two teeth that need to be prepared to accommodate abutment crowns that hold up the replacement tooth. It is the most common procedure, and the cost should be paid in full or partly by your dental insurance plan.
- Cantilever bridges are only supported by one tooth, but use a similar process to traditional bridges. They may be slightly cheaper than traditional bridges, but won’t be as strong.
- Resin-bonded bridges don’t require abutment crowns or preparation of adjacent teeth to support the pontic. However, they are more expensive than the other two options.
- Implant-supported bridges are also expensive because of the additional cost of placing dental implants. The need for additional procedures in order to restore your complete smile will add to the total cost of treatment. With implant-supported bridges, you need to visit a dental surgeon for the placement of the implants. Any other dental specialists that you visit due to other dental complications will also increase your total cost of treatment, but it may be necessary to ensure optimal results.
Want to learn more about dental implants, please schedule an appointment with your Watertown dentist to design the most suitable treatment plan for your needs and budget.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Dental Bridges in Watertown MN
Dental bridges are a common restorative dental treatment used to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridgework, comprising a false tooth (pontic) attached to two crowns on either side (abutment), fills the space left behind by missing teeth.
Here are some other facts about dental bridgework:
1. Why Should I Fill Spaces Between My Teeth?
Gaps between your teeth not only affect the beauty of your smile but also interrupt your speech and ability to chew your food. If left unfilled, the teeth adjacent to the gap can begin to shift out of position, creating smaller gaps between your teeth that are hard to keep clean. This can lead to bacteria buildup that makes you susceptible to gum disease, decay, bad breath, and other oral issues. Moreover, the moving teeth can affect your bite, causing malocclusion and jaw problems.
2. How do Dental Bridges Work?
Dental bridgework provides one of several treatments available to replace one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge refers to a fabricated, replacement tooth that is connected to two crowns on either side and used to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. The crowns supporting the false tooth (pontic) are attached to the adjacent teeth on each side of the gap, forming a bridge. The dental bridge is held in place by the adjacent healthy teeth via the abutments, helping to restore the function and aesthetic of your smile. The bridge may also be anchored to teeth on only one side of the gap, forming a cantilever bridge. If the gap is too big, dental implants may be added to support the bridgework, especially when replacing multiple teeth in a row.
3. How is the Procedure for Dental Bridges Done?
Getting a dental bridge typically requires two or more dental appointments. The first appointment involves examining your mouth to determine your suitability for the procedure. Afterward, the dentist prepares the abutment teeth by removing some of the tooth enamel to create room to place the crown over them without changing the shape or size of the tooth. The dentist then takes an impression of the teeth and uses it to create a model to fabricate your permanent bridge in a dental lab. This process takes several days, so a temporary bridge will be placed over the prepared teeth to protect them in the meantime. The permanent bridge is placed on the second appointment.
Final Note
Your bridgework should last many years depending on your oral hygiene routine and mouth-related habits. Please discuss with your dentist in Watertown about ways to maximize the longevity of your dental bridges.
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.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits and Teeth Cleaning | Watertown MN
Teeth cleaning forms a vital part of maintaining not only your oral health but also a healthy body and mind. In fact, your oral health is connected with your overall health. During your dental exam, the hygienist can identify the signs of certain medical conditions and diseases, such as nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, hormonal irregularities, and so on, and recommend the appropriate action to help manage them and correct the problem.
Indeed, these routine dental visits can save more than your mouth. Here are some of the benefits you can expect from teeth cleaning visits:
- Check for any oral issues – an oral evaluation is done before teeth cleaning, as it shows the extent of plaque and tartar buildup and the best approach to remove it. The hygienist also examines the condition of your teeth, checking for signs of decay and proper brushing/flossing, gums for inflammation and other signs of gum disease, the tongue, cheeks, lips, throat, and neck. If any problems are detected, you will schedule an appointment for treatment.
- Professional teeth cleaning – necessary to remove tartar (hardened plaque) that may contribute to dental issues such as decay, gum disease, and bad breath, among others. For severe tartar buildup, a full-mouth debridement (cleaning above and below the gums) may be necessary as opposed to standard teeth cleaning of the exposed part of the teeth (above the gum line).
- Address bad breath – depending on the health of your gums, the hygienist may need to inspect your roots for abnormalities. If you’re suffering from bad breath (halitosis), then gingival irrigation may be necessary to remove food debris and accumulated bacteria.
- Improve your general health – the hygienist will also check for signs of certain medical conditions and diseases, such as nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, hormonal irregularities, and so on, and recommend the appropriate action to help manage them and correct the problem.
During the oral evaluation, you can ask your dentist in Watertown MN about any medical or financial concerns you may have. This means that you can learn more about how to take better care of your mouth to maintain a healthy smile.
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.
Am I a Candidate for a Root Canal? | Watertown Dental MN
For many dental patients, avoiding a root canal is a high priority. However, a root canal is actually an excellent solution for saving your natural tooth. This treatment allows your dentist to remove the decayed or damaged portion of your tooth pulp while protecting the healthy portion. In the end, the procedure is worth the time and expense to keep the natural healthy part of your tooth.
When is Root Canal Treatment Recommended?
Toothaches and sensitive teeth are common issues, so it can often be challenging to determine when a dental visit is actually necessary. When your tooth pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you will begin to feel symptoms that prompt you to take action. If you experience symptoms including:
- Toothache – These are pretty common, but certain toothaches point to the possibility of an inflamed/infected pulp. If you experience sharp pain in the middle of the night that leads into a generalized headache, then your tooth’s root may be suffering.
- Abcess – If you see a bump near the top part of a tooth and/or pus present in the mouth, then there is a good chance a root canal will be required.
- Sensitivity – Extreme pain to hot and cold foods is a good indicator.
- Discoloration – Dark discoloration on the tooth points to a deteriorated pulp. This is a severe sign.
It is essential to note that if you experience constant pain to contact your dentist immediately. Waiting could potentially mean that the tooth cannot be saved and has to be removed and replaced. Saving the healthy portion of your tooth is more beneficial to the health of your overall mouth.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are experiencing possible symptoms of tooth decay, contact your dentist in Watertown today to schedule your consultation. During your visit, your dentist will examine your condition and recommend the best treatment options for your dental health.
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.
What to Expect with Dental Crowns in Watertown MN
Dental crowns are a popular treatment because they can be used to repair different kinds of tooth damage, including chips, cracks, fractures, decay, damaged fillings, and even to close small gaps between teeth. They can also be used with dental bridgework or implants to replace one or more missing teeth.
The Procedure
If you’re a suitable candidate for crowns, the dentist will complete your treatment in two appointments. The first visit is for preparing the tooth for repair. Your dentist will first numb the damaged tooth before beginning any work. If the tooth is infected, the decay will be removed and the cavity thoroughly cleaned.
The dentist will then take digital impressions that will be used to create your custom tooth cap in a dental lab, making sure to match the color of your crown to that of your teeth, or use a different shade if you wish to improve your smile. A temporary crown will then be placed to help you eat properly in the meantime.
On your next visit, the temporary crown will be replaced with the permanent one, and properly fitted to “cap” the entire damaged or decayed area of the tooth. This will make it look and function like your natural teeth.
Advantages of Crowns
- Dental crown placement is a painless procedure since the dentist administers a local anesthetic before starting any treatment on the tooth.
- Crowns are custom-made to your exact needs, including the size, shape, and shade of adjacent teeth. The crown is designed using computer-aided design (CAD/CAM) technology and fabricated through milling a ceramic block.
- While waiting for the permanent crown to be fabricated, you will be fitted with a temporary one to protect the teeth and prevent tooth sensitivity when eating.
When the procedure is complete, your Watertown dentist will advise you on how to care for your new tooth to ensure that it lasts forever. Proper care includes brushing regularly, flossing at least once a day, avoiding biting down or chewing hard foods and items.
To learn more about dental crowns and whether they’re good for you, please schedule a consultation today.
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.
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Invisalign
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