Tag: best dentist watertown
How to Spend Less on Your Dental Fillings | Watertown MN
Dental fillings are a procedure used to restore the form and function of a mildly damaged tooth, following a chip, fracture, or decay. The dentist starts by removing any infected tissue and cleaning the tooth, and then fills the gap with dental filling material of your choice to restore the size and shape of the tooth and prevent further damage.
It’s important to ask about the cost of your treatment so you can take the appropriate measures to save as much as you can. Here are some ways to pay less for dental fillings:
Discuss Different Types of Filling Materials
There are different types of dental filling materials, and your choice of material will also impact the cost of treatment.
The safer and more common and cost-effective option is the placement of composite resin fillings. These tooth-colored fillings cost a little more than amalgam fillings depending on other factors. But they are preferred because of their aesthetic result.
Check the Extent of Your Insurance Coverage
Dental fillings are mostly used in dental emergencies, so your dental insurance may cover it. That said, you may also need to pay some or all of the cost out-of-pocket. The dental team will examine your insurance plan to determine whether you’re covered for dental fillings, whether there’s a waiting period for the cover to kick in, and for how much you’re covered each year.
Request a Price Match
Lastly, during your appointment, ask your dentist in Watertown to give you an estimate of the cost of dental fillings in your area. You can also investigate the pricing yourself, and then choose the most reliable and cost-effective dentist in your area.
Professional Teeth Cleaning for Optimal Oral and General Health | Watertown MN
Every person deserves to have a smile they can be proud of. While brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day can help to prevent most dental problems, your home oral hygiene routine is not sufficient to get rid of hardened plaque or tartar. This can only be removed during your six-month preventive dental checkup with professional teeth cleaning. Your dental hygienist will also recommend ways to keep your teeth healthy and bright for life.
The Mouth as a Breeding Ground for Bacteria
Your mouth is exposed to a myriad of health risks unlike other parts of the body. Besides the helpful and unhelpful bacteria living in your mouth, you’re exposed to other dangers in the food and drinks you consume. You need to take special care of this environment to avoid any problems. This is the reason why people clean their teeth, to get rid of food particles, stains, and dental plaque from the teeth, which in turn reduces the risk of getting cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral issues.
Constant Fight Against Bacteria in Your Mouth
Since your mouth contains harmful bacteria and useful bacteria, your immune system is actively fighting the harmful bacteria to prevent it from causing harm. Professional teeth cleaning helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria to such an extent that it overwhelms your immune system and causes disease.
Once the buildup of plaque and tartar is uncontrollable, it causes gum inflammation and bleeding, which is known as periodontal disease. If left untreated, the severity of gum disease can lead to tooth loss and the infection spreading to other parts of your body through the bloodstream. This increases the risk of diabetes going out of control, as well as heart disease, stroke, and dementia.
Final Note
Cleaning your teeth at home using good brushing technique and flossing can help to prevent most oral issues. Daily brushing and flossing help to remove plaque on the surface of your teeth. But it is also important to visit a dentist at least every six months for professional cleaning and the removal of hardened deposits known as tartar that cannot be removed through regular brushing. This prevents the buildup of harmful bacteria in your mouth that may lead to decay, gum disease, and other oral and body issues.
Contact your dentist in Watertown, MN to schedule your routine dental visit today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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