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Dental Crowns for Tooth Replacement & Cosmetic Purposes | Litchfield MN
A dental crown is a customized tooth cap designed to cover a damaged tooth in order to restore its shape and size, enhance its strength, and improve its appearance. When successfully cemented in place, a dental crown encases the portion of the tooth above the gum line, providing total protection.
Dental Crowns for Tooth Repair
This may be necessary if you have extensive tooth damage that has compromised the structure of your natural teeth. For instance, your dentist may recommend dental crowns to:
- Protect a chipped, broken, or fractured tooth and prevent further damage
- Repair large cavities that cannot be successfully repaired with dental fillings
- Replace previously placed fillings and strengthen the tooth.
- Encase a tooth restored with root canal therapy to strengthen it and cover up the filler material for an aesthetic finish
Dental Crowns for Tooth Replacement
If you want to replace one or more missing teeth, your dentist may recommend either bridgework or implants. A dental bridge refers to an artificial tooth that is anchored to the teeth adjacent to the gap, holding it firmly in place. The artificial tooth is bonded to the adjacent teeth through dental crowns so it stays suspended in the gap. If you opt for dental implants, a titanium post will be implanted into the jawbone to serve as the tooth root. Once it heals, a crown will be connected to the post via an abutment, becoming your replacement tooth.
Dental Crowns for Cosmetic Purposes
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
Learn More about Dental Crowns
Depending on your specific case, your dentist will help you choose the most appropriate material for your custom dental crowns, restoring the function or aesthetic of your mouth, or both. To learn more about Dental Crowns in Litchfield MN please contact us today.
Teeth Cleaning & Dental Exams in Litchfield MN
Dental cleaning is a simple, painless, and non-invasive preventive dental procedure that seeks to reduce the risk of dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath by removing built-up plaque and tartar. Patients often experience some mild vibrations, cooling mist of liquid, and a bit of pressure during scraping, though this doesn’t cause any discomfort. On the contrary, the feeling can be quite satisfying in knowing that you can keep enjoying your healthy teeth and smile for longer.
Ideally, dental cleanings should be performed every six months, but your dental hygienist may recommend shorter intervals if you’re at greater risk due to pregnancy, your lifestyle habits, or your general health. Moreover, if you have gum disease, your dental hygienist may recommend deep scaling – as opposed to regular dental cleaning – to remove plaque from your tooth roots as well.
Generally, the first step before any dental cleaning is an examination of your mouth. The dental hygienist needs to physically check your teeth, gums, tongue, and the entire mouth for any concerns using a small mirror. If there are no problems, then the procedure for dental cleaning may be as follows:
1. Plaque and Tartar Removal: A scaler is used to remove plaque and calculus from the surface of individual teeth, between the teeth, and around the gum line. This step may take longer if it has been a long time since your last cleaning.
2. Polishing: A high-powered brush with a soft rubber cup and gritty toothpaste helps to gently scrub and polish your teeth. This not only removes any surface stains, but also makes your tooth surface smooth and shiny to make it harder for plaque to form.
3. Expert Flossing: This step helps to thoroughly clean the area between your teeth to remove any leftover plaque and toothpaste from the previous steps.
4. Rinsing: The dental hygienist uses a mouth rinse with liquid fluoride to remove any debris and clean your mouth.
5. Fluoride Treatment: As the final step, your dental hygienist may 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.
To learn more about what to expect from a Cleaning and Exam in Litchfield MN procedure, please contact your dental office today.
Dental Implants – Associated Costs in Litchfield MN
Many dental professionals today consider dental implants as the standard of care for tooth replacement. Yet, most dental insurance products do not cover the entire cost of dental implant placement because they consider dental implants as an elective procedure. That said, your insurance provider can cover the cost of getting a replacement crown depending on the material you choose for fabrication.
During your consultation, your dental team will discuss with you the expected treatment plan and total cost of getting dental implants. Generally, there is a variety in the price range for a single dental implant. The actual amount depends on:
- The position of the implant site in the mouth
- Experience of the oral surgeon performing the procedure
- The location of the dental practise
- Cost of the replacement crown
- Complexity of your case – affects cost of dental services and dental materials consumed
Costs Associated with Complex Dental Implants
The standard procedure for performing a dental implant includes:
- Tooth or teeth removal and site preparation before placing the dental implant.
- Implant placement – A dental implant (titanium post) is placed into the bone using a special drill and tools. The surgeon will then place a “healing cap” over the implant before stitching up the gum.
- Monitoring visits – You will have to wait for 2-6 months for the site to heal and the implant to integrate with the bone tissue. A temporary denture will be placed at the site for aesthetic purposes. You will need to visit your oral surgeon or dentist to track your recovery and make sure that there is no infection.
- Abutment placement – After successful integration of the implant to the bone, an abutment will be connected to the implant using a screw. Then an impression of the abutment is taken and sent to the dental lab to fabricate your custom crown.
- Tooth replacement – When the crown is ready, it will be secured to the abutment by cementing or with a screw.
But if the implant site has signs of bone loss after tooth extraction, your oral surgeon may recommend bone grafting or sinus augmentation to build up the bone tissue and achieve a solid base to support the implant. This takes 2-6 months to heal before you can proceed with implant placement. During this time, you will need to make regular dental visits for tracking your healing.
Get Dental Implants Today
Although dental implants are expensive, and the treatment takes several months before you can start enjoying your investment, the final result is extremely satisfying. Dental implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth, and after treatment, you won’t need to see your dentist for follow-up visits, except for routine professional cleaning.
For more information on dental implants in Litchfield MN and to find out the cost of your individual treatment, please contact us today.
Is Visiting a Family Dentist Necessary? | Litchfield MN
Family dentistry offers your loved ones the best dental care in Litchfield MN. 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.
Why Visit a Family Dentist in Litchfield MN?
For many families, the atmosphere of the dental practice is a significant factor for choosing their dentist. With a family dentist, you can expect
- Latest high-quality dental equipment
- Professional and welcoming dental care
- A relaxing waiting room
- A warm, friendly staff
With your family dentist, you can trust that patient satisfaction is their top priority. With this in mind, most 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.
Individualized Dental Care For Kids
Many family dentists 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 Litchfield 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.
Tooth Colored Dental Crowns in Litchfield MN
Dental crowns are a fairly common type of tooth repair option that works by encapsulating a damaged tooth to restore its size, shape, and strength, while improving its appearance.
A few years ago, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns were the preferred option because they combine the benefits of both porcelain and metal crowns (strength and aesthetics). However, the metals used to fuse with porcelain have become expensive in recent years, forcing patients to consider alternative materials. Moreover, either of these materials can be used individually to craft crowns of a satisfactory standard.
Types of Metal Crowns
Crowns made from metal are the strongest and most durable option, plus they’re not abrasive to opposing teeth. Different metals can be used to fabricate crowns, including gold, platinum, stainless steel, copper, and alloys like nickel-chromium and cobalt-chromium. Stainless steel crowns are typically used for temporary applications, like for the repair of primary teeth for children or for temporary crowns as adult patients wait for the fabrication of their permanent crown.
Most metal crowns are made from a blend of metals, like gold and the base metal alloys. They are primarily used to repair back teeth because they’re strong and highly resistant, and they’re not visible when smiling, which makes aesthetics less of a concern. But they may not be suitable for people who’re allergic to metals or those with aesthetic concerns.
Tooth-Colored Crowns
Dental crowns that are fabricated entirely from porcelain are referred to as all-porcelain crowns, while those made entirely from ceramic are known as all-ceramic crowns. These tooth-colored materials give the restoration a natural look, which makes them a popular choice for repairing front teeth in order to preserve the aesthetics of your smile.
Dental composite resin is another tooth-colored material that can give you an aesthetic restoration. All-resin materials don’t contain any metals. They are highly affordable, but are arguably the weakest material for crowns since they’re prone to chipping, cracking, and rapid wear.
Zirconium is a biocompatible dental material that produces crowns that are as strong and durable as metal crowns and natural-looking for an aesthetic restoration. Zirconia crowns don’t cause allergic reactions, and can be fabricated at the dentist’s office for same-day crown restorations.
The Right Material for Your Crowns
Please discuss the pros and cons of each material with your dentist to determine the most appropriate one for your permanent crown restoration.
To learn more about Dental Crowns in Litchfield MN please contact us today.
Dental Checks Ups & Teeth Cleaning in Litchfield MN
Many people today know about the importance of oral health and how it affects your overall health. Optimal oral hygiene requires a combination of proper and consistent daily oral hygiene practices at home and routine professional dental cleanings. This helps to protect your teeth from decay and keep the gums healthy, while keeping your smile bright.
However, one thing that may not be clear is why the American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings every six months. Generally, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every day should help to remove most of the harmful bacteria from your teeth and mouth. But the small quantity of bacteria that remains may still pose a threat to your oral health over time, if it’s not removed.
Some of the risks include:
- Excessive tooth wear and cavities from the acid produced by plaque
- Bad breath from improper teeth cleaning
- Teeth discoloration from the colored foods you consume and calcification and mineralization of plaque in the form of tartar or calculus, which attracts more harmful bacteria
- Minor gum infection or gingivitis, which is characterized by gum inflammation, swelling, and reddening. Due to sensitive gums, you may also notice some blood on your toothbrush or when rinsing your mouth after brushing.
- Advanced gum infection – If there are no interventions, gingivitis can advance to a more serious case of gum disease known as periodontitis or periodontal disease. It affects the foundation of your teeth – the bone tissue connecting your teeth to the jaw.
- Exacerbated health issues – the infection can spread from your mouth to other tissues, making it harder to manage other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia
Cleanings for Optimal Oral Health
Fortunately, most of these problems can be successfully treated or managed with professional dental cleaning and an improved oral care regimen at home. That said, periodontitis is a chronic, progressive, and episodic gum infection. If not treated promptly, periodontitis can cause severe bone loss that loosens your teeth with some even falling out. Though it’s irreversible, dental professionals can help you manage the symptoms and improve your oral health.
Please visit your dentist today to examine the condition of your teeth and gums and determine the best type of dental cleaning in Litchfield MN to improve your oral health and reduce the risk of advanced gum disease and cavities.
How a Cosmetic Smile Makeover Can Improve Your Smile in Litchfield MN
Many people can assess your mood and personality based solely on your smile, before saying a single word. If you have a dazzling, bright smile, then this will work well for both your personal and professional relationships. However, a sparkling smile may lose its vibrancy over time due to discoloration, chips and cracks, decay, excessive grinding, and tooth loss. Fortunately, no matter the problem with your teeth, a cosmetic smile makeover can help to restore your dazzling smile through the right combination of cosmetic and restorative treatments.
Your Cosmetic Smile Makeover
Just as each individual has a unique look, each smile makeover has to be customized by a skilled dentist to address your specific aesthetic needs. A smile makeover can involve multiple procedures, depending on the health of your teeth and gums, as well as other factors such as your facial appearance, hair color, and skin tone.
During your consultation, your dentist will work with you to design the ideal smile, and you will even get to see a smile preview of what you can expect your smile to look like before any actual dental work begins.
Some of the common problems that can be addressed with a smile makeover include:
- Discolored or badly stained teeth
- Chipped or fractured teeth – the right procedure depends on the extent of damage
- Straightening crooked teeth or a misaligned bite – depending on the severity and your age, your dentist will recommend the appropriate orthodontic treatment
- Gaps between your teeth – can be closed to make your smile look more even
- Missing teeth can cause functional problems. Your dentist will recommend an appropriate tooth restoration.
- A gummy smile can also be corrected.
Consult Your Dentist for a Cosmetic Smile Makeover
A smile makeover can change your life by simply improving the shape, color, size, or length of your teeth, or changing the appearance of your lips or gums to make your smile more attractive.
Please visit your dentist in Litchfield MN to discuss the best options to help you improve your smile.
What to Expect with Cosmetic Dentistry in Litchfield MN
Cosmetic dentistry in Litchfield MN 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.
Cosmetic dentistry in Litchfield MN comprises a number of dental procedures designed to improve the appearance of your smile and, essentially, boost your self-esteem. Whether you want to repair tooth defects or improve your appearance for an upcoming event, your professional cosmetic dental team will come up with a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals.
What to Expect
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. This provides a great opportunity to ask specific details about procedures you’re interested in, such as the treatment process, how it would benefit you, the recovery time, how your life would change, etc.
Even as you express your interests to the dentist, your dental visit will also include a mini-examination, a review of your dental and medical history, and dental imaging so the dentist can have a clear look at your teeth. Next, you will establish clear treatment goals based on your needs and concerns. At the end of the visit, you will know:
- The cosmetic procedures that are right for your case
- What to realistically expect after each procedure – based on previous patients before-and-after pictures
- How long the treatments will take
- When to start your cosmetic dental treatment
- The recovery time
- How your life would change
If you’re self-conscious about your teeth or want to improve your smile, please schedule your free consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Litchfield today.
Reasons to Visit a Dental Implant Dentist Near Me | Litchfield MN
When it comes to repairing your smile after tooth loss, it is important that you work with a quality dental implant dentist in Litchfield MN with multiple options to help you attain the smile of your dreams. Dental implants provide one of the best ways to permanently replace missing teeth and restore the optimal function and beauty of your mouth.
An Artificial Tooth that Feels Natural
Dental implants are a permanent solution for restoring missing teeth that involves the surgical placement of a small titanium post that will bond to the jaw bone. The implant provides a strong anchor for the custom-made crown that will be placed above the gums to fill the gap. This post acts as a tooth root, so it continues to stimulate the jawbone just like your natural tooth. This, in turn, helps to retain your natural face structure and prevents premature aging.
Other benefits of dental implants in Litchfield MN include:
- Dental implants fit into your mouth like a natural tooth because they’re anchored into your jaw bone, so they feel and function like your original teeth
- Permanent, long-term tooth replacement solution that should last a lifetime with proper maintenance
- Easier to speak, eat, and maintain oral hygiene – Implants allow you to bite and chew your favorite foods without fear of the replacement tooth/teeth slipping or falling out of place.
- They don’t require any special cleaning or hygiene practices. You simply brush and floss like your other teeth
- Protects healthy teeth and bone – Dental implants are standalone, meaning that they need to be supported by adjacent teeth. In fact, they fill a gap and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, which helps to maintain proper structure and function.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth, either alone or with dentures. Some additional procedures may be necessary to provide sufficient bone material to bond with the titanium post, like bone grafting. Please visit your dental implant dentist in Litchfield MN to discuss your case and candidature for dental implants.
When Should I Visit a Cosmetic Dentist Near Me? | Litchfield MN
Your beautiful smile forms a central part of your image, which positively affects your relationships, both socially and professionally. Today, there are numerous dental procedures that your cosmetic dentist in Litchfield MN can use 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.
Here are some of the most common teeth problems your cosmetic dentist in Litchfield MN can treat:
- Stained or Discolored Teeth – There are many things that contribute to tooth discoloration, including age, food, drinks, medications, smoking, and other lifestyle factors
- 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.
- 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.
- Crooked, Overcrowded, or Misaligned Teeth – The 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.
Anyone who has been shy or hesitant about smiling or laughing with other people because of fractures, cracks, stains, or gaps in their teeth is a great candidate for cosmetic dentistry. If you’re self-conscious about your teeth or want to improve your smile, please visit a Litchfield dentist near you to discuss your case.
6 Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles is a short term orthodontic treatment that involves wearing clear braces to straighten and improve tooth alignment. This alternative treatment is a convenient approach to a straighter smile without the time commitment.
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