Restoration Dentistry in the Twin Cities
Restoration dentistry includes the various ways Otsego Dental can replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure.
The loss of tooth structure can be caused by tooth decay or injuries. Restoration dentistry repairs teeth that are cracked, chipped, decaying, broken, or affected by cavities. Different restoration methods are designed to repair different levels of damage. Examples include fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants.
Fillings
Fillings are the most common type of dental restoration. A filling is a substance that is used to plug and seal a hole caused by tooth decay. Teeth can be filled with gold, silver amalgam, or tooth-colored plastic and glass or porcelain materials, normally called composite resin fillings. Your dentist will numb your tooth, clean it, and remove all decayed tissue from it before applying the filling. Once in place, the filling is molded, polished, and allowed to harden. Dental fillings can only be used to fill small cavities. If the damage to a tooth is more extensive, another type of restoration is chosen.
Crowns
Crowns are indirect restorations used to treat damaged teeth and are designed to encase the entire outer tooth. Crowns protect damaged teeth from infection and further structural breakdown. The crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns also are used to hold a bridge in place or to cover a dental implant. Teeth frequently need to be reduced evenly around the tooth so that the crown will perfectly restore the size and shape of the tooth.
Placing a crown usually involves two procedures. First, your dentist will remove the damaged tissue in the tooth, clean the tooth and roughen its surface in preparation for the crown. The dentist then takes an impression of the prepared tooth and places a temporary crown on the tooth. Then, based on the mold of the prepared tooth, a permanent crown is fabricated and fit during a second procedure after removing the temporary crown.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a modern-day solution for one or multiple missing teeth and is often viewed as a better alternative to a removable partial denture. A dental bridge is fixed in place (non-removable) and very durable. Custom-made bridges are also highly esthetic and look as beautiful and natural as your original missing tooth or teeth. Unlike dentures, dental bridges are very secure and allow you to eat the foods you love.
Using teeth on either side of your missing tooth or teeth, a bridge holds a replacement tooth in place, “bridging” the gap in your mouth and restoring the beauty, health, and function of your smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. Cosmetic work can help to improve your appearance, your smile, even your self-esteem and confidence. At Otsego Dental, our cometic dentistry includes teeth whitening to refresh and brighten stained teeth, dental veneers to repair cracks or chips, composite bonding to repair chipped, broken, or decaying teeth, and inlays and overlays—long-lasting fillings created in a lab to fill teeth. A consultation with our staff will allow us to come up with a cosmetic dentistry plan that will work best for you.
Infant Oral Health: When Should I Bring My Baby to See the Dentist?
When should your child first see a dentist?
Experts recommend taking him or her within six months of the first tooth coming in, or by about 12 months at the latest.
That seems pretty early to see a dentist; what can they do for a 12-month old?
The truth is, as soon as a baby has teeth coming in, you should take them to a dentist. Your dentist can give you useful information on practices that will lead to good long-term dental health, such as:
- Baby bottle tooth decay
- Mouth cleaning
- Teething
- Infant feeding practices
- Pacifier habits and finger-sucking habits
A Child’s First Visit to the Dentist
A first visit to the dentist is all about making the child feel comfortable with the dentist. The general recommendation is that the first visit is around 12 months in age or within six months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit will normally last 30 to 45 minutes and depending on your child’s age, the visit will include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning.
Just like adults, children should visit the dentist every six months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every three months. Frequent visits when the child is young helps to keep an eye on any development issues and builds comfort and confidence in the child.
Protect Children’s Teeth at Home
- Before teeth come in, regularly clean their gums with a clean, damp cloth.
- Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) when your child’s first tooth appears. After the child turns three, use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
- Limit the time your child uses a bottle, your child should empty a bottle in 5-6 minutes or less. Extended time with a bottle can cause tooth decay.
- Help your child brush their teeth until age 7 or 8. Have your child watch you brush and follow the same brushing pattern.
- Limit foods and treats that increase tooth decay.
Dental Savings Plan
No insurance? No problem! Join our dental savings plan.
