- Dental ExaminationThe hygienist will remove the plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces above the gumline. This can be performed by hand instruments or with ultrasonic scalers depending on your preference. Following the cleaning, the hygienist will also polish and floss. The gums will then be assessed with a periodontal exam. The third step is the dental exam which will be done by the dentist. He will review all the information gathered and discuss options for any needed dental treatment.
- X-raysThere are three important steps to a dental cleaning. The first step is taking necessary diagnostic x-rays needed to reveal any conditions that may not be detected without them. The frequency of the dental x-rays is determined by the dentist for each individual patient. The second step is cleaning the teeth, where
- Oral Cancer ScreeningOral cancer screening: The face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums will be checked for any signs of oral cancer.
- Teeth CleaningRoutine dental cleanings are important to maintaining good oral hygiene. A professional cleaning by a licensed hygienist can remove plaque and mineralized plaque (calculus) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. It is recommended (for majority of people) that you go in for a preventative cleaning once every six months.
- Fluoride Treatment
- FillingsWhen treating a cavity, the dentist will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and fill it with another substance. This procedure is called a filling. There are multiple options for the material to be used in the filling, the most common of which are composite fillings and amalgam fillings.
- Resin CompositeDental inlays and onlays are a more conservative approach to tooth restoration than full crowns. The are used to repair rear teeth that have mild to moderate tooth decay, or for cracked teeth where the damage does not warrant a dental crown. Porcelain, composite resin and sometimes gold are used to create inlays and onlays. Inlays refer to those procedures where the bonded material limited to the center of the tooth, while onlays refer to those procedures where the bonded material can extend further to one or more cusps of the tooth.
- VeneersDental veneers are thin custom made shells that cover the front surface of your tooth to improve their appearance. They are made of tooth colored materials and can be used to improve the color of teeth that have been worn down or stained. Alternatively, they can be used to improve the shape or size of the tooth.
- CrownsCompared to fillings, which just cover a small portion of a tooth, a crown (or cap) encases the entire visible portion of a tooth. In effect, the crown acts as the tooth's new outer surface. A dental crown is used when a tooth is broken or decayed to such an extent that fillings aren't able to repair the problem. The crown is able to provide a protective shell around the damaged or decayed tooth to strengthen it, as well as to improve the appearance of the tooth. They can also help restore a broken tooth to it's original shape. While crowns come in different materials, the most common crowns typically have some form of porcelain in them which gives them a look and feel similar to a natural tooth.
- BridgesA dental bridge is a false tooth that is used to fill the gap created by missing tooth or teeth. A gap between your teeth can be potentially dangerous to your dental health, as it can cause your teeth to shift resulting in a change in your bite...
- Dental BondingComposite bonding was done on the front four teeth to idealize their shape and fill the gaps between them. Composite bonding is an affordable alternative to porcelain veneers and is frequently a better choice for young patients.
- Root Canal TreatmentThe pulp of a tooth contains nerves, blood vessels and specialized cells that help repair the tooth from the inside. A deep cavity or crack in a tooth can lead to an infection or injury to the tooth’s pulp. If the tissue inside the tooth dies, the tooth becomes a cave in which bacteria can multiply unchecked by the body’s immune system. The bacteria and products of infection will exit through the tips of the tooth’s roots causing destruction of the bone and tissue surrounding the tooth. Without treatment, a tooth infection can become unbearably painful or even life threatening. When an injured tooth cannot repair itself the tooth should either have root canal therapy or be extracted.
- Periodontal SurgeryIf we find in our assessment that the gums are not responding well, we will need to shift our strategy from maintenance back to treatment of active disease. This may mean more scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, or referral to a periodontist (a specialist that focuses primarily on the health of the gum and bone around teeth).
- Deep CleaningScaling and Root Planing (sometimes called deep cleaning or non-surgical periodontal therapy) is usually the first step in an ongoing process to stop the destruction of periodontal disease and to keep the disease under control.
- DenturesRegardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
- Dental ImplantsIt is important to address both the physical and emotional properties of sleep bruxism. Grinding teeth wears them down, can cause implant complications, disrupts sleep and can cause headaches. At Mondale Dental, we can fit you with a custom dental appliance to alleviate the physical symptoms of sleep bruxism and save the wear on teeth. Emotionally, an increase in teeth grinding may be a sign of higher stress and is worth noting in yourself or children. We encourage our patients to look after their emotional wellbeing and address areas in their or their children’s lives that may be causing increased anxiety. Additional resources can be found below...
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth ExtractionsA dental extraction is the procedure to remove a tooth from your mouth. A dental extraction is most commonly required if one of your teeth is damaged beyond practical repair. The most common reasons for tooth extractions include...
- Teeth WhiteningAccessorize your holiday look with a brilliant smile! Come in and let Dr. Mondale take your smile to a new level. Ultradent’s one-size-fits-all home kit, “Opalescence ® Go”, can lighten teeth in as little as 5 to 10 days, with no need for impressions. The unique tray delivery system adapts to fit your teeth perfectly. For faster results, go for our in office whitening system. Just 1 hour can be enough for Ultradent’s “Opalescence ® Boost” system to provide beautiful results. Tried whitening in the past and had trouble with sensitivity? Give it another shot! Newer products have been formulated that reduce sensitivity and actually strengthen teeth! Quick start your whitening program by requesting a cleaning before you begin and you’ll be minty fresh and sparkling in time to ring in the new year!
- Cosmetic DentistryAt Mondale Dental, we know how important having a great smile is to looking and feeling your best. That's why Dr. Roger Mondale, Dr. Brian Mondale and the entire team at our Plymouth, MN dental practice are committed to providing the highest quality in family and cosmetic dentistry.
- General DentistryAcademy of General Dentistry is second largest dental association in the U.S. It's website made for the general public, Know Your Teeth, contains a variety of dental information, including a comprehensive glossary of dental terms.