Dentistry in Minneapolis

Fortunately we have come a long way since barbers were our "dentists", as they were in this country during the 1800s. During those years teeth were primarily pulled to reduce pain and stop infection.

Today's dentists do everything they can to save the tooth, resorting to extraction only as a last resort.

Within everyone's reach

Today dentistry has evolved to the point where good oral health is within everyone's reach if only a few simple rules are followed.

Firstly, and most importantly, everyone needs to know the simple techniques of brushing and flossing, and how this keeps the mouth free of food particles and sugars that can cause bacteria and dental problems. Secondly, we need to know that no matter how well we brush we need to have a regular cleaning every six months in order to remove the inevitable buildup of plague between the teeth and gums (yes, it happens no matter how well or how often we brush). Lastly, along with our hygiene appointment, we need to have a dental exam in order to identify any problems in the mouth — such as decay — early, as well as making the appointments necessary to correct these problems.

Beautiful smiles: the sky's the limit in dentistry today

It would surely be astonishing to the earliest dentists to see today's cosmetic dentistry. Where once the only solution to pain and infection was to pull teeth, now we have a spectrum of techniques — with a corresponding spectrum of costs of course — to replace missing teeth. Gaps and crooked teeth too can be fixed to have give a person a beautiful smile. Tooth color fillings cover the once pervasive silver filling. And teeth whitening can remove the yellowness and staining that comes with age and simple eating.

State-of-the-art dentistry

Computers, software, and digital devices have of course revolutionized the field of dentistry, just as it has many other medical fields.

Digital X-rays

Imagine what early dentists would think of digital radiography (x-rays), as that used in our dental office today. Even just ten years ago the majority of dentists used small x-rays to look for decay and other hidden problems in the teeth or hidden by the gums. Now a digital x-ray has many times more resolution, plus it can be digitally manipulated to better show the location of decay and much, much more.

Intraoral cameras

Intraoral cameras — cameras that can be placed in the mouth — can take pictures of a tooth's condition that can then be easily shared with the patient on a computer screen, thus enabling the patient to better understand his own dental conditions and, consequently, make better decisions with respect to his or her treatment plan.

We also use our intraoral pictures to also give the patient a good look at the work that was accomplished, a use of digital pictures that simultaneously increases the patient's confidence in the dental work promised and the actual work done. Similarly, such digital pictures give the dentist a lasting record of before and after treatment.

Modern dental equipment and materials

Dental equipment and dental materials are always improving. We keep up with the new advances with visits from the representatives selling these materials, by participating each year in the Star of the North dental meeting, and by our Seattle Study Club (SSC) and City of Lakes Study Club (local SSC affiliate) organizations.