General Dentistry

Routine Cleaning

Brushing and flossing can help keep the plaque at bay. But aside from personal oral hygiene, it is important to have regular teeth cleaning done by a dentist to keep your teeth in top condition. If you don’t have your teeth cleaned, you can still develop tartar that will lead to many types of periodontal diseases like gingivitis or even losing a tooth due to infection.

Having regular dental cleaning will cost you money but it will get you a lot of benefits. Not only will it allow you to achieve that perfect smile, but it also helps you protect your overall dental health. Having white teeth and a brilliant smile is not the only thing you get from having professional dental cleaning. Didn’t you know that dentists can detect any sign of oral cancer especially during routine cleaning?

Having your teeth cleaned will help with the early detection of oral cancer. Another benefit of teeth cleaning is that you also reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Many studies have indicated that gum diseases are linked to stroke and heart attack. Thus, the cleaner your teeth are, the lesser the risk for heart disease you have.

Scaling & Root Planing

Root planing is a procedure that involves removing tartar, bacteria, toxic deposits from the root of a tooth, all the way down to where gum & bone meet. While it is sometimes casually referred to as a “deep cleaning”, you should know that this treatment is quite different from prophylaxis. This procedure is required as a treatment for periodontal disease or periodontitis (commonly called gum disease, though it also affects the bone).

Many people can have periodontal disease & not even know it. Symptoms of the disease include bleeding gums, bad breath, teeth that look longer due to recessed gums, & swollen or red gums. However, many people do not notice any symptoms at all. That’s why it may come as a surprise when your dentist recommends scaling & root planing instead of a regular cleaning. It’s important to understand that this procedure is vital to getting periodontal disease under control & avoid future tooth loss, though other procedures including surgery may be required to treat the disease.

White Fillings

Dental filling is a procedure aimed at repairing teeth after that have sustained structural damage. Some of the cases where fillings may be advised include chipped or broken edges, minor dental fractures, carious lesions, teeth damaged by abrasion, attrition or erosion, decay affecting the root, dental pits etc. At Shakopee Dental, composites are our materials of choice for restorative dentistry, owing to its countless benefits and unmatched versatility. Here is what happens during a tooth filling appointment:

• The part of the tooth damaged by decay or caries is first removed and cleaned, and the cavity is prepared

• An etching agent is then applied to the surface to create minute hole which help in retaining the composite in the cavity

• The composite is then transferred to this cavity in the form of small increments.

• The material is shaped to replicate the natural contour and morphology of the tooth

• Once the ideal form has been created, the filling is set with the help of a laser, or a normal dental curing light.

• The filling is finally polished for a natural-looking shine

If you have recently noticed a white or brown spot on your tooth, you probably need a filling. Call now to book an appointment with the leading team of restorative experts in town.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatments are special types filling that are done when the innermost portion of a natural tooth becomes damaged of infected. This portion, known as pulp, is where the tooth receives innervation, and nourishment through blood vessels – it is therefore the most sensitive layer as well. Bacteria can invade the pulp if left untreated as they enter through the enamel and dentin. The pulp can also sustain damage through trauma. In both cases, the only way to save the tooth is by performing a Root Canal Treatment.

The treatment may be completed in two or three visits, depending upon the tooth. For instance, molars have multiple pulp canals and therefore take more time. The procedure involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and gaining access to the pulp chambers. The pulp is then completed removed from the canals with the help of special endodontic files either manually, or attached to a hand-held rotary device. The canals are then cleaned, shaped, disinfected and finally filled with an inert endodontic material. The tooth is then fitted with a crown for restoration of structural stability, functionality and aesthetics. Root canals and pulp infections in most cases can be prevented, keep your oral health in check by visiting the team at Shakopee Dental today.

Crowns

A dental crown is a fixed dental prosthesis which is also at times referred to as a cap. It is a treatment meant for teeth that have sustained structural damage, or require cosmetic restoration. For instance, a crown may be required for a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy, sustained fractures, has been damaged by signs of wear, has visible cracks, permanent staining, old coloured fillings, for unwanted gaps between teeth, and for making uneven teeth look more uniform. They make damaged teeth stronger by preserving their natural structure, and also enhance their appearance for an aesthetically appealing smile.

Crowns require natural teeth to be trimmed down by several millimeters to the new prosthesis has ample space to seated and cemented in place. Anesthesia may be administered for this procedure to eliminate any chances of sensitivity or discomfort. At Shakopee Dental, we make sure you get the very best in terms of quality materials, and top notch services. If you have a tooth that requires extra protection, or a cosmetic makeover, give is a call to book your appointment for dental crowns today!

 Dentures

Dentures are perhaps the oldest of all tooth replacement methods being used in dentistry today. These are removable artificial teeth that can be used to replace all, or several natural missing teeth in the oral cavity. However, unlike dental implants, dentures only replace the crowns, and not the roots of the natural teeth. These prosthetic teeth are made using a material known as acrylic which is non-toxic, biocompatible, non-allergenic, and very easy to clean.

There are two main types of dentures that you can get at Shakopee Dental based on your requirements; Complete Dentures, which are full trays meant for patients who do not have any teeth in their mouth, and Partial Dentures, which are smaller segments of artificial teeth fabricated for patients missing several teeth in their upper or lower arches. Patients usually opt for dentures because of their ease of usage, and affordability.

Complete dentures often give patients retention and stability issues, and to address this concern, a new technique has been developed whereby dentures can be fixed to the upper or lower arches with the help of dental implants. If you wish to learn more about this procedure, or simply wish to consult our expert prosthodontists, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Bridges

There are many different disadvantages associated with having missing teeth in the oral cavity. The most prominent of these include:

• Inability to chew or bite food properly

• Compromised appearance of the smile

• Unwanted movement of teeth posterior to the empty socket

• Thinning of the jaw bone below the missing tooth

• Food impaction in the empty spaces between teeth

To avoid these complications, it is better to consult a dentist regarding tooth replacement options without delay. One of the most effective and affordable means of replacing natural teeth is Dental Bridging. A bridge in dentistry is a fixed prosthesis fabricated uses tooth coloured materials to add an artificial crown over an empty dental socket. It uses teeth adjacent to the socket as ‘shoulders’ for support. The prosthesis can effectively address problems related to mastication and smile aesthetics at an economical price. Multiple bridges can be made if teeth are absent from different quadrants of the upper and lower arches. They require the natural teeth to the trimmed down slightly for ideal seating and fixation of the newly fabricated bridges. If you wish to have restore the functional and cosmetic aspects of your smile following multiple extractions, book an appointment for dental bridges at Shakopee Dental today.

Periodontal Maintenance

At Shakopee Dental, we are dedicated to meeting all of your dental needs. Our talented dentists are pleased to provide periodontal maintenance in Shakopee, Minnesota to meet the needs of our patients who suffer from periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a condition that can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and receding gums. In addition, periodontal disease may contribute to several serious health complications, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, respiratory conditions, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. To avoid these and other complications, Dr. Jelinek and Dr. Silva may recommend periodontal maintenance. We offer non-surgical, deep cleaning treatments called scaling and root planing that can help to halt the progress of the disease and encourage the growth of healthy gum tissue. You may suffer from periodontal disease if you experience the following signs and symptoms:

Dental Sealants

You may have heard about dental sealants during your routine check-ups. This unique treatment is perhaps one of the most beneficial of all procedures performed as part of prophylactic dentistry today. Sealants were introduced with young children and patients with disabilities in mind. They help protect the teeth from dental caries, or tooth decay, even before it starts, keeping the primary dentition healthy and disease-free for a long time. A thin layer of tooth-coloured filling material is applied and set in place on the biting surfaces of all the molars in the oral cavity. This is because these teeth are most prone to developing lesions of decay due to their unique anatomy. Children are unable to maintain good oral hygiene all by themselves, and this procedure goes a long way in giving them the extra protection they need.

At Shakopee Dental, we advise all parents to bring their children to the clinic for dental fissure sealants. The treatment is fast, easy and entirely painless. If you notice that the sealants have worn off after some time, you can bring your child in again to have them re-applied easily. Book an appointment with our team of restorative experts to discuss sealants today!

Tooth Extractions

Extraction in dentistry is a term given to the removal of natural teeth from the upper or lower jaws. As oral health providers, we at Shakopee Dental aim to always save the natural teeth through specific, targeted treatment. In some cases however, extraction becomes unavoidable and necessary. These include:

• Advanced stage dental caries

• Advanced stage periodontitis

• Space gaining for Orthodontic treatments

• Impaction of third molars

• Retained primary teeth

• Untreatable abscesses of the root

• Bone disorders

The term may sound scary and painful, but we have a number of sedation methods available at our clinics that will help you relax during the surgery. With the anaesthesia in place, it is our guarantee that you will not feel any pain or discomfort as we safely remove the problematic tooth/teeth from your mouth. For larger teeth, we may use sutures, or stitches following the extraction to promote faster healing and better management of blood loss. Our techniques ensure that your surrounding soft tissues remains perfectly unharmed during surgery. You can choose the sedation methods that suits you best for the procedure. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide you all the details regarding our tooth extraction surgeries.

wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are actually third molars that erupt very late into the oral cavity. Adults normally have four of these, one in each quadrant, and two in each jaw. The begin appearing at the far back of the jaws between the ages of 17 and 26. Many patients tend to complain of symptoms such as bleeding, swelling of the soft tissues covering the erupting tooth, dull, aching pain, limited mouth opening, and foul mouth odour from not being able to clean or brush the affected side – when the wisdom teeth start erupting. These symptoms indicate impaction – a term that refers to the crooked eruption of a tooth due to lack of space in the upper or lower arches.

Impaction of wisdom teeth can be diagnosed with the help of full mouth radiographs that provide dentists with a clear picture of where the teeth are located underneath the gums. These X-rays play a vital role in surgical extraction treatment planning. If a wisdom tooth is impacted, extraction is the only way to put an end to the painful symptoms – not only will the pain and inflammation worsen over time, the tooth can also damage the adjacent second molar during the process.

injury treatment

Dental injuries occur quite commonly in sports, physical activities and accidents. They not only damage the teeth but can also harm the soft tissues of the face resulting in blood loss and other dangerous complications. This is why immediate medical attentional must be sought whenever you, or a loved one, sustain facial or dental injuries. At Shakopee Dental, we make sure that immediate care is provide to our emergent patients who can come in without appointment and get treated by our experts. During clinic hours, you can also call us so we can give you step by step instructions to follow, to manage the injury yourself till you reach the clinic/medical facility.

Dental avulsion (complete dislodgment of the tooth from the socket), cuts and lacerations of the facial tissue/oral mucosa, bleeding, dental fractures, TMJ damage or fractures etc are all classified as dental injuries. Remember, the sooner you manage the sooner you seek help, or take measure to manage the injuries yourself, the lesser will be the complications. It is perfectly possible to have a natural tooth re-implanted into the socket after it has been knocked out – but time is of the essence in such cases. Get in touch with us immediately after you have been involved in an accident resulting in facial/dental injury.

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene refers to keeping the hard and soft tissues of the mouth clean and healthy at all times. As dental practitioners, we believe we cannot stress enough on the fact that prevention is better than cure. Imagine not needing any fillings, or crowns, or implants or root canals simply because you dedicated some time and effort towards keeping your oral cavity clean and free from diseases – doesn’t that sound amazing? It’s easy too! All you have to do is create an oral hygiene routine that can follow at home, and then adhere to it strictly. You must make sure that this routine does not only focus on brushing teeth, but also on making necessary dietary changes, and keeping the surrounding soft tissues healthy as well. You can also get valuable advice on how you can improve your hygiene regimen from the experts at Shakopee Dental when you visit for your routine check-up and clean appointments.

Cleaning your teeth and gums only takes several minutes per day, but goes a long, long way in making sure you get to keep your natural teeth disease free and healthy for decades and decades at a stretch!