Lakeville Dental provides general dentistry for families in Lakeville, Minnesota. Call 952-469-3300 or contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry refers to basic dental care that the average patient will most likely require throughout their lifetime. It includes preventive care, such as dental cleanings and oral exams, as well as diagnostic tools such as digital X-Ray imaging. The purpose of general dentistry is to maintain dental and oral health throughout your lifetime.
Benefits of General Dentistry
General dentistry provides the following benefits for patients of all ages:
- Prevent cavities. When plaque (a combination of food residue and bacteria) settles on your teeth without being removed, it slowly eats away at your tooth enamel causing a small indentation or hole called a cavity. Brushing and flossing removes some plaque from your teeth, but only a professional cleaning performed by a dentist can remove it all. Cleanings every 6 months can help to prevent cavities when combined with good oral hygiene habits at home.
- Prevent gum/periodontal disease. Plaque that settles on your teeth at or below the gum line can cause gum disease, a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. Regular dental cleanings remove the plaque that builds up on your teeth before it can cause an infection.
- Preserve your natural teeth. The ultimate goal of general dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth so that they can remain in place for your lifetime. By keeping up with regularly scheduled appointments you can help your teeth last as long as possible.
- Covered by dental insurance. Most general dentistry procedures are covered by dental insurance. Contact your insurance provider for information about what services your plan covers.
Services Offered
We provide the following general dentistry services:
- Dental cleanings. A dental cleaning involves removal of plaque, polishing the teeth, and flossing. Professional dental cleaning removes any plaque that daily brushing and flossing has missed, as well as plaque that has hardened into tatar or calculus.
- Comprehensive oral exams. A thorough oral exam will be conducted to assess the health of the soft tissues of your mouth. This includes an oral cancer screening to identify any abnormalities that may need to be evaluated.
- Digital X-Rays. X-Ray imaging is used to identify cavities between the teeth and any oral health concerns that may exist below the gum line where they aren’t readily visible. Digital X-Rays use significantly less radiation to provide the necessary images. X-Rays are typically done once a year.
- Dental sealants. A composite resin material is applied to the teeth to protect the enamel from decay.
- Fluoride treatment. A fluoride treatment is applied to the teeth to strengthen the enamel and prevent decay.
- Custom oral appliances. Oral appliances can be used for a variety of purposes, including protecting the teeth from tooth grinding, for playing sports, and for sleep apnea treatment. We create custom oral appliances that fit comfortably.
- Scaling and root planing. This combination of treatments cures and prevents gum disease. Scaling is the process of removing hardened plaque from the teeth. Root planing involves smoothing the surface of the tooth roots to prevent plaque from getting between the roots and gums.
- Root canal treatment. The tissue inside of a tooth, called pulp, can become infected due to a deep cavity or a crack in a tooth. A root canal procedure removes the pulp and fills the inside of the tooth with composite material to treat and prevent infection.
- Extractions. When a tooth is too damaged to be saved, it may need to be extracted. Extractions may also be necessary for orthodontic purposes.
- Pediatric dentistry. We are a family dental practice, which means our general dentistry services are also available to children. We provide a full range of dental services for children to give them the best possible start to a lifetime of dental health.
Why Choose Lakeville Dental?
Lakeville Dental provides general dentistry in a comfortable and relaxing environment. This is not your usual dental office. Here you’ll enjoy a spa-like experience with massage chairs, pillows, soft blankets, and leg wedges. Our practice has been serving patients for over 40 years, and we have a well-earned reputation for integrity, high-end care, and superior customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Dentistry
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is the scientific term for gum disease. It occurs when plaque bacteria builds up on the teeth and infects the gum tissue and bone loss. Symptoms of gum disease include red, swollen, bleeding gums and bad breath.. When gum disease goes untreated it can cause teeth to lose bone support and eventually lead to tooth loss.
How often should children go to the dentist?
Like adults, children should have regular dental cleanings and exams every 6 months. This is the ideal time frame for plaque removal and early detection of dental issues like cavities.
Are digital X-Rays safe?
Digital X-Rays are very safe, even safer than traditional film X-Rays because they use a fraction of the radiation. Be sure to tell your dentist if you are pregnant before having X-Rays. The amount of radiation in digital X-Rays is safe for pregnant mothers, but out of an abundance of caution we will most likely postpone yours until you’re no longer pregnant.
What does good oral hygiene entail?
You may have been told to practice good oral hygiene habits, but you may not know what that means. According to dentists, good oral hygiene entails brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist every 6 months for dental cleanings.
To learn more about our general dentistry services, call 952-469-3300 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.