Frequently Asked Dental Questions Minneapolis

How Do You Know When You Need a Root Canal?

Today’s root canals aren’t a big deal! We offer sedation dentistry to help keep you comfortable and calm throughout. If you experience any symptoms, like dental sensitivity, a severe toothache, or a discolored tooth, please let our team know immediately.

Severe and persistent pain could indicate an infected pulp of the tooth, signaling the need for a root canal. When you bend or lie down, the pain in your tooth and face intensifies due to the increased pressure. Pimple-like bumps, also known as fistulas, are also a clear indication of a pulp infection.

Swollen gums can indicate various dental issues. While brushing or flossing vigorously can cause temporary gum inflammation, persistent swollen gums may be a distinct problem. During a pulp infection, the swollen gums feel tender and slightly painful to touch.

Reach out to us if you are experiencing signs, such as an abscess (pimple-like bump on the gumline), tender gums, and sensitivity to cold and hot.

What is a Composite Dental Filling?

Composite fillings are tooth-colored fillings that are made from a putty-like material called composite resin. The material is flexible, meaning it can be better molded and crafted to fit an individual’s tooth. When a tooth has a cavity, bacteria create tiny holes within the tooth, eventually making their way within the inner chamber. Dental fillings help seal the holes and stop the decay and prevent more serious issues from arising, like infection.

Resin fillings can bond to the natural tooth due to its biocompatible properties, offering additional support. Composite fillings are preferred by both patients and dentists due to the aesthetic appeal they offer.

Composite fillings also prove to be safer for patients with allergies to metals. Certain individuals, including pregnant women and infants under six months old, may have apprehensions regarding the presence of mercury in amalgam fillings. As a result, they may opt for composite fillings instead. Composite resin fillings are made of biocompatible ingredients and do not contain any mercury or metal.

How Do I Know if My Filling Came Out?

It is not uncommon to have a filling fall out, including while brushing, eating, or flossing. There are other times when it may be difficult to notice that a filling has become loose or fallen out, particularly if it is small. If you believe a filling has fallen out, act quickly. Direct bacteria exposure to the inner chamber (and the pulp inside) may contribute to worsening decay or infection of the tooth.

Here are some common signs that could indicate that a filling has come out:

• Sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
• Sudden pain in the tooth that has a filling
• Food becoming stuck in the tooth
• A noticeable hole or crack in the tooth
• A feeling of a hard, small object within your mouth

If you notice any of the above signs, it is prudent that you schedule an appointment with our dentist to have the tooth examined and treated as recommended.

When Do You Need a Crown?

The only way to tell when you need a dental crown is to visit a dentist for an examination. Here are some of the most common reasons why a dental crown is recommended:

• When a tooth has a large filling and needs additional support
• When a tooth is weakened, fractured, or otherwise damaged
• After a tooth has received root canal treatment
• If a tooth is severely stained or misshapen
• If a tooth is dramatically worn-down

When you have a weak tooth, it can fracture easily. Crowns counteract this negative implication by adding support and strength, improving their durability and helping you continue using your tooth as you naturally would

Can an Emergency Dentist Pull a Tooth?

Tooth extractions may be needed for a variety of reasons. You could have an impacted tooth that could present potential problems in the future, need dental implants, or a damaged tooth may need to be extracted. Not all extractions are an emergency, though. A tooth extraction may become an emergency when the tooth is diseased, damaged, infected, and causing you pain. Fortunately, in these cases, your emergency dentist in Minnetonka can remove the tooth to stop the pain as well as prevent additional damage to the bone or surrounding teeth. If we remove a tooth, we can also help replace it with either a traditional bridge or dental implant. Remember that dentists always strive to save a tooth, and extraction only arises when other techniques have failed, or they cannot resolve the problem.

What is the Best Toothpaste for Whitening Teeth?

If you’re interested in whitening your teeth with over-the-counter products like whitening toothpaste, make sure the one you purchase contains sensitivity-reducing ingredients and the ADA Seal of Approval. The packaging should also clearly state how frequently and to what extent it should be used.

When used too frequently, whitening toothpaste can deteriorate the enamel of teeth over time, making them more vulnerable to cavities. When you have the right whitening toothpaste and you use it correctly, you can remove some surface stains from your teeth without causing harm to your smile.

It is also prudent to understand that whitening toothpaste is only good at removing certain types of stains. For stains caused by coffee or smoking, you may be able to get toothpaste to slightly whiten the teeth; however, the most effective treatment for deeper seated stains is professional whitening treatment from a cosmetic dentist in Minnetonka. This is a more concentrated, safer option that can tackle stubborn discoloration that isn’t caused by coffee or staining foods.

What is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is aimed at changing the gums’ shape and framing the smile to make it more proportional. The procedure is used to remove excessive gum tissue that can make your smile appear “gummy.” During your smile evaluation, the dentists at Holger Dental Group will look at the health and aesthetics of your teeth and gums and recommend gum contouring if you’ve let us know that you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Holger can perform both a gingivectomy (to remove excess gum tissue) as well as connective tissue grafting (to replace receding gums) when appropriate.

A laser may be used during the gum contouring surgery for precision and easy healing, as well as to minimize bleeding and post-operative discomfort. You can apply ice packs and use pain reduction medications as the dentist prescribes. Our team will go over further post-operative instructions with you prior to your surgical visit.

Here is an example of one of our patients, Maddie, and how gum contouring was used to improve the appearance of her smile.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Dental bridges can help restore your smile if you have several missing teeth in a row. Depending on whether you’re a good candidate, you can opt for an implant bridge or a traditional dental bridge.

Dental bridges function to prevent bite problems, chewing difficulties, and pain from the excess stress placed on the teeth and jaw due to missing some teeth. They can also dramatically boost your confidence by rejuvenating your smile. However, before you decide whether a dental bridge is right for you, you should know how long they last.

Here are some of the factors that can determine the lifespan of a dental bridge:

• The method of installation
• Whether it’s supported by dental implants
• At-home care routine
• Professional hygiene visits
• Dietary habits
• Teeth grinding and clenching

At your consultation, one of our dentists will discuss these details with you to make sure you’re a good candidate. In some cases, we may recommend other services alongside a dental bridge, like a nightguard to protect your new restoration from grinding.

How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?

The length of your dental implant treatment can vary depending on what implants you’re receiving, any preliminary treatments that you require, your general health, and your ability to follow post-operative best-practices. Typically, the process takes between three and 12 months, with between three and six of those months being dedicated healing time. During this lengthy period, the implants will fuse with the bone, which is one of the most crucial processes to ensure the best results.

If you require additional dental work during this time period, like a tooth extraction, bone graft, or sinus lift, you may require several additional months of healing time. However, it’s worth it! These procedures are aimed at promoting prospering healing and preparing the area for dental implant treatment, which can ensure the success of your results.

For an All-on-X dental implant procedure, we can install the provisional fixed denture in one day after proper planning has been completed. At Holger Dental Group, we will ensure your temporary fixed denture functions well and looks beautiful before attaching the permanent fixed denture.

What Do Temporary Dentures Look Like?

Patients receive temporary dentures after they have had a tooth extraction. The provisional dentures help with aesthetics and function while still securing the space left by the extracted or lost teeth until the permanent dentures are placed. The temporary denture secures the gap or space, ensuring other nearby teeth don’t infringe on it and cause bite misalignment.

Temporary dentures are usually custom-fabricated before tooth extraction surgery. Your dentist will design your dentures to resemble natural teeth as much as possible. The base of the dentures is made from gum-colored acrylic and the artificial teeth mounted over the base are custom-shaded to look natural.

Although they may look like real teeth, temporary dentures are not meant to last indefinitely, so it’s important to be gentle and mindful while you’re waiting to pick up your permanent ones, which will be crafted to look even more lifelike.

How Long Does a Dental Cleaning and Exam Take?

The American Dental Association, as well as our team at Holger Dental Group, recommends visiting our office every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. These visits typically take about 60 minutes, but that can vary based on your oral health status. These appointments are paramount and can help keep your oral health at its best, all while preventing serious issues from occurring, like tooth loss.

Our team will capture X-rays as well as examine your mouth for concerns like gum infection, cavities, and signs of clenching and grinding. Your dentist in Minneapolis will also complete an oral cancer screening, which involves palpating the throat, neck and mouth, as well as checking the tongue for signs of oral cancer.