Ever since we were kids, we’ve been taught the importance of brushing, flossing, and eating a balanced diet. We’ve also been taught the importance of seeing our dentist every six months, yet many people let more time lapse between visits than they should. Regular dental visits aren’t only good for your oral health (it’s much easier to correct an oral problem in the early stages, when treatment is likely to be more simple and affordable), they are also good for your overall health. Regular check-ups can help clue your dentist to symptoms associated with diabetes, HIV, leukemia, your heart health, and osteoporosis. By examining your teeth and gums, your dentist can get a sense of what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to be done in order to keep your body’s systems up and running at their maximum potential.
Q. What appeals to patients about your clinic? What sets it apart?
A. People enjoy coming to Lake Minnetonka Dental because we have an extremely friendly, compassionate, patient-focused, and highly skilled staff, trained on the latest techniques and materials. There is revolutionary technology being utilized in the field of dentistry and we have it—from CT scans to CAD crowns delivered in a day, all with the goal of making our patients’ visits as comfortable and efficient as possible. However, I think what resonates most with people is the obvious care our team members show to those we are fortunate enough to call our patients. We strive for a culture of excellence and I think people sense—and appreciate—that.
Bryan Laskin, DDS
Lake Minnetonka Dental
109 Bushaway Road, Suite 300
Wayzata, MN 55391 • 952-475-0225
lakeminnetonkadental.com
Q. What is implant dentistry? What do you offer in this area that might not be standard at other clinics?
A. Implant dentistry is providing a man-made replacement for a missing tooth, or multiple missing teeth. An implant is a titanium or zirconium post that bonds to the bone like a natural tooth root. Implants can be used to support a single crown, a large bridge, and even to stabilize full dentures. When people wear full dentures, the bone continues to erode, causing wrinkles and crunched up look. Implants stimulate the bone like teeth do and prevent any further bone loss. Implants can be a lifetime restoration, as they never get a cavity or need a root canal.
While most dental offices can provide some part of the implant treatment, Dr. Scott Lingle and Dr. Joseph Trowbridge provide comprehensive care from the implant surgery and grafting to the final restoration, all at one convenient location. Dr. Lingle is also one of the few dentists trained to place zirconium implants, requested by many holistic dentists. The proof is in the results—beautiful white implants can provide completely metal-free results.
Scott D. Lingle, DDS • St. Paul Dental Center
30 East 7th Street, Suite 101,
St. Paul, MN 55101 • 651-227-6646
The Dental Implant Center
8325 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 150
Golden Valley, MN 55426 • 763-417-9975
Q. What is periodontal disease?
How is it treated?
A. Periodontal disease ranges from simple gum inflammation (gingivitis) caused by plaque and tartar build-up below the gumline to a serious disease—periodontitis—that can result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In a worst-case scenario, gum disease can spread and cause you to lose teeth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease is the primary reason people over age 35 lose their teeth. Dental treatment ranges from a deep cleaning (called scaling and planning) to surgery, depending on the severity of the problem. The best way to avoid periodontal disease is to brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste), floss regularly, get routine checkups at the dentist, and don’t chew tobacco or smoke.
Walter L. Hunt, DDS
Personal Care Dentistry
2233 North Hamline Ave., Suite 320
Roseville, MN 55113 • 651-964-3836
personalcaredentistry.com
Q. Does age increase the likelihood of oral health issues? Why?
A. Yes. Older adults are susceptible to oral conditions or diseases—periodontal disease, attrition, xerostomia (dry mouth), to name just a few. Declining systemic health affects oral health.
Q. What are some exciting technological advancements in the world of dentistry?
A. For dental implants—the preferred treatment for missing teeth—we routinely use 3D digital imaging: a detailed computer view of the patient’s mouth and jawbone from all angles, resulting in a safe, accurate, and minimally invasive procedure with less down time. We also use the VELscope—a non-invasive oral cancer-screening device. It aids in helping us find abnormalities not visible to the naked eye. The incidence of oral cancer is rising—today it’s the sixth most common type of cancer—making early detection absolutely crucial.
Drew F. Spencer, DDS
Edina 5-0 Dental, P.A.
3948 West 50th Street, Suite 205
Edina, MN 55424 • 952-922-8111
edina5-0dental.com
Q. What is CEREC technology? Why is it beneficial to your patients that you have advanced CEREC training?
A. CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is a single-day technology often used for crowns, or dental “jackets” that comfortably and tightly slide over injured, damaged, discolored, or cracked teeth. With CEREC, your tooth is prepared as minimally as possible. First, we scan your tooth into our computer, avoiding a messy, goopy impression, and then—through 3D software—we design your new tooth. Next, it is fabricated or milled from a block of porcelain that looks great and blends in naturally with the rest of your teeth (no metal). The milling process takes anywhere from 6-15 minutes. After that, the new restoration is bonded into place, forming a precise fit and seal between your tooth and the final restoration, eliminating the need for temporaries. All of this is done in one visit, making it very popular with people who have busy schedules.
Melissa Zettler, DDS
Cherrywood Dental Care
14127 Vernon Avenue South
Savage, MN 55378 • 952-440-9303
www.cherrywooddental.com
Q. Does age increase the likelihood of oral health issues? Why?
A. Our office is prepared to deal with dental needs at any age, ranging from preventative to restorative to maintenance. Our youngest patient is less than one and our oldest patient is 104!
Life expectancy has increased significantly past the age of retirement. This increased life expectancy has led to increased tooth loss. And when it comes to replacing lost teeth, implants—in the vast majority of cases—are the best long-term solution for maintaining a healthy mouth. Dentures, or removable false teeth, can slip and move and cause difficulty when chewing or speaking. Dental implants provide a better solution, providing a replacement to natural missing teeth. If patients already have dentures, they can enjoy more freedom with implant-supported dentures, supported by and attached to implants rather than their gums.
An aging population also has many other issues to consider. Medications and health issues can lead to xerostomia or “dry mouth.” Dexterity issues can make cleaning teeth more difficult. It’s important for the dental team to understand their patients’ new and changing dental needs and find a program that works for them. This could mean more frequent dental cleanings, supplemental fluoride, and mechanical tooth brush recommendations.
Q. How safe are dental x-rays?
A. Dental x-rays are constantly changing. Most offices, including my own, use digital x-ray technology which significantly reduces the amount of radiation exposure—as well as giving a clear image that can be enlarged and manipulated—much like a digital picture you would take on your phone.
Stacy Roszkowski, DDS • Lifelong Dental Care
1525 Livingston Ave
West St. Paul, MN 55118 • 651-457-4888
lifelongdds.com
Q. What appeals to patients about your clinic?
A. I think the appeal of our clinic is that we really focus on forming long-term relationships with our patients. This starts with making sure our new patients get to spend as much time with the doctor as they need or want on their first visit. We never want our patients to feel rushed. We want them to know that we really care about their oral health. We take the time to listen and address any concerns and answer any questions they may have. Hopefully we earn their trust and respect. We believe all of our patients deserve to feel welcome and important at our office.
Brent Fredrickson, DDS • Chalet Dental Care
1651 North Dale Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55117 • 651-488-5888
chaletdental.com
Q. What is sedation dentistry?
A. Anxiety during a dental appointment can create unhealthy stress, which can complicate many pre-existing medical conditions. IV sedation is considered “conscious sedation”—which is the safest yet most complete level of sedation you can have. I can perform all cosmetic dentistry under IV conscious sedation, eliminating the fear of dentistry aspect for my patients. All procedures done in our office are performed by a highly sophisticated and trained dental team in a warm, welcoming, and relaxed environment. Every care is taken to ensure that our patients have a pleasant visit.
Dr. Atif H. Rizvi • Dentistry by Design
17809 Hutchins Drive, Suite 108
Minnetonka, MN 55345 • 952-474-5041
Dentistrybydesignminnetonka.com
Q. What are some common do’s and don’ts when it comes to wanting your teeth and mouth to look as healthy as possible?
A. Don’t neglect your periodontal health. You need healthy gums and supporting bone. Bleeding is a warning sign that inflammation is present. Porcelain crowns and veneers will look better and last longer with healthy gums and bone.
Q. What interesting fact or piece of advice would you like to share with our readers?
A. People who have healthy teeth and gums are more likely to live longer lives. Doctors have known this empirically for years and now research supports it.
Ned Windmiller, DDS
St. Croix Medical Arts Building
1701 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN 55082
Wayzata Medical Complex
250 North Central Avenue, Suite 202
Wayzata, MN 55391 • 651-439-8840
nedwindmillerdds.com
