Oral Hygiene Care
Maintaining good oral health is the cornerstone of keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Healthy teeth and gums are very important to us at Keldsen Family Dental Care because we know the importance of this to your overall health and well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop, which in turn saves you money and discomfort.
Dental Cleaning
A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning you receive from our dental hygienist. Our dental cleanings last approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Cleanings are generally performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup, depending on your oral health. Plaque gone undetected can lead to unhealthy gums and decay. Our hygienist is caring and gentle and understands each and every patient has different needs. Here at Keldsen Dental we like to adapt each and every cleaning to your unique situation.
Sealants
Sealants are used to fill narrow grooves in our teeth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing our teeth. Sometimes the grooves are so narrow in our teeth that no matter how hard be brush we cannot reach the base of the groove where the plaque likes to hide. To help avoid cavities developing over time, we will brush on a coating over these grooves and pits, which will make it possible to brush off all of the plaque from your chewing surface.
Bonding
Bonding is a process of adhering a composite resin material that is matched to the color of your tooth, to the front of your tooth. We use this procedure to repair damage caused by decay, close gaps between the teeth, or other cosmetic procedures.
Ask us about Cosmetic Veneers (porcelain) bonding for a whiter smile!
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Fillings
A fillings is one way to restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay back to it's original shape and function. If you do have a tooth that requires a filling, Dr. Keldsen will remove the decay from your tooth first, thoroughly clean the infected area, and then fill the cleaned cavity with a filling material. A filling helps prevent the decay from progressing into a root canal, or in some cases extraction.
There are several different materials that are available at Keldsen Dental. Our main materials are gold, resin composite, silver, and porcelain. Dr. Keldsen will work with you to determine which material may be best for you depending on the nature of your restoration needed, where it is located, and the cost.
If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of your tooth, a crown ( or “cap”) may be recommended for the longevity of your tooth. If decay has reached the nerve of your tooth root canal therapy may be needed.
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges are used to enhance and restore teeth that are damaged or missing. A crown (or “cap”) is used to cover the entire damaged tooth to strengthen a tooth, dramatically improve its appearance and shape, and protect it from the force of our bite.
Crowns or Bridges may be used to:
*Replace a large filling when there may be little tooth structure.
*Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
*Restore a fractured tooth.
*Replace a missing tooth by attaching a bridge.
*Cover a dental implant.
*Cover a tooth that has had a root canal therapy.
*Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy (treatment) is necessary when the decay has reached the nerve of the tooth. Treatment may also be necessary when there is nerve damage due to trauma to the tooth. Once the nerve (pulp) becomes infected, it can begin to eating away the bone surrounding your tooth or better known as an abscess. If the nerve is infected, not only is it very painful, but it requires immediate treatment as it cannot heal itself and can cause worse health issues.
Possible symptoms may be:
*Hot or cold sensitivity.
*Sensitivity to sweets.
*Pain and swelling.
*Pain to biting or pressure.
*Sometimes a bad taste in the mouth.
Root canal treatment is performed to clean out the infected nerve and decay, filled with a material to seal tooth. Due to the tooth losing its vitality a crown is recommended for strength and protection. Without a crown the tooth is more susceptible to fracturing.
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Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. There are two types of dentures available to you at Keldsen Family Dental Care; partial dentures are used where there are natural teeth still remaining or complete dentures for people that have no teeth or replacement of teeth that are non-restorable.
Dentures and partials are made to resemble your natural teeth so you can smile!
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Tooth Extractions
Extractions of teeth are the last resort. We understand at Keldsen Family Dental Care due to each of your unique circumstances extraction of a tooth may be necessary. We strive to do everything we can to make this time as easy on you, as the patient, as possible. We offer many different forms of sedation for your comfort during this time.
The forms of sedation we offer:
Nitrous (some refer to as “laughing gas”) - it helps patients relax during treatment while still being aware of your surroundings.
Oral Sedation- this is prescribed by Dr. Keldsen in a pill form. This is taken the night before, as we know it is hard to sleep sometimes when we are anxious and nervous, and taken again 1 hour prior to the appointment.
I. V. Sedation- we are happy to be able to offer is to our patients. Dr. Keldsen has gone through extensive training to bring this form of sedation to our office for your comfort. I. V. Sedation makes this process extremely comfortable for the patient. We understand that some patients just want to “wake up and it’s all over”. We monitor you closely as we let you sleep through your unique procedure. We have had many dental patients refer to it as “the best nap they have ever had” and that is what we like to hear!
Please don't hesitate to ask us any dental questions you may have about I. V. Sedation, we would be more than happy to help!
Teeth Whitening
Keldsen Family Dental Care offers in-office whitening and at home whitening. Tooth whitening is a popular procedure these days to make teeth brighter and whiter. Whitening can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or to simply brighten your smile. Tooth whitening is a safe and relatively painless way to a brighter smile.
In-Office Whitening - is a one hour procedure where we whitening your teeth as you relax. That day you are able to walk out of the office with a whiter smile. Please call for your free consultation!
Take Home Whitening - is a simple procedure where we have you come in for impression of your teeth, make a mold, and form whitening trays to fit your unique mouth for optimum whitening.
Mouth guards and Night guards
Custom designed mouth guards and night guards are made of a flexible plastic and formed to fit the shape of your teeth. Mouth guards are recommended to protect your teeth during sports and physical activity that may make your teeth vulnerable to trauma. Night guards are recommended for patients that may grind or clench their teeth throughout the night as a way to protect their teeth and bite. Guards also protect the soft tissue of your tongue, cheeks, and lips.
Digital X-rays
We use digital x-rays here at Keldsen Family Dental Care because we know that digital format for films exposes you to about 90% less radiation than conventional films. Using this digital technology we are able to take a detailed picture of your teeth using a small sensor, which is then sent to a computer for review.