Our Intro Video
Meet Our Doctors
Our Mission Statement

As a caring team we strive to provide our patients with individualized, high quality dental care in a comfortable, friendly and warm atmosphere.  Our doctors and staff are genuinely dedicated in our commitment to serving our patients with compassion, respect and with the highest level of integrity.

 

Our goal is to be thorough, positive and above all, to value the needs of our patients.

 

We Care at

We are sensitive to the fact that everyone’s financial situation is unique, therefore we have worked hard to provide a variety of payment options to enable you to receive the dental care you need to maintain a healthy smile.

 

When you arrive in our office, our first concern is you and your oral health. Please understand we neither work for the insurance companies, nor do we wish to. For this reason, we do not diagnose, treat or establish fees according to any insurance allowances or tables. Our treatment fees are based on care, skill and judgment of the professionals delivering the services, and by the cost of operating a dental office dedicated to excellence. We make every effort possible to give you an estimate for treatment needed prior to restorative work. Please understand that any insurance estimates given are estimates only and that we can never guarantee estimated coverage. Unless prior arrangements are made, your estimated portion is due at the time of service. Should you have a dispute with your insurance we will provide you with the information to support the necessity of treatment, which may assist in recovering your benefit. Keep in mind that insurance policies have annual maximums and benefit limitations and it is always a good idea to educate yourself about your policy’s benefits and limitations as it is an agreement between yourself and the insurance company. You are responsible for any balance left unpaid by your insurance. Payment is due at the time services are rendered.

 

For your convenience, we accept payment by cash, check, debit or credit card. For those patients who desire a payment plan, we work with Care Credit.

 

At Lakes Dental Care it is our goal to provide quality dental care with personalized attention at a fair price.

Click on one of our

lakes and meet us!

We are available Monday-Thursday 8 to 5. Fridays 8 to 3. For after hours emergencies, please call our office and follow our instructions.

 

From the moment you walk in our front door, our goal is for you to feel comfortable and informed!  We have a highly trained and friendly staff with years of experience. Many of us have been here for more than two decades and we have formed long lasting relationships with our patients.  Our patients often tell us it’s like visiting with friends during their office visits!

 

We are constantly keeping up with the latest trends and techniques through continuing education courses.  Our priority is the comfort and safety of our patients. we never lose sight of this and hope you will feel it every time you visit us.

Whether we see a child or adult, a first visit is a time to get to know one another. You will be introduced to our doctors and staff and be led through our cutting edge dental clinic. We will take extra time with children to ensure they will be relaxed on this and future visits. We will discuss your immediate needs. All fees and will be discussed in advance. For our patients with insurance, we will let you know ahead of time your estimated payment portion.

 

Usually, a first visit for a dental patient will include a cleaning followed by xrays. One of our doctors will examine the xrays and you or your child’s teeth then discuss anything that may need attention.

 

A first visit for an orthodontic or cosmetic dentistry patient will include discussing your unique smile and ways to improve it. We will discuss cost, treatment time and cases that are similar to yours so that you will understand what is achievable.

 

Please complete our New Patient Forms before your first visit.

General Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening

Extractions

Removable Prosthetics

Orthodontics

General dentistry includes the services you remember from going to the dentist. Cleanings, X-Rays, Dr’s Exams and Fillings.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with:

 

•  Cracked teeth

•  Chipped or fractured teeth

•  Discolored teeth

•  Excess or uneven gum tissue

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges and gum recontouring, and may also integrate other dental treatments such as white fillings, teeth whitening, and bonding.

 

At Lakes Dental, our doctors offer advanced materials and techniques for our crown and bridge treatments. Today’s restorations can give you healthy teeth that last for years while looking completely natural.

•  Missing teeth

•  Decayed teeth

•  Weakened teeth

Bleach Trays (Take Home)

Bleach trays are custom fit trays for your teeth that are fabricated from impressions taken at a short dental visit. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn at your convenience. You will be given bleach and instructions on how to properly use them.

With home-bleaching you are able to monitor your color and use when it's convenient for your schedule.

 

What are realistic expectations?

There is no given shade that whitening will guarantee! Every smile is different and the success rate depends on the type of stain. Yellow, orange and brown stained teeth will usually whiten up more than gray stained teeth.

 

Can I whiten my crowns, veneers or composite fillings?

No. Bleaching cannot lighten any artificial materials such as resins or porcelains.

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.

Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are sometimes occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.

A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

 

     •  Severe decay

     •  Advanced periodontal disease

     •  Infection or abscess

     •  Orthodontic correction

 

After careful examination and treatment, our doctors may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.

 

For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

 

It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

Dentures are full replacements to all teeth. They use suction to retain themselves and are of great cosmetic value.

 

Mini implants can be used to improve retention of weak bone base dentures.

 

Partial dentures are partial replacement of teeth, they use existing teeth to anchor to and are made of a cast metal coping covered by acrylic and teeth.

 

Flexible partials are the cosmetic answer to the metal based partial, there is no metal in them and they flex a little to allow retention and fit. Both kinds of partial dentures are very retentive and secure.

Our dentists may discuss the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints known as the TMJ. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or jaw pain.

 

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you’ll feel more self-confident.

Write a Review for Us

 on Google or Facebook.

“As always, I was very pleased with the thorough cleaning I received. I met Dr. Lundstrom for the first time today and I was very impressed with her thorough exam and very pleasant interaction. Lakes Dental Care has been my dental provider exclusively for 32 years and I look forward to the next 32 years!” -Denise G., google

 

“I was so impressed with Lakes Dental.  From my initial call to their office through final checkout they were friendly, helpful and thorough.   My hygienist Abby was sweet and kind and my dentist Dr Hennies was great at explaining the what and why of the visit.  More impressive was how quickly he assessed my situation, crafted a plan, took care of my issue painlessly, and had me out the door.   As someone who hates going to the dentist I have to say everything about the visit was a joy.”  -Deb V., google

 

“I have been with Lakes Dental since I was a kid. Dr. Beasley was amazing! I now see Dr. Spitzley and couldn't be more happy. Today she gave me my smile back with great Dental care. I highly recommend Lakes Dental for all dental work. :-)”  -Du-Nae M., google

 

“Best dentist experiences I’ve ever had. I can’t recommend them enough. You feel like they care and are there just to help.”  -Kristin G., google

 

We’re Looking Forward to Seeing You!

in Baxter

 

218-829-4511

 

Email Baxter Office

 

14213 Golf Course Drive, Suite 100

Baxter, Minnesota 56425

[click for directions]

in Pequot Lakes

 

218-568-5011

 

Email Pequot Lakes Office

 

31052 Government Drive

Pequot Lakes, Minnesota 56472

[click for directions]

We’re proud of what people are saying! Dental Care Meet Our Team

Dr. Cassandra Spitzley

“We have fun getting to know

each patient. We are always considerate of making them feel comfortable while they receive the best treatment possible.”

more

Dr. Jeffrey Olson

“We are a very empathetic and details-oriented practice. We strive for our patients to be comfortable at Lakes Dental Care while we craft their beautiful, healthy smiles.”

more

Dr. Sam Hennies

“We want our patients to have great experience and leave with a smile on their face. We always have your best interests in mind while improving your unique smile and overall health.”

more

Dr. David Ude

“Working with you and your goals is why I became a dentist. I’m looking forward to your smile!”

more

Dr. Ashley Valesano

Dr. Ashley Valesano joined Lakes Dental Care in August 2020. She is known for her quality work, gentle touch and sincerity.

more

front office
hygienists
assistants
Your First Dental Visit

Dr. Hannah Lundstrom

Welcoming Dr. Hannah Lundstrom to Lakes Dental Care in July 2022!

more

In Pequot Lakes!     218-568-5011     map     email

31052 Government Drive, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

Member:

American Dental Association

Lakes Dental Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. More about Discrimination. About English Language Translations.

Our Intro Video
Meet Our Doctors
Our Mission Statement
We’re proud of what people are saying!

General Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening

Extractions

Removable Prosthetics

Orthodontics

General dentistry includes the services you remember from going to the dentist. Cleanings, X-Rays, Dr’s Exams and Fillings.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with:

 

•  Cracked teeth

•  Chipped or fractured teeth

•  Discolored teeth

•  Excess or uneven gum tissue

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges and gum recontouring, and may also integrate other dental treatments such as white fillings, teeth whitening, and bonding.

 

At Lakes Dental, our doctors offer advanced materials and techniques for our crown and bridge treatments. Today’s restorations can give you healthy teeth that last for years while looking completely natural.

•  Missing teeth

•  Decayed teeth

•  Weakened teeth

Bleach Trays (Take Home)

Bleach trays are custom fit trays for your teeth that are fabricated from impressions taken at a short dental visit. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn at your convenience. You will be given bleach and instructions on how to properly use them.  With home-bleaching you are able to monitor your color and use when it's convenient for your schedule.

 

What are realistic expectations?

There is no given shade that whitening will guarantee! Every smile is different and the success rate depends on the type of stain. Yellow, orange and brown stained teeth will usually whiten up more than gray stained teeth.

 

Can I whiten my crowns, veneers or composite fillings?

No. Bleaching cannot lighten any artificial materials such as resins or porcelains.

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.

Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are sometimes occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.

A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

 

     •  Severe decay

     •  Advanced periodontal disease

     •  Infection or abscess

     •  Orthodontic correction

 

After careful examination and treatment, our doctors may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.

 

For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

 

It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

Dentures are full replacements to all teeth. They use suction to retain themselves and are of great cosmetic value.

 

Mini implants can be used to improve retention of weak bone base dentures.

 

Partial dentures are partial replacement of teeth, they use existing teeth to anchor to and are made of a cast metal coping covered by acrylic and teeth.

 

Flexible partials are the cosmetic answer to the metal based partial, there is no metal in them and they flex a little to allow retention and fit. Both kinds of partial dentures are very retentive and secure.

Our dentists may discuss the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints known as the TMJ. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or jaw pain.

 

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you’ll feel more self-confident.

We’re Looking Forward to Seeing You!
Meet Our Doctors
Our Intro Video
Our Mission Statement
Your First Dental Visit

General Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening

Extractions

Removable Prosthetics

Orthodontics

General dentistry includes the services you remember from going to the dentist. Cleanings, X-Rays, Dr’s Exams and Fillings.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with:

 

•  Cracked teeth

•  Chipped or fractured teeth

•  Discolored teeth

•  Excess or uneven gum tissue

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges and gum recontouring, and may also integrate other dental treatments such as white fillings, teeth whitening, and bonding.

 

At Lakes Dental, our doctors offer advanced materials and techniques for our crown and bridge treatments. Today’s restorations can give you healthy teeth that last for years while looking completely natural.

•  Missing teeth

•  Decayed teeth

•  Weakened teeth

Bleach Trays (Take Home)

Bleach trays are custom fit trays for your teeth that are fabricated from impressions taken at a short dental visit. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn at your convenience. You will be given bleach and instructions on how to properly use them.

With home-bleaching you are able to monitor your color and use when it's convenient for your schedule.

 

What are realistic expectations?

There is no given shade that whitening will guarantee! Every smile is different and the success rate depends on the type of stain. Yellow, orange and brown stained teeth will usually whiten up more than gray stained teeth.

 

Can I whiten my crowns, veneers or composite fillings?

No. Bleaching cannot lighten any artificial materials such as resins or porcelains.

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.

Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are sometimes occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.

A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

 

     •  Severe decay

     •  Advanced periodontal disease

     •  Infection or abscess

     •  Orthodontic correction

 

After careful examination and treatment, our doctors may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.

 

For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

 

It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

Dentures are full replacements to all teeth. They use suction to retain themselves and are of great cosmetic value.

 

Mini implants can be used to improve retention of weak bone base dentures.

 

Partial dentures are partial replacement of teeth, they use existing teeth to anchor to and are made of a cast metal coping covered by acrylic and teeth.

 

Flexible partials are the cosmetic answer to the metal based partial, there is no metal in them and they flex a little to allow retention and fit. Both kinds of partial dentures are very retentive and secure.

Our dentists may discuss the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints known as the TMJ. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or jaw pain.

 

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you’ll feel more self-confident.

We’re proud of what people are saying!
We’re Looking Forward to Seeing You!

In Baxter!   218-829-4511  email

In Pequot Lakes!  218-568-5011  email

Our Intro Video
Meet Our Doctors
Our Mission Statement
Your First Dental Visit

General

Cosmetic

Whitening

Extractions

Prosthetics

Ortho

General dentistry includes the services you remember from going to the dentist. Cleanings, X-Rays, Dr’s Exams and Fillings.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with:

 

•  Cracked teeth

•  Chipped or fractured teeth

•  Discolored teeth

•  Excess or uneven gum tissue

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges and gum recontouring, and may also integrate other dental treatments such as white fillings, teeth whitening, and bonding.

 

At Lakes Dental, our doctors offer advanced materials and techniques for our crown and bridge treatments. Today’s restorations can give you healthy teeth that last for years while looking completely natural.

•  Missing teeth

•  Decayed teeth

•  Weakened teeth

Bleach Trays (Take Home)

Bleach trays are custom fit trays for your teeth that are fabricated from impressions taken at a short dental visit. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn at your convenience. You will be given bleach and instructions on how to properly use them.

With home-bleaching you are able to monitor your color and use when it's convenient for your schedule.

 

What are realistic expectations?

There is no given shade that whitening will guarantee! Every smile is different and the success rate depends on the type of stain. Yellow, orange and brown stained teeth will usually whiten up more than gray stained teeth.

 

Can I whiten my crowns, veneers or composite fillings?

No. Bleaching cannot lighten any artificial materials such as resins or porcelains.

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.

Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are sometimes occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.

A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

 

     •  Severe decay

     •  Advanced periodontal disease

     •  Infection or abscess

     •  Orthodontic correction

 

After careful examination and treatment, our doctors may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.

 

For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

 

It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

Dentures are full replacements to all teeth. They use suction to retain themselves and are of great cosmetic value.

 

Mini implants can be used to improve retention of weak bone base dentures.

 

Partial dentures are partial replacement of teeth, they use existing teeth to anchor to and are made of a cast metal coping covered by acrylic and teeth.

 

Flexible partials are the cosmetic answer to the metal based partial, there is no metal in them and they flex a little to allow retention and fit. Both kinds of partial dentures are very retentive and secure.

Our dentists may discuss the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints known as the TMJ. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or jaw pain.

 

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you’ll feel more self-confident.

We’re proud of what people are saying!
We’re Looking Forward to Seeing You!
Meet Our Team
front office
hygienists
assistants
Dental Care
Our Intro Video
Meet Our Doctors
Our Mission Statement
Meet Our Team
front office
hygienists
assistants

Click on one of our

lakes and meet us!

Your First Dental Visit

Whether we see a child or adult, a first visit is a time to get to know one another. You will be introduced to our doctors and staff and be led through our cutting edge dental clinic. We will take extra time with children to ensure they will be relaxed on this and future visits. We will discuss your immediate needs. All fees and will be discussed in advance. For our patients with insurance, we will let you know ahead of time your estimated payment portion.

 

Usually, a first visit for a dental patient will include a cleaning followed by xrays. One of our doctors will examine the xrays and you or your child’s teeth then discuss anything that may need attention.

 

A first visit for an orthodontic or cosmetic dentistry patient will include discussing your unique smile and ways to improve it. We will discuss cost, treatment time and cases that are similar to yours so that you will understand what is achievable.

 

Please complete our New Patient Forms before your first visit.

Dental Care

General

Cosmetic

Whitening

Extractions

Prosthetics

Ortho

General dentistry includes the services you remember from going to the dentist. Cleanings, X-Rays, Dr’s Exams and Fillings.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with:

 

•  Cracked teeth

•  Chipped or fractured teeth

•  Discolored teeth

•  Excess or uneven gum tissue

 

 

 

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges and gum recontouring, and may also integrate other dental treatments such as white fillings, teeth whitening, and bonding.

 

At Lakes Dental, our doctors offer advanced materials and techniques for our crown and bridge treatments. Today’s restorations can give you healthy teeth that last for years while looking completely natural.

•  Missing teeth

•  Decayed teeth

•  Weakened teeth

Bleach Trays (Take Home)

Bleach trays are custom fit trays for your teeth that are fabricated from impressions taken at a short dental visit. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn at your convenience. You will be given bleach and instructions on how to properly use them.

With home-bleaching you are able to monitor your color and use when it's convenient for your schedule.

 

What are realistic expectations?

There is no given shade that whitening will guarantee! Every smile is different and the success rate depends on the type of stain. Yellow, orange and brown stained teeth will usually whiten up more than gray stained teeth.

 

Can I whiten my crowns, veneers or composite fillings?

No. Bleaching cannot lighten any artificial materials such as resins or porcelains.

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.

Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are sometimes occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.

A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

 

     •  Severe decay

     •  Advanced periodontal disease

     •  Infection or abscess

     •  Orthodontic correction

 

After careful examination and treatment, our doctors may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.

 

For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

 

It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

Dentures are full replacements to all teeth. They use suction to retain themselves and are of great cosmetic value.

 

Mini implants can be used to improve retention of weak bone base dentures.

 

Partial dentures are partial replacement of teeth, they use existing teeth to anchor to and are made of a cast metal coping covered by acrylic and teeth.

 

Flexible partials are the cosmetic answer to the metal based partial, there is no metal in them and they flex a little to allow retention and fit. Both kinds of partial dentures are very retentive and secure.

Our dentists may discuss the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints known as the TMJ. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or jaw pain.

 

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you’ll feel more self-confident.

We’re proud of what people are saying!
Our Intro Video
Meet Our Doctors
Our Mission Statement
Meet Our Team
front office
hygienists
assistants
Dental Care

General

Cosmetic

Whitening

Extractions

Prosthetics

Ortho

General dentistry includes the services you remember from going to the dentist. Cleanings, X-Rays, Dr’s Exams and Fillings.

Teeth Cleanings

Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks, but for general health as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease and strokes. Regular cleanings can help prevent these problems and provide you with good oral hygiene. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer, every hour of every day in the United States alone. When you have your dental cleaning, we are also screening you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed early.

 

Children and adults should be seen for their regular cleaning and check up every six months. People at a greater risk for oral diseases should have their dental check ups more than twice a year.

 

X-Rays

Dental x-rays are images of the teeth, bones, and soft tissues around them to help find problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during your dental examination.

 

Bitewing x-rays show the upper and lower back teeth. These x-rays are used to check for decay between the teeth. They also show bone loss when severe gum disease or a dental infection is present.

 

Panoramic x-rays show a broad view of the jaws, teeth, sinuses, nasal area, They show problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, solid growths (tumors), infections, and fractures.

 

Doctor’s Exams

Exams begin by reviewing the x-rays, models, and photos of your mouth with one of our doctors. Any conditions are noted and explained in detail. The clinical exam includes examination of the teeth and gums, evaluation of the bite and TMJ, an oral cancer screening, and an esthetic evaluation where indicated.

 

If treatment needs are not complex, we recommend solutions, and ask the patient if they are ready to proceed. If the treatment recommendations are more complex, we may ask you or your child to return for a further consultation.

 

Whitening

Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world today. Whitening removes organic stains or discolorations primarily caused by aging and certain foods.

 

We offer prescription take-home systems.

 

• We provide you with a whitening tray and whitening agent to use at home.

 

• Convenience: You can do home whitening at any time of the day or night, for short or long periods.

 

• Portability: You can also use at-home whitening trays while on the go wherever you are.

 

Fillings

A dental filling is a type of restorative dentistry treatment used to repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth.

 

Dental filling materials include amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth colored) restorations.

 

Crowns

A crown is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. After removing the old restoration and decay if there is not enough of your own natural tooth structure, a build up will be used. Crowns are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement. Crowns are often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with:

 

•  Cracked teeth

•  Chipped or fractured teeth

•  Discolored teeth

•  Excess or uneven gum tissue

 

 

 

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges and gum recontouring, and may also integrate other dental treatments such as white fillings, teeth whitening, and bonding.

 

At Lakes Dental, our doctors offer advanced materials and techniques for our crown and bridge treatments. Today’s restorations can give you healthy teeth that last for years while looking completely natural.

•  Missing teeth

•  Decayed teeth

•  Weakened teeth

Bleach Trays (Take Home)

Bleach trays are custom fit trays for your teeth that are fabricated from impressions taken at a short dental visit. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn at your convenience. You will be given bleach and instructions on how to properly use them.

With home-bleaching you are able to monitor your color and use when it's convenient for your schedule.

 

What are realistic expectations?

There is no given shade that whitening will guarantee! Every smile is different and the success rate depends on the type of stain. Yellow, orange and brown stained teeth will usually whiten up more than gray stained teeth.

 

Can I whiten my crowns, veneers or composite fillings?

No. Bleaching cannot lighten any artificial materials such as resins or porcelains.

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.

Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are sometimes occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.

A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

 

     •  Severe decay

     •  Advanced periodontal disease

     •  Infection or abscess

     •  Orthodontic correction

 

After careful examination and treatment, our doctors may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.

 

For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

 

It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

Dentures are full replacements to all teeth. They use suction to retain themselves and are of great cosmetic value.

 

Mini implants can be used to improve retention of weak bone base dentures.

 

Partial dentures are partial replacement of teeth, they use existing teeth to anchor to and are made of a cast metal coping covered by acrylic and teeth.

 

Flexible partials are the cosmetic answer to the metal based partial, there is no metal in them and they flex a little to allow retention and fit. Both kinds of partial dentures are very retentive and secure.

Our dentists may discuss the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints known as the TMJ. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or jaw pain.

 

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you’ll feel more self-confident.

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