Preventive Dentistry – Montgomery, MN
General & Family Dentistry for Healthier Smiles
At the Montgomery, MN dental office of Geoff Iverson, DDS, we partner with patients to keep their smiles whole and healthy for a lifetime. That means regular six month checkups and teeth cleanings in addition to a variety of general and preventive dentistry services that prevent the majority of common oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. If you’re new to the area or it’s been more than six months since your last checkup, we invite you to contact Dr. Iverson and his team to schedule an appointment today for preventive dentistry in Montgomery, MN.
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Dr. Iverson and his team pride themselves on offering personalized treatment planning, but the most important part of any oral health care plan is attending checkups and teeth cleanings twice a year. These six month appointments give us the opportunity to prevent most common oral health concerns, and diagnose and treat those that cannot be prevented in their earliest stages. This allows us to help patients avoid the need for advanced, painful, costly treatments down the road. The first step is to collect diagnostic information. We use digital x-rays to capture images of the underlying portions of patients’ smiles, and our team takes intraoral photos of the visible parts of teeth. These images are used as an educational tool to help patients understand their oral health concerns and all of their potential treatment options. Additionally, we us the DIAGNOdent early cavity detection system to pinpoint areas that are at risk for decay and help patients target these areas during their daily hygiene routines. Next, Dr. Iverson completes a visual examination of the smile looking for warning signs of common oral health concerns including:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
- Unconscious teeth grinding and clenching known as bruxism
- Oral Cancer
Next, our skilled dental hygienist, Julie Paur, will carefully remove plaque and tartar buildup from every surface of teeth. Finally, Dr. Iverson will sit down with patients one on one to discuss any areas for concern and partner with patients to create a plan for ongoing care that meets their needs, budget, and schedule. During this consultation time, patients are encouraged to ask questions. We’ll be happy to explain any part of the potential treatment plan, and our team will make adjustments to help maximize their dental insurance coverage. By visiting our dental office two times each year, most patients are able to achieve and maintain their optimal level of oral health.
Children’s Dentistry
We are always happy to treat the whole family in our Montgomery, MN dental office, and Dr. Iverson and his team have years of experience treating young patients. Our goal is to provide young people with positive dental experiences in order to build positive associations with visiting the dentist. Our family-friendly dental office makes young patients feel comfortable and welcome. We take time to answer their questions and carefully explain every step of the treatment process so they never feel scared or anxious. In addition to providing young patients with traditional dental care that caters to their unique oral health and behavioral needs, we also provide a number of treatments specifically geared toward developing smiles. These include dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and wisdom tooth extractions. Regardless of what treatments we offer little ones, our skilled team will do so with a gentle and caring approach. Additionally, we’re happy to provide a block of appointments for the whole family to make treatments more convenient.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are applied to the teeth to prevent plaque and tartar buildup from breaking down enamel or irritating soft tissue leading to gum disease. A sealant can be applied as part of any regular dental checkup. We simply apply a thin coat of the liquid sealant material to the surfaces of teeth where it seeps into the pits and grooves of teeth protecting them from common health concerns. Then, we use a curing light to harden the dental sealant in place. With proper care, these sealants stay intact and protect teeth from damage for several years.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride ingested from water, foods, and supplements is essential to develop strong, healthy teeth. However, research shows that ingested fluoride has little impact on teeth once they’ve erupted from the gum line. At this point, topical fluoride is necessary to fortify enamel. Most of our patients achieve adequate fluoride from their daily tooth brushing routine using fluoridated pastes. However, younger patients who are still learning to brush and all patients who are prone to decay can benefit from professional fluoride application at six month checkups.
Oral Cancer Screenings
If you think only smokers get oral cancer, think again. More than 25% of people diagnosed each year do not use tobacco products or engage in any of the high risk behaviors associated with oral cancer. That’s why we complete screenings for oral cancer as part of every six month checkup. We also encourage our patients to let us know immediately, if they experience any of the common indicators of oral cancer including lumps or bumps in the soft tissue, chronically scratchy throat, and sores that don’t heal.
Mouthguards/Sportguards
Patients of all ages who participate in sports that may allow the smile to come in contact with other players, sports equipment, or hard surfaces should wear a sportsguard while engaging in an athletic event or practice that may include sports like hockey, football, cycling, and swimming. We offer custom crafted mouthguards that provide our patients improved comfort and protection. Many patients purchase store bought varieties and find that they don’t wear them because they’re uncomfortable. Custom guards fit precisely, are much more comfortable to wear and allow the individual to breathe easily while engaging in athletic events while maximizing protection of their teeth.
Sleep Apnea Therapy
Do you wake up still feeling exhausted? Does your partner complain that you snore loudly every night? You may be suffering from sleep apnea, a common a sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for ten or more seconds at a time, during the night. These apnea incidents can happen 100s of times each night. The most common treatment for patients who suffer from sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Unfortunately, many patients are intolerant to this treatment due to the loud sounds and the continual sensation of air pressure, but our team offers an alternative – oral appliance therapy. These comfortable, compact appliances adjust the jaw forward, keep the airway clear, and allow patients to sleep soundly throughout the night.
Family Dentist
Your oral health equates to more than just the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums. It can also have a significant impact on your total wellness. Because of this, in addition to maintaining excellent dental hygienic habits, it’s critical that you find a dentist you can partner with. Therefore, every six months, you can receive a thorough cleaning and examination that will identify any developing issues early on so they can be treated to restore your oral health to normal. Whether it’s for you, your child or any other member of your family, contact us today to schedule a visit with Dr. Iverson!