Dental Services in Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Podratz has provided personalized dentistry to thousands of families. Our patients come from near and far to experience the warm, individualized care we provide.
Bonding
Hale Family Dental offers bonding, which involves adhering composite resin material that is color-matched to the natural structure of the tooth. This is done to repair damage to the tooth by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes. After the tooth is properly prepared, the composite is placed on the tooth and hardened by exposing it to the blue wavelength of visible light. The composite resin material is then shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish.
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns and bridges are used to restore and rebuild teeth that are damaged, or to take the place of missing teeth. A crown, also referred to as a cap, is used to entirely cover a broken down tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth’s appearance, shape and alignment. Crowns are used to protect a weak tooth from fracturing, restore a fractured tooth, attach a bridge, cover a dental implant, cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth, or cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using the teeth on either side for support, hence the name. This is an option for filling the space created by one or more missing teeth. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all-ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.
Dental Cleaning
No matter what your stage in life, it is important to get frequent check-ups and cleanings at the dentist. A professional cleaning can improve your oral health and reinforce the regimen of brushing and flossing while locating areas that need special attention. The dentist also performs an exam to thoroughly inspect your teeth for any cavities, gum disease, or other conditions.
Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available: partial and complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Complete dentures are used to restore your smile and mouth function if all your teeth have been lost. The dentures are custom created to resemble natural teeth and are positioned into a patients mouth to take the place of where the natural teeth used to be.
Electronic Claims
Hale Family Dental utilizes electronic claims processing. This means that rather than sending your dental claim through the mail, it is sent electronically to your insurance company with the click of the button. By filing your claim electronically, information is submitted more efficiently and with fewer errors. This benefits our patients because the turn-around time on claims is faster and fewer claims are returned or denied. We are happy to submit your dental claims to your insurance company on your behalf.
Extractions
Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still some occasions when a tooth may need to be removed. These include cases of severe decay, advanced periodontal disease, infection or abscess, malpositioned teeth, fractured teeth, or impacted teeth.
Fillings
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. If you have a tooth that requires a filling, the dentist will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned out cavity with a filling material. Our office uses composite resin, amalgam, or glass ionomer, depending on what will work best for you.
Gum Treatment
Hale Family Dental can help you determine if you have a gum disease and the severity, along with what can be done to treat and reverse gum disease. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum diseases that can be reversed with a more rigid dental hygiene regimen. Periodontal disease occurs when gingivitis is not treated. When this occurs, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets which become infected. The body’s response to this infection is to break down the bone and tissue. With early detection and treatment, we can help prevent serious gum disease and restore your teeth.
Implant Restoration
Hale Family Dental can restore dental implants which can be an alternative to partial and full dentures or bridges. These are artificial teeth that take the place of teeth that needed to be removed.
Nightguards & Mouthguards
Custom designed athletic mouthguards and nightguards are made of flexible plastic and molded to fit the shape of your teeth. Mouthguards are recommended to protect the jaw and teeth during sports such as boxing, football, basketball, or other activities where your mouth may get hit. In addition, these guards protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and will make a custom guard for you. You will have a choice of a variety of colors.
Nightguards are sometimes recommended for patients who clench or grind their teeth at night as a way to protect their teeth and bite. They can also be useful with patients who experience certain facial pain symptoms, such as TMD. These guards are custom fabricated in a lab.
Root Canal
When a tooth becomes painful, infected, or severely decayed, a root canal may be necessary. A root canal removes the infected tissue inside a tooth to stop pain. This can save the tooth from having to be extracted.
Sealants
Applied to children’s teeth, sealants can protect your child’s teeth from cavities by reducing food impaction and acting as a barrier between the tooth and harmful bacteria.
Veneers
Veneers are dental restorations in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually placed only on the part of the tooth that is visible when talking or smiling. The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed; this procedure is best used for teeth that have good internal strength where esthetics is the primary issue.
Whitening
Tooth whitening is a popular procedure to make teeth whiter and brighter. Bleaching can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or simply to enhance a dull smile. Either way, tooth whitening is a safe and usually painless procedure for most patients.