osagedental@hotmail.com | 11441 Osage St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Revitalize Your Smile and Oral Health in Coon Rapids, MN:

Dental Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, and More!

Dental Crowns

At Osage Dental, we understand that proper dental health is essential for overall wellness and quality of life. Dental crowns (or caps, as they are often called) are common treatments that can enhance the appearance, function, and health of your teeth.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its strength, shape, and function. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination, tailored to meet your specific needs.

Common Reasons for Dental Crowns:

Root Canals
After a root canal, a tooth can become fragile. A crown helps protect it from fracturing.
Large Fillings
Teeth with large or multiple fillings may need crowns to maintain their structural integrity.
Cracked Teeth
If a crack causes pain, has a cavity, or needs a root canal, a crown can be necessary for protection.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Depending on the damage's extent, a crown may be the best way to restore the tooth's appearance and functionality.
Cosmetic Issues
Crowns are also effective for addressing misshapen, discolored, or gapped teeth, providing a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
Restore an implant
The last step to finalizing an implant is to put a crown on.

Dental crowns are a versatile solution that not only improves the health and function of your teeth but also enhances your smile. Trust us to provide personalized care tailored to your dental needs.

Implant Restoring

Coming soon!

Bridges

At Osage Dental in Coon Rapids, MN, we offer dental bridges as an excellent alternative to implants for replacing missing teeth. Bridges not only restore your chewing ability but also enhance the natural appearance of your smile, helping you feel confident.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device designed to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. It consists of artificial teeth called pontics, which are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. These pontics are anchored in place by dental crowns cemented onto adjacent healthy teeth or implants.

Benefits of Dental Bridges:

Restores Chewing and Speaking Ability
Bridges help you chew and speak properly, allowing you to enjoy a diverse diet.
Maintains Facial Shape
By filling in gaps, bridges prevent a sunken appearance, helping maintain facial symmetry and youthful aesthetics.
Prevents Teeth Shifting
A bridge fills the empty space, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting out of position and maintaining alignment.
Enhances Smile Appearance
Bridges improve the overall look of your smile, restoring confidence.
Durability
Made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or a metal-porcelain combination, bridges offer durability and a natural appearance. With proper care, they can last a decade or more.

Common Reasons for Dental Bridges:

Replacing Missing Teeth
Bridges effectively fill gaps, providing a durable solution for restoring functionality and aesthetics.
Restoring Chewing Function
They allow for proper chewing, helping you maintain a healthy diet.
Maintaining Facial Aesthetics
Filling gaps prevents facial sagging, contributing to a youthful look.
Improving Speech
Bridges minimize speech difficulties caused by missing teeth, enhancing clarity and confidence.
Boosting Self-Confidence
A complete smile can significantly improve your self-esteem and overall well-being.

Choosing a dental bridge is a proactive step towards restoring your smile and enhancing your quality of life. Trust us to guide you through the process and provide personalized care tailored to your needs!

Dentures

Dentures are essential dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and support oral health. They come in two main types: full dentures and partial dentures.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are necessary when all-natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw are lost. This can occur due to:

Tooth decay
Gum disease
Injury

Full dentures restore important functions like eating and speaking and help maintain facial structure, preventing the sagging of facial muscles. They are custom-made to resemble natural teeth and gums.

Partial Dentures

These are ideal if you have some natural teeth remaining. Partial dentures fill the gaps left by missing teeth, which can help with:

Chewing: Improving your ability to eat a wider variety of foods.
Speech: Enhancing clarity in your speech.
Alignment: Preventing remaining teeth from shifting into empty spaces.

Custom-fitted, partial dentures clasp onto existing teeth for support and are designed for comfort.

Importance of Dentures

Both types of dentures not only improve functionality but also boost self-confidence by enhancing facial appearance. Regular maintenance and adjustments are crucial to ensure they fit well and support overall dental health. If you think you might need dentures, consulting with a dentist can help determine the best option for your needs.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism can be a real concern, as it often leads to various dental and health issues. Understanding the signs and symptoms is crucial for early detection and intervention.

Common Signs

Waking with jaw pain or headaches: This is often a clear indicator of nighttime grinding.
Increased tooth sensitivity: Worn enamel from grinding can lead to discomfort with hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Visible dental damage: Chipped, cracked, or flattened teeth can result from chronic grinding.
Grinding noises: If a partner hears grinding sounds at night, this is a strong signal.
Tongue or cheek biting: This can happen when grinding is severe.
Physical signs: Your dentist may observe tongue scalloping or indentations on the sides of your tongue.

Treatment options vary based on the severity and underlying causes of bruxism.

Some Common Approaches

Treatment options vary based on the severity and underlying causes of bruxism.

Mouthguards or splints: Custom dental appliances can protect teeth during sleep.
Myofunctional therapy: This strengthens oral muscles and corrects improper habits.
Stress management techniques: Practices like meditation and relaxation exercises can be beneficial.
Behavioral therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help modify habits leading to grinding.
Dental corrections: Orthodontic treatments may be needed for misaligned teeth.
Medications: In severe cases, muscle relaxants or other medications may be prescribed.
Lifestyle adjustments: Reducing caffeine and alcohol and relaxing the jaw with warm compresses can help manage symptoms.

If you suspect bruxism, it's essential to consult with a dentist to explore the best treatment options tailored to your needs.

TMJ Therapy

TMJ pain can definitely disrupt daily life, making it challenging to enjoy meals and causing discomfort throughout the body. Understanding the temporomandibular joint and its functions is crucial for recognizing TMJ disorders (TMD) and their symptoms, which can include painful chewing, jaw locking, and headaches.

Causes of TMJ Disorders

TMD can stem from various factors, such as:

Trauma: Past injuries, even from years ago, can contribute to pain.
Jaw Misalignment: An improper fit of the jawbone can lead to discomfort.
Muscle Tension: Stress and muscle tension can exacerbate symptoms.
Bruxism: Teeth grinding can wear down biting surfaces and alter jaw height.
Orthodontics History: Past dental work or surgery may affect jaw function.

Exercises for Relief

Incorporating specific exercises can help alleviate TMJ pain:

Relaxed Jaw Exercise: Keep your tongue at the roof of your mouth and your teeth slightly apart to promote relaxation.
Partial Opening: With gentle pressure from your fingers, drop your jaw halfway and then close. Repeat several times throughout the day.
Chin Tucks: Create a double chin position to stretch the jaw muscles; hold for a few seconds and repeat.
Resisted Opening and Closing: Gently apply pressure while opening and closing your mouth to strengthen the jaw.