Flower Mound Dentist Explains Minimally Invasive Dentistry

You may have heard the term “minimally invasive dentistry” (MID) bandied about. But what does it really mean? Basically MID restores oral health while trying to maintain healthy tooth structure. A generation ago, dentists practiced dentistry with lots of fillings, dental crowns, and dentures. The trend today is in the opposite direction. “Here at the Flower Mound cosmetic dentistry, our Flower Mound dentist believes that less is more”, says Dr. Jonathan Golab, a Flower Mound dental crowns provider. “If we help you keep your teeth healthy, we can preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible.” Not only does this approach result in more natural, trouble-free teeth, it also saves patients money.

Prevention as you might have guessed, MID focuses on prevention. If you can avoid dental problems in the first place, no invasive techniques are necessary. Not only does this mean regular dental visits for teeth cleaning and learning proper brushing and flossing techniques, it also means that your dentist will devise a custom dental plan for your teeth. Because every mouth is different, the Center’s Flower Mound dentists teach each patient how to treat his or her individual teeth – whether the residents of Flower Mound TX need teeth cleaning or dental crowns.

• Sealants: Dental sealants are plastic resins that fit into the grooves and depressions of the tooth and protect it against acid and plaque. Sealants do not require any cutting of the tooth and can be used at any time.
• Mouth Guards: Many people grind their teeth, causing serious damage to the teeth which may require dental crowns. Dentists can create mouth guards to wear at night when most teeth-grinding occurs. This prevents damage to the teeth and avoids the necessity of repairs.
• X-Rays: Many dentists prefer digital x-rays to conventional ones since they expose the patient to less radiation.
• Extra Fluoride with Orthodontics: “Having braces on your teeth for two or more years can make it hard to brush properly and prevent cavities,” says Dr. Golab, a Flower Mound teeth cleaning and dental crowns provider. Recently dentists and orthodontists have started using a fluoride-added resin cement conventional braces to teeth. Orthodontic patients are also told to use high-fluoride toothpastes at least twice a day. Those who do so have fewer cavities.

Minimally Invasive Procedures Technological advances have allowed dentists to care for teeth more easily and quickly, resulting in less time in the dentist’s chair, less pain, and lower costs. The Flower Mound, TX dentists at the Flower Mound Center for Cosmetic Dentistry use a variety of non-invasive techniques.

• Air abrasion: This technique can be used to remove decay in teeth. Used in place of a traditional drill, Air Abrasion may not require anesthesia. The dentist uses a stream of air combined with a super-fine abrasive powder to clear away the decayed material.
• Inlays and Onlays: Usually dentists use dental crowns to restore a damaged tooth, but this requires removing a portion of the natural tooth structure. Inlays and onlays do not require as much removal. Inlays resemble fillings, but are custom-made to fit your tooth’s cavity and are usually colored to match your tooth. Onlays are used for more substantial reconstruction, but they do not necessitate the removal of as much of the tooth structure as would a crown.
• Bleaching or Veneers: In the past dental crowns were used to whiten discolored teeth, but crowns are invasive and require destroying part of the natural tooth. A less invasive method is using a bleaching solution or applying veneers.

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