Reconstructive Dentistry in Stillwater, MN
Doctor Sara Cody Talks about Restorative Dentistry
Get Your Smile Back With Care From a Restorative Dentist in Stillwater
Throughout your life, your teeth may become damaged, diseased, or missing altogether. That’s when you need the help of a restorative dentist in Stillwater. Dr. Cody and the team at Lift Dental can get your smile back into pristine condition with a variety of restorative treatments. With our help, you can:
- Eat and enjoy all your favorite foods again
- Look forward to dining out and trying new restaurants
- Smile with confidence that your teeth are in good condition
- Make better first impressions in your social life
- Improve your oral health and overall health
If your smile is suffering, call the Lift Dental team today for an appointment: 651-439-4945. Be sure to ask about our sedation options when you call. We’re conveniently located in downtown Stillwater, near many popular restaurants and businesses.
You can save money on your restorative treatments with our membership club. A small monthly fee covers the cost of preventive care like cleanings and exams and offers discounts on other services too.
Renew Your Smile With Restorative Dentistry
Life’s too short to live with a smile that’s not beautiful and fully functional. At Lift Dental, our goal is to help each patient enjoy their best smile and improved oral health. We can put our skills to work for you just as we have many others in the area. Some of our most popular dental treatments are listed below:
- Dental Crowns – Our lab partner will craft your new crown to exact specifications to cap a damaged or diseased tooth. When paired with a dental implant, a crown can also replace a missing tooth.
- Dental Bridges – Bridges literally span the gap left behind by missing teeth. Traditional bridges anchor on either end to your other teeth, which are slightly modified for this procedure. To avoid altering those teeth, we can attach a bridge to implants instead.
- Tooth Fillings – A filling is the best repair for many cavities.
- Inlays and Onlays – Sometimes known as partial crowns, these restorations are usually made from porcelain. They are used when tooth repair is too extensive for a filling, but not big enough for an entire crown.
- Dental Implants – These artificial teeth roots can anchor several types of replacement teeth, including crowns, bridges, and complete arches of fixed teeth. Implants will also protect the integrity of your jawbone and prevent its deterioration.
- Same-Day Smile – Imagine walking into our office with no teeth and leaving a few hours later with dental implants and new teeth! You could soon smile confidently and eat heartily again.
- Full-Mouth Reconstruction – Dr. Cody and our team will work closely with you to develop a comprehensive plan to restore all your teeth. Your treatment will be as unique as you and your smile care needs are.
Call our office today at 651-439-4945 to learn more or book an appointment for your initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reconstructive Dentistry
How do I know if I need a crown, bridge, or dental implant instead of a filling?
A filling is usually enough for a small cavity, but a crown, bridge, or implant may be necessary when a tooth is too damaged or decayed, or is missing, for a filling to restore it safely. Crowns cap a badly damaged but still-present tooth, bridges replace one or a few missing teeth using neighboring teeth for support, and implants replace missing tooth roots entirely. Your dentist determines the right option based on an exam and X-rays of the affected area. A consultation is the best way to find out which applies to your specific tooth.
Does dental insurance typically cover reconstructive procedures like crowns, bridges, or fillings?
Dental insurance usually covers reconstructive procedures like fillings, crowns, and bridges more readily than cosmetic treatments, since they’re generally considered medically necessary rather than elective. That said, coverage percentages, waiting periods, and annual maximums vary widely between plans, so checking your specific benefits before treatment helps avoid surprises. Lift Dental’s membership club is also an option for patients without insurance, offering discounted rates on many restorative treatments. Confirming your exact coverage with your insurer is still the most reliable step.
Is a same-day smile with immediate implants as durable as waiting for the traditional healing process first?
Same-day implant placement can be just as successful in the long term as the traditional staged approach for the right candidates, but it depends heavily on sufficient healthy jawbone and a stable initial implant placement. The traditional approach, which lets the bone fully fuse with the implant before adding a permanent crown, is sometimes preferred for patients with lower bone density or other risk factors. Your dentist evaluates your bone health and overall condition using imaging to determine the safest approach. Ask Lift Dental whether you’re a good candidate for same-day treatment.
Can multiple reconstructive procedures, like a crown and a bridge, be completed in the same visit?
In some cases, yes — a dentist can plan multiple reconstructive procedures in the same visit if the involved teeth are ready and the appointment allows, though more complex combinations often require separate visits. Crown and bridge work usually still requires a lab-made restoration, so completion may take more than one appointment. Your treatment plan and timeline depend on the specific procedures and how much preparation each tooth needs. Ask Lift Dental for a visit-by-visit outline of your plan.
Is reconstructive dental work painful, or is sedation typically used?
Reconstructive dental work is performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure itself, though some mild soreness afterward is common depending on the treatment. For longer or more involved procedures, many patients choose sedation dentistry to stay relaxed and comfortable throughout treatment. Lift Dental offers nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation, along with reconstructive care. Ask your dentist which option best fits your procedure and comfort level.
Can reconstructive dentistry fix damage caused by years of teeth grinding?
Yes, reconstructive dentistry can repair and rebuild teeth that have been worn down, cracked, or damaged from long-term teeth grinding (bruxism), often using crowns, bonding, or other restorations to restore shape and function. Treating the underlying grinding, often with a nightguard, is usually recommended alongside any reconstructive work so the new restorations don’t wear down too. Severe cases may need a more comprehensive, multi-tooth treatment plan. Your dentist can evaluate the extent of grinding damage during a consultation.
Who offers full-mouth reconstruction or restorative dentistry near Stillwater, MN?
Lift Dental, led by Dr. Sara Cody, DDS, provides reconstructive and restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, implants, and full-mouth reconstruction, for patients in Stillwater, MN, and the surrounding St. Croix Valley, including Bayport and Lake Elmo. The office is located at 124 2nd Street S in downtown Stillwater. Call 651-439-4945 or book online to schedule a consultation.
