Preventive Dentistry Rapid City
Prevention is the Key to a Whole & Healthy Smile
Whether you need a routine exam and cleaning, a cosmetic reconstruction, or anything in between, Anderson Dental in Rapid City will provide you with exceptional care as we enhance your beautiful smile and boost your oral health. Below are just some of the many general dentistry procedures and services we regularly provide to our Black Hills patients – with a gentle touch and amazing results.
Many of our patients appreciate our practice due to our ability to complete most procedures in-house. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call today. We look forward to providing you with the personal care you deserve.
Why Choose Anderson Dental for Preventive Dentistry?
- Serving Families in Rapid City Since 1988
- Caring & Experienced Dental Team
- Free Teeth Whitening for Life Offer for New Patients*
Dental Checkups
A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by Dr. Anderson at your initial dental visit. At regular checkups, we provide the following:
- Diagnostic X-rays to detect decay, periodontal health, and sometimes incidental findings, like abscessed teeth and benign or cancerous lesions
- Examination of all tooth surfaces for decay and fracture
- Examination of existing restorations for structural stability
- Gum disease evaluation to check for periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis
- Professional dental cleaning and polishing performed by our gentle, registered dental hygienists to remove tartar, dental plaque, and stains
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Fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth from tooth decay and sensitivity
Oral Cancer Screening
Every time we complete an exam on our patients we will also do an oral cancer screening. Early detection is key in successful cancer treatment. If you are concerned about any areas in your mouth, please let Dr. Anderson know. He would be happy to discuss it with you and put your worries to rest.
Dental Cleanings
Regular dental hygiene appointments are critical to prevent periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. These are serious infections that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
Dr. Anderson and our staff provide different levels of dental hygiene treatment for our Black Hills patients. After a full periodontal assessment, the dental team will determine what type of cleaning is right for you. Regular dental hygiene cleanings generally take one hour to complete; time may be extended if a more extensive cleaning is required.
Child and adult “prophys” or prophylaxis appointments is another way of saying a regular cleaning. Prophylaxis appointments are the most common type of cleaning performed and are usually completed on a regular 6-month recall basis. To qualify for a regular cleaning, periodontal probing depths (a measurement taken at the pocket between your gum and your tooth) will usually be under 3 mm with minimal amounts of bleeding.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is perfectly safe and actually beneficial to your health as long as it is administered at safe levels. At this office, our recommendations for fluoride are always for your best interest and will only be recommended if we feel it will benefit you.
Technically, it strengthens your teeth and protects against decay. Fluoride protects your teeth by two mechanisms of action. This first is by penetrating your tooth and protecting it from enamel loss caused by the acidic environment. This mechanism also decreases tooth sensitivity. Next, more recently, research has shown that 5000 ppm (like what you will find in prescription fluoride) actually diminishes or kills the bacteria that causes cavities.
Sealants
Sealants are a preventative treatment. Sealants are recommended by our doctors as well as by many dental insurance companies, because we know they help prevent decay (cavities). Proper placement and timing have a lot to do with their efficacy. Dr. Anderson doesn’t regularly recommend them on adults, but we do feel that sealants, placed on recently erupted permanent dentition, can prevent many future complications down the road. We will recommend sealants on your children’s teeth if we feel it is to their benefit. Sealants simply cover the deep pits and grooves on permanent molars and premolars in areas where they are prone to getting cavities to keep debris from building up in them and causing cavities.