Mark A. Kleive DDS Blog
Posts for the ‘Advanced Dentistry’ Category
Qualities of a Top Dentist: Value
Posted on May 11, 2010 2:52AM in Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Mark Kleive, Quality Dentistry
These days, getting good value for your money is more important than ever, and dental care is no exception. While it may seem like a challenge to balance quality of dental care with your financial needs, it’s actually easier than you may think.
Look for a dentist who places a high priority on value. Technological advancements and cutting-edge equipment add value by increasing the accuracy and longevity of dental procedures. Choose a dental environment that best suits your needs while making you feel relaxed and comfortable. Ask to see examples of their work, including before and after photos, to make sure the standard of work matches your expectations.
Also, make sure your dentist understands the importance of affordable treatment without skimping on quality or reducing the standard of care. After all, a low-quality procedure that will only need to be performed again in a few months or years is no bargain. Instead of delaying treatment due to financial restrictions, look for a dentist that offers flexible financing. After all, we finance cars and homes – why not make an investment in ourselves?
Finally, be sure to choose a dentist who will take the time to listen to your concerns and understand your needs. Take your dentist’s advice to heart, especially in regard to preventative measures.
Dr. Mark Kleive offers flexible financing options for most dental procedures. He is also renowned for his patient, personalized approach to oral health.
Finding a dentist who is committed to your oral health while understanding your personal and financial needs is certainly something to smile about!
Qualities of a Top Dentist: Ongoing Education
Posted on April 25, 2010 11:08PM in Advanced Dentistry, Continuing Education, Dr. Mark Kleive, Spear Institute
With the recent notification, that Dr. Mark Kleive will be named a Top Dentist for 2010 in Minnesota Monthly Magazine’s July edition, we’ve started thinking about what qualities make up a top dentist. Below are our thoughts.
Today, it’s more important than ever for dental professionals to stay abreast of technological advancements. The development of advanced dental materials, equipment, and procedures—as well as the increased availability of consumer dental products—make the need for advanced dental training a top priority.
While every state requires dentists to complete continuing education, you may be surprised to learn that a vast majority meet only the minimal requirements. Dr. Kleive chooses to exceed minimum requirements, in order to have a stronger grasp of the latest procedures and materials and a higher standard of service excellence.
Today’s best dentists utilize advanced dental training and techniques to transform self-conscious smiles into radiant displays, and to preserve and protect good dental health.
Ongoing education:
- Allows treatments to be faster, more accurate, and virtually pain-free.
- Trains dentists on the latest procedures and materials which help patients teeth to perform beautifully for decades, if not for a lifetime.
- Also broadens a dentist’s professional network, allowing them to tap into the expertise of other top dentists for questions or referrals.
Patients of dentists who seek advanced training have plenty of reasons to smile. Not only do they reap the rewards of the latest dental technologies and virtually pain-free procedures, they also have something that can’t be quantified: peace of mind.
Dr. Mark Kleive and his team of dental professionals have demonstrated a strong commitment to ongoing education and training. Dr. Kleive has both attended and instructed classes at Spear Education in Scottsdale, and the Pankey Institute, two of our nation’s premier post-graduate training facilities.
This higher level of knowledge has allowed his practice to provide first-rate diagnostics and treatment to patients of all ages and conditions. Learn more about Dr. Kleive, view his patient testimonials, and see before-and-after patient photos in his smile gallery.
We are proud to be named as a Minnesota Top Dentist!
Dentistry Across Generations: The Baby Boomers
Posted on April 5, 2010 4:09AM in Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Mark Kleive
(Part I of a II part series on dentistry across generations)
Baby boomers continue to have a substantial influence in today’s world, with a reputation for being smart consumers and educating themselves on topics of health, finances, and other important life choices. The generation is known for being decisive and well-informed, but one area in which they may be less inclined to take care of themselves is preventive dentistry.
Some baby boomers can take healthy teeth for granted, assuming that good dentistry early on will sustain them through the middle decades of their lives. They may underestimate the importance of ongoing preventative and restorative dental care to preserve their smile and to keep their teeth healthy and strong.
As recently as thirty years ago, it was generally assumed that people would lose their teeth as they aged.
Because of advancements in the following areas, middle aged tooth loss is less likely:
- Preventative Dentistry
- Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry
- Technology and Dental Tools
- Advanced Training and Specialization of Procedures
- Available Financing for Complex Dental Procedures
But with these advances and the new knowledge available to dentists today, that’s simply no longer the case. Baby boomers are focused on health and longevity, and modern dentistry makes it possible for them to keep their teeth as strong and healthy as the rest of their bodies. Baby boomers can live long, satisfying lives with their own teeth if they are willing to take a few precautions to avoid severe oral health problems.
The most common problem faced by aging dental patients is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. In virtually every instance, this can be prevented through good dental care practices at home and regular visits to a dentist. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about the best ways to brush, floss, and otherwise take care of your mouth. It’s also smart to ask a dental expert about any changes you may have noticed in your teeth and gums since your last checkup, so they can catch problems early when treatment is simplest and least expensive.
Other common problems for baby boomers include dry mouth, infections, cavities, tooth discoloration, and oral cancer. All of these can be treated or prevented with regular dental checkups and thorough brushing and flossing at home.
The cornerstones of good dental health into middle age and later years include:
- Proper home care: Follow your dentist’s instructions on tooth cleaning and oral health to the best of your ability. Most people don’t properly brush or floss to remove dirt, bacteria, and plaque. If you’re uncertain of the best dental practices, ask your dentist or hygienist for a demonstration.
- Healthy lifestyle and diet: Second in importance only to good dental hygiene, diet and lifestyle can have a major impact on the health of your teeth. What you eat, when you eat it, and how your day-to-day routine are all important factors in the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
- Regular dental checkups: Seeing a dentist on a regular basis is the best way to preserve the health and longevity of your teeth. Catching problems early on before they develop into bigger ones can save substantially on dental expenses. Annual dental exams are important for everyone, regardless of age or the condition of the teeth. Any changes in your oral health, from sores and swelling to tooth discoloration or pain, should be brought to the attention of your dentist.
With modern technology and today’s advances in dental hygiene, it’s possible for baby boomers to keep their own teeth healthy and strong for the rest of their lives. At the office of Dr. Mark Kleive, we’re committed to helping patients of all ages maintain healthy, beautiful smiles that are both appealing and functional. Contact us at (651) 730-7645 to schedule a no-fee consultation or send us an email today.
The Evolution of Dentistry
Posted on March 2, 2010 2:41AM in Advanced Dentistry
If you still harbor memories of painful, scary childhood dental visits filled with pain and lectures, it’s time to adjust your expectations. Today, the dentist-patient relationship has evolved to one of open communication and mutual respect, based on the following important factors:
- Communication: Before making any treatment recommendations, your dentist should take the time to discuss your dental history and understand your long-term goals. They should always be available to address your questions or concerns along the way.
- Control: While control used to lie with dentists in past generations, today it’s all yours. Look for a dental care provider who encourages your input and feedback about the direction of your treatment.
- Technology: Today’s dentists have access to high-tech equipment and efficient processes, making even the most complex treatments virtually pain-free and much less invasive.
- Prevention: When you were a child, your dentist probably just fixed what was broken, filling cavities as they appeared and straightening teeth after they’d become crooked. Today’s dentists understand that good long-term dental health is dependent on proactive care. Through regular visits, proper hygiene procedures, and open communication, you and your dentist can work together to catch issues before they can escalate into painful problems.
- Beauty: Remember the days of unattractive silver braces and plastic-looking bridges? While dental procedures used to focus primarily on function, today’s dental providers have blended that with aesthetics. Now you can have the best of both worlds: proper oral health and the brilliant, natural-looking smile you’ve always wanted.
At the office of Dr. Mark Kleive we never scold, lecture, or impose procedures. We let the patient be our guide, basing treatment recommendations on their lifestyle and long-term goals. Even patients who have suffered from extreme dental anxiety in the past have been pleasantly surprised by the soothing, relaxed environment created by Dr. Kleive and his team. To learn more about how we’ve redefined the doctor-patient relationship read our patient testimonials and give us a call.
Mark’s Dental Treatment Philosophy
Posted on October 14, 2009 7:20PM in Advanced Dentistry, Continuing Education
In my 13 years of clinical practice I have found that the individuals who are most involved in their care are the healthiest – not a shock for you to read I’m sure.
Give us a try, contact us today to set up a no-fee dental consultation, or check out our new patient specials.
