MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, MN, April 25, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Walter L. Hunt, a Minneapolis dentist, celebrates his 32nd anniversary in the profession this month.
Hunt said much has changed in the dentistry field, as well as in his Minneapolis, MN dentistry practice since we graduated from dental school.
Hunt's interest in the health sciences dates back to the fifth grade, when he would set aside his English homework to study the bones in the body, he said. When he took a test during his senior year of high school designed to help students determine career fields they might be suited for, Hunt's results told him he should be a dentist.
"That got me thinking that maybe I should pursue dentistry," he said. "I began shadowing my dentist."
Hunt went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Since then, he has witnessed some significant changes in dental treatments. The two that stand out most in his mind are dental implants and improvements in bonding materials, he said.
"Implants weren't being done when I went to school," Hunt said. "They were around, but still in the research phase."
The bonding materials used to create tooth-colored fillings have come a long way, he said.
"We had some tooth-colored materials around, but they were clumsy and they stained quickly," Hunt said. "We only used them when forced to because they weren't strong enough to put in the back on molars and if they lasted five or six years, you were lucky."
Today's tooth-colored fillings are durable, stain-resistant and they come in a variety of shades. They also polish nicely and the end result is a natural appearance.
On a personal level, 32 years has brought about changes in the way Hunt approaches treatment.
"My personal philosophy used to be to treat one tooth at a time," Hunt said. "Today, we've gone from that to treating the whole mouth; looking at the overall situation rather than look at a limited problem."
There also is more effort put into preventive care, and cosmetic dentistry has grown by leaps and bounds.
"Everyone wants whiter teeth and a great smile," he said. "A lot of our practice today revolves around aesthetics."
Being a dentist for so long wouldn't be complete if there weren't some memorable stories, and Hunt has his share. He said he will never forget a man who came in one day to have a front crown repaired. It had come off and he had attempted unsuccessfully to glue it back on with Super Glue.
"He was trying to do his own dentistry and it didn't work," Hunt said.
But that doesn't top another patient who had come in after his crown fell off. During the course of treatment, Hunt asked how the crown had come off and the man explained that it happened while chewing a piece of taffy- three days earlier.
"The man had swallowed the crown and waited for it to pass," Hunt said. "I guess that shows the lengths people will go to in order to save a crown."
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hunt Cosmetic Dentistry in Minneapolis or you would like to schedule a free consultation please call (651) 636-0655 or visit our Dental Blog or our website. Dr. Hunt's office is located at 2233 N. Hamline Ave., Ste. 320 in Roseville, MN, 55113.
About Dr. Walter L. Hunt Jr.
Dr. Walter Hunt has provided dental services to more than 9,000 patients in the Roseville community since 1977.
Dr. Hunt is a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He keeps his finger on the pulse of dental technology by exceeding the state's required number of dental continuing education courses. He passes this training on to his patients by treating problems with advanced techniques and by performing procedures using only the most modern and high-tech equipment available.
An active member of professional dental community, he founded the Minnesota Alliance of Concerned Dentists and is a member of numerous dental organizations including the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, St. Paul District Dental Society, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
Comfort and satisfaction are priorities for Personal Care Dentistry. The practice's experienced staff will provide caring support and individualized treatments that make the dental experience comfortable and anxiety-free.
2009 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Walter Hunt. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
Source: Personal Care Dentistry
Website: http://www.personalcaredentistry.com/
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