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Smiling family

DENTIST NEAR PONDER

Quality Dental Care Close to Home

Why Patients in Ponder Choose Us

We Serve Patients of All Ages

State-of-the-Art Dental Technology

Same-Day Emergency Appointments

Friendly, Welcoming Dental Team

Nitrous Oxide Sedation for Anxious Patients

Open 5-Day a Week!

Meet Our Amazing Dentists Near Ponder

Love Building Relationships with Patients

In-House Periodontist

Up-to-Date with Latest Procedures & Treatments

Committed to Continuing Education

Personalize Care for Each Patient

Many Years of Combined Experience

Todd Balington, DMD

Dr. Balington is incredibly passionate about helping people of all ages build and maintain the happiest, healthiest versions of their smiles and looks forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to our practice near Ponder. He took over the practice from its previous owner, Dr. Unsil Keiser, and strives to provide the same level of quality care that generations of patients have become accustomed to.

Dr. Balington is an incredibly accomplished general dentist with 20+ years working in the field of oral healthcare. He began his educational career at the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He then went on to graduate with a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the prestigious Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Balington moved to the area in 2009 and decided it was the right place to call home. Since then, he has enjoyed committing his knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide a complete menu of services to meet the unique needs of his patients conveniently under one roof near Ponder. Whether you need a routine checkup and cleaning or have developed a problem that requires a more complex repair or restoration, he uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver customized treatment plans for beautiful, resilient results meant to last.

When Dr. Balington is not in the office helping save smiles, you can often find him traveling or spending time with beloved friends. He also is thrilled to be starting a family with his fiancé, Debby, who works as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Dallas Methodist Hospital.

Naveen Karim, DDS

Dr. Karim joins the practice with several years of experience working in the field of oral healthcare as a periodontist, meaning that she has completed specialized training that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal problems, such as gum disease.

Dr. Karim initially studied at UT Dallas and then pursued her dental doctorate from the Baylor College of Dentistry. Today, Dr. Karim enjoys taking the time to get to know her patients and providing top-quality services to help save their teeth and connective tissues, and takes great joy in helping improve their daily quality of life by enhancing their smiles.

Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Dr. Karim speaks five languages, allowing her to communicate more easily with patients from all walks of life. She and her husband have been married for 10 years and counting, and they have a 3-year-old son who keeps them on their toes. Dr. Karim also enjoys spending her free time with her family or traveling, biking, watching the latest flicks, or trying out new restaurants near Ponder.

Hear From Nearby Patients

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“My wife and I have been clients of this dentistry for over 10 years and we cannot express enough praise for its people and services. Dr. Ballington and his staff provide outstanding service. To a person they are all personable, knowledgeable and professional. I always feel comfortable and at ease because the environment is positive and reassuring. Relaxing music is available on headphones. The treatment and care is always compassionate and respectful. All employees are upbeat and seem to really enjoy what they are doing. My only wish is to have found this dentistry many years ago. But I'm grateful to still be a client of Denton Dental Center.” John R.

Why Are You Looking for a Dentist Near Ponder?

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning

Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are the easiest ways to ensure your smile lasts a lifetime. But unfortunately, they don’t quite go far enough. That’s why the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist in Denton every six months for your regular dental exams and cleanings. These appointments are Dr. Balington’s opportunity to examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, and help remove built-on plaque and tartar that could prevent your teeth from looking and feeling their best.

I Want to Enhance My Smile

Are there aspects of your smile you wish you could change? Maybe you are unhappy with the shade, shape, size, or even the spacing of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can change any number of dental flaws that could hold you back from sharing your gorgeous, glowing grin with the world. To learn more about which treatments can help you achieve your smile goals, schedule a consultation with your dentist in Denton today!

I Have a Cavity/Broken Tooth

Cavities and broken teeth can be extremely painful, but even if they’re not, they still pose a risk to your oral health.  Don’t suffer needlessly from dental damage that could eventually lead to an infection or even an extraction. Schedule an appointment with a dentist near me to treat damaged teeth today and bring back the appearance and function of your healthy, pain-free smile!

I am Missing One or More Teeth

Missing permanent teeth can be embarrassing, harming your self-esteem and confidence. Worse yet, it can also make everyday things like eating a nutritious diet difficult. With time, they can even cause your jawbone to deteriorate, resulting in more tooth loss. Dr. Balington is proud to offer a variety of options to replace missing teeth, restoring both the appearance and function of your smile, all the while protecting your remaining healthy teeth.

I am Worried About Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums is an important indicator of periodontal problems. Thankfully, in its early stages, gum disease is often reversible, but more advanced infections must be treated with periodontal therapy to protect the gums, ligaments, and teeth from further damage. Don’t wait until it’s too late to save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Karim today and protect your teeth and gums from the harmful effects of periodontal disease.

I am in Pain & Need Help

Dental emergencies can strike at any time, whether you’re prepared to see the dentist or not. That’s why at Denton Dental Center, we’re proud to offer same-day emergency appointments, as well as nitrous oxide sedation to help keep you feeling calm and comfortable while you’re here. Bring back your healthy, pain-free smile without the anxiety and call us today for urgent help with your dental emergency!

How We Make Dentistry Affordable?

For some patients, the only thing that stands in the way of getting the dental care that they need is the price. To help prevent that from happening, our dental team near Ponder welcomes two financial solutions: dental insurance and flexible financing. If you are interested in learning more about them, you can click on the icons below!

We Welcome Dental Insurance

Many dental insurance providers cover 100% of the cost of preventive care and between 50% and 80% of the cost of restorative treatments. However, there are some rules and restrictions that often need to be considered, including waiting periods and annual maximums. That’s why it’s so important to read through the fine print on your plan! If you need any help understanding your coverage, you shouldn’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information. Since we work with Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Delta Dental, and several others, we can help you maximize your available benefits.

We Happily Accept Flexible Financing

If you don’t have dental insurance at the moment, don’t hesitate to let us know. After all, that isn’t the only financial solution that’s available. You can also break up the total cost of the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry that you need into smaller chunks thanks to CareCredit. All you need to do is determine what your monthly budget is. Then, you can select the payment plan that suits it best and begin paying for your treatment over the next several months. One of the best parts is that there are several options available with little-to-no interest attached!

Finding Our Dental Office Near Ponder

Are you looking for our dental office near Ponder? We are located at 1201 Bent Oaks Ct in Denton. That’s less than a 20-minute drive away. If you have any difficulty finding us, don’t hesitate to reach out. One of our friendly team members would be happy to provide you with further directions. We can’t wait to meet you!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find the best place to get dental work done?

If you’re seeking a new provider near Ponder to help you build and maintain the happiest, healthiest version of your smile, it’s only natural to want to find the best person for the job. A quick online search can likely produce a local list of results, but you might struggle to sift through them to find the right dentist to meet your unique needs.

It can sometimes help to take a few moments to identify and write down your main priorities regarding oral healthcare. For example, do you need someone who is in-network with your dental insurance policy? Are there specific services you want or need that must be offered? How far from home are you willing to travel for quality care? Answering these sorts of questions for yourself can help you find someone who checks off all the right boxes.

What if I’m too anxious to visit the dentist?

You’re not alone if you feel nervous about sitting in the dentist’s chair, but our compassionate team near Ponder will do everything we can to help you remain calm and comfortable throughout your treatment.

For example, we can apply a local anesthetic before starting your procedure so that you won’t feel pain. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation, commonly known as laughing gas, which can help you feel relaxed and at ease, regardless of the reason for your visit.

Are there ways to make dental care more affordable?

Dental insurance can often be an effective way to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for everything from routine preventive visits to more complex repairs or restorations. Most plans cover up to 100% of routine exams, X-rays, and cleanings, and often include 50% to 80% of other services needed to protect or preserve your teeth and gums.

But we understand that not all patients carry a policy, and we don’t want your financial situation to prevent you from receiving potentially smile-saving care. If you’re concerned about affording services, you can apply for a low- to no-interest payment plan through CareCredit. This option allows you to divide the total cost of your visit into more manageable installments that are paid over a designated period, which can be easier on  your wallet.

What level of education is required to become a dentist?

Are you curious about our providers’ qualifications? All dentists must meet specific criteria to become licensed, and ours are no exception. Providers typically first earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field, then must achieve either a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) advanced degree from one of the 70+ institutions accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). From there, they can choose to complete in depth training focused on one or more of the 12 officially recognized specialty areas.

At our practice near Ponder, Dr. Balington graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, and our on-site periodontist, Dr. Karim, earned her doctorate from the Baylor College of Dentistry before pursuing her specialty training.