Here are the steps we have taken to ensure your safety
After nearly a year of using these precautions, not a single individual, staff or patient, has contracted COVID from being in the office. We don’t think there is a safer dental office in all of the Chicago area. Call (708) 849-4400 to make an appointment
Thank you for choosing our website for your dental education needs. Please select from the variety of topics to learn about dental concepts and the services our office can provide.
The 3 stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gingivitis is caused by toxins irritating the gum line as a result of plaque buildup. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis can include swelling, sensitivity and bleeding of the gums during brushing and flossing. Gingivitis can be easily reversed through professional care and good home oral hygiene.
Periodontitis is categorized as irreversible bone loss that results from untreated gingivitis. The Gums may begin to form a pocket below the gum line which traps food and plaque. Dental treatment and home care can help prevent from further damage but at this stage the results are not reversible. Advanced Periodontitis is when the fiber and bones supporting the teeth are destroyed. This may cause teeth to shift or loosen; teeth may have to be removed depending on how advance the disease has become and if treatments are non-effective. You can begin by preventing gum disease with good oral health. Pick up a brochure or ask your dentist today
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancement – a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak eat and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge maybe right for you.
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful but when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth the root and its nerves become irritated.
As a result the bacteria within the pulp cavity, needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure the tooth is fragile and is consequently restored to a natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95 percent or greater. Most root canals are diagnosed by patient’s sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist if any symptoms or discomfort.
Dental implants are titanium roots that are replaced within the jaw bones to resemble a tooth or a group of teeth. A screw is inserted into the gums and into the jaw bone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the screw to become the new tooth or teeth. They can be used to support dental prestices including crowns dentures and bridges. Today’s treatments are so natural looking no one will know you had surgery.
There is approximately a 95 percent success rate for all implants with modern advancements in dentistry some implants can be restored immediately with life like all porcelain crowns. For more details ask your dentist.
Fact or Myth? If you have a cavity you will know it – myth. Mild tooth decay has no symptoms; sensitivity begins to occur when the tooth decay is already causing damage to the nerve. Today’s dentistry prevents tooth decay with sealants and other conservative methods.
Fact or myth? Sugar is the prime cause of cavities? A fact and also a myth. Acid is the main trigger in producing the main bacteria that causes cavities. The bacterium is then fuelled by the consumption of carbohydrates. Sugar is a trigger in cavities but carbs as a whole are the main cause.
Fact or myth? Cavities are the prime reasons for root canals – myth. Root canals are a result of nerve damage. Untreated cavities can lead to nerve damage but root canals are onset by a number of different factors.
Fact or myth? Brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent cavities. Fact.
Fact or myth? Expensive toothpastes are always better than cheaper ones – myth. Different toothpastes are better for different teeth and situations. Sometimes moderately priced toothpaste can be more effective. Ask the dentist what might be best for your teeth and always look for the ADA seal of approval.
Fact or myth? If a tooth is white it must be healthy. Myth – under the surface there maybe cavities problems with the root or other abnormalities.
Fact or myth? Teeth-whitening is harmful because it damages enamel. Myth – there are many modern teeth whitening processes that have minimal harmful effects.
Teeth-whitening is not for every mouth or person though. Consult the dentist before you proceed with whitening treatments.
Fact or myth? Dentists should be feared. Myth – with today’s advancements, technology and safety practices, there is nothing to worry about. Procedures are as quick and painless as ever.
Fact or myth? You should visit your dentist at least 2 a year. Fact! SO many smiles, so many solutions!
Veneers are thin hand crafted porcelain shields worn on the front of the tooth which improves the appearance of teeth that are chipped, cracked, stained or worn. Veneers are as thin as contact lenses and are an aesthetically pleasing option for closing gaps, lengthening teeth and providing symmetry for making your smile more natural.
Veneers are intended to last for many years without changing colour. They are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in dentistry. Ask your dentist if veneers maybe right for you.
At a young age, our teeth are healthy and white but over time the enamel slowly coating the tooth is worn down causing our teeth to become stained and yellow which is why teeth whitening are becoming increasingly popular today. There are a few methods for whitening – they include at home and in office.
With in-office treatments you will see faster results and you will receive the safest treatments for bleaching the teeth and yield the whitest smile. So don’t settle for teeth that have become stained from years of coffee drinking, tobacco use or just ageing. Ask your dentist about whitening options that maybe right for you.
Do you snore excessively? Do you suffer from day time fatigue? Do you wake during the night with shortness of breath? You may suffer from the life threatening sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. About 1 in every 15 Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and it is a problem that many don’t even realize that they might have.
But what does this have to do with dentistry? Because sleep apnea is caused by an airway obstruction, the disorder can be treated through the Thornton Adjustable Positioner or the TAP appliance is one of the more popular ways to treat sleep apnea.
When the jaw bone is lax the tongue and soft tissue obstruct the air way the TAP appliance advances the jaw bone allowing the air to flow freely and making sleep more restful throughout the night. If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your dentist today about possible treatment options.
The maintenance of clean teeth and gums revolves round brushing and flossing. Place the tooth brush bristles next to the gum line on the outer surfaces to the teeth. Brush gently using a back and forth technique with the tooth brushes. For the inner surface of the teeth, place the bristles next to the gum line and brushing a circular motion. The inside of the mouth is where the most plaque accumulates brush the surface of the teeth where the most chewing of food takes place, in the same circular motion, to clean those places between the teeth where a tooth brush can’t reach floss once a day to remove food and plaque to avoid gum disease. So eat a well-balanced diet, brush daily and schedule regular checkups with the dentist.
