A bright, gleaming smile can be one of your best assets. It is important to pay attention to your dental health so that you can be healthy and feel confident in yourself. If you are missing some or all of your teeth, pay a visit to your Chicago dentist to explore your options for replacing these teeth. Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for tooth replacement. Not only do implants last longer than dentures or fixed bridges, they also look better! Take a look at our handy infographic to see how dental implants stack up against dentures, and pass it along to your friends and family.

Are you tired of the discomfort of wearing dentures? Before the advent of  dental implants , the only solution for those who had lost their teeth was removable dentures. However, with this extremely beneficial modern dental technology, it is possible to replace an entire set of missing teeth with a permanent solution.

What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are replacements for missing teeth that replace not only the visible part of the tooth, but the root as well. The implant itself consists of a titanium post, which is surgically inserted into the gums and jawbone by a dentist. An abutment and crown are then placed onto the implant to form the visible part of the replacement tooth. The most important and beneficial part of the dental implant is the post, which mimics a real tooth’s root, preventing the bone loss that many people suffer as a result of having missing teeth.

What Are Permanent Dentures?
All-on-4™ permanent dentures are a combination of traditional denture technology and dental implants. Your dentist can affix a permanent bridge that consists of multiple replacement crowns to just four titanium implants to replace a full row of missing teeth. The result is a stable, permanent, and healthy solution that provides significant benefits over regular dentures. Your new permanent dentures will not slip, rub, or cause irritation to your gums, and they will look and feel more like your natural teeth, providing you with a more confident and comfortable smile.

Consider the benefits that dental implants or permanent dentures can hold for you. Enjoy a more confident, comfortable lifestyle with the help of University Associates in Dentistry today. We are a leading practice in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. You can find out more by clicking through our website or calling (312) 704-5511 today.

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes breathing to stop temporarily during sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, restlessness, choking, and waking up with a sore throat. The condition can usually be treated using a dental appliance. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause poor sleep that contributes to high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, and heart disease. Here are some of the ways that  your dentist  can help relieve your sleep apnea:

Diagnosis
Before you receive treatment, your dentist will need to determine the specific kind of sleep apnea that you have. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the throat muscles relax and restrict breathing. However, other forms of the disorder, such as central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea, can also occur. Dentists can usually treat mild to severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea with a high degree of success. In some cases, additional medical attention from other types of specialists may be required.

Treatment Options
Depending on your specific case, your dentist may recommend that you wear a dental appliance to relieve sleep apnea. A dental appliance is a retainer-like device that is put inside the mouth at nighttime. While store-bought appliances are available, devices that can be fitted to each patient’s mouth often provide better results. The most common professional dental appliance used is a mandibular advancement device , which moves the lower jaw forward to decrease airway constriction.

Results
Wearing a dental appliance designed to alleviate sleep apnea can provide you with a number of benefits. These devices open the airways and are effective for preventing interruptions in breathing. By allowing you to breathe freely, a sleep apnea appliance can help you sleep better at night and prevent snoring. Your dental appliance will be comfortable to wear and will require little maintenance.

To find out how you can benefit from wearing a dental appliance, call Chicago’s University Associates in Dentistry. At our comprehensive dental practice, we offer sleep apnea treatments and can find the corrective option that is right for you. For more information, call (312) 704-5511.

This video outlines the stages of gum disease , starting with gingivitis, in which the gums are swollen and may bleed easily. The second stage, periodontitis, is characterized by the gums pulling away from the teeth. This is followed by advanced periodontitis, during which the fibers holding the teeth in place are destroyed, leading to tooth loss. Learn more by watching this entire video.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but it often goes largely ignored and untreated. 

Don’t let gum disease destroy your beautiful smile. Visit University Associates in Dentistry for periodontitis treatment and dental implant options. We can restore your smile for greater confidence and enjoyment of life. Check out our website or call (312) 704-5511 today to find out more.

Even individuals who brush and floss their teeth on a regular basis still need to visit the dentist for routine checkups. Most dental professionals recommend that you see your  general dentist  every six months for a cleaning and oral inspection—however, individuals with certain health conditions, risk factors, or history of disease may benefit from more frequent visits. Check out this overview for the top reasons why you should not delay seeing your dentist.

Increased Risk of Cavities
One of the main purposes of routine dental visits is to remove the plaque buildup which constantly accumulates along the surfaces of your teeth, regardless of your at-home oral hygiene habits. Without regular removal, the harmful bacteria in this clear, sticky film can eat away at the hard outer surfaces of your teeth until a cavity forms.

Greater Chances of Developing Gingivitis
Individuals who fail to undergo routine cleanings with their dentist are not only at an increased risk for cavities, but also have a higher chance of developing gingivitis, or gum disease. Plaque accumulation on your teeth and gums can allow bacteria to penetrate your gum line, where it can infect your soft tissues. As your body attempts to fight off the infection in your gums, your immune system turns on itself, destroying the tissues rather than healing them.

Health Risks Associated With Poor Oral Health
In addition to increasing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease, poor oral hygiene can increase your likelihood of developing several detrimental health conditions. In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology reports that having untreated gum disease increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, as it allows bacteria to enter your bloodstream where it can reach your organs and vital tissues. It is also crucial to attend regular visits with your dentist to rule out signs of oral cancer.

With several years of experience, the general and cosmetic dentists with University Associates in Dentistry are devoted to meeting all of your comprehensive dental needs. Get on the road to a healthier smile by calling our Chicago office at (312) 704-5511. 

Your dentist can provide a number of dental appliances to help with your everyday life. By wearing custom-fitted mouth guards, athletes can protect their teeth from damage. People who have sleep apnea can alleviate the symptoms and sleep better by using a specialized appliance. For detailed information on these topics, please click the links below. If you would like to speak with an experienced dentist about athletic mouth guards or dental appliances, call University Associates in Dentistry in Chicago at (312) 704-5511.

• Learn everything you need to know about sleep apnea at MedicineNet.com.
• Dental devices offer an effective way to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. Find out more about dental devices from The New York Times .
• Visit the Mayo Clinic’s website for information about sleep apnea symptoms and treatments.
• Oral appliances can be used effectively to treat sleep apnea , according to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Visit the organization’s website to find out more.
• Do you play sports? If so, visit WebMD.com to learn why you should wear an athletic mouth guard .