Month: July 2015

Protect Your Teeth with a Custom Mouth guard

Dental Implants in Chicago

If you live an active lifestyle or play sports, you may be in danger of damaging your teeth. Whether you’re playing a contact sport like football, or just playing tennis or rollerblading, you are subject to injuries that can knock out or damage your teeth. Wearing a custom mouth guard when participating in high contact activities can protect your mouth and teeth from injury.

Watch this video to learn more about how to protect your teeth with a custom mouth guard. Mouth guards that are custom made are much more comfortable and useful than the equipment of the past.

If you’re interested in visiting a sports dentist in Chicago to discuss custom mouth guards, call us at University Associates in dentistry. We will design and fabricate a mouth guard for you that is made to fit your mouth , just like we do for the Chicago Blackhawks!!! Call us today at (312) 704-5511 to schedule a free consultation.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Dental Implant Procedure

Dental Implants in Chicago

Dental Implant Procedure in Chicago A cosmetic dentist may recommend dental implants if you are missing a tooth, or if your tooth is so chipped or broken that completely replacing it is your best option. Missing teeth can cause oral health problems, as well as problems for your overall health. They make it difficult to eat certain foods, and can discourage you from maintaining an effective oral hygiene routine. With advances in dental technology, dental implants are easier than ever for your cosmetic dentist to create and place.

Before the Procedure
First, your dentist will examine your teeth and take a CT Scan to ensure that your mouth and gums are healthy enough for the procedure. As the dental implant will eventually fuse to the bone in your jaw, your dentist needs to confirm that you have sufficient bone for the procedure. As long as you have healthy gums and enough bone to support the dental implant, you should be approved for the procedure.

Installing the Dental Implant
At your next visit, your dentist will place your dental implant. This is done by inserting a small titanium post into the bone socket of your missing tooth. Your jawbone will heal around the titanium post, making it a permanent part of your jaw. This healing process can take a few months, and your dentist may want to wait until your jaw has completely healed to continue the process. In most situations, during this time, you will have a temporary implant crown that will act and function the same as the permanent implant crown that will be placed once you are fully healed. You will be able to smile with confidence, even during the healing stage.

Attaching Your New Tooth
Once your jaw heals, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, then custom create a prosthetic tooth for you that matches the shape and color of your missing tooth. A small post called an abutment is attached to the dental implant post. This abutment will be used to attach your new prosthetic tooth to the titanium post.

If you have a missing tooth or teeth and are interested in discussing dental implant procedures near Chicago , visit us at University Associates in Dentistry. We offer high quality dental implants that can be placed in just one hour. Call us today at (312) 704-5511 to schedule an appointment.

What to Eat for a Whiter Smile

Dental Implants in Chicago

Foods for White Teeth While cosmetic dentists can easily and effectively grant you a brighter, whiter smile in just an hour, there are certain foods you can eat that can help you maintain your new look. Crunchy foods like apples, celery, and carrot sticks stimulate saliva production in your mouth, which can help prevent plaque from forming.

These foods also scrub your teeth as you eat them, removing plaque and bacteria. Plaque buildup on your teeth can not only cause tooth decay, but it also allows stains to form on your teeth. Acidic food like oranges, strawberries, lemons, and limes can naturally whiten your teeth and kill bacteria. The lactic acid in dairy products can also protect your teeth from decay.

If you’re interested in discussing teeth whitening with a cosmetic dentist in Chicago , visit us at University Associates in Dentistry. We use the Kor Whitening technique over several office visits. Call us today at (312) 704-5511 to discuss your whitening needs and schedule a free consultation.

Spotting the Signs of Gingivitis

Dental Implants in Chicago

Gingivitis is another term for the early stages of gum disease. Symptoms include painful, swollen, or bleeding gums. Gingivitis develops as the result of plaque build-up—either on teeth, or on or below the gum line. Luckily, if treated early, it can be reversed before it develops into more a serious condition. Watch this video to find out more about how to detect and treat gingivitis.

The video explains that taking oral contraception, smoking, or possessing uneven or crooked teeth can all increase the danger of contracting gingivitis. It discusses the ways in which to prevent and treat the condition through good oral hygiene and the use of dental products containing fluoride. It also talks about the importance of a healthy diet and recommends avoiding eating between meals.

To find out more about how to protect your dental health or to book a dental consultation in Chicago, call us at (312) 704-5511. At University Associates in Dentistry , we are here to help safeguard the health of your smile.

Why Straight Teeth Are Better for Your Health

Dental Implants in Chicago

Importance of Straight Teeth Having teeth that are crooked, crowded, or uneven may make you feel self-conscious and afraid to smile. But having crooked teeth can also be detrimental to both your oral health, and your overall health. With so many advances in dental technology, your dentist can offer teeth straightening options that are easier, faster, and cheaper than ever before.

They Improve Oral Hygiene
Crooked and over crowded teeth are difficult to clean. Even if you floss and brush regularly, you may not be able remove the food and plaque that get stuck very tightly between your teeth. Plaque buildup will result in the swift growth of the bacteria that causes tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontal disease , and oral infections. Straight teeth are much easier to floss and brush effectively, as there is more room between the teeth and less overlapping of teeth.

They Improve Oral Health
Having teeth that are crooked or crowded within your mouth can cause your gums to become inflamed and red. Straightening your teeth can allow your gums to securely fit around the tooth, which will help prevent gum disease and periodontal disease. Teeth that are crooked or crowded can also cause wear and tear on tooth enamel because crooked teeth tend to rub against each other as you chew. Crooked teeth also cause stress to the gums and jawbone, which will eventually result in chronic jaw and neck pain.

They Improve Overall Health
The bacteria resulting from plaque buildup can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Left untreated, this may lead to bad breath, mouth sores, bleeding gums, tooth loss, and infections. Oral infections can ultimately cause serious health problems, like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and pneumonia. Having straight teeth and good oral hygiene can reduce your risk of these health problems.

If you have been considering visiting a dentist in Chicago to talk about straightening your teeth, visit us at University Associates in Dentistry. We offer teeth straightening through Invisalign, which quickly straightens your teeth using almost unnoticeable aligners. Call us today at (312) 704-5511 for a free consultation.

You Can’t Handle the Tooth: Dental Facts in History [INFOGRAPHIC]

Dental Implants in Chicago

You probably know that it’s important to brush and floss your teeth every day and that visiting your dentist near Chicago is an essential part of good oral health. However, there are probably many things that you didn’t know about toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and dentists themselves. For example, did you know that dental procedures—along with haircuts—were performed by “barber-surgeons” as late as the 15 th century? Even thousands of years before that, people used toothpicks to clean between their teeth. Dentistry has come a long way, with options such as dental implants, veneers, and teeth whitening available to give you a beautiful smile. Check out this infographic for more fun facts about teeth and taking care of them. Please share with your friends and family!

You Can’t Handle the Tooth: Dental Facts in History Infographic

How Dental Veneers Work

Dental Implants in Chicago

Everyone deserves to have a smile that they love. If you live near Chicago and feel self-conscious about your teeth, you might want to consider getting dental veneers. Keep reading to find out how veneers work and what they can do for your smile:

They Cover the Teeth
Veneers are thin coatings made of porcelain that your dentist can place over the front surface of your teeth. This helps you cover up a variety of aesthetic issues that could be keeping you from achieving your perfect smile. Veneers are custom made to ensure that you get the best, most natural looking results. Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains and give you an easy way to improve the aesthetic appeal of your smile.

They Fix a Variety of Issues
Your dentist can use porcelain veneers to address a variety of aesthetic issues . Veneers are a great option for teeth that are discolored. They can also be placed over teeth that are worn down, chipped, or broken. Veneers can even be used to fix issues with misalignment or irregularly shaped teeth. If you have any of these issues or gaps between your teeth, you should talk to your dentist about porcelain veneers to find out if they can help.

They Are Easy to Apply
When you choose to get porcelain veneers, the dentist can easily put them into place to give you your desired results. You will go in for a consultation so the dentist can examine your mouth to make sure veneers will work. X-rays will be taken and impressions will be made to create custom veneers. The dentist must also remove about ½ millimeter of your tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. During your next visit, the dentist can bond the veneers into place.

University Associates in Dentistry wants to help you get your desired smile. Whether you want porcelain veneers or an entire smile makeover, we are here for you. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, visit us online or call (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry