Month: March 2016

Dental Health Through the Centuries [INFOGRAPHIC]

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Dentistry dates back much further than many people assume. Even in ancient times, tooth decay was a concern—though then, decay was blamed on tooth worms. The first dentist appeared in ancient Egypt, and the ancient Greeks wrote extensively about dental care. However, it wasn’t until the 18 th and 19 th centuries that dental care really took off. During that time, a general dentist would do more than tooth extractions, and many experimented with rudimentary procedures for teeth implants and fillings. It is for good reason that dentistry began to expand during this time, as the introduction of high-sugar foods caused tooth decay cases to sore. Find out more about dental health and treatments over the years in this infographic from University Associates in Dentistry . At our practice, you’ll find the very latest advances in general and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago. Please share this fascinating information about the evolution of dental health care with your friends and family.

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Civil War

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dental history

Today, most people take it for granted that they can visit a dentist for safe and effective dental care. However, dentists during the Civil War had a much tougher job.

A dentist who treated Civil War soldiers was often confronted by teeth that had never even seen a toothbrush. Long before the times of porcelain veneers and teeth implants, Civil War era dental care had very few solutions for missing teeth. Although it may seem strange to think about a general dentist when the Civil War comes to mind, prospective soldiers were actually turned away from service if they had bad teeth. The rule was not strict by today’s standards. Soldiers could not fight if they did not have at least six opposing upper and lower teeth. These few teeth were required because soldiers actually had to bite off the ends of powder cartridges used in their rifles. If they could not, they were unable to load their guns. Beginning in January of 1864, the Confederate Army began conscripting dentists to pull teeth, fill cavities, and perform other essential general dentist services.

For more fun facts about general and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago, call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511 today.

Addressing Your Questions About Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Chicago

dental implants chicago

Dental implants are ideal for individuals who are missing one or more teeth. Dental implants consist of tiny screws that fuse with the jawbone and provide permanent anchors for dental crowns. If you are missing teeth, only your dentist can determine your best course of treatment. However, for the many people, dental implants are able to provide permanent, cosmetically appealing solutions for their missing teeth. Keep reading for answers to common questions about dental implants.

How Does Dental Implant Surgery Work?
The first step in getting your dental implants involves a consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will review dental implants cost, take X-rays, and make sure your jawbone is sufficiently healthy for surgery. During the surgery itself, your general dentist will use local anesthesia, just like with a filling. After the dental implants are placed, you can expect some minor discomfort. Your dentist will prescribe painkillers or suggest ibuprofen.

Do I Have to Take Special Care of Dental Implants?
After your surgery, your dentist will give you instructions for how to take care of your dental implants to ensure proper healing. In general, you should try to eat soft foods, avoid putting excessive pressure on the implant sites, and stay well hydrated. After your dental implants have successfully fused with your jawbone and the surgical sites have healed, you will use a special dental implant brush and implant floss to maintain your oral health.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Permanent dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth forever. As long as you brush and floss regularly, your dental implants will be functional and cosmetically appealing.

Do you want to know if you are a good candidate for dental implants near Chicago? Schedule a consultation with an experienced dentist at University Associates in Dentistry . Our dental office is one of the few providers of metal-free dental implants. Whether you have one missing tooth or have lost all your teeth, call us at (312) 704-5511 to schedule a consultation today.

Factors that Affect Dental Crown Durability

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Dental crowns are used in conjunction with cosmetic dentistry prosthetics that replace missing teeth, such as dentures and teeth implants. You should only visit an experienced dentist for a dental crown, and you should follow his aftercare instructions carefully.

Watch this video for information about factors that affect the durability of dental crowns. Your crown’s durability depends upon the materials from which it was made, how well you care for it, and how often you visit your dentist.

If you have chipped, cracked, worn, or missing teeth and are in need of dentures or dental implants near Chicago , come see us at University Associates in Dentistry. Our cosmetic dentistry experts can replace missing teeth with prosthetics like dental implants, veneers, dental crowns, and dentures. To schedule a dental consultation, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

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