Month: December 2017

Your Guide to Trefoil™ Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Chicago

trefoil implants chicago

The Trefoil system is fast transforming the way dentists think about implants. University Associates in Dentistry is proud to make Trefoil dental implants from Nobel Biocare available to our patients. Here is what you need to know about Trefoil dental implants and how they differ from the implants of the past.

What makes Trefoil dental implants so innovative?

Previously, dental implants were placed by surgically implanting a post, waiting for it to heal, and then placing a replacement tooth. Trefoil implants actually allow a full arch of teeth to be placed in a single appointment. Trefoil uses a prefabricated framework that fits snugly over three implants, which can be placed in a single day.

What makes Trefoil implants a preferable choice?

Trefoil implants speed up the implant process by removing the necessity for waiting three to six months for the posts to heal in the patient’s mouth. The one-day process is more convenient for patients and dentists alike. The implants are also adjustable, so they can be made to fit each patient as precisely as possible. Patients can count on having stable, secure, and natural-looking replacements for their teeth.

Am I a good candidate for Trefoil implants?

Trefoil dental implants are an excellent option for patients who need a full replacement of their lower set of teeth. Patients should be adults, be in good health, and have a stable jawbone. If you have despaired of being able to replace your lower arch of teeth in a fast and cost-effective way, Trefoil implants are the state-of-the-art solution you’ve been waiting for.

University Associates in Dentistry is dedicated to providing all of our patients with the same level of high-quality service. We have been in practice in the Chicago area for more than a quarter-century, and we are continually working to update our services to keep them up-to-date. For a complimentary consultation at our office, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

Historic “French Disease” Treatments and Tooth Loss

Dental Implants in Chicago

Syphilis, once widely known as the “French Disease,” has been known to us since the 15 th century, but effective treatments were not available until relatively recently. For centuries, the most commonly used cure for syphilis was mercury, an element used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Unfortunately, as we now know, mercury is highly poisonous and it can have corrosive effects on the human body. Tooth loss was one of the most common side effects of using mercury to treat ailments, along with skin ulcers and nerve damage. The 20 th century saw the development of antibiotics, notably penicillin, that quickly replaced use of mercury treatments for syphilis.

The experienced practitioners at University Associates in Dentistry are leaders in a wide array of important areas of dentistry, from sleep apnea treatments to cosmetic dentistry . We work to build strong and lasting relationships with all of our patients. To learn more, call (312) 704-5511 today.

What You Should Know About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Dentistry

Dental Implants in Chicago

dentist chicago

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, has been used for many years in medical settings to help patients heal more quickly. Only in recent years, however, has its relevance to dental care become more widely recognized. Here’s what you ought to know about how PRP can help your dentist provide you with better care.

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma is a concentrated part of a patient’s blood that has a high number of platelets. Platelets are the blood cells that are responsible for forming the clots that help a person’s body stop bleeding. Normally, platelets make up only about 6 percent of a person’s blood ; in PRP, the ratio is 94 percent.

Where does PRP come from?

If you’re in need of PRP, your medical provider will use a syringe to take a sample of blood from your arm. Then, a centrifuge is used to separate the platelets from the rest of your blood. The resulting plasma can then be used to treat you.

What do dentists use PRP for?

PRP has many possible applications in dentistry. Most frequently, it is used to promote quicker healing after the extraction of a tooth. It can also be used to speed up the healing process and reduce the patient’s discomfort following oral surgery.

What are the benefits of using PRP in dental procedures?

Since it is taken from the patient’s own blood, there is no transmission risk and a very low risk of infection with PRP. It’s safe, easy to obtain, and helps to lower the likelihood of complications after surgery.

The team at University Associates in Dentistry can respond to all of your oral care needs, ranging from general dentistry to implant dentistry to root canal therapy to orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign. To schedule a free initial consultation at our Chicago office, call (312) 704-5511. We look forward to helping you enjoy a bright and healthy smile!

The How and Whys of CT Scans

Dental Implants in Chicago

Doctors aren’t the only ones who rely on images from CT scans. These high-tech imaging devices have begun appearing in some dentist’s offices. With these highly detailed images, a dentist can precisely plan treatments like the placement of permanent dental implants.

Watch this featured video to find out how CT scans work. You’ll learn that they use X-ray technology, but they offer superior benefits compared to conventional X-rays. CT scans use multiple beams of X-rays, which are directed at many angles. This allows the computer to create a 3D cross-sectional image. CT scans also have much lower radiation than conventional scans and X-rays. They also target a small section of the face- mouth and sinuses only.

At University Associates in Dentistry, we use advanced dental technology for the benefit of our patients—including a CT scanner designed specifically for use by dentists. Call (312) 704-5511 to request a dental consultation in Chicago.

University Associates in Dentistry