Month: September 2018

Can You Floss Your Dental Implants?

Dental Implants in Chicago

One of the advantages of dental implants is that you can care for them as you would your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, which have to be removed for cleaning, you can brush your dental implants just like your other teeth. One common question people have about implants has to do with flossing. Is flossing necessary—and safe—for a dental implant?

 

Flossing is an important part of your oral hygiene routine, and you shouldn’t skip your implant when you are flossing the rest of your teeth. There may be additional space between your implants and gums compared with your natural teeth, so be sure to get into that area with your floss. You can use regular floss or your dentist may recommend a special kind of floss that is easier to use with dental implants. This kind of floss is attached to a firm handle so that it is easy to get under the implants.

 

Your Chicago dentist at University Associates in Dentistry will help you learn how to keep your dental implants in top condition, so that they look and feel healthy. To find out more, call our practice today at (312) 704-5511.

Are You Missing Several Teeth? Here’s a Look at Your Treatment Options

Dental Implants in Chicago

 

If you have several missing teeth, you may think that dentures and bridges are your only treatment option, but in reality, dental implants could be the right solution for you. Your dentist can help you weigh the pros and cons of different treatments and pick the best one for your needs. Here is a look at some of the options for restoring your smile when you are missing multiple teeth.

 

Removable Dentures

For many years, removable dentures were the only option for people with several missing teeth. Dentures consist of a row of artificial teeth site on a base designed to mimic gum tissue. They sit on top of your gums to create the impression of natural teeth. Dentures are a cost-effective choice, but they also have several disadvantages. They have to be removed for cleaning, they can slip when you are eating and talking, and your jaw and gums will shrink, causing a poor fit and giving your face a sunken appearance.

 

Dental Bridges

If your missing teeth are in a row, a dental bridge is an option for treatment. Bridges are usually supported by the natural teeth on either side of the appliance, which can use those teeth to become weaker. Ultimately, you can lose those teeth as well. Although bridges are more stable than full, removable dentures, their disadvantages have seen them fall out of favor with dentists.

 

Dental-Implant Supported Bridge

The gold standard in replacing multiple missing teeth is a dental implant-supported bridge. This bridge consists of a row of artificial teeth than that are supported on each end with a dental implant. The screw portion of the implant fuses with the bone in your jaw so that the bridge looks and functions like your natural teeth. There are no special diet or cleaning techniques required, and your natural teeth won’t be compromised since the implant fully supports the bridge.

 

Don’t let missing teeth make you uncomfortable about showing your smile. Dental implants from University Associates in Dentistry will restore your confidence without the downside of other restorations. To make an appointment with a dentist in Chicago, call (312) 704-5511.

How Long Will Your Dental Crown Last?

Dental Implants in Chicago


When you get a dental crown or any dental restoration, like a dental implant, one of your first questions may be how long you can expect your restoration to last. Some restorations can last indefinitely, depending on the aftercare procedures that you follow.

 

Watch this video to learn about the lifespan of dental restorations, including crowns, veneers, and implants, and the things you can do to extend their lives. Practicing good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly are essential for preserving your treatment.

 

If you have missing teeth or tooth damage, make an appointment at University Associates in Dentistry to find out what treatments are available to you. To schedule a dental consultation in Chicago, call (312) 704-5511.

How to Fight Your Gag Reflex at the Dentist

Dental Implants in Chicago

For some people, going to the dentist means one thing: fighting with their gag reflex. Although some people don’t give the idea of gagging at the dentist a second thought, for others, a sensitive gag reflex can make it difficult to get dental care and may cause anxiety during dental appointments. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a victim to your gag reflex. There are things you can do to make getting dental care more comfortable and to avoid gagging during treatment. Start by talking to your dentist. These tips will also help.

 

Bring a Distraction

Your gag reflex is part physiological response and part psychological trigger. If you’ve experienced problems with gagging in the past, your anxiety about it happening again makes you more likely to gag. Using a distraction can prevent you from concentrating on gagging so you’re less likely to experience it. Holding a stress ball to squeeze during your appointment can help, as can bringing headphones and listening to music. Before your appointment, you can even practice self-hypnosis techniques so you can calm yourself down and avoid gagging.

 

Don’t Swallow Saliva

It’s normal to worry about saliva building up in your mouth or spilling out when you’re getting dental care. Many patients try to swallow their saliva during dental appointments to avoid embarrassment, but doing so is likely to make you gag. Your dentist can use a suction wand to clear out saliva from your mouth periodically when it gets in the way, so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re getting care.

 

Resist Mouth Breathing

When your mouth is open, it’s natural to default to breathing through it, but doing so will only make you more likely to gag. Breathe through your nose instead to reduce your gag reflex. Concentrating on breathing through your nose may also help to distract you from gagging.

 

The team at University Associates in Dentistry is committed to making every patient comfortable during treatment, whether he or she comes in for a general dentistry check-up or extensive cosmetic dentistry care in Chicago. Schedule your dental consultation today by calling (312) 704-5511.

Busting Myths about Digital X-Rays

Dental Implants in Chicago

Most people are used to getting x-rays when they see the dentist, but digital x-rays are not your grandparents’ imaging. When using digital x-rays, your dentist can get a clearer picture of what is happening in your mouth instantly, without waiting for photos to develop. They will also know right away if an image is not clear, so that it can be taken again immediately. With traditional x-rays, dentists don’t know if their pictures are adequate until after they have been developed. Still, myths about digital x-rays make some patients wary. Here is the truth behind some of these common misconceptions.

Myth: Digital x-rays are more uncomfortable than traditional x-rays.

The process of getting digital x-rays performed is virtually identical to the process you’re used to with traditional x-rays, except that you will be able to see the images pop up on a screen immediately. The sensor used in the mouth for digital x-rays is thinner and smaller than the one used for traditional x-rays, and it has rounded edges. If you notice any difference, it may actually be that you find digital x-rays to be more comfortable.

Myth: Digital x-rays produce lower quality images than film x-rays.

Dentists have adopted digital x-rays because they produce better images, not worse ones. Through digital imaging, dentists can zoom in on problem areas and enhance different parts of an image for a better view of different parts of your mouth. This means digital x-rays are significantly more useful for your dentist than film.

Myth: Digital x-rays are more expensive for me.

For dentists, digital x-rays save money, since they don’t need to lose treatment time to the developing process, nor do they have to spend money on a dark room and chemicals for developing film. This savings is something that patients get to enjoy as well. Although every insurance plan is different, there is no reason to think that digital x-rays are priced at a premium.

At University Associates in Dentistry, we are committed to harnessing the very latest technologies to improve care with everything from general dentistry to dental implants. To learn more about our dentists in Chicago, call (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry