Month: March 2019

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Dental Implants in Chicago


When you sleep, the muscles in your throat relax. With sleep apnea, however, they relax too much, allowing them to collapse on your airway and prevent you from breathing. Although sleep apnea can happen to anyone, being overweight or having a large neck can increase your risk of developing it.

 

Watch this video to learn more about sleep apnea. When the airway is restricted, you will wake up to gasp for air. This cycle can happen hundreds of times per night.

 

If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, your dentist can help. Make an appointment with University Associates in Dentistry to discuss your symptoms and learn about your treatment options. Contact our dentist office in Chicago at (312) 704-5511 to schedule a visit.

A Look at the Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers

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Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, thanks to the dramatic way they can change the appearance of your smile. However, like most treatments, there are pros and cons to consider before you decide if veneers are the right solution for you. Your dentist can help you weigh up the advantages and disadvantages as you choose the right cosmetic dentistry treatment to get the smile you want. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of porcelain veneers.

 

Pro: Natural Appearance

Your dentist can make your veneers match the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth, so that once they are in place, they blend into your smile seamlessly. No one will know you have veneers unless you tell them, which is appealing to people who want to fix something about the appearance of their smile but who don’t want the change to be so dramatic that everyone can tell that they had work done.

 

Con: Tooth Reduction

To make space in your mouth for your veneers, your dentist will have to remove some of the surfaces of the teeth being treated. Although the reduction is minimal, it is permanent, so you will need veneers for the rest of your life. You may also experience some tooth sensitivity after getting veneers for this reason.

 

Pros: Durable

Porcelain veneers are extremely strong and long-lasting. They are resistant to stains, which means that they won’t become dull and yellowed over time. As long as you brush and floss twice a day and see your dentist for checkups regularly, your veneers should last at least 10 or 15 years, and in many cases, much longer. If you grind your teeth, your dentist may recommend that you wear a mouth guard when you sleep to prevent damage to your veneers.

 

The best way to know if porcelain veneers are right for you is to schedule a consultation at University Associates in Dentistry. Our dentists in Chicago offer a range of cosmetic treatments and can help you find the right solution for your needs. Make your appointment today by calling (312) 704-5511.

How Your Dentist Can Fix Cracked Teeth

Dental Implants in Chicago

Cracked teeth can happen for many reasons, from being hit by a ball while playing your favorite sport to biting down on a hard piece of food a little too aggressively. Fortunately, your dentist can fix cracks in your teeth so that they look and feel their best.

 

There are several ways your dentist can fix cracked teeth. One popular method is veneers. Veneers are thin, wafer-like pieces of porcelain put on the surface of your teeth. Once your veneers are in place, the surfaces of your teeth will look and feel smooth. Bonding is another treatment option. Bonding uses a plastic material designed to match the appearance of your natural teeth to hide imperfections, like cracks. If the crack is at the base of your tooth, your dentist may recommend contouring to smooth it away.

 

Don’t let a cracked tooth affect your smile. Talk to your dentist at University Associates in Dentistry today about your treatment options. You can learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Chicago by calling (312) 704-5511.

Examining the History of Dental Floss

Dental Implants in Chicago

When you reach for your dental floss—which should be at least once a day, as recommended by your dentist—you probably don’t spend much time thinking about the history of the product. However, food has been getting caught in teeth since people started eating, and humans have been looking for ways to clean between their teeth since then. Here is a quick look at the history of dental floss and how it has changed over the years.

 

Ancient Dental Floss

There is evidence that ancient people made rudimentary toothbrushes and dental floss, and that dental floss may have been around for longer than brushes. The first way that people performed interdental cleaning appears to have been similar to modern toothpicks. Sharpened sticks were used to dig in between teeth and clean those areas. Eventually, sticks gave way to horsehair. Horsehair is believed to have been used both as dental floss and as bristles for toothbrushes.

 

Silk Dental Floss

The first introduction of dental floss in its more familiar modern form came in 1815, when a dentist in New Orleans suggested that patients use a waxed thread of silk to floss. This thread could be easily obtained, since it was available on the market for sewing. Dr. Levi Parmly wrote a book on tooth care which suggested that people floss once per day. In 1882, unwaxed silk threads for dental use hit the market, and in 1898, Johnson & Johnson applied for a patent to mass-produce and market floss.

 

Modern Dental Floss

During World War II, silk because too expensive to use for floss. Dr. Charles Bass suggested nylon be used instead. Today, you can find floss made of a wide range of different materials, in both waxed and non-waxed varieties.

 

At University Associates in Dentistry, you’ll find only the latest advances in dental technologies, but our dentists still recommend that patients follow Dr. Parlmy’s advice to floss at least once a day. Make an appointment with a general dentist in Chicago by calling (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry