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Spotlight on Dentistry in the Early 1900s

Dental Implants in Chicago

dental history

As general dentists in Chicago, UAD knows that dentistry changes every day based on the products and procedures that are available. While modern dentistry now offers many relatively painless procedures to improve your smile, dentistry in the early 1900s was not quite as comfortable.

In 1903, Charles Land became the first dentist to design and place a dental crown. Dental crowns are now invaluable to modern cosmetic dentistry. A dentist uses crowns to restore teeth that have become irreparably damaged. Crowns also cover dental implants to provide permanent solutions for missing teeth. In 1905, German chemist Alfred Einhorn first formulated Novocain. Novocain is still used by dentists today. In 1930, the American Board of Orthodontics was established as the first specialty board in dentistry. 1945 kicked off the beginning of the water fluoridation era. Since then, fluoride has been added to almost all American public water systems. In areas where the water is not fluoridated, a general dentist may recommend fluoride treatments.

Get even more fun facts about general and cosmetic dentistry when you schedule an appointment with one of UAD dentist s. For all your dental needs, contact the Chicago office of University Associates in Dentistry by calling (312) 704-5511.

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 a CT Scan, 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, your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic and suggest ibuprofen (in case of discomfort).

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, cosmetically appealing and give you your confidence back!

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 that offer a metal-free alternative, as well as titanium 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.

What You Need to Know About Dental Bridges

Dental Implants in Chicago

dental implants cost Chicago

A dentist uses dental bridges to fix gaps in patients’ smiles. If you are missing several teeth, you are not alone. Millions of Americans visit their dentist each year to find permanent solutions for missing teeth. A dental bridge is comprised of dental crowns, which are prosthetic devices that look and function just like your natural teeth. Read on to learn more about dental bridges, including their health benefits, different types, and the available placement procedures.

Health Benefits
As your dentist will tell you, a dental bridge does even more than restore the cosmetic appearance of your smile. Your healthy jawbone tissue eventually deteriorates in the gaps left by missing teeth. Whether you have teeth implants covered by a dental bridge or your dentist uses a bridge to restore irreparable tooth damage, your bridge will preserve existing healthy bone tissue and help maintain your facial structure.

Different Types
When it comes to dental bridges, you have more than one option. Before your dentist places your bridge, he or she will guide you through your best choices depending on your health, needs, and goals. Traditional dental bridges rely on a crown to replace a missing tooth, with a pontic in-between to bridge the gap. Conversely, a cantilever bridge is used when there is a natural tooth on only one side of the bridge.

Placement Procedures
Different procedures are used to place dental bridges. If you have missing teeth, your dentist may suggest using dental implants to act as tooth roots. In that case, you will need to wait until your gums heal after dental implant surgery. If you do not require dental implants, your bridge may be able to be placed in a single dentist appointment.

For a permanent solution to your missing teeth , look no further than University Associates in Dentistry. In addition to dental bridges, our office offers dental crowns and dental implants for Chicago patients. Our dentists are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. Call us at (312) 704-5511 today.

How to Get Your Best Smile Ever

Dental Implants in Chicago

Today, there are almost limitless options in cosmetic dentistry. Watch this video to learn more about how your dentist can help you achieve the perfect smile.

As your dentist will advise you, the best smile is different for each individual. While porcelain veneers are ideal for people with misaligned, discolored, or chipped teeth, others require only a simple teeth whitening procedure. Your ideal smile depends on your bone structure, skin tone, and the size of your face.

To find out more about how cosmetic dentistry in Chicago can help you get the smile of your dreams, call University Associates in Dentistry to speak to a dentist today. You can reach us at (312) 704-5511.

Dental Health Through the Centuries [INFOGRAPHIC]

Dental Implants in Chicago

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

Dental Implants in Chicago

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

Dental Implants in Chicago

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.

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Renaissance Period

Dental Implants in Chicago

dental history

If you’re interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, you may enjoy learning about how dentists operated in the Renaissance period. The Renaissance period saw some important advances in dentistry, particularly in treating patients with missing teeth, damaged teeth, and crooked teeth.

The first dentists who practiced during the Renaissance were not very skilled at preventative dentistry or saving teeth from disease. Instead, they would simply extract a problem tooth using very primitive anesthesia. People who lived during this period were concerned with the appearance of their teeth, and would clean their teeth and mouth using powdered mint and salt scrubs. They even practiced teeth whitening procedures using charcoal and alum.

At University Associates in Dentistry, our dentists have vast experience in general dentistry, sports dentistry, teeth implants, and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago . We can provide you with a dental consultation to determine the most effective method for treating your dental problem. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our general or cosmetic dentistry services, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

Are Your Everyday Habits Causing Your Yellowed Teeth?

Dental Implants in Chicago

teeth whitening Chicago

Teeth that are yellowed, stained, or otherwise discolored can be remedied in a professional teeth whitening procedure at your general dentist’s office. In order to keep your smile bright and white, however, you should be aware of what lifestyle choices are discoloring your teeth. Here is a look at some everyday habits that can stain and discolor teeth.

Drinking Coffee, Tea, or Wine
Substances that are high in acids, tannins, or pigments can stain your teeth. These substances break down the tooth enamel, allowing the tooth underneath to become damaged. Luckily, the damage can be remedied by visiting a general dentist for teeth whitening or veneers. Coffee is acidic and highly pigmented, and can quickly cause teeth to become damaged, stained, and discolored. Tea is even worse, as it contains acid, pigments, and tannins, which all combine to discolor your teeth. Red and white wine are both acidic and full of tannins, but red wine is more likely to stain due to the pigmentation.

Eating or Drinking Highly Pigmented Substances
Once your tooth enamel is damaged, consuming any highly pigmented substances can stain your teeth. Foods that are high in pigment include any food that contains unnatural dyes, as well as berries, tomatoes, cherries, grapes, and pomegranates. Beverages include soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, and lemonade.

Failing to Maintain a Regular Oral Health Routine
Even if you consume foods and beverages that can stain your teeth, you can reduce the damage that is done by maintaining a regular oral health routine. This includes rinsing your mouth out with water after eating or drinking something that is acidic, or that contains tannins or pigments. You should also brush twice a day and visit your dentist every six months.

If your teeth are discolored, you should visit one of our dentists at University Associates in Dentistry for teeth whitening near Chicago . Our professional teeth whitening procedure can whiten your teeth several shades. We can also provide porcelain veneers to repair stained or discolored teeth. To schedule a dental consultation, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry