Schedule an Appointment for a Smile Makeover

Having a beautiful smile can boost your confidence anytime of the year, but especially during the holidays. According to Colgate a healthy smile can help boost your confidence. 

Now is the time to schedule an appointment with your dentist for a no obligation Smile Design consultation if you are ashamed to smile because of your teeth and gums.

During your dental appointment, your dentist will assess your teeth and gums to make sure that your mouth is healthy enough for cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. If gum disease or other issues are detected, your dentist will correct the problems before moving forward with Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dental Veneers, or Tooth Whitening.

If your dentist diagnoses gingivitis or the more serious periodontal disease, an appointment will be scheduled for scaling and planing. Scaling and planing is a safe deep cleaning treatment that helps restore your gums back to their healthy state.

Tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the world, and if you have tried those numerous over the counter tooth whitening kits and still have yellow and stained teeth, schedule anappointment with your dentist. Tooth whitening works on your natural teeth, but will not alter the appearance of teeth with dental restorations.

There are two types of tooth whitening techniques available from your dentist. These include in-office tooth whiteningand tray whitening. Although in-office tooth whitening is more expensive than tray whitening, you can have whiter brighter teeth in as little as sixty minutes.

Take an hour off for lunch and you will come back with a beautiful new smile thanks to the light activated gel and laser system that is revolutionizing tooth whitening. To keep your smile white and bright, your dentist will make impressions of your teeth for your take home trays enabling you to keep your teeth white for years to come.

If you opt for the in-home tray whitening system your trays will be made from impressions made by your dentist. When your trays are ready, you will wear them thirty to sixty minutes twice a day for a few weeks. You will notice dramatic results that may need an occasional touch up, especially if you smoke, drink coffee or tea, or indulge in red wine.

Along with tooth whitening, your dentist may recommend Dental Veneers, Tooth Colored Dental Fillings, Bridges, or Crowns to complete your Smile Makeover.

This holiday season you don’t have to frown because of your smile. Schedule an appointment for a Smile Makeover and get ready to grin for the holidays.

Dental Crowns for Kids and Adults

According to Wikipedia, Dental Crowns are used to cover a tooth in order to improve its appearance, strength, size, and shape. Dental Crowns are like caps that are cemented on top of the tooth fully encasing the visible part of your tooth just above your gum line.

Your dentist may suggest a Dental Crown if you have a weak tooth. Teeth that are broken or badly decayed may need Dental Crowns in order to hold the pieces of the cracked tooth together.

Dental Crowns are also used to restore broken teeth and to cover a tooth that has worn down. Your dentist may also recommend Dental Crowns if you have large fillings and not enough tooth to support it. Dental Crowns are also used to hold dental bridges in place and to cover Dental Implants.

Children may also require Dental Crowns on baby teeth if a tooth has a deep cavity. Your family dentist may also suggest Dental Crowns to protect kids who have a higher risk of tooth decay.

There are several types of Dental Crowns available. Stainless steel, all metal, such as alloy or gold, all resin, all ceramic, and porcelain fused to metal.

Stainless steel crowns are normally used on a temporary basis while your permanent crown is being made. Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated and make an ideal choice for children’s teeth, as less dental appointments are required.

Gold alloy, alloy, chromium or nickel are also used for Dental Crowns and compared to other materials require less tooth structure removal. Metal crowns hold up better to chewing and biting and rarely break or chip. According to your dentist, the only drawback to metal is the color. Metal Dental Crowns are best for back teeth and molars that are not seen.

Porcelain fused to metal Dental Crowns can be matched to the teeth surrounding the restoration; however, there will be more wear to the surrounding tooth than resin or metal Dental Crowns. The porcelain part of the crown can also break off or chip. Another drawback to these types of crowns is the dark lines that can sometimes appear at your gum line, and even more so if your gums begin to recede. These crowns are appropriate for both back and front teeth.  

All resin crowns wear over time, but cost less than other Dental Crown types. All resin crowns are prone to fractures as well.

All ceramic or all porcelain Dental Crowns will give you the most natural looking smile as they can be matched to the rest of your natural teeth. People who suffer from metal allergies may also be more suited to all ceramic or all porcelain Dental Crowns as well. Although not as strong as porcelain fused to metal and metal Dental Crowns, they make an excellent choice for front teeth.  

If you would like more information regarding Dental Crowns, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will be able to determine what type is the most appropriate for your needs.

Dental Bonding for a Beautiful New Smile

Cosmetic Dentistry has certainly changed over the years, and thanks to a procedure known as Dental Bonding, you can have a new smile in as little as one dental appointment.

According to Colgate, Dental Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves the application of a composite tooth colored resin to repair chipped, discolored, decayed, or fractured teeth. Dental Bonding can even be used to close that unsightly gap between your two front teeth.

Dental Bonding is easy and inexpensive and can also be used to replace silver amalgam fillings and older dental restorations that have discolored over the years. Dental Bonding is also a wonderful way to brighten teeth that have stains that will not budge with tooth whitening products.

People who have had to deal with gum recession can also benefit from Dental Bonding as it can be used to protect the portion of the root that has receded from the gum line.

Unless you are having a filling replaced or acavity filled with Dental Bonding material there is no need for shots or anesthetic.

During your initial exam, your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Bonding. If your teeth and gums are in good shape, an appointment will be scheduled for Dental Bonding.

During the Dental Bonding procedure, your dentist will first choose a composite resin color from a shade guide that best matches your natural teeth. Once the color has been chosen, your dentist will abrade or etch the surface of the tooth that is to be bonded in order to roughen it. After etching, a conditioning liquid will be applied to adhere the bonding material to the tooth.

Once the tooth has been prepared, your dentist, much like a sculptor, will apply the putty like plastic resin in order to smooth and mold it into shape. Once satisfied, your dentist will hard the resin with a laser or ultraviolet light. After the resin has hardened, your dentist will further shape and trim before polishing the tooth to match the rest of the surface of the tooth.

Dental Bonding takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth and may require additional dental appointments if more than one tooth is being bonded.

If you would like more information, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Bonding. 

Do You Really Want to Get Your Tongue Pierced?

These days oral piercing is considered trendy, and if you or someone you know has been thinking about lip, tongue, uvula, yes that tissue that calls the back of your throat home, or cheek piercing, your dentist has some information that he would like to share that just may change your mind.

According to the American Dental Association, oral piercing not only causes infections, but could also be to blame for infectious diseases such as Herpes Simplex and Hepatitis. Oral Piercings could also cause permanent nerve damage, problems with your heart, excessive bleeding, and gum disease.

Because your mouth is moist, it is home to millions of bacteria. That bacterium is the perfect place for an infection. Infections can quickly spread and could become a threat to your life if not treated immediately.

Your dentist has seen his fair share of oral piercings gone wrong including tongue swelling so bad that it meant a trip to the hospital. Swelling is normal, but if it blocks the passageways, you may not be able to breathe.

People who wear tongue, lip, and uvula or cheek jewelry have a habit of playing or biting down on the barbells, posts, or rings. Doing so can injure your gums. If this occurs, your gums could recede leading to eventual tooth loss. Playing with your mouth jewelry could also crack dental restorations such as crowns, fillings, and caps not to mention breaking or damaging healthy teeth.

If you are sensitive to metals, you will find out quickly if you wear mouth jewelry. Allergic reactions can also occur at the site of the piercing itself.

An increase in the production of your saliva is a real possibility following oral piercings. In fact, you may notice that you are drooling uncontrollably, and when you think about it, who wants to do that?

After an oral piercing your dentist will tell you that numbness is normal, but according to your dentist, that numb feeling could become permanent, especially if you had your tongue pierced by someone who damaged the tiny nerves. This will affect your sense of taste and how your mouth moves when you speak.

Undetected heart problems could suddenly become a real issue if you have had your cheek, lip, uvula, or tongue pierced. Your heart and your heart valves could become infected with a disease known as Endocarditis if a bacterium hits your bloodstream.

If you would like more information regarding oral piercings, schedule an appointment with your dentist who just may be able to convince you that ear piercing is a much safer alternative.

When Was the Last Time You Saw Your Dentist?

An astounding 100 million Americans put off a trip to the dentist each year, even though regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene will prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Regular trips to the dentist are imperative as your dentist can spot problems with your teeth and gums before they get worse. If spotted early, that cavity will most likely not be a root canal costing you less time and money.

According to the American Dental Association, you should visit your dentist if your teeth have become sensitive to cold or hot temperatures.

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, or if they are swollen, make an appointment with your dentist today.

Other signs that you need to see your dentist include chronic bad breath and a persistent bad taste in your mouth.

If you have dentures, dental implants, crowns, or fillings, regular dental checkups are vital to make sure that your dental restorations are still doing their job and functioning properly.

See your dentist if you have problems swallowing or chewing or if your family has a history of tooth decay or gum disease.

Folks with cardiovascular disease, HIV, or eating disorders should also see their dentist on a regular basis.

If you smoke or are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or hormone replacement therapy make an appointment with your dentist.

That popping sound that you hear when you open or close your mouth could have something to do with your TMJ, otherwise known as your temporomandibular joint.

Even if you do not have any of the above symptoms, you should see your dentist regularly as preventive care is the best care, especially when it comes to your teeth and gums. Recent research indicates that poor oral health could cause additional health problems including heart disease.

In-between dental visits, it is important to brush twice each day for two minutes. Flossing once a day is essential for everyone regardless of your age. Good oral health habits are the best way to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

If you cannot remember the last time you saw your dentist, schedule an appointment today. Remember, and ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Dental Implants in Chicago

If you have missing teeth, you know how difficult it can be to talk or eat, but missing teeth can also cause problems with your facial structure, and that is where Dental Implant Restoration from Dr. Romo, your Hispanic Dentist in Chicago comes in.

Despite the vast improvements when it comes to dental care, millions of people across the United States deal with tooth loss. The majority of tooth loss occurs because of poor oral hygiene that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. Injury is another reason for tooth loss. Up until now, the only options for missing teeth were dentures or Fixed Bridges, but not anymore.

Dental Implants are quickly becoming the favorite when it comes to missing teeth. Twenty years ago, Fixed Bridges and Dentures were the popular choice, but thanks to modern 21^st century dental technology, Dental Implants are safer and in the long run more affordable than Fixed Bridges.

Unfortunately Fixed Bridges, unless kept exceptionally clean, can become a magnet for tooth decay. If you do not brush or floss carefully underneath a Fixed Bridge, tooth decay will begin to form. If this happens and gum disease sets in, you may have to deal with bone and tooth loss.

Ask your Dentist about Dental Implants. Dental Implants are much more comfortable than dentures and are just as strong as your natural teeth.

According to Web MD, Dental Implants are metal posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone by an oral surgeon or periodontist. Once the posts are placed, your dentist will give the bone that surrounds the implant time to heal. Once healing is complete, a replacement tooth will be attached to the Dental Implant Post.

Although Dental Implants are more expensive in the beginning, they far outweigh Fixed Bridges and Dentures in the long run offering superior benefits. Dental Implants are actually as strong, if not stronger than your natural teeth and can last for 20 years or longer.  

If you are considering Dental Implants, schedule an appointment with your Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate. In order to be suitable for Dental Implants you must have healthy teeth and gums. 

Your Dentist May Be Able to Help with TMJ Disorders

That constant headache that you’ve been having could be cause for concern, and if everything has checked out with your physician, you may need to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder.

TMJ, or Temporal-Mandibular Joint disorders are cause by problems that occur where the head and jaw meet. Your Dentist will tell you that TMJ disorders can cause all sorts of problems including earaches, constant popping or clicking when you open your mouth and trouble opening and closing your mouth.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, TMJ causes dysfunction and pain in the muscles that control the movement in your jaw. Recent research has indicated that more than 10 million people in the United Stated are affected with TMJ disorders.

Although men suffer from TMJ disorders, it is more common in women. For the majority of people dealing with TMJ disorders the discomfort is temporary and only happens on occasion. For some, a TMJ disorder may disappear without treatment, for others however, the pain is significant with symptoms that could last a lifetime.  

If you think you may be suffering from a TMJ disorder, there are some things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. These include the application of ice packs and eating soft foods. According to your Dentist, other things you can do to ease your pain include relaxation techniques and gentle jaw stretching. Try avoiding wide yawning and chewing gum as it may cause more problems.

Schedule an appointment with you doctor or Dentist who can help if over the counter medications have not helped relieve your pain and discomfort. Your Dentist may prescribe muscle relaxants, anti depressants or anti-inflammatory medications to help ease your TMJ symptoms.

Talk to your Dentist who may recommend stabilization splints. Widely used to help TMJ disorders, stabilization splints can help with pain and discomfort. Depending on your particular situation, your Dentist may also recommend replacing missing teeth or adjusting your bite. If you have gaps between your teeth or need to have your teeth moved, talk to your Dentist as these could all be causing TMJ problems. If clenching or teeth grinding is the problem, your Dentist may suggest a custom-made mouthpiece.

For more information regarding TMJ disorders, schedule an appointment with your Dentist who can help you decide what steps to take according to your needs.