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Colonial Dental Group Cosmetic Dentistry Blog - Dooley, Lewis, and Quezada

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Dental Implants Gaining Popularity

Did you know that having a tooth pulled can have a big impact on your smile and your dental health?

Do you miss your missing teeth?
If something is missing from your smile, I encourage you to consider the tremendous benefits of dental implants. If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth, dental implants offer a very lifelike solution that addresses problems that may happen below the surface in addition to the obvious smile appearance deficit.

Every tooth has a place
Each tooth in your mouth has a unique purpose for biting or speaking. In addition, each tooth's position helps balance the weight of the jaw when it is in motion, creating a healthy, balanced bite. If you are missing one or more teeth, your mouth may not function as effectively without the right amount of teeth. Also, your bite will be affected, throwing off the harmony among your jaw muscles, teeth and jaw joints. Here's one more reason missing teeth can cause harm: neighboring teeth are more likely to shift, opening the door to future dental and bite problems.

Complete Your Smile with Implants
Dental implants offer a solution to the problem of missing teeth. They consist of an anchor that is implanted directly into the jaw bone. After this implant heals, your recreated tooth will be secured to the implant for a result that not only looks like a natural tooth, but can function like one as well.

I recommend dental implants as a solution to missing teeth to achieve a healthy smile, a balanced bite and to protect the health of your remaining teeth.

Send me an e-mail to learn more about dental implants and their benefits.

posted by Patti at 3:52 PM 0 comments

Friday, February 22, 2008

Porcelain Veneers

If you are searching for a smile enhancement solution that is conservative and affordable, porcelain veneers may be your best bet. Veneers are thin shells handcrafted from porcelain that affix to the front surfaces of teeth. You may have heard them referred to as "instant orthodontics" - this is because they can give the appearance of a straighter smile in just a few visits, without braces.

So, what can porcelain veneers do for your smile?
The great thing about veneers is that they are an extremely flexible solution, meaning that they can be used to repair a variety of tooth problems. Here are some of the ways I use porcelain veneers to help my patients beautify their smiles:

  • straighten crooked teeth
  • fix spaces or gaps
  • repair chips, cracks or breaks
  • lengthen short teeth
  • brighten discolored teeth

Whether you want a subtle or dynamic smile enhancement, porcelain veneers can deliver.

Are veneers right for you?
Veneered teeth are not only beautiful, but also strong, durable and able to withstand normal biting forces. This smile solution is a favorite at my cosmetic dentistry practice, an as the veneer technology continues to expand, I hope to be able to provide even more benefits to patients who choose veneers. To see if porcelain veneers can help you, talk to an experienced cosmetic dentist.

If you'd like to learn more about veneers and what they can do for your smile, send me an e-mail.

posted by Patti at 2:12 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

What is a smile makeover?

You may like your smile, but, if you're like many people, you might wonder what your smile would look like with a few changes. Cosmetic dentistry is the art and science of smile enhancement, offering a variety of treatment options to change nearly any aspect of your smile.

The smile makeover has been garnering a lot of attention lately in the media and in dental practices throughout the country. It is not a revolutionary concept, but simply the combining of cosmetic dentistry treatments in order to create your uniquely perfect smile.

A smile makeover may be different for each patient. For some, it may consist of porcelain veneers and whitening. For others, porcelain crowns, dental bonding, dental implants, etc. Start thinking about the aspects of your smile that you'd like to change. Look through magazines to find examples you can share with your cosmetic dentist. The possibilities are endless!

Here's just a few of the cosmetic dentistry treatments that can be included in a smile makeover:



What is your perfect smile makeover combination? By combining procedures, you can not only get the exact look you want, but also save time and even money. If you'd like to learn more about smile makeovers, send me an e-mail.

posted by Patti at 1:08 PM 0 comments

Monday, February 18, 2008

Instant Orthodontics

What if you could straighten your smile without the wait or discomfort of braces? You may have hear of "instant orthodontics," a cosmetic dentistry treatment designed to give the appearance of a straight smile without the hassle. It might sound too good to be true, but instant orthodontics is no hoax!

How does instant orthodontics straighten teeth?
Instant orthodontics is really a nickname for the popular cosmetic dentistry procedure porcelain veneers. Veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are cemented to the front surfaces of teeth. No matter what you'd like to fix about your smile, chances are porcelain veneers can accommodate. I recommend veneers to my patients to repair many smile imperfections, including:

  • Cracked teeth
  • Chips or breaks
  • Discolored teeth
  • Short teeth
  • Uneven teeth
  • Spaces or gaps in teeth

Strong, natural results
Because porcelain is a light-reflective material, the veneers look and feel just like natural enamel! They can be colored as white as you like, and can actually do wonders to cover up rough tooth surfaces for instant straightening. Unlike braces, veneers can be placed in just two visits, with newly-shaped teeth you can use right away!

Please note that porcelain veneers are not a solution for decay, they are a purely cosmetic enhancement.

Send me an e-mail to learn more about instant orthodontics and other smile improvement options.

posted by Patti at 2:25 PM 0 comments

Monday, February 11, 2008

Tooth Colored Crowns

If you've ever had a crown procedure performed, you know it can be a costly endeavor. The unfortunate thing about most dental work is that it will have to be replaced at some point. But the good news is that tooth colored crowns can not only last longer than metal, but may be a safer and more natural-looking alternative as well.

Metal's Obvious Drawbacks
For one thing, metal crowns are pretty obvious, even in back teeth. A lot of my patients come in to have their old metal crowns replaced for many reasons, but the number one reasons are appearance. I find that a lot of the times, old metal fillings have cracked and allowed decay to reach under the surface. By replacing these fillings, I may have helped some patients avoid tooth extraction. With tooth colored crowns, there's no danger of cracking because the material will not expand and contract based on temperature.

Ponder porcelain
Porcelain crowns are offered in many cosmetic dental practices today. Porcelain is the material of choice for so many patients because it is not only strong and durable, but reflects light just like your natural teeth do. It is the most aesthetically pleasing option - the porcelain crowns can be created to match your tooth shade.

If you are unhappy with your current crown, find out more about the benefits of tooth colored crowns. Send me an e-mail to earn more about how tooth colored crowns can improve your smile appearance and your oral health.

posted by Patti at 11:32 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Tooth Colored Fillings

If you still have metal in your mouth, you may be wondering if switching to a less obvious, more natural choice is a good idea. Tooth colored fillings offer so many benefits over metal, and they are affordable as well. Here's just a few of the ways tooth colored fillings can positively impact your smile:

  • They look and feel like natural teeth
  • They're strong and durable
  • They do not expand and contract like metal (which can cause tooth damage)
  • They are effective in preventing decay
  • There is no mercury danger present
  • They can be matched to your tooth shade

Tooth colored fillings are most often made from composite material, usually a mixture of glass and plastic. One type of tooth colored filling which has become more popular in recent years is porcelain fillings. Porcelain fillings are in high demand because they reflect light like natural enamel. When cemented in place, they are incredibly naturally looking and can last many years.

Tooth colored fillings are easy to place and can be done in 1 -- 2 visits. For more information about how tooth-colored fillings can improve your smile, send me an e-mail.

posted by Patti at 1:15 PM 0 comments

Monday, February 4, 2008

TMD Treatments

Are you aware that the relationship between your teeth, jaw muscles and jaw bones play a large part in your over dental health? Neuromuscular dentistry involves the study of this relationship and the treatment of problems affecting this area.

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disease, is an umbrella term used to describe a series of neuromuscular problems. Basically, TMD refers to a disharmony of the joints and muscles, resulting in several unpleasant side effects, including headaches, jaw pain, and neck soreness.

The field of neuromuscular dentistry is becoming more popular by the minute. Neuromuscular dentistry has been described as an art and a science, because its principles are rooted in balance. Neuromuscular dentists treat TMD by finding the optimal rest position of the jaw and then tweaking the bite in order to get your jaw where it should be.

TMD treatments are being researched and improved regularly. Here are just a few of the methods neuromuscular dentists like myself are using to improve this condition:

  • Medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Diet and lifestyle changes
  • Surgery
  • Corrective dental treatment
  • Heat or cold therapy
  • Massage and stretching
  • Biteplates/mouthguards

Treatment plans will vary based on individual needs. If you want to learn more about TMD treatments, send me an e-mail.

posted by Patti at 8:15 AM 0 comments


1775 Glenview Rd.
Suite 107
Glenview, Illinois 60025-2969

847.729.2233