Colonial Dental Group Cosmetic Dentistry Blog - Dooley, Lewis, and Quezada
Monday, March 31, 2008
How Does Cosmetic Dentistry Differ From General Dentistry?
You may hear the phrase “cosmetic dentistry” often and wonder, “What does this really mean?” Can any dentist claim to be a cosmetic dentist? I’d like to clarify what it means to be a cosmetic dentist and how this distinction can affect your choice of dentist to complete your dental work.
Cosmetic dentistry is a dental specialty requiring thousands of hours of training above and beyond that of a general dentist.
General dentist
Treatment example: Address a cavity with cavity removal and a filling placement
Cosmetic dentist
Treatment example: Address uneven and discolored front teeth with custom-created porcelain veneers
The Art of Smile Design
A cosmetic dentist starts with the patient’s idea of what she/he would like the end result to look like, and then works with his tools to create a dynamic and personalized solution. A cosmetic dentist also must have an expert grasp on the materials and how they can be used for smile improvement. If there are several things you’d like to change about your smile, seek out a dentist who offers high-end cosmetic dentistry services.
When you are ready to choose a qualified cosmetic dentist, make sure the expert you choose has years of experience and an impressive portfolio of smile design results.
To learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile, please contact Colonial Dental Group today to schedule your appointment.
Cosmetic dentistry is a dental specialty requiring thousands of hours of training above and beyond that of a general dentist.
General dentist
- Focus is primarily on functionality and health of teeth and gums, more technical or standardized treatment methods
- More of a problem/solution or repair approach
Treatment example: Address a cavity with cavity removal and a filling placement
Cosmetic dentist
- Focus is on aesthetic (appearance) aspect of results, combined with functional aspect
- Focus is also on personalization and providing results tailored to individual patients
- More room for creative solutions
Treatment example: Address uneven and discolored front teeth with custom-created porcelain veneers
The Art of Smile Design
A cosmetic dentist starts with the patient’s idea of what she/he would like the end result to look like, and then works with his tools to create a dynamic and personalized solution. A cosmetic dentist also must have an expert grasp on the materials and how they can be used for smile improvement. If there are several things you’d like to change about your smile, seek out a dentist who offers high-end cosmetic dentistry services.
When you are ready to choose a qualified cosmetic dentist, make sure the expert you choose has years of experience and an impressive portfolio of smile design results.
To learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile, please contact Colonial Dental Group today to schedule your appointment.
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Accelerated Orthodontics
If you have been searching for a way to straighten your teeth without the long wait of braces, you might consider visiting a dentist who performs accelerated orthodontics. Simply put, accelerated orthodontics seek to accomplish the same results as long-term treatment, but in a significantly shorter amount of time.
Accelerated orthodontics is similar to traditional braces treatment, with some exceptions. The treatment plan you will undergo will depend on your unique smile straightening needs. In some cases, periodontal surgery may be combined with braces placement to straighten teeth on an accelerated time line. Your teeth are essentially being pushed into their desired position, using additional methods that encourage quicker movement.
The great thing about accelerated orthodontics is that the process is not much more expensive than traditional braces treatment. You get the benefit of a straighter smile, in a shorter period of time, at an affordable price! You can also look forward to fewer office visits and fewer tightening sessions.
If you'd like to learn more about your smile straightening options, visit American Association of Orthodontists.
Or, to find out more about the newest innovations in orthodontics, please contact Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an appointment.
Accelerated orthodontics is similar to traditional braces treatment, with some exceptions. The treatment plan you will undergo will depend on your unique smile straightening needs. In some cases, periodontal surgery may be combined with braces placement to straighten teeth on an accelerated time line. Your teeth are essentially being pushed into their desired position, using additional methods that encourage quicker movement.
The great thing about accelerated orthodontics is that the process is not much more expensive than traditional braces treatment. You get the benefit of a straighter smile, in a shorter period of time, at an affordable price! You can also look forward to fewer office visits and fewer tightening sessions.
If you'd like to learn more about your smile straightening options, visit American Association of Orthodontists.
Or, to find out more about the newest innovations in orthodontics, please contact Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an appointment.
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Thursday, March 20, 2008
Periodontal Disease
Most people who develop gum disease (also called periodontal disease) would never have guessed it would happen to them. But gum disease is actually a very common condition that affects millions of Americans each year.
Gum disease is not just a condition that happens to those who never brush or visit the dentist. Gum disease can happen to anyone, even the best brushers. The fact is that gum disease can result from a variety of factors, including genetics, hygiene, diet and lifestyle.
The effects of gum disease can be hard to swallow. On the minor end, it can start with gum inflammation and swelling. In the later stages, it can cause tissue damage. Gum disease left untreated can weaken your natural teeth, cause tooth loss, and eventually affect the areas below the surface, like tooth roots and jaw bone.
Because gum disease can threaten your dental health, it is important to never let your home cleaning routine slide. And the best defense against the severe effects of periodontal disease is a visit to your general dentist. If caught at an early stage, there are very effective gum treatments that can help.
To learn more about the effects of periodontal disease, please contact the office of the Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an appointment.
Gum disease is not just a condition that happens to those who never brush or visit the dentist. Gum disease can happen to anyone, even the best brushers. The fact is that gum disease can result from a variety of factors, including genetics, hygiene, diet and lifestyle.
The effects of gum disease can be hard to swallow. On the minor end, it can start with gum inflammation and swelling. In the later stages, it can cause tissue damage. Gum disease left untreated can weaken your natural teeth, cause tooth loss, and eventually affect the areas below the surface, like tooth roots and jaw bone.
Because gum disease can threaten your dental health, it is important to never let your home cleaning routine slide. And the best defense against the severe effects of periodontal disease is a visit to your general dentist. If caught at an early stage, there are very effective gum treatments that can help.
To learn more about the effects of periodontal disease, please contact the office of the Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an appointment.
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Sunday, March 16, 2008
What Causes Cavities?
Those dreaded cavities seem to pop up even when we have been brushing and flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly. So, what's going on? Why do some people who brush all the time get them, and others who are not so diligent go years with no problems?
Bacteria Affects Everyone
Bacteria affect different people's teeth and gums in many different ways. Many times, I see patients who have a tendency to develop cavities quickly, much like their parents did. And then there are those patients who seem to be able to eat all the sugar they want with no consequences. But, if left to linger, bacteria in the mouth will eventually turn the food (or drink) particles in our mouth into acid. In time, this acid will wear away at our precious enamel.
How Cavities Form
When the bacteria, acid and food particles combine with our saliva, the sticky substance plaque will build-up, and will slowly erode the enamel. If this slow deterioration is not caught in time, the acid can work its way through the enamel and cause damage to the tooth root, nerves and pulp. Here, root canal or tooth extraction may be the only option.
The moral of the story is: Visit your dentist twice a year so that any cavity formation can be caught early and stopped in its tracks with a porcelain filling, onlay or inlay, or porcelain crown before it has a chance to cause irreparable damage. Also, if you experience any pain or sensitivity, schedule a dental visit right away.
Please contact my office today to schedule your appointment to learn more about decay and how it affects your oral health.
Bacteria Affects Everyone
Bacteria affect different people's teeth and gums in many different ways. Many times, I see patients who have a tendency to develop cavities quickly, much like their parents did. And then there are those patients who seem to be able to eat all the sugar they want with no consequences. But, if left to linger, bacteria in the mouth will eventually turn the food (or drink) particles in our mouth into acid. In time, this acid will wear away at our precious enamel.
How Cavities Form
When the bacteria, acid and food particles combine with our saliva, the sticky substance plaque will build-up, and will slowly erode the enamel. If this slow deterioration is not caught in time, the acid can work its way through the enamel and cause damage to the tooth root, nerves and pulp. Here, root canal or tooth extraction may be the only option.
The moral of the story is: Visit your dentist twice a year so that any cavity formation can be caught early and stopped in its tracks with a porcelain filling, onlay or inlay, or porcelain crown before it has a chance to cause irreparable damage. Also, if you experience any pain or sensitivity, schedule a dental visit right away.
Please contact my office today to schedule your appointment to learn more about decay and how it affects your oral health.
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Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sleep Apnea Treatments
You may know a little about sleep apnea, the condition that refers to periods of stopped breathing during the night. You may even know someone with the condition, or be a sleep apnea sufferer yourself. Despite the dangers of this condition, the good news is that the treatments available for sleep apnea continue to improve as research and development progresses.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
There are many treatments available today. The treatment that will offer the best results can vary greatly by patient. In many cases, it is a combination of treatments that offers relief. The treatment plans are created to meet each apnea patient's unique needs and based on their symptoms and medical history.
Therapy to encourage safe breathing may include:
If you or someone you know suffers from sleep apnea, find out more about the latest treatments and therapies. Send me an e-mail for more information on current treatments available in sleep apnea dentistry.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
There are many treatments available today. The treatment that will offer the best results can vary greatly by patient. In many cases, it is a combination of treatments that offers relief. The treatment plans are created to meet each apnea patient's unique needs and based on their symptoms and medical history.
Therapy to encourage safe breathing may include:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, or CPAP to regulate airflow
- Behavioral or lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, exercise and diet
- Surgery
- Sleep habit changes
- Medications
- Dental appliances
- And many others!
If you or someone you know suffers from sleep apnea, find out more about the latest treatments and therapies. Send me an e-mail for more information on current treatments available in sleep apnea dentistry.
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Monday, March 10, 2008
Sleep Apnea
Have you heard of the condition called sleep apnea? For many, sleep apnea is a condition that affects their lives every evening as they sleep.
What is Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a problem that should be taken seriously. Basically, it refers to periods of stopped breathing that occur during the night. While these periods of nonbreathing are usually short, in some instances they can become prolonged and lead to severe levels of oxygen shortage. And while many sleep apnea sufferers will never have to deal the severe effects of this condition, for others, it can take a large toll on their overall health.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, and you think you may be suffering from periods of stopped breathing at night, visit an experienced sleep apnea dentist.
Symptoms of sleep apnea may include:
You can learn more about sleep apnea symptoms, causes and treatments from WebMD. If you'd like to earn more about sleep apnea and the available treatment options, send me an e-mail.
What is Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a problem that should be taken seriously. Basically, it refers to periods of stopped breathing that occur during the night. While these periods of nonbreathing are usually short, in some instances they can become prolonged and lead to severe levels of oxygen shortage. And while many sleep apnea sufferers will never have to deal the severe effects of this condition, for others, it can take a large toll on their overall health.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, and you think you may be suffering from periods of stopped breathing at night, visit an experienced sleep apnea dentist.
Symptoms of sleep apnea may include:
- insomnia
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- daytime drowsiness
- heart abnormalities
- restlessness
- headaches
- heavy snoring
You can learn more about sleep apnea symptoms, causes and treatments from WebMD. If you'd like to earn more about sleep apnea and the available treatment options, send me an e-mail.
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Thursday, March 6, 2008
Snoring
Are you or your partner a snorer? What may seem like a little harmless noise may actually be an indication of a serious problem.
In case you weren't aware, snoring is caused by a collapse of the soft tissues in the throat. Frequent snoring can be a sign that something is not working properly in your breathing routine. There may be a reason why your airway is obstructed o a regular basis when you sleep. For many, it is just a habit that is unrelated to breathing capabilities. For others, it can signal a condition that could become dangerous or cause many unpleasant side effects.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring is the number one sign of sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions of Americans. In fact, as many as 90% of sleep apnea sufferers have no idea they have this condition! Sleep apnea is a breathing condition in which patients experience several periods of halted breathing as they sleep. For apnea sufferers, each episode usually lasts 10 seconds or more.
As you might imagine, these periods of halted breathing can have a negative impact on patients' health. Starting with the lowered oxygen levels and lack of deep sleep, there are all sorts of consequences that can occur when the natural flow of air is disrupted, including high blood pressure and heart problems.
What should you do?
If you are a snorer and want to make sure you don't suffer from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with an experienced sleep apnea/snoring dentist.
If you have problems with snoring or trouble breathing at night, send me an e-mail to find out more about treatment options.
In case you weren't aware, snoring is caused by a collapse of the soft tissues in the throat. Frequent snoring can be a sign that something is not working properly in your breathing routine. There may be a reason why your airway is obstructed o a regular basis when you sleep. For many, it is just a habit that is unrelated to breathing capabilities. For others, it can signal a condition that could become dangerous or cause many unpleasant side effects.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring is the number one sign of sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions of Americans. In fact, as many as 90% of sleep apnea sufferers have no idea they have this condition! Sleep apnea is a breathing condition in which patients experience several periods of halted breathing as they sleep. For apnea sufferers, each episode usually lasts 10 seconds or more.
As you might imagine, these periods of halted breathing can have a negative impact on patients' health. Starting with the lowered oxygen levels and lack of deep sleep, there are all sorts of consequences that can occur when the natural flow of air is disrupted, including high blood pressure and heart problems.
What should you do?
If you are a snorer and want to make sure you don't suffer from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with an experienced sleep apnea/snoring dentist.
If you have problems with snoring or trouble breathing at night, send me an e-mail to find out more about treatment options.
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1775 Glenview Rd.
Suite 107
Glenview, Illinois 60025-2969
