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

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Minerals in Water That Can Stain Your Teeth

Water is crucial to our existence. Every system in our bodies requires water to perform its function, from flushing toxins and carrying nutrients to vital organs, to keeping moisture levels consistent in our throats.

In order to prevent dehydration and stay healthy, it is suggested we drink at least six 8oz. cups of water a day. However, with all of its benefits, water can also have an adverse effect on the appearance of our teeth.

Minerals in Water

All tap water has minerals that occur naturally. Organic minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium can be found in every water supply across the country, and are considered to be very beneficial. The addition of inorganic minerals during the purification process, however, can impact the appearance and color of your teeth, and stain them.

Fluoride in Drinking Water

The addition of fluoride to drinking water is conclusively linked to preventing tooth decay. A beneficial compound, fluoride is the 13th most abundant element in the earth’s soil. While it has many advantages, consumed in abundance while teeth are forming, fluoride can leave stripes on the teeth called fluorosis. These stripes cannot be removed permanently as they are under the tooth’s enamel, but options exist to diminish, or cover up this unsightly condition.

Treatments for Fluorosis

To even out the appearance of the teeth, tooth whitening procedures can be utilized by our dentists. While this method will help diminish the appearance of fluorosis, it cannot remove the stripes from your teeth. Another popular option is porcelain veneers, a wafer thin shell placed over the tooth to cover stains and other imperfections. The advantage of porcelain veneers is that they completely cover the affected teeth, providing a seamless, beautifully white smile. The doctors at Colonial Dental Group will work closely with you to find which procedures most suit your needs.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois and are interested in having the appearance of mineral stains minimized or covered up, please contact the experienced tooth whitening dentists at Colonial Dental Group for a free consultation to review the options you have available, and get on your way to a radiant, perfect smile.

posted by Admin at 8:20 AM 0 comments

Saturday, March 13, 2010

TMD Aches vs. Migraines

The severe pain that comes from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is often confused for a migraine, but there are differences in both the causes and the body's response to these forms of pain that need to be distinguished for a proper diagnosis. The neuromuscular dentists at Colonial Dental Group have years of experience and training to properly diagnose and treat TMD, and any symptom related to TMD should give you immediate cause to contact us for a consultation.

Differences in Causes and Symptoms

The exact cause of migraine headaches is not knows, but a number of factors are believed to contribute to them:

  • Environmental factors
  • Dietary habits, including alcohol consumption
  • Inadequate sleep
  • Extreme emotions
The symptoms of a migraine are:
  • Throbbing pain that can engulf the entire cranium
  • Nausea
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
TMD, on the other hand, is caused by your jaw being misaligned due to:
  • Accidents
  • Disease
  • Improper dental work
  • Personal habits like grinding teeth
The symptoms of TMD are much more varied and can include headaches as well as:
  • Pain in the jaw, neck, or shoulders
  • Jaw lock
  • Jaw clicking
  • Ringing in the ears
If your headache is accompanied by any of the above symptoms, you may have TMD, and should see a neuromuscular dentist as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the root cause of problem, not just its symptoms.

If you live in the Chicago, Illinois area and are experiencing frequent headaches, please contact the experienced TMD dentists at Colonial Dental Group right away for a thorough examination and detection of possible TMD.

posted by Admin at 8:13 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 12, 2010

Dental Phobias

Phobia, from the Greek phobos, means "morbid fear," and as irrational as it may seem to others, a phobia is as real and intense to its sufferer as a rollercoaster ride. Dental phobias are often based on unpleasant or painful past experiences at a dental office.

Maybe a sensitive tooth was scrapped during a cleaning, or a numbing agent had not had time to sufficiently work before a procedure was preformed. Perhaps the fear is more general, like a fear of needles, medical equipment, or claustrophobia associated with sitting still in a chair.

No matter what the cause of your "morbid fear," the doctors at Colonial Dental Group are devoted to providing you with a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable experience.

How We Handle Dental Phobia

We work hard to make sure you are comfortable and relaxed from the moment you enter our office. Our friendly staff will ensure your ease prior to your appointment, and our doctors will work closely with you to address any questions or concerns you may have.

We utilize the latest in dental technology, making your procedure safe, quick, and painless. Additionally, we offer sedation dentistry for patients who are very uncomfortable with the dentist, but need or want dental work done. Combining our professionalism with innovation and compassion, we are able to successfully treat patients with even the most extreme dental phobias.

Whether you are in need of general dentistry, or want to perfect your smile through one of our many cosmetic dental procedures, we will work with you to make sure your visit is more comfortable than you ever imagined a trip to the dentist could be.

If you suffer from dental phobias in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact the experienced sedation dentists at Colonial Dental Group today to find out more about how we can help you overcome your fears, to get you the smile you desire.

posted by Admin at 7:51 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Sedation Dentistry

Proper oral hygiene, including regular visits to the dentist, is key to overall health. Small problems in oral health can cause larger, systemic issues if left untreated, and procrastinating until the problem becomes unbearable often means preventable damage has already been done.

For many Americans though, fear and anxiety about dental procedures can cause them to put regular visits to the dentists off until it’s too late and their dental health greatly suffers. Additionally, many people have aesthetic issues they would like to correct, but a similar fear keeps them away from achieving the smile they desire.

When fear keeps you from receiving the treatments you need and deserve, it is important to find a dentist who will work with you to help alleviate those fears, and offer solutions that enable you to get dental work done with minimal anxiety and fear.

Colonial Dental Group offers several options for sedation dentistry that allow you to feel more comfortable and relaxed. Levels of anxiety vary greatly for each person, and as such, we offer different kinds of sedation to make you comfortable:

  • Oral sedation in the form of a pill
  • Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as a steady stream through a mask
  • Twilight sedation through an IV
Sedation dentistry at Colonial Dental Group is safe, effective, and available to anyone who requests it.

If you live in the Chicago, Illinois area and are anxious about seeing a dentist, please contact the experienced sedation dentists at Colonial Dental Group to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your needs. We will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the procedures you need with the level of comfort you require.

posted by Admin at 7:46 AM 0 comments


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

847.729.2233