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

Minerals in Water That Can Stain Your Teeth

2010-03-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

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.

TMD Aches vs. Migraines

2010-03-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

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.

Dental Phobias

2010-03-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Sedation Dentistry

2010-03-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

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.

Dental Myths

2010-01-26T07:40:00.000-08:00

All forms of medical practice acquire their fair share of myths throughout the ages. The science of dentistry is no safer from conspiracy theories and popular mythology than any other type of technology that continually advances and improves.

Dealing with common dental myths is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is myths are powerful and can cause some people to neglect getting the care they need for their teeth. At Colonial Dental Group, we work hard to ensure every patient is comfortable and safe, using the most advanced technology and implemented the latest discoveries into our practice.

Common Dental Myths

Amalgam causes mercury to leak into your bloodstream - This myth has been debunked by the Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, the United States Public Health Service, and the National Institute of Health. At Colonial Dental Group, however, we use only porcelain fillings, eliminating any worries concerned with the potential health risks of amalgams.
Frequent brushing can damage enamel - While it is true that frequent brushing with a hard toothbrush and abrasive toothpastes can damage enamel, the doctors at Colonial Dental Group recommend the use of soft bristled toothbrushes, and non-abrasive, ADA approved toothpastes. All studies indicate that there is no danger to the enamel of your teeth if you follow these simple suggestions.
Chewing sugar-free gum is just as effective as brushing - Some studies indicate that chewing sugar-free gum after a meal helps activate saliva which has natural antiseptic qualities. Sugar-free gum cannot, however, remove plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
If there is no visible problem with my teeth, I don't need to schedule an exam - Regular dental exams are vital for spotting and treating potential problems before they become severe. Oral cancers, periodontal disease, and tooth decay can go unnoticed until it's too late. Only an experienced dentist can correctly identify and treat oral problems before they become severe.
Children's teeth are going to fall out anyway, there's no need to take them to the dentist. Instilling proper oral hygiene routines in your children will ensure a lifetime of oral health. Additionally, baby teeth not adequately tended to can fall out too early causing bite problems, and issues with permanent teeth.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and have stayed away from the dentist due to the fear or certainty associated with one of these dental myths, please contact the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group.

Tooth Extraction

2010-01-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

Keeping your natural teeth, or part of them at least, in your mouth is the main goal of dentistry. However, in some cases, a tooth may need to be extracted. Decay or trauma may cause some teeth to be damaged beyond the point where affixing a crown would be feasible. In these cases, the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group may deem it necessary to extract the tooth.

Tooth Extraction Process

The process for removing a tooth is quite simple. A local or general anesthetic will be administered depending on the location and extent of the damage. After you are sufficiently comfortable, the tooth will be gently removed and the healing process can begin.

After the extraction, pain relievers may be prescribed along with an oral hygiene routine to be completed until the socket is completely healed. After the socket is healed, our dental staff can discuss with you your options for replacing the missing tooth.

Solutions for Missing Teeth

There are many solutions for missing teeth. Depending on the location of the tooth, you may choose to just leave the tooth missing. If the missing tooth causes functional or aesthetic issues, you may want to consider one of our many options for replacing missing teeth. The two most common options are:

Dentures - Dentures, both partial and full, are a nonsurgical alternative for missing teeth. With modern advancements in denture technology, these can provide a quick, easy, painless solution to restore function and beauty.
Dental implants - Dental implants are artificial tooth roots secured into your jaw bone. Once the implant is in place, a dental crown is placed over the implant to provide a secure, reliable, natural looking tooth.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are experiencing pain or discomfort from a decayed or damaged tooth, please contact the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group today to discuss your options.

Preventative Dentistry

2010-01-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

In an ideal world, all dentistry would be preventative. A regular at-home oral hygiene routine coupled with semi-annual visits to the dentist for cleanings and exams should be all it takes to maintain a beautiful, radiant smile for years to come. Unfortunately, factors ranging from environmental to personal choices and even genetics play just as important a role in oral health.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Not enough can be said about a regular at-home oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day will help keep your teeth their healthiest. Lifestyle choices like tobacco and alcohol use, eating sugary foods, and consuming high-sugar beverages however, pit your daily routine against almost insurmountable enemies. No amount of brushing and flossing can remove the damage done by personal decisions that lead to oral health issues.

Regular checkups and professional cleanings are a vital weapon in your arsenal against oral diseases. X-rays and oral exams provided by a skilled, experienced dentist can be used to spot and treat potential problems before they become severe. Thorough cleanings that only a dentist can provide help teeth maintain their brilliance and luster while removing tartar, excess plaque, and bacteria that your daily routine may miss.

Making sure you include regular dental visits with your daily oral hygiene routine may not guarantee you never have issues with you teeth, mouth, or gums, but it is certainly a necessary step towards maintaining optimal oral health.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact the experienced oral hygiene professionals at Colonial Dental Group to schedule your cleaning and exam today. There's no time like the present to start ensuring excellent oral health for years to come.

Dentures: Not Like Your Grandparents' Dentures

2010-01-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

Memories of Grandpa's teeth in a glass on the bedside table, or popular Hollywood and cartoon jokes of dentures flying out of the mouth, landing in someone's food, as well as chasing an animated cat around the room are the images conjured by many people when they consider dentures. Recent advancements in dental hygiene have made dentures less worrisome, more realistic, and much more functional than they were in the past.

Modern Dentures

New dental technology now allows dentists to custom create your dentures so they can be fitted exactly to into your unique mouth, and provide a natural looking, structurally durable alternative for missing teeth.

Substantially less invasive than other options for tooth replacement, modern dentures offer the assurance of a comfortable fit, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Dentures come in both full and partial sets, so whether you require replacement of just a few teeth, or an entirely new set of teeth, the dentists at Colonial Dental Group will be able to come up with a solution that fits your needs.

Dentures are convenient, offering a nonsurgical replacement for missing teeth. They require very little preparation, and provide an instant, pain-free solution to tooth replacement. Easy to clean and affix, today's dentures are a modern advancement for a classic solution.

The experienced cosmetic dentists at Colonial Dental Group will work closely with you to make sure your dentures both match you smile, and fit perfectly inside of your mouth.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are looking for a quick, pain-free solution for missing teeth, please contact the dental staff at Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation, and find out how modern dentures can exceed your expectations.

Does Mouthwash Work?

2009-12-30T11:32:00.000-08:00

Any trip to the grocery or drug store can show you row after row of mouthwashes, all making specific claims about their effectiveness. Some contain naturally derived ingredients like vitamin C and baking soda. Others contain fluoride, antiseptics, tarter control ingredients, or whitening agents. Still others are little more than artificial sweeteners and strong perfumes. With all the claims made on mouthwash bottles, how is one to pick a product that will actually work?

What to Look for in a Mouthwash

All mouthwashes work to temporarily cover bad breath. This, however, is less a solution than an oral band aid, masking a larger problem, and not actually dealing with the specific causes of bad breath, or addressing larger oral hygiene concerns. The primary ingredient in any mouthwash is water and is what is added in addition to this determines its effectiveness.

Looking for mouthwashes that carry the ADA approval symbol indicates that the mouthwash actually does what it claims to do.
Choosing a mouthwash with antiseptic properties can kill bacteria that lead to plaque, bad breath, and periodontal disease.
Mouthwashes with additional tartar fighting ingredients will help keep plaque at a minimum, making the removal of plaque easier during brushing.
Fluoride is a strengthening agent that can help keep your teeth less susceptible to decay.

Of course, no amount of gargling is an adequate replacement for regular dental cleanings and exams. In some cases, like periodontal disease and dry mouth, our dentists may even recommend prescription mouthwashes. Still, these additional at-home oral hygiene steps are only supplemental to the thorough cleaning an experienced dentist alone can provide.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact the dental team at Colonial Dental Group for a thorough examination and cleaning today. Regular checkups in conjunction with proper oral hygiene, including mouthwashes, can ensure your teeth stay their healthiest for years to come.

How to Choose a Toothpaste

2009-12-22T11:32:00.001-08:00

A quick trip down the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery store can be overwhelming with so many brands, colors, flavors, gels, pastes to choose from. What's more, the choices ranging from whitening, to tarter control, to baking soda, to sensitive, to natural and fluoride free can leave a person longing for the simpler days of Crest or Colgate.

Choosing a Toothpaste That Works for You

There are several things to consider when choosing a toothpaste. Taste, most certainly, is a very personal choice and varies greatly from individual to individual; but what other things should you look for?

No matter what tooth paste you choose, make sure it has the ADA approval symbol on it. This ensures the toothpaste you’re buying meets the rigorous standards of the American Dental Association.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been proven effective in strengthening teeth and fighting tooth decay. While there has been some concern about fluoride and health issues, the ADA has determined that the trace amounts of fluoride in toothpaste is safe, and outweighs any potential danger associated with fluoride consumption.

Tartar control toothpaste will help reduce tartar build up that can be lead to gum disease, bad breath, and is hard to remove. Various agents are used to control tarter. Make sure your tartar control toothpaste is ADA approved.

Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help scrub away stains and remove discoloration. Studies suggest that the agents in whitening toothpastes do not have an adverse affect to tooth enamel, and are as safe as non-whitening forms of toothpaste.

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is specially formulated to attach to nerves that cause tooth sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, this toothpaste is your best option.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact Colonial Dental Group for regular exams and help in choosing a toothpaste that will best suit your needs. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group have years of experience in helping people design an at home oral hygiene routine that works best for their unique individual requirements.

Dental Health: Canker Sores and Oral Cancer

2009-12-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Many mouth sores are common and require no treatment at all. Though they may be painful or uncomfortable, most common mouth sores will heal on their own within a few weeks. There are some instances, however, that should be referred to your dentist.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small ulcers that appear inside of the mouth. They are round, white or gray in color, and have a red ring on the outside. Most canker sores require no medical intervention and will go away on their own within a few weeks. If you have canker sore that lasts for more than three weeks, grows excessively large, starts to multiply, or causes extreme pain however, you should contact the dentists at Colonial Dental Group right away for a thorough examination and review of your treatment options.

Proper oral hygiene, and avoiding acidic foods may all help combat the appearance and irritation of canker sores. In some instances orthodontic devices like braces and dentures can aggravate canker sores, and these should be reported to your dentist immediately to avoid additional problem.

Oral Cancer

Cancerous growths inside the mouth can look like canker sores at the beginning. Oral cancer is not limited to the inside of the mouth, and can quickly change size and shape. Early detection of oral cancer through regular dental checkups is the most effective way to treat this disease before it becomes a problem.

Early detection is your best bet for combating oral cancer. Lifestyle choices like not using tobacco products and alcohol can also lower your risks for this disease.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois and have a sore in your mouth that has not healed within three weeks, or is causing you pain or discomfort, please contact us immediately. The experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group will be able to examine, diagnose, and treat the problem in an effective and efficient manner.

Partial Dentures vs. Dental Implants

2009-12-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

Missing teeth can severely impact an otherwise perfect smile. Social awkwardness, combined with loss of basic functionality like chewing and speaking, can make even the simplest of interactions burdensome and uncomfortable. Fortunately, several options exist to replace missing teeth, both permanently and temporarily.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are made for people who are missing one or more teeth, but do not require a full set of dentures. Partial dentures are molded and colored to match adjacent teeth. They are easy to remove for quick cleaning, and require minimally invasive procedures for placement. The downside to dentures is that they may require adhesives to affix into place, and because they are not permanent, they can slip out at inopportune times.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots secured into your jaw bone. Through a minor surgical process, dental implants are placed into the jaw where your bone incorporates them as part of your mouth. Porcelain crowns, colored and molded to match adjacent teeth, are then placed over the implants for a secure, seamless smile.

Dental implants require more time and surgery than partial dentures. They also may require additional surgeries to assure structural stability. However, because of these additional steps, they maintain your jaw structure, and the crown provides a more secure artificial tooth, eliminating the possibility of slippage. What’s more, they do not require expensive, messy adhesives to affix them into place, simplifying your daily routine.

Both partial dentures and dental implants work to restore functionality and aesthetics, and no one solution is best suited to every patient. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group will work closely with you to determine what method will work best for your individual needs.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are experiencing the discomfort of missing teeth, please contact Colonial Dental Group to discuss your options. The doctors at Colonial Dental Group will listen to your concerns and help you pick the solution that restores your smile to its best.

Dental Allergies

2009-11-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

Any number of mental acrobatics can be used to convince yourself not to see a dentist. Fear of pain, dislike of the procedures, even sensitivity to the sounds associated with cleanings can all be deterrents. But in some cases, legitimate allergies to common dental supplies and medicines can keep you from getting the oral health care you need.

Common Dental Allergies

Many people suffer from allergies that can interfere with their daily lives. Pollen, mold, and other environmental allergens can cause discomfort seasonally or year round. You won't find mold or pollen inside of a dental office but you may find other common allergens, like:

Latex and rubber used in gloves and some dental tools
Sulfites used in dental materials
Metals like gold, nickel, and mercury used in fillings, bridges, and crowns
Fragrances used in dental cements
Pain relief allergens

At Colonial Dental Group, we strive to make your experience as safe and comfortable as possible. Using only all-porcelain crowns, offering resin composite fillings, and using latex-free gloves are all methods we employ to ensure your allergies are not aggravated.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and common allergies have kept you from getting the dental services you need and desire, please contact the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group. Our staff will listen closely to your concerns, and make every effort possible to ensure a flare-up free visit.

Tooth Whitening and Veneers

2009-11-18T07:37:00.000-08:00

Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. Stained, yellowed teeth can be a turn off during social, business, and romantic encounters. For this reason, procedures to whiten teeth have topped the cosmetic dental market in recent years. There are several options available to make your teeth their whitest and most brilliant.

Tooth Whitening

Many options exist to help whiten teeth. Over the counter tooth whitening kits are the most readily available, but they are also the least effective and can cause the most tooth sensitivity. Professional alternatives to store bought kits include:

Professional at-home whitening kits - These contain a higher concentration of whitening gel along with a personally molded mouthguard to ensure quick, even results.
In-office whitening - This takes place over a single office visit. Whitening gel is applied and a special light is used to increase its whitening power while decreasing the amount of time necessary to see results. This helps eliminate time, effort, and discomfort associated with do it yourself methods.
Dental bonding - This can be used to fill in cracks, chips, and pits where discoloration can hide. In some cases, these areas cannot be whitened with a gel due to their inaccessibility.
Porcelain veneers - These are a quick, painless, noninvasive way to correct problems ranging from cracked and chipped teeth, to teeth that are discolored by stains and environmental factors.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are looking for an ideal solution to whiten your teeth, please contact us for a consultation. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group will work closely with you to find a solution that best meets your needs and desires.

Dental Phobias

2009-11-12T07:35:00.000-08:00

Dental phobia is quite common in our country. Memories, both real and imagined, of painful dental procedures, sensitive teeth scraped, a slipped cleaning tool, insufficient amounts of Novocain, or perhaps even sensitivity to the sounds of dental instruments cleaning your teeth causes your skin to crawl. No matter what the cause of your dental phobia, a friendly, professional dental staff can help alleviate your discomfort, and get you back into the dental chair.

Common Causes of Dental Phobias

Bad experiences are the most common cause of dental phobias. Some of us experienced dentists that were uncaring or rushed, while others have had actual painful experiences while visiting the dentist. Other causes may be:

Unrelated history of abuse, particularly in childhood
Unrelated post traumatic stress disorder
Unrelated medical humiliation

Phobia means "fear" in Greek, but in our modern society, the term phobia has been extended to mean an "irrational severe fear that leads to avoidance." No matter how irrational, however, dental phobia is individually legitimate, but can lead to serious oral health problems.

Cure for Dental Phobia

The best cure for any fear is to face it directly; but it's helpful to have a caring, friendly, and professional staff to help you conquer this fear. At Colonial Dental Group, we are dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable atmosphere.

Our dentists are skilled in dealing with every form of dental phobia, and we offer special treatments like sedation dentistry for patients who are particularly nervous about dental procedures. We are devoted to making every visit to the dentist easy and enjoyable.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and fear of the dentist has kept you from getting the oral health care you deserve, please contact the friendly, professional staff at Colonial Dental Group to hear about the ways we can make your visit stress and anxiety free.

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Solutions

2009-11-05T07:33:00.000-08:00

Eating ice cream, drinking coffee, these are things we take for granted if our teeth are not sensitive. However, many Americans suffer from sensitive teeth, making these every day activities painful and unpleasant.

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem, but not an untreatable one. There is no reason for you to live your life in pain, afraid to enjoy certain foods, pained by brushing your teeth. Depending on the cause, several options exist to help ease the discomfort associated with sensitive teeth.

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a number of common problems. Some, like tooth whitening gels, can be avoided by reducing or ceasing the application. Others, like loss of tooth enamel, a cracked tooth, or an exposed tooth root may require intervention by a dentist.

Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

Over the counter solutions may help solve your problem. Using a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth can often help eliminate the discomfort. There are many brands of toothpaste for sensitive teeth. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group can help you determine which one will best work for you.

In some cases, in-office services may be required. Some common procedures to reduce tooth sensitivity include:

Enamel strengthening fluoride treatments
Bonding and sealing treatments
Root canals

Depending on the cause and severity of your tooth sensitivity, these and other solutions may be applied. It is important to have the dentists at Colonial Dental Group asses and help you correct your tooth sensitivity issues.

If you are experiencing a diminished quality of life due to tooth sensitivity and live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact us to schedule an appointment. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group will best be able to determine the cause and appropriate solution to solve your problem.

Dental Health: Canker Sores

2009-10-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth. They can make eating, drinking, and even speaking uncomfortable. They can also make oral hygiene practices like brushing your teeth and gargling with mouthwash painful.

Causes of Canker Sores

The exact cause of canker sores is unknown. Simple canker sores can be triggered or worsened by highly acidic foods and beverages, dental devices like braces, and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Complex canker sores may be caused by a vitamin deficiency, or gastrointestinal diseases.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

Canker sores are identifiable by their round shape, gray or white color, and red border. Often painful, these open sores in your mouth may also cause:

Swollen lymph nodes
Physical exhaustion
Fever

Reasons to Contact Your Dentist for a Canker Sore

Most canker sores will heal within a few weeks. You will want to contact your dentist if your sores are:

Unusually large
Spreading
Extremely painful
Interfering with eating and drinking
Accompanied by a fever

The dentists at Colonial Dental Group can prescribe special mouthwash in these cases that will help heal the sores.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are experiencing difficulties with canker sores, please contact the experienced dentists at the Colonial Dental Group today for a thorough examination and review of your treatment options.

Bad Breath: Causes and Solutions

2009-10-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Nobody wants bad breath. It's embarrassing, and can lead others to believe you have poor oral hygiene or overall health. Ever year, Americans spend millions of dollars on things like mouthwash and gum to cover up bad breath; but what causes bad breath in the first place, and what can really be done to cure it?

Causes of Bad Breath

The most common causes of bad breath are the things we put into out mouth. Food, beverages, and tobacco products all impact our breath. Other causes of bad breath include:

Improper oral hygiene like failure to brush and floss regularly
Gum disease
Dry mouth
Sinus infections
Diseases, including lung disorders, cancer, and kidney failure
Extreme dieting or starvation

Treatment for Bad Breath

The best treatment for bad breath is proper oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing after every meal, or at least twice a day, will help ensure your breath stays it's freshest. Other steps to eliminate bad breath include:

Regular dental visits for thorough cleanings, for identification of potential problems, and treatment for gum disease, and dry mouth
Not using tobacco products
Drinking water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist

Professional strength mouthwashes and treatments are available for severe cases of dry mouth and gum disease. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group will be able to work closely with you to find a solution that best fits your needs.

If you suffer from bad breath in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact us for an initial consultation. The professional dentists at Colonial Dental Group can instruct you in proper oral hygiene and help eliminate the problem of bad breath forever.

Good Dental Hygiene

2009-10-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

A beautiful, healthy smile begins at home. Proper oral hygiene not only helps keep your smile its brightest, it also helps keep it at its most functional. Maintaining your natural teeth requires substantially less time and effort than costly surgical procedures necessary when your teeth are no longer healthy. But what is the best way to ensure your teeth remain healthy?

Proper Tooth Brushing

Everyone knows how to brush their teeth, right? Not necessarily so. Several factors go in to proper brushing.

Use a fluoride toothpaste
Use a toothbrush that has soft, or extra soft bristles
Brush lightly to ensure you don’t remove enamel
Brush at least twice a day
Brush for at least two minutes at a time
Change your tooth brush regularly

Following these rules will help ensure your teeth are their whitest and most healthy in between regular dental visits.

Proper Flossing

In addition to brushing, flossing twice a day is important to remove plaque and food from in between your teeth - places your tooth brush cannot reach. Flossing properly takes only a few minutes and will lead to overall improved oral health.

Give yourself enough floss (12 to 18 inches) to ensure a tight grip on both ends
Slide the floss in between each tooth, making sure to floss your back teeth as well as your front
You can floss before or after brushing your teeth
Flossing before bed is more important than flossing during the day

Plaque and food built up in between teeth can only be removed with proper flossing.

Regular Dental Visits

In addition to brushing and flossing daily, regular checkups and professional cleanings at Colonial Dental Group will help keep your teeth their healthiest. During these visits your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, and you will be examined to check for cavities, gum disease, and any other potential problems. It is important to have a dentist check your teeth at least twice a year to catch any potential problems before they get too big.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact the trained dentists at Colonial Dental Group to schedule your check up today. You use your teeth every day, they deserve the best care possible.

General Dentistry

2009-10-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

General dentistry is a broad term referring to all aspects of dentistry that focus on hygienic and functional treatments, rather than cosmetic services. You may associate general dentistry with annual trips to the dentist as a child for tooth cleanings, x-rays, oral exams, and free tooth brushes, but the scope of general dentistry far exceeds those things; encompassing every aspect of preventative and restorative oral hygiene.

Common General Dental Procedures

Common procedures in general dentistry include nonsurgical visits like:

Regular checkups and cleanings
X-rays
Snoring treatments
Dentures
Pediatric dentistry

Other general dental procedures that are a little more involved include:

Fillings
Resurfacing
Root canals
Dental implants
Dental crowns

When choosing a dentist, it is important to search for someone who has been extensively trained and has sufficient experience to provide all services for you and your family. Equally important is finding someone who has received additional training in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry, ensuring cross-over procedures like dental bonding and dental crowns are both structurally sound, and aesthetically pleasing. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group have the training and experience in both disciplines you and your family deserve.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are looking for a friendly, professional family dentist to service all of your family's dental needs, please contact Chicago's general dental professionals at Colonial Dental Group for an initial consultation.

Why See a Neuromuscular Dentist?

2009-09-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

"Why see a neuromuscular dentist?" is a great question that we can answer very simply for you: a neuromuscular dentist is specially trained to diagnose and treat the many painful symptoms associated with a misaligned jaw. When your jaw is out of alignment, temporomandibular joint disorder occurs.

TMD, sometimes called TMJ, is a painful yet very common disorder that affects millions of Americans. Many of our patients have been to several medical doctors hoping for relief from their symptoms. It is only after coming to Chicago's Colonial Dental Group do they find relief of their painful headaches and other symptoms including:

Grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
Clenching of the teeth
Jaw pain
Facial pain
Shoulder/neck pain
Tingling in hands and fingers
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

If you have suffered with any or all of these symptoms, a highly trained neuromuscular dentist such as Dr. David Dooley can help. Dr. Dooley is a fellow of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and has helped hundreds of Chicago residents find relief from this painful condition. Neuromuscular dentistry differs from general dentistry in that neuromuscular dentists are concerned with the function of the jaw, not the aesthetics of the teeth or the general health of the teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn more about neuromuscular dentistry, please contact Chicago's own Colonial Dental Group today.

Jaw Alignment and the Rest of the Body

2009-09-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Jaw alignment is not something most people give much thought to, especially the way it can affect their overall health and well-being, but jaw alignment, particularly improper jaw alignment, can have significant negative effects in multiple areas of the body, causing pain and discomfort. Neuromuscular dentistry, a cutting-edge dental field, studies the relationship between the hard and soft tissues of the jaw, including the cause of jaw misalignment. Neuromuscular dentists can often realign the jaw and relieve the pain associated with it.

Evanston's Colonial Dental Group has experts in neuromuscular dentistry and easing the pain that comes along with improper jaw alignment. The jaw is attached to the skull by what is known as the temporomandibular joint, or the TMJ, and proper jaw and TMJ alignment are so important because the jaw bones and muscles are linked to the neck, back, shoulders and head, and is active in so many common day-to-day activities like breathing, eating, and speaking. If the TMJ does not function properly, what is known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD), the thousands of repetitions the TMJ goes through in a normal day can lead to a number of painful conditions like back, neck, and shoulder pain, damaged or chipped teeth, difficulty eating/chewing, dizziness, sensitive teeth, and soreness, stiffness, or popping in the jaw. But perhaps the most painful effect is the migraine-like headaches often associated with TMD. These can be debilitating.

Painful conditions resulting from jaw misalignment are a result of the number of times the TMJ is used on a daily basis, and also through the inter-dependability of one body part on another. The jaw and the TMJ are complex combinations of muscles and nerves that interact with other networks of muscles and nerves, and an improperly aligned jaw stresses all of those other networks.

Neuromuscular dentistry, a cutting-edge cosmetic dental technique is effective at realigning the jaw and TMJ, to relieve the symptoms of TMD, including the migraine-like headaches that can afflict TMD sufferers. If you suffer from any of the symptoms such as migraine-like headaches, please contact the neuromuscular dental experts at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation.

Correcting Bad Dental Work

2009-09-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Bad dental work can result in the exact opposite of what the patient went to the dentist for in the first place. Instead of a beautiful smile that inspires confidence and self-esteem, poor dental work can cause pain, embarrassment, and anxiety. In order to avoid bad dental work, when choosing a dentist make sure the dentist you find is well-qualified, up-to-date with the latest in cosmetic dentistry technologies, techniques, procedures and literature, able to provide proof of the quality of their work (before and after photos are a good way), and able to provide you with an in-depth and comfortable consultation.

If you've already been a victim of bad dental work, an expert cosmetic dentist is skilled at treating clients who have had bad dental work done to them. The expert cosmetic dentists at the Colonial Dental Group have multiple tools and technologies at their disposal to fix bad dental work, including advanced oral mapping, dental bonding, dental implants, endodontics, laser dentistry, and porcelain veneers and crowns. These dental tools and techniques, in the hands of experts, can repair the bad dental work and give you the smile you had originally hoped for.

If you've been a victim of bad dentistry and live in or near the Evanston area, please do not lose hope. The cosmetic dentistry experts at the Colonial Dental Group can help reverse the bad dental work and give you the smile you deserve. Contact them today to schedule a consultation.

The American Dental Association and Tooth Whitening

2009-09-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tooth whitening has grown significantly in popularity and effectiveness over the past ten years, and so have the number of products available to combat tooth discoloration. As more and more products become available, safety becomes a larger concern. The American Dental Association's (ADA) stance on tooth whitening, including which products have the ADA Seal of Acceptance, is an important and helpful tool in determining which tooth whitening products to use.

There are technically two ways to whiten teeth, bleaching and whitening toothpastes. Bleaching of the teeth is a process in which carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. The ADA currently gives their Seal of Acceptance to products that use only 10% carbamide peroxide.

Whitening toothpastes that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance do not contain bleach, but do contain other chemicals that remove surface stains from the teeth, rather than changing the color of the actual tooth, as in bleaching, and many toothpastes available bear the ADA Seal. While the majority of tooth whitening products and procedures are safe and even recommended by the ADA, consulting cosmetic dentistry experts like those at the Colonial Dental Group should always be done prior to beginning any tooth whitening to insure the safest and most effective treatment possible.

Whiter teeth can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence. If you want whiter teeth, please contact the tooth whitening experts at the Chicago area Colonial Dental Group to schedule a free consultation to learn more about safe and effective tooth whitening treatments.

Dental Implant Surgery Anesthesia

2009-08-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Anesthesia is often an unknown component of surgery - patients will be informed about the actual procedure but be unaware of their anesthesia options. When it comes to anesthesia for dental implant surgery, there are three common options. The first, local anesthesia, is usually a medication known as lidocaine, administered via syringe to the area to be worked on. This numbs the "local" area while leaving other areas with feeling. Other than the local numbness, there are no side effects to lidocaine, leaving the patient awake and alert. Nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas," is a second option in which the patient is administered nitrous oxide gas, resulting in a feeling of euphoria and giddiness. Nitrous oxide is effective at relieving stress or fear about the procedure, and is used in conjunction with a local anesthesia. Finally, for more serious surgeries, intravenous (IV) sedation is used, resulting in a state of "twilight sleep" for the patient during the surgery, and ending with the patient not recalling the procedure. The medication can remain in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours, so the patient may not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery after undergoing a dental procedure with this type of anesthesia.

Anesthesia is a personal choice that should be worked out between patient and dentist; what may be right for one patient may not be right for another. If you or a loved one are in the Chicago area and considering dental implant surgery, please contact the dental implant surgery experts at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation today.

Causes of Dark or Discolored Teeth

2009-08-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dark or discolored teeth can ruin an otherwise perfect smile. You may suffer from darkened teeth for a number of reasons.

Drinking liquids such as coffee, tea, soda and red wine can lead to a staining of teeth, while the acid in soda can break down the tooth enamel, revealing the darker inner tooth material, known as dentin. The heat of coffee and tea can also cause tiny cracks in the enamel, hastening enamel decay. Age also plays a role, with the tooth enamel weakening and shrinking as we get older. Tobacco use can stain teeth orange or yellow, while medications like tetracycline, an antibiotic, can discolor teeth, especially in childhood. Another childhood tooth darkener is fluoride - too much fluoride can result in fluorosis, a darkening of the teeth. On top of these causes, heredity can also cause our teeth to be darker than we might desire.

We do not have to live with dark or discolored teeth; teeth whitening is becoming more and more effective, with a number of types of treatments available. If you or a loved one live in the Chicago area and are unhappy with the color of your teeth, please contact the teeth whitening experts at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule a teeth whitening consultation today.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

2009-08-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

If you want to get quality cosmetic dentistry, you need to use care in selecting your cosmetic dentist. Your cosmetic dentist needs to be well-qualified, to be up-to-date with the latest in cosmetic dentistry technologies, techniques, procedures and literature, to be able to provide proof of the quality of their work (before and after photos are a good way), and to provide you with an in-depth and comfortable consultation. Membership in dental organizations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, training at advanced cosmetic dentistry schools like the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies, and expertise in cutting edge dental techniques such as laser dentistry, neuromuscular dentistry, and advanced computer mapping are also trademarks of high-quality cosmetic dentists.

Choosing the right cosmetic dentist for you and your procedure can mean the difference between a disappointing experience and a procedure that positively changes your life. If you or a loved one are in the Chicago area and looking for a cosmetic dentist, please contact the cosmetic dentistry experts at the Colonial Dental Group to learn more about finding the right Chicago cosmetic dentist for you.

Should I get Tooth Whitening Before or After my Procedure?

2009-08-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures we perform at our Glenview, Illinois office. With our professional tooth whitening options, you can improve the shade of your teeth in as little as an hour, or you can take a tooth whitening kit home to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your home.

Our tooth whitening options penetrate deep into the enamel of your teeth to remove stains from pigmented foods and drinks. After tooth whitening, you can expect your smile to be at least six or eight shades brighter.

Dental restoration materials (porcelain and white composite resins) do not respond to a whitening procedure. Therefore, if you are considering porcelain inlays or onlays to replace old metal fillings, or a dental bonding procedure, we suggest that you have your teeth whitened first so that we can match your restoration to your new bright color.

If you are suffering from deeper stains that cannot be removed with teeth whitening, porcelain veneers can cover them, as can dental bonding, so that you have a beautiful white smile.

To learn more about tooth whitening, please contact our cosmetic dentistry office to schedule your personal consultation.

Myths About Cosmetic Dentistry

2009-07-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

At the Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois, we have transformed hundreds of smiles so that people can face the world more confidently and feel good about the way they look. Many people come into our office with large misconceptions about their cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Two of the common cosmetic dentistry myths we correct daily are:

Cosmetic Dentistry is Painful
This couldn't be further from the truth. We want to make sure that all our patients are completely comfortable both during and after their procedure. We will handle your procedure delicately and make sure your mouth is completely numb while we work. If you are feeling especially anxious about having dental work done, we will be happy to offer a mild sedative to help you relax.

Cosmetic Dentistry is Expensive
Not necessarily. Everyone's cosmetic dentistry needs are different, and your procedure will have a different cost than another person's will. We will work with your insurance company to determine if the procedure is all or partially covered. If you need additional financing help, we provide cosmetic dentistry financing through CareCredit so you can have the smile you want, no matter what your budget is.

If you live in the Chicago or Glenview, Illinois area and you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and how it can improve your smile, please schedule an initial consultation at the Colonial Dental Group today.

Basic Dental Hygiene

2009-07-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Our foremost goal at the Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois is to make sure you have healthy teeth, gums, and bite. Dental health is the foundation of dental attractiveness and before we can do cosmetic enhancements of your smile, we need to establish solid dental health.

The best way to maintain the health of your teeth is to keep up with basic dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day (preferably after each meal), flossing daily, and scheduling routine check-ups will go a long way towards keeping your mouth healthy and your smile bright.

To maintain the appearance of your cosmetic dentistry work like porcelain veneers, porcelain fillings, and dental bonding other things you can do are:

Avoid large amounts of staining agents like cola drinks and coffee
Make sure to not clench or grind your teeth
Avoid chewing on hard objects like pens or ice
Avoid abrasive ("whitening") toothpastes and brushes that are too harsh on your gums

If you are considering cosmetic dentistry and live in the Glenview or Chicago, Illinois area, please call or email us to schedule your initial cosmetic dentistry consultation today with our experienced dentists.

How to Prepare for your Consultation

2009-07-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Your cosmetic dentistry consultation is very important for a variety of reasons. It is your opportunity to meet with your new cosmetic dentist, learn about how our office functions, and find out more about the procedures you are considering.

Whether you are thinking about getting porcelain veneers, neuromuscular dentistry, or porcelain fillings to replace your old metal fillings, the initial consultation is the first step.

When you come to our office for your initial consultation, we want you to feel confident in our ability to satisfy you. We will ask you questions about your smile, what you want to correct, and what you would like to see when we are done with our procedures. It may help for you to look at different smiles in magazines so that you can show us pictures of what you'd like your teeth to look like. Please see our Before and After Gallery for the results of various cosmetic procedures.

An initial consultation isn't just a "meet and greet." We will take X-rays of your teeth and perform an oral exam so we can determine how healthy your teeth and gums are and what procedures would be best for you.

If you would like to learn more about any of our procedures and you live in the Glenview or Chicago, Illinois area, please contact our cosmetic dentistry office today to schedule your initial consultation.

Cavities Behind Porcelain Veneers

2009-07-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

Some of our patients have been concerned about getting cavities behind their porcelain veneers. Cavities are caused by the acid excretions of bacteria in the mouth, and by food particles left to break down on the teeth. Anything acid wears down the tooth enamel and that is why daily brushing and flossing is central in maintaining your beautiful smile.

When we place a porcelain veneer onto the front of a tooth, we use a strong adhesive that keeps it in place permanently. There are no spaces between the teeth and the veneers. However, the backs of those teeth are exposed to bacteria and decaying food particles. When you brush, be sure to brush the back sides of your teeth so that no cavity can form there and penetrate into the tooth's interior from behind the veneers.

Porcelain does not decay, so you can be sure that your porcelain veneers will be durable as well as beautiful.

The best way to maintain the strength and appearance of all your teeth is daily dental hygiene to remove bacteria, their excretions, and food particles. Bacteria cannot be eliminated, but their numbers can be kept down. Plaque is the name for bacteria and their excretions, and if you leave it on your teeth for long enough it will harden into tartar, also called calculus. Brushing and flossing cannot remove tartar, but our dental hygienist can.

If you are in the Chicago or Glenview, Illinois area and are interested in porcelain veneers, please call or email our porcelain veneer dentists at the Colonial Dental Group today, for an initial consultation.

Affording Veneers

2009-06-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

Some people visit our Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentistry office to learn about their procedure, and discover that they have been waiting unnecessarily to get porcelain veneers. They thought it would be expensive than it is.

Needs, goals, and desires vary from person to person, and what you may want to achieve with porcelain veneers may be different than what someone else wants. One person may want just the top two front teeth veneered; another may want all front visible teeth veneered. As a result, the cost of a porcelain veneer procedure can vary.

But regardless of the cost of your procedure, we are happy to work with you to find the payment option that fits your budget. We work with CareCredit, a financing company that offers excellent terms, no- or low-interest loans, and flexible payment schedules. Response is fast and the application process is easy. You can achieve the smile you want without breaking your budget. Please see Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry for more information.

When it comes time to pay for your cosmetic dentistry procedure, whether you've had porcelain crowns, dental bonding, or neuromuscular dentistry treatment; we can find a financing option that's right for you.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and how you can afford the procedure you want, please schedule an initial consultation with the experienced financing staff at the Colonial Dental Group today.

What to do if You Damage or Lose a Porcelain Veneer

2009-06-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Porcelain veneers can transform your smile and give you the appearance that you have always wanted. For many of our patients, porcelain veneers have helped them achieve smiles that are free from chips, cracks, stains, and even crookedness.

Porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. The strong bonding adhesive will ensure that you will be able to use your porcelain veneers in exactly the same way you use your normal teeth.

If, however, you do lose or damage a veneer, we will be happy to replace it for you. Simply contact us to schedule an appointment. We will take an impression of the tooth that needs a replacement and fit you with a temporary porcelain veneer. We will send the impression to our dental lab so that a new, custom porcelain veneer can be fabricated. In a second visit we will attach it and bond it firmly to the tooth.

If you are worried about getting porcelain veneers because you are unsure about losing or damaging them, we have many other cosmetic dentistry procedure options for improving a smile, including dental bonding, porcelain crowns, and professional teeth whitening.

If you live in the Chicago or Glenview, Illinois area and would like to learn more about porcelain veneers or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, please schedule an initial consultation with the Colonial Dental Group today.

How Long Will Porcelain Veneers Last?

2009-06-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

If you have ever wanted the beautiful, straight, white teeth you see on television and in magazines, porcelain veneers are a good option. We have transformed many Glenview, Illinois smiles with the fantastic results porcelain veneers provide.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of ceramic that are custom-made to fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. They can correct many different aesthetic problems, including:

Chips and cracks
Misalignment
Worn Teeth
Crookedness
Staining that does not respond to teeth whitening

The veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth and become a part of those teeth. For many of our patients, porcelain veneers can last well over a decade, but for others, they may need to be replaced as a result of wear and tear or other reasons.

If you live in the Chicago or Glenview, Illinois area and you are interested in having porcelain veneers to improve your smile, please schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced porcelain veneer dentists at the Colonial Dental Group.

Instant Orthodontics

2009-06-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

For decades, people have assumed that in order to change the position of their teeth and get the straight smile they wanted, they would have to suffer through years of braces. We are now happy to provide our patients with the option to correct the position of their teeth in just a couple of visits to our Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentistry office.

Instant orthodontics is a term for porcelain veneers and/or dental bonding. These two procedures can quickly transform your smile, giving your teeth a straight and even appearance without any use of braces.

For porcelain veneers, we will remove a very thin layer of enamel from the front tooth surfaces. We will take photographs, an impression of your teeth and some measurements. This data will be sent to a dental lab for your veneers to be custom-made. While you wait we can use dental bonding to provide a temporary surface for the treated teeth. The finished veneers will be bonded to your teeth in a second visit.

For dental bonding (also referred to as composite resin), no tooth enamel needs to be removed, and no data sent to the dental lab. We apply the bonding directly to any teeth that need reshaping or repairing, harden it with a curing light, and the procedure is finished.

With both veneers and bonding, the restoration is color-matched to your natural teeth. Veneers are used only on front teeth but bonding can be used anywhere in the mouth.

If you would like to have a straight smile in as little as two visits to our Glenview, Illinois office, please contact our cosmetic dentistry office today to schedule an initial consultation.

Characteristics of Award-Winning Smiles

2009-05-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

A truly award-winning smile is often not the smile you would have naturally. Many of the stunning smiles we see in movies and television programs are a result of a smile makeover, made possible by cosmetic dentistry procedures.

An award-winning smile has characteristics that allow it to stand above the rest - evenly shaped teeth and gums, straight white teeth with no obvious dental work, and a healthy bite.

We are proud to offer our Chicago and Glenview, Illinois patients with the most advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures available. In-office teeth whitening is an excellent start. Then, matching your new bright color, we can replace old metal fillings with white porcelain fillings. Porcelain Veneers can cover an array of minor defects in front teeth.

Any missing teeth can be replaced using dental implants for the replacement roots. By being permanently embedded in the jawbone, an implant can anchor one or more teeth for a lifetime.

In order to have an award-winning smile, you need to schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists. We will listen to your goals, expectations, and desires and will make suggestions for how to get the smile you want.

Sometimes, gaining an award-winning smile takes multiple visits to our office. If you live in the Glenview or Chicago, Illinois area and want to gain an award-winning smile, please schedule an initial consultation with the Colonial Dental Group today.

What Problems do Porcelain Veneers Fix?

2009-05-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Porcelain veneers are one of the most versatile cosmetic dentistry procedures we perform at our Glenview, Illinois office. With porcelain veneers, we can perform a complete dental makeover; transforming your smile so that it’s as straight and white as you want it.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain custom-made to match the color of your natural teeth. They are permanently bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth, covering any aesthetic problems that have been marring your smile. Some of the most common problems we correct with porcelain veneers are:

Chips and surface fractures
Mild misalignment
Slightly misshapen teeth
Worn Teeth
Slight crookedness

To begin the porcelain veneers process, you need to first schedule an initial consultation. One of our experienced cosmetic dentists will talk with you to determine exactly what you want to accomplish, and will answer questions. Often times, porcelain veneers are just one option available to you. You may be able to have dental bonding, porcelain crowns, or porcelain fillings placed to improve your smile.

If you are in the Glenview, Illinois area and would like to know more about porcelain veneers, please schedule your initial consultation with the Colonial Dental Group today.

Broken Teeth

2009-05-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Teeth can break for many reasons - from an accident or trauma, from biting on hard foods or non-food items, from old metal fillings, and from extensive decay. We have many cosmetic dentistry options available if you are dealing with broken teeth.

Broken teeth can inhibit you from smiling, eating, and even living the way you want to. In order to help you regain the function and appearance of your smile, the Colonial Dental Group offers:

Porcelain Veneers - Thin pieces of porcelain that fit over the front surfaces of your teeth to correct the appearance of chips or cracks, small gaps, stains, or mild crowding. Porcelain veneers quickly provide new shapes and surfaces for front teeth to transform your smile.
Porcelain Crowns - Porcelain crowns are used for more seriously broken teeth. After the tooth has been cleared of all decay and damage, the crowns are placed over the remaining tooth structure so that you can smile and eat the way you want to.
Dental Bonding - Dental bonding is a soft white material matched to the color of your teeth. It is permanently attached to your teeth to correct small chips, breaks and cracks, gaps and slight misalignment. It is an alternative treatment to porcelain veneers.
Dental Implants - When a tooth becomes too broken to be repaired with the above restorations, it may need to be removed. A replacement tooth can be anchored by a dental implant – an artificial tooth root embedded in the jawbone.

If you are in the Glenview or Chicago, Illinois area and would like to learn more about how our experienced dentists can correct any broken teeth, please call or email our cosmetic dentistry office to schedule a consultation.

LVI and TMD

2009-05-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

If you are like many of the TMD or neuromuscular dentistry patients who visit our cosmetic dentistry office, you may be wondering how LVI trains neuromuscular dentists to identify and treat TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

LVI stands for the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. This post-graduate training center provides rigorous and extensive training for general dentists to qualify them as cosmetic and neuromuscular dentists. This enables them to diagnose and treat TMD and other neuromuscular dentistry problems.

TMD occurs when the jaw joint comes out of alignment. This misalignment could be a result of trauma, dental work that failed to take the joint alignment into account, or chronic tooth grinding and clenching.

The jaw joints are in front of each ear. When they become misaligned, there can be serious dental and other painful problems like worn or sensitive teeth, jaw pain, severe headaches, and facial pain. Dr. Dooley has been trained at LVI to treat these TMD symptoms so that you can get back to living your life more comfortably.

If you are suffering from TMD pain and live in the Glenview, Illinois area, please schedule an initial consultation with the LVI-trained neuromuscular dentists at the Colonial Dental Group.

What is the Trigeminal Nerve?

2009-04-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

The trigeminal nerve is one of the most important nerves in the entire human body. This nerve controls the feeling and movement in the face, head, neck, and throat. The trigeminal nerve is also located very near the temporomandibular joint; the point at which the lower jaw connects to the skull.

When the temporomandibular joint comes out of alignment, it is called TMJ or TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). TMD can cause pain and discomfort all over the face as a result of irritating the trigeminal nerve. Some of the other serious side effects of TMD include:

Chipped, Worn, or Cracked Teeth as a result of Tooth Grinding
Migraine Headaches
Jaw Pain
Neck Pain
Facial Pain
Sensitive Teeth
"Lock" Jaw

To help you deal with your TMD pain or trigeminal nerve pain, the experienced neuromuscular dentistry professionals at the Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois will evaluate the status of your temporomandibular joint and trigeminal nerve and determine how best to correct the alignment of your jaw.

If you live in the Chicago, Illinois area and are dealing with trigeminal nerve pain, please schedule an initial consultation with the Colonial Dental Group to learn about TMD and how you can correct it.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Porcelain Crowns

2009-04-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

We see many different patients at our Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentistry office who want to correct their smile with a dental makeover or just want to gain the smile they are looking for, but they are unsure about whether to have porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns placed on their teeth.

We want all our patients to know that porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns provide patients with a more lifelike appearance and performance than other dental materials, but they are used for two very distinct purposes in cosmetic dentistry:

Porcelain Veneers - Porcelain veneers are bonded to the front sides of your teeth; leaving the rest of the tooth intact. When porcelain veneers are bonded to the natural tooth structure already in place, they can correct any number of aesthetic problems such as:

Chipped Teeth
Cracked Teeth
Discolored Teeth
Crooked Teeth

For the most part, porcelain veneers are placed on the front teeth; the ones other people see most often.

Porcelain Crowns - Porcelain crowns are used to restore the function as well as the appearance of teeth when they have been too badly damaged as a result of trauma or decay. A porcelain crown acts like a cap that is placed over the existing tooth structure so that you can smile and chew confidently. Usually, porcelain crowns are placed on rear teeth like the molars, where the majority of your chewing takes place.

If you live in the Chicago area and are interested in having porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns placed on your teeth, please schedule an initial consultation with our experienced cosmetic dentists at our Glenview, Illinois porcelain veneer practice to learn more about your options.

Why Do Teeth Darken?

2009-04-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

Over time, your teeth can darken as a result of many different things, but the experienced cosmetic dentists at the Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois can lighten the shade of your teeth no matter how dark they appear.

Dark foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and soda can darken the color of your teeth over time. In addition to these factors, you may have teeth that simply darken more over time than other people. Finally, certain medicines can chemically stain your teeth, causing them to look discolored.

We provide a few different teeth whitening options at our cosmetic dentistry office in Glenview, Illinois:

For most patient's teeth, a simple, fast tooth whitening procedure can be completed in about an hour. This is a perfect option for working or busy people to improve the shade of their teeth within their tight schedules. Depending on the severity of your teeth stains, more extreme whitening procedures may need to be performed.

If you're suffering from having dark teeth and would like to whiten them, please schedule an initial consultation with our experienced teeth whitening cosmetic dentists at the Colonial Dental Group in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Dental Makeover

2009-04-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Your smile is one of the central parts of your face, and when you are unhappy with the way it looks, you may smile less or feel less confident in yourself. Dr. Dooley and the Colonial Dental Group can give you a dental makeover so that you have the straight, white teeth you want and a smile you can be proud of.

During a dental makeover, our experienced cosmetic dentists will listen to what you want to correct with your smile and make suggestions for what cosmetic dentistry procedures will best provide you with the dental makeover results you want:

No matter what the status of your teeth is, we can combine cosmetic dentistry procedures to correct nearly any problem. Whether you are suffering from worn, cracked, chipped, missing, or broken teeth, we can correct your smile.

If you live in the Glenview or Chicago, Illinois area and you are interested in correcting your smile with a dental makeover, please schedule an initial consultation with the experienced dental makeover dentists at the Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois.

Extreme Makeovers

2009-03-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

All too often we have patients entering our office feeling like their smile is hopeless and there aren't any options available to correct their teeth. Our excellent Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentists are proud to provide our Chicago area patients with extreme makeovers that can correct any number of different smile problems, including:

-Crooked Teeth
-Broken Teeth
-Decayed Teeth
-Missing Teeth
-Discolored Teeth
-Chipped Teeth
-Cracked Teeth
-Uneven Gums
-Bad Breath

No matter what problems you have with your smile, there is a wonderful cosmetic, neuromuscular, or restorative dentistry procedure that we can use to improve your teeth.

During an extreme makeover, we will work with you to identify what you want to correct about your teeth and help determine which treatments or procedures will give you the results you are looking for. Some of the most common procedures our patients choose to correct their smiles during their extreme makeovers are:

-Porcelain Veneers
-Dental Crowns
-Dental Implants
-Porcelain Fillings
-Tooth Whitening

If you are unhappy with your smile for any reason, there is something that the cosmetic dentists at Colonial Dental Group can do about it; please schedule an initial consultation at our Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentistry office today to take the firs step toward getting a beautiful new smile.

Chipped Teeth and TMD Treatment

2009-03-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of the most common symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is chipped or cracked teeth. For patients suffering from TMD, grinding the teeth at night can cause chipped teeth.

The temporomandibular joint is the hinge-like joint that allows the lower jaw to move in any number of different directions. When this very important joint comes out of alignment, it can cause many different health problems. One of the ways your body reacts TMJ is by grinding the teeth.

Your body wants your jaw to rest in the most comfortable position possible; if you have TMJ, your body will grind your teeth, looking for that position. Grinding your teeth can cause chips and cracks to appear in your smile.

The experienced neuromuscular dentists at the Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois have a variety of different TMJ treatments they can use to help realign your jaw and help you put a stop to grinding your teeth.

After our dentists have identified the severity of your TMJ, they can prescribe a treatment including dental procedures that can better align your jaw, mouth guards to protect your teeth at night, or even electro-therapy to help relax the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint.

To learn more about neuromuscular dentistry and how it can help you put a stop to grinding, chipping, or cracking your teeth, please contact the Glenview, Illinois neuromuscular dentists at Colonial Dental group today to schedule your initial consultation.

What Type of Dental Implant is Right For Me?

2009-03-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

We hear this question at our cosmetic dentistry office all the time. Many patients are already familiar with the benefits of having dental implants placed, but are confused with which one is best for them.

There are quite a few different forms of dental implants, and choosing the right one for your circumstances can be a difficult task. The most common forms of dental implants that we perform at our Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentistry office include:

-Root Form Dental Implants
-Plate-Form Dental Implants
-Rasmus-Frame Dental Implants
-Sub-Periosteal Dental Implants
-Transosseous Dental Implants

Some of the factors that can help determine which dental implant is best for you include the amount of healthy jawbone that still exists, your age, the health of the rest of your teeth, and the number of teeth you are missing.

For many people, Root-Form dental implants are usually the best choice because they take the least amount of time to heal, a porcelain tooth can be easily attached and matched to the rest of your teeth, and they mimic natural teeth in both fit and feel.

If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to permanently correct the gap in your smile, please contact the Glenview, Illinois dental implant cosmetic dentists at the Colonial Dental Group today to schedule your initial consultation.

Tooth Bleaching

2009-03-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

If your'e like most people, you've considered having a tooth bleaching treatment performed on your smile. We see beautiful smiles all the time in movies, on television, and in magazines, and it's hard for the natural color of your teeth to compete.

We provide our Glenview, Illinois patients with professional tooth bleaching options that can be performed in our cosmetic dentistry office or in their homes. For most of our patients, tooth bleaching can improve the shade of their teeth up to ten times of what the natural shade is.

For other patients, coffee, tea, tobacco, medicines, or chemicals may have stained or discolored their teeth. Tooth bleaching is a fantastic way to break up these stains and improve the overall color of your teeth.

Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to tooth bleaching that most people don't realize:

-Tooth bleaching is not a permanent treatment. For many tooth bleaching patients who do not improve their lifestyle, the shade of their teeth can go right back to what it was before the treatment.
-Tooth bleaching is inconsistent. Everyone's teeth are different and even different teeth within your mouth can react in different ways to the tooth bleaching treatment.

If you are considering tooth bleaching and would like to learn more about the procedure and if it is right for you, please schedule an initial consultation with the Glenview, Illinois tooth bleaching dentists at Colonial Dental Group.

Extreme Makeovers with Cosmetic Dentistry

2009-02-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

If you want to look years younger and have a brighter, healthier smile, then an extreme makeover with cosmetic dentistry is the answer for you. Straight, white teeth not only help your smile aesthetically, but it also gives you a younger appearance.

Evanston Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Dooley specializes in many cosmetic dentistry procedures to create healthier smiles. He will help you customize your extreme makeover to fix the dental problems that are unique to your smile. You can combine any number of procedures including:

Natural-Looking Smiles
Dr. Dooley uses porcelain for veneers, crowns, and fillings. Porcelain is a long lasting and strong material that looks like your natural teeth. It can be formed in the shape of your original tooth and colored to match your existing teeth. This helps your smile stay bright and healthy.

Instant orthodontics is a great way to obtain straight teeth without the use of traditional braces. Instant orthodontics do not take 18 to 24 months like traditional metal braces. This cosmetic dentistry option is perfect for adults who do not want the embarrassment of a mouth full of metal.

Dr. Dooley has helped many cosmetic dentistry patients in Evanston achieve their dental goals. If you would like to learn more or want to schedule an extreme makeover consultation, please contact our cosmetic dentistry office.

Headache Pain Due to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

2009-02-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

Headache pain may be caused by the misalignment of your temporomandibular joint, also called the TMJ. This is the joint that helps your lower jaw move up, down, forward, and backward. The TMJ attaches your lower jaw to your skull. Misalignment of your jaw puts pressure on your muscles causing undue pain.

Symptoms of TMD

There are many symptoms of TMD that are caused by the misalignment of your lower jaw. These symptoms are:

Grinding of your teeth (Bruxism)
Pain in your face, neck, and back
Clicking and locking of your jaw
Wearing down of your teeth
Pain in your ears
Pain and stiffness of your jaw
Migraine-like headaches

Migraine-like Headaches

Patients who suffer from intense migraine-like headaches are often treated with medications. However, these medications do not fix the problem. They only provide temporary relief. Neuromuscular dentistry specializes in treating the misalignment of the TMJ. This treatment focuses on the cause of the pain providing long lasting relief.

The headaches caused by TMD can be the most painful of all the symptoms. The TMJ houses the trigeminal nerve that is responsible for 40% of the brain’s processing function. These severe headaches can become debilitating and make daily routines and concentrating difficult.

If you suffer from intense migraine-like headaches, please contact our Chicago neuromuscular dentistry office for a consultation about your treatment options. Neuromuscular Dentist Dr. Dooley will be happy to answer all of your questions.

Beautiful Teeth with White Fillings

2009-02-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Repairs to teeth were once done with metal fillings leaving teeth looking dull and unattractive. White fillings are now used to keep the natural, white look of your teeth.

Dr. Dooley is a Chicago cosmetic dentist who uses porcelain for fillings. Porcelain is a strong, long lasting material that looks like your natural teeth. Porcelain can be made in the shape and color of your existing teeth. This material makes sure your dental work doesn’t look obvious.

White fillings are done in the same way as the old metal fillings. This procedure takes two office visits to complete.

During the first visit, all of the tooth decay is removed. Then, the tooth is prepared for the white filling to be attached. Next, a mold of your tooth will be made and sent to a dental lab where the filling is created. Dr. Dooley will fill your cavity with a temporary filling to stop any discomfort the cavity may cause.

At your second visit, the porcelain filling made at the dental lab will be sent to Dr. Dooley and he will then permanently place it in your tooth.

If you have any questions about white fillings, please contact our cosmetic dentistry office serving the Chicago area. We will be happy to help you with any cosmetic dentistry procedure.

You Have Many Teeth Whitening Options

2009-02-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

Tooth enamel is very porous and allows for the pigment of foods and beverages to soak through. This causes your teeth to become discolored and dulled. Almost everything we eat has the ability to yellow our teeth.

Food and Beverages that Stain Teeth

Coffee
Soda
Tea
Red wine
Tobacco
Blackberries, blueberries, and other strongly pigmented foods

There are many options to help reduce the effects of discoloration. There are at-home and in the office teeth whitening methods.

Chicago Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Dooley provides three main teeth whitening options including:

• At-home teeth bleaching kits
• Zoom! teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers

The at-home teeth whitening kits have trays that are custom fit your mouth. Over the counter kits are a one-size-fits-all system. Our kits are made just for you and come with prescription whitening gel. This system will whiten your teeth in the course of a few weeks.

The Zoom! teeth whitening procedure can be completed in one office visit. This procedure is done with a teeth whitening gel that is applied to your teeth. The gel is activated by a light source and whitens your teeth by several shades.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They are used for difficult stains that will not be removed with other teeth whitening methods. Porcelain veneers also help correct other dental problems such as cracked or crooked teeth.

Please contact our cosmetic dentistry office for a consultation about teeth whitening. We help patients with all of their cosmetic dentistry needs in and around the Chicago area.

How is Aesthetic Dentistry Different from Cosmetic Dentistry?

2009-02-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

Often times, when reading about cosmetic dentistry, you will come across the words "aesthetic dentistry." Basically the term "aesthetic dentistry" means exactly the same thing as cosmetic dentistry, which includes all dental procedures that are for aesthetic purposes rather than health purposes. People seek cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons, but the main reason people seek out cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of their mouth and smile.

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialization in the field of dentistry that includes a number of different procedures, all of which the main focus is the improvement of the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic procedures may not necessarily be needed, but they can improve your look and raise your confidence level.

Popular Procedures
One of the most commonly performed cosmetic dentistry procedures involves putting porcelain veneers on the teeth. Porcelain veneers can help to dramatically improve your smile and help you look and feel better. Veneers can also be used to help improve a number of different cosmetic dental problems including everything from discolored teeth and gaps between teeth to crooked smiles. They do not take long to apply and can last a lifetime as long as they are well taken care of and properly maintained.

Another of the most popular aesthetic dentistry procedures is tooth whitening. There are many different causes of tooth stains and tooth discoloration including coffee, tea, cigarettes, and staining foods such as berries. Teeth wear and tear, and over time they will become unattractive and discolored. Tooth whitening can help to regain a fresh and bright smile and help the person to gain self-esteem and self-confidence.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and you live in Chicago, please contact the dental team at Colonial Dental Group in Glenview today. Chicago cosmetic dentists Dr. David Dooley, Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Alexander Quezada can whiten, brighten and straighten your teeth in just a few visits.

Causes of Migraine Headaches

2009-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

In today's hectic world, many people suffer from headaches and migraines on a regular basis. Most of the time they think that it's the stress of everyday life, but it could be that they are suffering from TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder.

TMD happens when your jaw is misaligned, which can lead not only to migraines and headaches, but also to a host of other symptoms as well:

Cracked or worn teeth
Clicking or popping in the jaw
Problems chewing or swallowing
Ringing in the ears
Neck and shoulder pain

Migraines related to TMD happen because of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is one of the most complex nerves in the body. It alone is responsible for close to half of all the brain's processing. This nerve also has three different branches, one going to the face, one to the head, and other to the shoulders and arms. That's why many times migraines will induce other pain in the face, shoulders and arms.

If you are one of the many people in Chicago suffering from headaches, migraines, or any other symptoms of TMD, do not hesitate to contact our office. We have experienced neuromuscular and cosmetic dentists who can help you with a treatment plan that will alleviate the pain and fix the problems, to let you lead a migraine-free life.

Characteristics of Award-Winning Smiles

2009-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever met someone and thought they had an exceptionally beautiful smile? One of the first things that people notice about you is your smile. Smiling also lights up your face and can leave a lasting impression when someone first meets you. You always want that impression to be a great one!

Some of the things we take into consideration when creating your award-winning smile are:

The natural size, shape, and color of your teeth
The shape of your face and its underlying bone structure help identify what type of smile will compliment your features
What your expectations and goals are for the outcome of the procedure
Any flaws that you want to fix, such as tooth discoloration, cracks or chips in the teeth, or gaps

Most people are not born with an award winning smile. With the help of an experienced cosmetic dentist, you too can have a smile that will stop people in their tracks. The cosmetic dentists at Chicago's Colonial Dental Group will work closely with you on your extreme smile makeover to ensure that you will have the smile you've always wanted. And, you will never have to worry about anyone knowing that you weren't born with that smile. Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

Types of Anesthesia for Dental Implant Surgery

2009-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Dental implant surgery can be a time consuming process and requires the use of anesthesia when placing the implants. The implant posts are surgically placed into your jawbone and then the bone will heal around the posts so that crowns can be placed on the posts.

There are different types of anesthesia and an anesthesiologist will pick the best form for you. The most common forms are:

Local anesthesia, which involved injecting a numbing agent directly into the area where the surgery will take place. This form of anesthesia will block the pain response in that specific area. The most common local anesthetic is Novocain.
Regional anesthesia requires the numbing agent to be injected into major nerve groups or the spine. This form allows the anesthetic to block a larger area of pain responses.
General anesthesia is where the anesthetic is injected directly into a vein through an IV, or it is inhaled through an oxygen mask. Using this type of anesthesia affects the brain and you will be unconscious during the procedure.

Depending on your health and condition, we will choose the right anesthesia for your procedure. If you are considering dental implants in the Chicago, Illinois area, please call or email our practice for more information. During your private consultation, we will assess all aspects of the procedure and your expectations. Together we can help you make the right choice for your dental implant surgery.

Benefits of Smile Makeovers

2008-12-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. It can light up your face making you appear happy and confident and can leave a lasting impression on people. You always want that lasting impression to be a good one, so it is important to have a smile that will "wow" them.

If you are one of the many people who feel self-conscious about your smile, a smile makeover might be the right option for you. A smile makeover can have a life-changing effect on you. Besides giving the you more confidence and self-esteem, a smile makeover can help reverse serious dental problems, such as:

Gum disease
Tooth loss
Mouth pain
Discolored teeth
Crooked teeth
Chipped or cracked teeth
Missing teeth or gaps
TMD related symptoms such as migraines, neck, shoulder, and back pain

Our experienced cosmetic dentists will take your needs and expectations into consideration when working on your smile makeover. We not only consider what you want your end results to be, but we also make sure your smile fits with your face shape, bone structure, and mouth size. The smiles we create are natural looking and beautiful. No one will ever know you weren't born with that perfect smile.

If you live in Chicago and are considering an extreme smile makeover, there are many benefits to doing so. Please contact our office for a complimentary consultation and we can help you achieve that smile you've always wanted.

Why Consider White Fillings?

2008-12-22T15:22:00.000-08:00

Porcelain fillings, also referred to as white fillings, are the modern alternative to the silver fillings used in the past. Not only are they safer than the mercury (amalgam) based fillings, they are also extremely durable and natural looking.

Our office uses porcelain onlays and inlays on our patients and they perform and look just like natural teeth. In the past, porcelain fillings weren't durable enough to be used on the back teeth, but with the help of new technology, they can be used on all teeth.

Procedure
There is really not much difference between getting a white filling and an amalgam filling. The procedure can be done in two office visits. The steps include:

First, your tooth will be prepared. This involves removing any decay in the tooth and then “etching” the tooth so that that porcelain will properly adhere to the tooth.
Second, once your tooth has been prepped, we will make a mold of the tooth cavity and it will be sent to a dental lab to be custom created for you.
Third, we will place a temporary filling in your tooth to allow you to live a normal life while your custom filling is being made.
Lastly, you will come back to the office to have the temporary filling removed and the permanent filling placed.

If you are considering white fillings, call or email our office, which serves Chicago and surrounding areas, to schedule a personal consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists.

Natural Smile Aesthetics

2008-12-15T15:20:00.000-08:00

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. However, if you suffer from discolored, crooked, broken, or stained teeth, then you may not smile as much as you could. You may be self-conscious about your smile and lack the confidence you need to live life to the fullest. What are some of the things that make a perfect smile?

A great smile is made up of:

White, straight teeth
No gaps or missing teeth
No cracks or chips on the teeth
No metal fillings or noticeable crowns
Proper jaw alignment so the teeth fit together properly when the mouth is closed
Teeth that fit the shape of the person's mouth and facial structure

Most natural smiles do not have all aspects of a great smile. However there are procedures available that can give you the smile you have always wanted:

Traditional and instant orthodontics
Professional teeth whitening
Dental implants for missing teeth
Porcelain fillings to replace any amalgam fillings you have

If you are one of the many people who feel self-conscious about their smile, contact our Chicago cosmetic dentists. During your consultation we will assess your specific condition and expectations to develop a cosmetic dentistry treatment plan that is right for you. With a little help from us, you too can have a smile you can be proud of.

What is TMD?

2008-12-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

The terms TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably for the same conditions. TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that attaches the lower jaw to the temporal bone if your skull. TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, which refers to the actual medical condition caused by a misaligned jaw.

TMD can have many symptoms, such as:

Headaches and migraines
Neck, shoulder and back pain
Cracked or chipped teeth
Pain or clicking in the joint
Ringing in the ears
Problems chewing or swallowing

It is often unclear what causes TMD, but some possible causes include:

Accidents involving a blow to the face or whiplash from a car crash
Clenching or grinding teeth while sleeping or during stressful situations
Arthritis in the TMJ

If you are one of the many people who suffer from pain related to TMD, it's time for you to visit one of our Chicago neuromuscular dentists. We serve the northern suburbs of Chicago and provide treatment for TMD. Call or email us today because there is no reason to go through life in pain when we are here to help.

Why Do Teeth Darken?

2008-11-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why teeth can darken or discolor over time. As we age, teeth naturally darken and most people just assume that they have to deal with the natural aging process. Teeth can become discolored from:

Beverages like coffee, tea, wine or soda.
Certain foods, including certain types of vegetables and fruits, such as berries.
Tobacco use.
Certain medications, such as the antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline.
Certain types of mouthwashes and antihistamines have been shown to cause tooth discoloration.
Genetics. Some people simply have thicker or brighter enamel than other people.
Environmental conditions. Too much fluoride consumption, both from water and fluoride fortified products can cause teeth to discolor.
Poor dental hygiene. It really is important to brush and floss regularly, not only for your dental health, but also to whiten your teeth.
Trauma to the tooth. If you’ve suffered from a fall or been hit by an object in the mouth, the trauma can cause tooth discoloration due to the blood that pools in the core of the tooth.

No matter the reasons for your tooth discoloration, tooth whitening can alleviate much of this. If you have a smile that you are less than proud of, then please contact our Chicago-based office for a consultation regarding our tooth bleaching procedures. We can help you choose a teeth whitening treatment option that will best fit your needs and expectations and give you a smile you can be proud of.

Why See a Neuromuscular Dentist?

2008-11-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

Many people do not realize the benefit of seeing a neuromuscular dentist. You may want to visit one if you suffer from:

Sensitive teeth
Cracked or worn teeth
Headaches or migraines
Neck, shoulder or back pain
Jaw soreness or a jaw that “locks”
Problems chewing
Ringing in the ears

These are just a few symptoms of TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. Many people suffer from a jaw that is out of alignment and doesn’t fit correctly when the mouth moves or is in its closed, resting position. A neuromuscular dentist can help you if you suffer from any of these problems.

A neuromuscular dentist can help the immediate concern of the pain TMD causes by using modern techniques to help relax the jaw and the muscles surrounding the jaw. Look at it as a massage for your jaw. Once the pain has subsided, we can further assess your condition and use methods to stabilize your bite, re-align the jaw, and help you maintain the results. Once the condition has been corrected, it is important to follow the certain instructions to maintain the results.

If you have any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to call or email our office. We serve people suffering from migraines and other TMD related symptoms in the Chicago area. By assessing your symptoms, we can treat your condition with a plan that is properly developed for your needs.

How Jaw Alignment Affects Different Parts of the Body

2008-11-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

The human jaw is one of the most complex parts in the body. Having a jaw that is misaligned can lead to numerous problems, such as:

Headaches or migraines
Shoulder, neck, or back pain
Dizziness
Irritability or depression
Worn, cracked, or sensitive teeth

Many times these symptoms are overlooked because you or your doctor cannot pinpoint a physiological cause. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, then seeing a neuromuscular dentist may change your life.

Misaligned teeth can cause tension to build up in the jaw joint. The jawbone is attached directly to our skulls, and if there are any problems with the jawbone, tendons, or muscles, the problems can radiate through other parts of the body. If you think about the number of times that we open and close our mouths each day, it is easy to see how tension can build up in the joint.

If you suffer from any one of the symptoms above, having your jaw realigned to its proper fit will alleviate those symptoms. Many people suffer from daily headaches and migraines caused by a misaligned jaw and it can severely inhibit their ability to lead a healthy and productive life.

Please contact our Chicago office to set up a consultation with one of our experienced neuromuscular dentists. We can help you feel better again.

Why Should You Consider Dental Implants?

2008-11-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

Dental implants are a great way to fix missing teeth. Missing teeth cannot only affect your self-esteem, they can affect your overall health as well. Missing teeth can affect your long-term mental, oral and medical health because:

A smile with missing teeth can make you look older than you really are
Gaps in your teeth affect the alignment of your jaw and it can lead to TMD related problems
Food can get stuck in these spaces and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease
Your teeth can drift out of place
Your jawbone can begin to deteriorate
You cannot eat certain foods which could lead to nutritional deficiencies

The success rate of dental implants is very high and is a great option for people who suffer from missing teeth. The process does take some time, but the end result is worth it, especially when you consider the negative effects that missing teeth have on your health.

If you are considering dental implants, please contact our office, which serves the Evanston area, for a complimentary consultation. We can assess your condition and help develop an implant dentistry treatment plan that is design for your needs and expectations. With our help, you will have a smile you can truly be proud of.

Dental Implants

2008-10-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

If you suffer from missing teeth, chances are you don't like to smile. There's no reason to go through life without smiling, so maybe it's time to consider dental implants. The procedure will take some time, but the end results are well worth the wait. Plus, the success rates of dental implants are one the highest of all dental procedures.

The process has a few steps and will take about six months from start to finish:

First, the dental implant posts will be surgically placed into your jawbone. Once placed, you will need to wait until your jawbone completely heals around the posts. This process will permanently fuse the posts into your bone and it takes about three to four months.
Second, once your jawbone has healed, you will need to return to our office to have your temporary crowns placed. These temporary crowns are used to allow the gums to heal and reshape around the tooth. Typically this will take about two months.
Finally, once your gums have healed, then you can return for your permanent crowns. After these crowns are placed, you are ready to show the world your new smile.

If you are one of the many people living in the Chicago area who are ashamed of your smile because you are missing teeth, please contact the Colonial Dental Group for a consultation. We provide dental implants to Chicago and surrounding areas. We can assess your particular case and develop a treatment plan that will work best for you and give you the results you desire.

Why Pediatric Dentistry is Important

2008-10-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

The pediatric dentist specializes in the specific dental needs of young people. From about six months to 12 years of age, children have a mouthful of deciduous or baby teeth. Like other teeth, these need to be cared for to prevent dental caries (tooth decay), the leading childhood ailment.

Unlike adults, young children cannot maintain their own dental hygiene; it is up to the parents to ensure that their baby teeth stay healthy. It is important for your child to visit a pediatric dentist by age one to establish a baseline for continuous oral health management.

Even the first baby tooth that erupts should be cleaned with a damp cloth after each feeding. At about age 5, many children are coordinated enough to start brushing their own teeth with close supervision. A diet of fresh foods is recommended, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, an few sweets or sodas. Developing a habit of brushing and flossing early in life will carry through their teenage and adult years, and ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you live in the Chicago area and would like to find out more about pediatric dentistry, please contact us at the Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an appointment.

Why do People Snore?

2008-10-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

The person suffering most from snoring is typically not the person who snores, but their spouse. Snoring is caused by mild to severe obstruction of the airway during sleep. As we age, the skin, and muscles around the back of the throat become looser. When sleeping on our backs, they sag and rattle as air passes through, causing the noises we hear.

In some cases, this obstruction becomes severe enough to halt breathing, which is known as sleep apnea. Snoring is a common, but not exclusive, symptom of sleep apnea. A sleep study called a polysomnograph can be conducted to identify this potentially serious condition.

People who are overweight benefit from a weight loss regimen to reduce the amount of soft tissue that causes snoring. Treatment for snoring also includes simple steps such as sleeping on your side. This prevents the tongue from falling back into the throat, adding to the amount of tissue blocking the airway.

A dental appliance, called a mandibular advancement splint might be prescribed, or purchased over the counter. This splint slides the mandible forward slightly, pulling the tongue out of the way. In more severe cases of sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be worn at night to ensure that ample air gets through any obstruction.

Sleepless in Chicago? Please contact the Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an initial consultation.

What is Periodontitis?

2008-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that treats gum disease. A periodontist completes three post-graduate years of training followed by a residency and the accreditation process.

The tooth roots are anchored in the jawbone. The gums enclose the teeth, helping to protect them from decay. When gum tissue is not cared for with daily brushing and flossing, the bacteria in the mouth spread and multiply, excreting acid waste products which eat into tooth enamel. We call these excretions and the bacteria making them plaque. You can feel it as a rough film on the teeth. When plaque is left there too long, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed or flossed away.

Two stages of gum disease
1. Gingivitis
When tartar is left for too long, it becomes infected, causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums, and you have the first stage of gum disease.

2. Periodontitis
If gingivitis is not corrected by professional cleaning - removing the tartar and clearing bacteria out of the tooth pockets (little areas between the gums and teeth), it will progress to the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis.

It may become chronic. The gums recede, enlarging the tiny pockets around each tooth. This creates more space for bacteria to thrive in. They increase their numbers and enlarge the pockets even more. The infection invades the teeth, gums, and jawbone. Since the gums bleed now, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, where they can cause heart problems and other infections.

Receding gums allow teeth to loosen and even fall out. Toothache would be rampant for a while, as the tooth nerves are decayed. After they die, the pain will stop, but not the infection. As the gums weaken and shrivel, the tooth can become loose and even fall out.

Prevention is the solution
Adults, children and teenagers are all at risk. If you practice good daily dental hygiene and teach your children to do that too, you will save everyone much pain expense, and dental disaster. Please contact us to set up a consultation, and if you have questions, we will be glad to answer them.

What is Invisalign?

2008-09-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

A new alternative to traditional braces provides consumers with an "invisible" choice in orthodontia. Invisalign uses a series of molded plastic forms that you wear to reposition teeth, bringing them into proper alignment. There is no metal, no wires, no painful tightening procedures. The trays can be removed for short periods of time if necessary – in fact they should be removed each day for brushing and flossing.

How Invisalign works
The trays are created in a customized series using Invisalign software. Each tray gently nudges some teeth into a better position by applying continuous positive pressure. Every two weeks, you discard the current pair of trays (aligners) and begin wearing the next pair, which apply gentle pressure slightly differently. By the time you reach the end of the series, your teeth are well-positioned, your bite is comfortable, and your smile is even and attractive.

On our computer monitor, you can see the end result ahead of time. Your dentist will explain how your trays will work and why. Every six weeks or so you will have a progress visit with us, to keep things on track. The whole process takes about the same amount of time as traditional braces – in some cases less time -- but is not accompanied by the any social stigma or cleaning problems.

Benefits

Improved hygiene during treatment – because you remove the aligners for brushing and flossing
No eating restrictions – you would remove them for eating
Improved appearance during treatment – they are invisible unless a person knows to look for them or peers at you closely. Nobody has to know that you are straightening your teeth.

Most people have a lot of questions about Invisalign. It seems too good to be true. Please feel free to contact us for a personal consultation and we will be glad to answer all your questions. Our office serves the entire Chicago area.

What is Instant Orthodontics?

2008-09-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

The word orthodontics usually brings to mind years of metal in your mouth, painful adjustments, and a lot of expense. Porcelain veneers achieve the look of having had orthodontic work, but they do it in one dental visit, and hence the term Instant orthodontics.

Veneers are thin ceramic wafers used to resurface teeth for a variety of reasons:

Covering stains
Concealing small chips
Covering large fillings
Filling gaps
Creating a straightened look for front teeth

Measuring only 0.7 to 0.5 mm in width, veneers are custom made to cover the front surfaces of existing teeth. Your dentist prepares the teeth by removing a tiny amount of enamel to make space for the veneers.

Our CEREC system
Many cosmetic dentists will have you come for two visits, but we can complete your veneers procedure in just one. That is because we have a chairside system which images, designs, and mills the porcelain to make customized veneers for you.

Your dentist would digitally photograph the teeth in question and input those photos to the CEREC computer. Using its software, he will convert them into a computer design and the milling part of the system will use that to make your veneers. The dentist will choose a shade of porcelain to match your other teeth.

After testing their fit and comfort, he will bond them permanently to your teeth and now you have a transformed smile!

We place a high priority on patient education. If you have questions about Instant Orthodontics or any other dental procedure, please feel free to contact us and we will schedule a personal consultation for you.

What is a Cavity?

2008-09-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Most people have had a cavity at some point in their life, yet not everyone realizes what causes tooth decay beyond a general idea of harmful bacteria. In ancient times, a tooth worm was thought to be responsible, but that theory lost favor in the seventeenth century. Spikes in the frequency of cavities have been found to correlate sharply with changes in diet such as the introduction of sugar cane and white bread.

Like most physical processes, the mouth, and teeth in particular are normally in a state of equilibrium. As the pH of the mouth becomes more acidic during eating, demineralization of the tooth occurs. Afterwards as the pH changes back to neutral, remineralization takes place.

Poor dental hygiene
Problems occur when the nooks and crannies of the teeth retain food particles, especially those of highly fermentable carbohydrates like fructose, glucose, and sucrose. The prolonged presence of these sugars feeds bacteria in the mouth, causing them to excrete acid substances. The sugars themselves are also acid. All this acid (low pH) eats into tooth enamel, and this is tooth decay. Each area of decay is a cavity and unless it is filled, infection will set in and decay will spread throughout the tooth, into the gums, and even into the jawbone.

Dental cavities are worldwide. If discovered early when still small, they are easily filled. If left untreated, they grow larger until the entire tooth is destroyed.

You can easily tell if your teeth are overdue for brushing and flossing. Run your tongue over them and if there’s a rough film on them, that is plaque. It’s bacteria and their excretions. You can (and should) brush and floss it off daily or twice-daily. Good dental hygiene also includes six-month visits to your dentist for check-ups and professional cleaning.

If you live in the Chicago area, and suddenly realize that it has been more than six months since your last dental checkup, please for your own sake, schedule an appointment today. You can also call or email us if you’d like a consultation about any other dental issues.

What Causes Bad Breath?

2008-09-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

Bad breath (halitosis) is bad for everybody. Unfortunately, most people have a hard time self-diagnosing this problem, and have to rely upon others to tell them about it. There are many causes of bad breath, most of them originating in diet and oral hygiene. There are also some more serious conditions that cause bad breath, causing many people to seek additional treatment.

Strongly-flavored foods like garlic can linger on the breath long after the meal is over. Seemingly harmless foods can provide food for the bacteria in your mouth. As they process it, especially carbohydrates like sugars and starch, they may expel sulfurous malodorous compounds.

Gum disease
The first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, sometimes goes unrecognized by a person with poor dental hygiene. It may then progress to the second stage, periodontitis. Eliminating this problem is paramount in addressing the malodor.

Contrary to popular belief, stomach gasses do not cause most bad breath. The esophagus effectively creates a tight seal, preventing stomach gasses from continually rising to the surface except for an occasional burp. If the esophagus is compromised, there will be significantly more severe medical problems to deal with than bad breath.

Good oral hygiene is the best way to fight bad breath. A consistent regimen of brushing, flossing, and using anti-microbial mouthwash will help keep the numbers of bacteria to a minimum. Keeping food particles from staying on the teeth and decomposing, offering food to the bacteria, will also help

Bad breath is a significant social embarrassment. In these days of sophisticated modern dentistry, there is no reason for anybody to have bad breath caused by a dental condition. We will be glad to arrange a personal consultation for you, if you would like to learn more about your own breath conditions.

Tooth Whitening

2008-08-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

The most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedure is tooth whitening. Everybody understands the aesthetic benefit of a bright, white, healthy-looking smile. Tooth whitening is a simple yet effective treatment that can performed either in the dentist's office, or at home.

In-office tooth whitening
Using advanced technology we can whiten your smile by four to six shades in a single office visit. In a typical 60-minute session, the dentist first covers and protects the gums and lips. Then he applies a whitening gel with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. A bright light is shone for 20 minutes on the gel, speeding its action. This is done twice more for 20 minutes each. A fluoride treatment completes the treatment, and now your smile is dramatically whiter than it was before.

Take-home whitening kits
Take-home whitening kits use professional-strength whitening-agents. We will make you upper and lower trays to fit exactly over your teeth. The kit includes a little instruction booklet, a shade strip where you can mark your Before and After colors, and a supply of desensitizing gel in case your teeth become too sensitive. In your own time, you can wear the trays for 30 to 40 minutes each day and achieve results as dramatic as those of an in-office procedure.

If you live in the Chicago area and would like to learn more about tooth whitening, please call or email us at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule your initial consultation.

TMD

2008-08-18T13:41:00.001-07:00

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a misaligned jaw joint. This joint is where the mandible (lower jaw) is connected to the skull, by the temporal plate. You can feel it if you place a finger in front of your ear and open your mouth.

The TMJ is one of the most complex joints of the body. It allows the jaw to not only open and close on a hinge, but also to slide back and forth and sideways. The versatility of this joint also allows more opportunities for pain and dysfunction.

You can see some of the TMD symptoms listed on our Neuromuscular Dentistry page and read about two of them in particular on the Bruxism and Headaches pages.

TMD can be caused by an impact to the side of the head, by genetic factors, by chronic tooth-grinding, or by misaligned teeth which prevent your upper and lower teeth from meeting comfortably.

We offer TMD diagnosis and treatment. Two of our dentists, Dr. Dooley and Dr. Quezada, are graduates of LVI (the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies). They have completed extensive post-graduate training in neuromuscular dentistry and will be happy to give you a personal consultation. Please contact us to set one up.

Symptoms of TMD

2008-08-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a misaligned jaw joint. Overbites and underbites are types of TMD, but each TMD case is different. The most common symptoms are:

Chronic and severe headaches
Neck, face, and shoulder pain
Limited range of jaw motion
Clicking or popping noises when the jaw moves, which may or may not be painful
Tingling in the hands
Tooth grinding (which may also be a cause of TMD)
Premature tooth wear
Unaccountably loose teeth
Chronic tension in the jaw muscles
Earache or ringing in the ears

TMD causes are not all fully understood. It is often connected to having a small mouth, teeth in need of orthodontic work, and emotional stress which causes tooth grinding. It may also be caused by a blow to the side of the head. The cause may not actually be a dental cause, but the consequences will include dental problems.

Our dentists practice neuromuscular dentistry and can diagnose and treat TMD. They can determine your optimal jaw alignment and design a customized treatment to relieve your pain and correct your bite. Please call or email us if you would like to have a personal consultation.

Sleep Apnea

2008-08-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing repeatedly during the night. The muscles of the throat and mouth relax and may obstruct the airway, especially if you are lying is a supine position (on your back).

These periods of breathlessness (apnea) may go unnoticed by the person experiencing them, but their consequences are readily apparent.

Fatigue
Morning headaches
Dry mouth
General malaise

Obese people are more susceptible to sleep apnea due to the increased volume of lax tissue blocking the airway.

Some ways to deal with it
Lifestyle changes are commonly encouraged to address obstructive sleep apnea.

Weight loss
Smoking cessation
Lying on your side instead of your back
Sleeping with your head and back elevated up to thirty degrees

We can also use oral appliance therapy (OAT) to make you a dental device. You would wear it in the mouth at night and it works by shifting the jaw forward to open the airway.

Another treatment option known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a machine that assists in breathing during the night when apnea occurs.

If you would like to know more about sleep apnea, please contact us, and we will set up a personal consultation for you.

Porcelain Veneers

2008-07-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

In mid-century Hollywood, many movie stars elected to improve their smiles by having all their teeth pulled and replaced with nice, shiny, pearly-white dentures. After years of heavy smoking and inadequate brushing, the most attractive features of their youth dimmed and dulled, putting their careers in jeopardy.

Fortunately, we now have some alternatives to this type of drastic makeover, and one of them is porcelain veneers. People from all walks of life are having their teeth resurfaced with these thin porcelain covers. It is a quick way to deal with many minor tooth defects, such as:

Discoloration that won't respond to tooth whitening
Small chips and cracks
Small gaps between teeth
Slight crookedness or misalignment

Porcelain is semi-translucent, allowing the veneer to mimic closely the attributes of tooth enamel. Your dentist will choose a shade to match your natural shade of white.

Only one visit
Because we have the CEREC system for milling porcelain, we can make your veneers and bond them permanently to your teeth in just one visit. Other dentists require two visits. We have a chairside computer monitor where you can see your own teeth and how they will look with their new front surfaces. Using our digital camera and the software of the CEREC system, we plan, design, and manufacture your customized veneers here while you watch.

If you are looking for smile improvement options in the Chicago area, you can find them here at the Colonial Dental Group. Please contact us today to set up an initial consultation.

Porcelain Fillings

2008-07-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

Over the centuries, many fine things have been made out of porcelain - china dolls, plates, figurines. Dental porcelain is slightly different, but it does have that shiny, attractive look. By itself it is fragile, but when bonded to a tooth it is strong and long-lasting. It does not absorb pigment from foods or drinks, so it keeps its original shade of white, matched to your natural teeth.

We offer porcelain fillings as a superior alternative to the old metal amalgam fillings. They blend in, becoming impossible to detect as being fillings.

Inlays or onlays
These are names for two types of porcelain fillings which differ in their size. An inlay is smaller, confined within the tooth's cusps (those small projections on the chewing surface). An onlay extends over the top of one or more cusps.

Inlays can be used on the back surfaces of front teeth. But if you have decay or damage on the front surface of any front teeth, porcelain veneers might be a better solution. If you have a severely decayed or damaged back tooth, a porcelain crown would be a good answer.

Strengthening the tooth
Where a metal amalgam filling will gradually weaken the tooth, expanding and contracting in response to the hot and cold substances put into the mouth, a porcelain filling will strengthen it. That is because (a) porcelain does not respond to heat or cold, and (b) it is bonded to the tooth, rather than just being packed tightly into the cavity. This means it pulls inward on the tooth's periphery, rather than pushing outward against it.

If you are looking for an alternative to metal fillings, please feel free to call or email us. We put a high value on patient education and will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Porcelain Crowns

2008-07-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

A severely damaged or deeply decayed tooth may require a crown to replace lost tooth tissue, provide a new chewing surface, and prevent further damage. After endodontic therapy (commonly called a root canal), a crown will be necessary. But you can have a porcelain crown without any root canal.

Placing a porcelain crowns usually requires two visits, but we have a CEREC system, so you can have your crown done here in one visit.

Decay is removed and a digital photo is taken of the tooth. It is entered into the CEREC computerized system and your dentist will use the software to design your crown.
Our CEREC porcelain mill creates the crown according to the precise specifications input into its system, using a piece of porcelain matched to your tooth color.

At first, your dentist will place the crown temporarily to check it for fit, and to check your bite, making sure your teeth come together comfortable when you close your mouth. When all is satisfactory, he will bond the crown permanently to the tooth.

Since it is made out of porcelain, it will not stain, and will not look like a dental restoration. It will look like one of your own teeth.

If you would like to know more about porcelain crowns, please give us a call, or send an email. We can schedule a personal consultation for you.

Neuromuscular Dentistry

2008-07-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

Some of the problems people face with their teeth are not due to decay, but to tooth and jaw misalignment. Two of our dentists, Dr. Dooley and Dr. Quezada, are graduates of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). They have completed rigorous post-graduate training in neuromuscular dentistry (and cosmetic dentistry).

A neuromuscular dentist works with your teeth and gums in a larger context than a general dentist. He looks at your jaw joint, its related muscles and nerves, your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth come together), and your smile's health and beauty together.

If you have been suffering from chronic headaches, you might have TMD. That is a misaligned jaw joint, and is something a neuromuscular dentist can diagnose and treat. We have technology which can test your jaw joint's movements and sounds (clicking or popping sounds are a symptom of TMD), and the electrical activity of the jaw muscles. Our dentists can analyze this to come up with a customized treatment for your particular form of TMD.

To find out more about neuromuscular dentistry in the Chicago area, please call or email us at the Colonial Dental Group to set up an initial consultation.

Inlays and Onlays

2008-06-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Inlays and onlays are both porcelain fillings. The difference between them is their size. A molar resembles a valley surrounded by small hills known as cusps. Inlays are used to fill the valleys. Onlays extend over the cusps to one or more outside surface. We offer them in place of the old metal amalgam fillings, as they are healthier for the tooth and look much nicer.

If you have a broken tooth, an onlay is an excellent way to repair it, replacing the missing portion with glossy white porcelain matched to the tooth's color.

Our CEREC system
Inlays and onlays are done in the same manner. We have a CEREC system, which is a chairside, computerized porcelain mill. We therefore don't have to ask you to come in for a second visit, as we can complete everything in one visit. Instead of sending your tooth information to a dental lab and waiting a few weeks while they create your porcelain filling, we create here.

Your dentist prepares the tooth by removing any decay or rough edges.
A digital photo is taken of your tooth and input to the CEREC system.
Your dentist uses the software which is part of the system to turn the photograph into specifications for the manufacture of your inlay or onlay. There is a monitor by your chair, so you can see what the dentist sees and he can discuss it with you.
He chooses the right shade of porcelain to match your teeth
There is a short wait while the mill section of the CEREC system makes your restoration to the exact specifications
The finished restoration is temporarily placed and tested for comfort
When you and your dentist are both satisfied with it, it is permanently bonded into position.

It is now part of your tooth and will never come loose. It will hold the tooth together, protect it from further decay, and lengthen its life. Besides that, it cannot be detected as a restoration. It will need the same daily care as your natural teeth.

Please contact us at the Colonial Dental Group today to see how an inlay, onlay, or other cosmetic dental procedure can help improve your smile.

How is TMD treated?

2008-06-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (also abbreviated as TMJ). The jaw joint is a delicate ball-and-socket joint where the lower jaw connects to the temporal lobe of the skull. It is extremely flexible, allowing the up and down movement of eating or talking, the forward movement of thrusting your chin out, and the sliding motion from side to side.

Pain related to the jaw joint is so common that it has given rise to a new type of dentistry called neuromuscular dentistry. A neuromuscular dentist focuses not only on teeth and gums, but on the jaw joint and its related muscles and nerves. He diagnoses and treats all variations of TMD.

Diagnosis first
The process of diagnosing TMD will also tell us how the jaw is misaligned, and where its relaxed position is. Making that relaxed position permanent will be the goal of treatment. Each case of TMD is unique to that person, which means that each treatment is unique.

Treatment steps may include:

Altering eating habits
Jaw exercises
A customized orthotic to address bruxism, (teeth grinding), which is a major cause of TMD
Dental work to reshape or reposition certain teeth
Orthodontics to realign all the teeth
Home use of a TENS unit (using electrodes to relax the jaw muscles and relieve pain)

Surgical correction of the jaw joint is considered a last resort and is avoided if possible.

If you live in the Chicago area and are wondering if you might have TMD, please contact the Colonial Dental Group today to schedule an initial consultation.

How is Bad Breath Treated?

2008-06-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Causes of chronic halitosis, or bad breath, are not commonly agreed upon, so no consistent treatment is recommended. Experts agree however, that most of the bacteria causing the odor reside on the tongue.

Since most halitosis is discovered in the morning, the first thing to do upon rising is to brush your teeth thoroughly, including your tongue. Then eating a healthy breakfast with fibrous food may help remove bacteria from the back of the tongue near the gag reflex. Gently cleaning the tongue at least twice a day may also help. Chewing sugarless gum may help with the production of saliva, which helps reduce bad breath. Some chewing gums even contain special anti-odor ingredients or breath fresheners.

Brushing and flossing your teeth and gargling with an anti-microbial mouthwash can help eliminate food particles that feed bacteria. Several commercial mouthwashes have proven to knock out bad breath for several hours. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluid; a dry mouth produces more odor-causing bacteria than a moist one.

Visit a qualified and experienced dentist every six months to ensure you maintain a healthy, fresh mouth. If you are in Chicago, IL, please contact us at the Colonial Dental group to schedule a consultation.

How Does Age Affect Our Teeth?

2008-06-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

Aging affects our teeth and gums, just as it affects every other part of the body. After years of chewing, teeth wear down. They also become more brittle and more susceptible to breakage. Their luster and whiteness fade and turn yellow.

The older we get, the more restorations we are likely to have. Old fillings may become loose, and additional decay can set in near them. The tooth around the filling also may deteriorate, exposing the dentin underneath to further decay. Gum tissue shrinks and recedes from the teeth, exposing more of their roots and loosening them.

Medications or age may cause a decrease in saliva, which is the body's natural way of helping to keep the mouth clean.

What can we do?
It is important for older adults to continue with careful oral hygiene. Floss daily and brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in older people as well as in children. Drinking lots of fluid will help keep the mouth moist. Be sure to see a dentist at least every six months to have them professionally cleaned, to check for early decay, for oral cancer, and for gum recession which may need treating.

If you live in the Chicago area, please contact us at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation. You might save yourself a great deal of pain, inconvenience and money by catching dental problems early.

How Can my Chipped Tooth be Fixed?

2008-05-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

Although tooth enamel is a tough mineral casing, it can chip and break through trauma or misuse. Chipped and broken teeth are more susceptible to further damage or infection and should be fixed immediately.

If the chipped teeth are visible when you smile, one excellent solution is to apply porcelain veneers. If the damaged tooth is in the back and out of the smile line, a porcelain crown may be used. Regardless of where the tooth is, a porcelain inlay or onlay could fill the chip invisibly. The choice of solution would depend on the size of the chip as well as the location of the tooth.

Our CEREC technology
The porcelain color is matched to your natural tooth color and the chosen restoration can be placed in one visit. Most cosmetic dentists would need you to come for two visits, but our CEREC technology is a chairside system that digitally images your teeth, designs the needed restoration, and mills the porcelain to make it.

From your dental chair, you can see the computer monitor, and can watch your dentist using the software to plan and shape your veneers, crown, or filling. You will know ahead of time how it will look. Be sure and give this porcelain restoration the same good daily care that you give your natural teeth, and it will serve you for many years.

If you are in the Chicago area and need to fix a chipped or otherwise damaged tooth, please call or email us, and we will set up a consultation for you. We hope to work with you soon.

Gum Disease

2008-05-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

If you have sometimes gone for long periods without adequately brushing and flossing your teeth, you may have experienced tender gums and associated bleeding. With your tongue, you can also feel the rough film on your teeth we call plaque. Plaque becomes tartar, a hard substance with tiny sharp edges, which cause the bleeding.

This is the first stage of gum disease and is known as gingivitis. Plaque consists of bacteria and their excretions, and left alone, bacteria will thrive and multiply, spreading into every little cozy nook available. This will include the small pockets called the sulcus, between each tooth and its surrounding gum tissue.

This build-up will push the gums away from the base the teeth, making room for even more bacteria to grow. Their excretions are acid and therefore eat into tooth enamel. Inflammation builds up in the surrounding gums. This first stage of gum disease is preventable with adequate oral hygiene.

If not taken care of, gingivitis progresses to the next stage of gum disease, called periodontitis. Now the inflammation turns to infection as it is allowed to build up under the gum line. The gums fall away from the teeth and deteriorate. The longer this condition continues, the more likely it is that teeth will loosen and fall out. Left untreated, the decay and infection will spread through the gums into the jawbone.

If you have been suffering from progressive gum disease, please contact us as soon as possible. Delay in not in your best interests, and we can stop that disease more easily if we start on it sooner rather than later. You can read more on our Gum Treatments page. Please contact our Colonial Dental Group Chicago office today to schedule an initial consultation.

Endodontics

2008-05-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

One of the most dreaded procedures of dentistry is commonly referred to as a "root canal." The actual root canal is the interior part of a tooth through which blood vessels and nerves enter it from the body’s circulatory and nervous systems. A tooth may have up to four root canals. The blood vessels and nerves, along with some connective tissue, are known as the tooth pulp. Root canal surgery is part of endodontic therapy, or endodontics.

In past years there was reason to dread a root canal, as dentistry was less effective in blocking pain and took longer to do procedures. At Colonial Dental Group, we place a high priority on your comfort and will use whatever level of anesthetic is required to keep you calm. We also of course have modern equipment and technology to finish procedures speedily.

Endodontic Procedure
Your dentist will usually prescribe a course of antibiotics to be concluded before working on the tooth. The first step is to remove infection and decay from the root canal. If the tooth has decayed from the outside all the way into the root canal, that often means it is too badly damaged to survive with just a filling and must be given a crown.

With the tooth cleaned and ready, your dentist permanently fill the space where tooth structures used to be with a rubber compound called gutta percha. The cleaned remains of the tooth are trimmed down if necessary and shaped to receive a crown.

There may be an interval of several weeks while your crown is made in a dental lab. In that time you will have a temporary filling to protect the tooth. The new porcelain crown is placed over the tooth remains and permanently bonded, so that now you have a strong tooth with a renewed life ahead of it.

It is actually a dead tooth since it no longer receives oxygen and nutrients, and has no nerve. This may make it more fragile, but in adults the tooth pulp is no longer necessary for tooth growth.

Please call or email us to learn more about endodontic therapy. Our office serves the entire Chicago area.

Dental Implants

2008-05-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

When teeth are lost, it's best to replace them. The traditional method is a dental bridge, which requires the teeth on each side of the socket to be shaved down to accept a crown. Connections between the crowns and the pontic (porcelain tooth) anchor the new tooth. This process is less than ideal on two counts:

It requires the removal of healthy enamel from the supporting teeth; and
It does not address the gap inside the jawbone, where the tooth root used to be.

Missing teeth can now be replaced, root and crown, using dental implants. An implant consists of a titanium cylinder that is inserted into the socket the missing tooth used to occupy. Titanium is well received by the body and the bone does not reject it, but grows in around it closely. This secures it permanently to the jawbone in a process called ossification.

After the two or three months required for this bone growth, a small projection is attached to the top of the implant. The gums are allowed to heal around it for a couple of weeks. Then a porcelain crown is bonded to that projection and caps off the implant, creating a new permanent tooth, complete with root.

When considering dental implants, it is important to find a qualified cosmetic dentist with many years of experience. If you live in the Chicago area and would like to learn more about how dental implants can help, please contact us at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule an initial consultation.

Dental Bonding

2008-04-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

A quick and easy alternative to porcelain veneers uses a composite resin in a process called dental bonding. The plastic resin is applied to the tooth in successive layers. After each thin layer, it is hardened using a high-intensity light. Once the layers are built up to the desired volume of material, the cosmetic dentist sculpts it to the desired shape. With dental bonding, the cosmetic dentist can correct anything from minor gaps in the teeth to lengthening short teeth in order to create a superior smile.

The term dental bonding refers both to the procedure and to the substance. The substance is also used for fillings in lieu of metal amalgam. It can be color matched to the surrounding tooth, providing for an almost invisible dental restoration. Bonding material is not as strong as amalgam or porcelain, but is quicker and easier.

For a good professional job of dental bonding, it is important to find a dentist with extensive training and experience. If you live in the Chicago area, and would like to find out more about cosmetic dentistry options, please contact the Colonial Dental Group to set up an initial consultation.

How Is TMD Diagnosed?

2008-04-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know that something as seemingly harmless as a headache could be an indication of a potentially serious medical condition? The condition is called TMJ or TMD, short for temporomandibular joint disorder. Headaches are just one symptoms of TMD, which is estimated to affects as many as 60 million of Americans. Jaw pain, neck tension, loss of feeling in the hands and arms, and earaches are just a few of the related symptoms.

Thankfully, once the condition is discovered, there are modern treatments designed to offer sufferers relief. Neuromuscular dentistry refers to the ability to diagnose and treat TMD. Experienced neuromuscular dentists have undergone specialized training to be able to identify when a jaw joint problem is affecting a patient's health.

The most important step in alleviating the ill effects of TMD is ensuring an accurate diagnosis. An experienced neuromuscular dentist will use sophisticated jaw tracking equipment to determine the origin of the discomfort. By combining a thorough health history and physical exam with specific neuromuscular diagnostic testing, your doctor should be able to find out what's causing the imbalance and begin a treatment plan. Here are just a few of the diagnostic tools:

X-rays
Computerized Mandibular Scanning (CMS)
Sonography
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Electromyography (studies of muscle function)
Motion Performance Studies
Joint Vibration Analysis
Diagnostic Study Casts of the Mandible
TENS (Transcutaneous Electro Neural Stimulation)

Sometimes it may be that your tooth height needs to be adjusted. In other cases, physical therapy may be needed. As a last result, surgery can help restore the optimal bite position.

Please contact Colonial Dental Group in Chicago today to schedule your initial appointment.

Pregnancy and Dental Care

2008-04-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

Women who are pregnant should be extra careful when it comes to their physical health, and dental health is no exception.

Teeth and Gums Need Special Attention, Too

During pregnancy, the body is undergoing many changes. The forming of a new life can take a lot out of the body, and expectant mothers often experience a diet change. Physicians recommend pre-natal vitamins to support the growth of the baby and also the health of the mother. In general, it is important to make sure that your teeth and gums stay healthy, as well, and that you keep up with regular dental visits and home care during pregnancy.

For some reason, pregnant women are often more prone to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. This condition has been linked to pregnancy complications, so it is important that you talk to your dentist is you notice anything unusual going on in your mouth (such as bleeding, red or sore gums, tooth pain, etc.)

Expectant mothers may be wondering whether or not having dental work performed during pregnancy is safe. You should talk to your dentist first and also your OB/GYN. In general, any procedure or treatment that does not pose any risk to your overall health is usually acceptable.

If you're looking for more information about dental care during pregnancy, please read
Caring for Your Teeth: Guidelines for Pregnant Women

If you have specific questions, please contact Colonial Dental Group today.

Old Age and Teeth

2008-04-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

Great dental care is a must at any age. But as you get older, it is especially important to keep your teeth and gums clean and problem free.

As the years go by, various factors can take their toll on your teeth and gums. Enamel wears down from the repeated biting motions. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and sugary snacks and sodas can also cause damage over time. Plaque build-up can cause cavities and lead to gum disease. Tooth discoloration is also very common, but can be prevented or minimized by altering your diet, quitting smoking and other changes.

It may be impossible to stop the effects of aging. But you can prevent the deterioration of your dental health by maintaining a strong-at home brushing and flossing routine, visiting the dentist regularly, and talking to your dentist if you have any concerns. Your dentist can identify and treat any potential problems (like gum disease) before they negatively affect your smile. And if your teeth and gums start to show signs of aging, there are so many cosmetic smile enhancement options to choose from. The important thing to remember is that while aging will have an effect on your teeth and gums, you have the power to keep your mouth healthy.

Ways you can keep your smile healthy:

Dental work updates (replacing old or outdated fillings, crowns, etc.)
Oral cancer screening
Early gum disease treatment
Tooth replacement with Dentures and partials or dental implants

To learn more about keeping your teeth in great shape, visit the American Dental Association. Or, please contact Colonial Dental Group to find out more about great dental health at any age.

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

2008-04-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

If you have a damaged tooth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend and inlay or onlay, natural-looking dental restorations designed to restore a weakened tooth to normal function and form. Whether it was decay or physical injury that compromised a tooth’s strength, porcelain onlays and inlays offer patients a beautiful and affordable solution.

At my dental practice, I use porcelain to create all of my onlays and inlays. I feel it is the ideal material because it bonds with teeth for optimal strength, lasts a long time, and looks incredibly lifelike.

How It's Done

Compared to a porcelain crown, onlays and inlays require less reduction of natural enamel. After an impression is taken of the tooth, a temporary filling is placed. The porcelain restoration will be created in our state-of-the-art lab using CEREC technology, and matched to fit your tooth shade. During the second visit, the onlay or inlay is firmly bonded to the tooth for an instantly enhanced smile.

Here's the difference between the two:

Inlays - sits inside the tooth cusps, used when a porcelain filling is inadequate
Onlays - covers one or more tooth cusps, used when more extensive restoration is needed (but is still less invasive than a porcelain crown)

Want to learn more about onlays and inlays? Please contact Colonial Dental Group in Chicago today to schedule your initial appointment.

How Does Cosmetic Dentistry Differ From General Dentistry?

2008-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

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

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.

Accelerated Orthodontics

2008-03-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

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.

Periodontal Disease

2008-03-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

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.

What Causes Cavities?

2008-03-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

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.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

2008-03-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

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:

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.

Sleep Apnea

2008-03-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

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:

insomnia
fatigue
high blood pressure
daytime drowsiness
heart abnormalities
restlessness
headaches
heavy snoring

and many others.

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.

Snoring

2008-03-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

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.