Oak Brook Dentist

A Message from Your Dentist About the Coronavirus

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:34:40 GMT

As health officials seek to contain the coronavirus outbreak, unprecedented safety measures have been issued for our protection. We want to reassure you that Oak Brook Smiles is also taking extraordinary measures to protect your health and well-being.

Your Protection Against Exposure

As a healthcare provider, we are held to higher sanitary standards by law. We follow all OSHA requirements including fully sanitizing exam rooms between patient visits, sterilizing dental implements after patient visits and wearing protective gear such as medical gloves and masks.

To further protect you and the community, we’ve prepared this message to alert others to the connection between one’s oral health, immune system and bodily diseases—including viruses¹ —and provide additional preventive tips.

Link Between Oral Heath, Illness and the Immune System

Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria; some are friendly bacteria while others are harmful. When your oral hygiene regimen is properly done and your immune system is intact, the harmful bacteria is kept in check. However, when oral hygiene habits are poor—including insufficient brushing or flossing and too few professional cleanings—the harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease.²

This tooth decay and gum disease create inflammation which, in turn, damages your gums’ blood vessels and allows bacteria into the bloodstream.³ By its nature, this bacteria not only evades the immune system, it manipulates it so the harmful bacteria can continue to survive.⁴ As your immune system weakens, your susceptibility to diseases like the coronavirus and other infectious illnesses increases

This harmful bacteria can also trigger other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, heart disease, pneumonia and, for expectant mothers, premature birth and underweight babies.² And, as health officials continue to warn us, the coronavirus is more likely to be contracted by those with underlying medical conditions.⁵

Why We Won’t Close Our Doors

Despite our own risk of exposure, we refuse to close our doors amid this healthcare crisis. As a frontline healthcare provider, we firmly believe it’s our responsibility to detect and eliminate those oral issues which threaten your immune system and your ability to ward off infectious diseases including the coronavirus and the flu. It’s our mission to do all we can to preserve and protect your help, in good times and bad.

Warning Signs of Oral Decay and Infection

If you are experiencing any of the following signs of bacterial decay or infection, we strongly recommend you come see Dr. _____ or one of our other dentists to address the issue:

Severe tooth pain
Swollen face, cheeks or gums
Sensitivity to hot or cold food or beverages
Sensitivity when biting down

For patients who already have a compromised immune system, eradicating oral decay and infection is even more imperative.

Of course, if you have any signs of illness, stay isolated and seek medical attention as warranted by coronavirus health guidelines.

Preventive Oral Hygiene Tips

Here are some oral hygiene tips to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus and other illness in your household:

Use Your Own Toothbrush: The coronavirus is spread through touching a surface or object which contains the virus and then touching your nose or mouth (and possibly the eyes).⁴ Never share a toothbrush with anyone who may have been exposed to the coronavirus or is ill. As a side note, rinsing the toothbrush will not decontaminate it. To be safe, never share a toothbrush for any reason, even with loved ones.⁶
Don’t store toothbrushes in closed containers: Bacterial growth can occur on toothbrushes when they are covered or stored in closed containers.⁶
Don’t share toothpaste: Sharing toothpaste tubes can spread germs. If a member of your household has been exposed to the coronavirus or other communicable disease or is presently ill, give them their own toothpaste tube to use.⁷
Eat Right: The right nutrition supports all your body’s vital functions including the immune system. Guidelines include eating fruits, whole grains, a variety of vegetables and proteins—such as seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds—and more.⁸ Dietary guidelines can be found on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services site at www.HHS.gov.
Take Vitamin C: A recent medical study indicates vitamin C helps prevent the common cold and reduces its duration. Moreover, inadequate C increases one’s risk of contracting the flu and makes flu symptoms more severe. As studies continue in vitamin C’s direct effect on the coronavirus, taking this supplement should help support your immune system.⁹

Stay Calm

Despite the alarming headlines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the risk of Americans being exposed to the coronavirus is low and that most cases are mild. On our last check, the CDC was reporting 3,487 cases of coronavirus in the U.S. amid a population of 329 million. That means just a fraction of one percent of all Americans have the virus right now and it’s likely symptoms are mild.¹⁰ Compare that to CDC estimates of at least 36 million U.S. cases of the flu over the 2019 – 2020 flu season (March 1, 2019 to March 7, 2020) with a minimum of 370,000 million flu hospitalizations.¹³

In the meantime, continue to follow CDC guidelines and if you are experiencing signs of oral decay or infection, do not ignore them. Come see us to get it rapidly addressed and eradicated as a health risk.

Best regards,

Staff at Oak Brook Smiles

1 Colgate: “Eight Common Oral Infections”

2 Mayo Clinic: “Oral health: A window to your overall health”

3 Johnson & Johnson: “4 Fascinating Things Scientists Know About the Billions of Bacteria in Your Mouth”

4 Science Daily: Smile: “Gingivitis bacteria manipulate your immune system so they can thrive in your gums”

5 Harvard Health Publishing: “Coronavirus Resource Center”

6 Science Daily: Smile: “Gingivitis bacteria manipulate your immune system so they can thrive in your gums”

7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Use & Handling of Toothbrushes”

8 University of Rochester Medical Center: “Toothbrush Tactics: Give Germs the Brush-Off”

9 U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: “Dietary Guidelines for Americans”

10 MedicineNet: “Can Vitamin C Prevent and Treat the Corona Virus?”

11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”

12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.”

13 The United States Census Bureau: “U.S. and World Population Clock”

14 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “2019-2020 U.S. Flu Season: Preliminary Burden Estimates”

Treatment and Prevention for Bad Breath

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

The number one killer of a first impression would have to be bad breath. Bad breath, or halitosis, has also been a leading cause of death. No, I’m kidding.

Having bad breath is never a good thing, especially if your a dentist. Bad breath can interfere with your social life, business life and also affect your character as well by making you self-conscious and embarrassed.

Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors including: medications, smoking, alcohol, sickness, skipping breakfast, not brushing or sleeping (morning breath). To achieve fresh breath you should:

Brush and floss more frequently to eliminate plaque buildup and leftover debris
Scrape your tongue to remove bacteria and food debris
Avoid smoking
Avoid strong smelling foods (onions and garlic)
Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce plaque buildup
Moisten your mouth to prevent dry mouth and tooth decay
Keep your gums healthy to eliminate bacteria in the pockets of teeth

If your bad breath continues after you’ve tried all odor elimination methods, schedule a visit with your doctor so they can treat and prevent the problem.

What is Receding Gums and Its Dental Treatment

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Do you ever wonder why these past few days your teeth appear a bit longer than normal? Maybe you are experiencing receding gums. When your gums starts to recede, the lower part of your teeth (roots) are exposed making your teeth appear longer. Receding gums are usually a sign of gum disease. This condition happens gradually and is accompanied with tooth sensitivity. Your gums recede because of the following factors: gum diseases, poor oral care, vigorous tooth brushing, teeth grinding, smoking, diseases like diabetes, heredity, and hormonal fluctuations in women.

When you suspect for gum recession, it is best that you consult with your dentist or better yet with your periodontist. He/she has the right training in dealing with gum issues. If recession is left untreated, the supporting soft tissues and bone structures around the teeth can be harmed and may lead to tooth loss. Mild receding gums could be treated with tooth scaling and root planing. However, in severe cases, soft tissue grafting or bone grafting procedure is done.

Soft tissue grafting is needed to treat receding gums. Its main goal is to cover the exposed lower part of the teeth or thicken the gum tissues in order to stop the existing gum recession. Your dentist will identify what type of soft tissue grafting procedure is best for you. The three types of grafting are:

Free gingival graft – This procedure is done to thicken existing gum tissue. The graft is taken from the roof of the mouth (palate) and is sutured to the site where the tissue grafting is needed.
Connective tissue graft – This procedure is done to cover larger areas of root exposure. Subepithelial tissues are removed from your palate and are sewn to the grafting site.
Pedicle graft – The graft is taken from the soft tissues between the affected site and the adjacent gum. A pedicle (flap of the tissue) is partially cut away and moved to cover the exposed root and stitched into place.

Patients who have undergone soft tissue grafting experience increased comfort because the exposed root which causes tooth sensitivity is already covered after the procedure. Their smile has improved and their teeth appeared more symmetrical. And lastly, they have healthier gums.

Bone grafting is performed to recreate the bone loss from untreated gum diseases. The procedure uses fragments of bone to replace the bone destroyed by gum diseases. These bones are harvested from the patient, himself, from a cadaver or from the bone of a cow. Bone grafting is done to stabilize and recreate the jaw foundation for restorative surgery. It is also done to inhibit and prevent bone recession due to dental extraction, gum diseases and other invasive dental procedures.

It is very important that you take care of your gums to prevent gum recession. Have your dental check-up at least twice a year in order to detect early signs of receding gums. Prompt treatment should be done to prevent further soft tissue recession which may lead to bone loss.

Guiding Children with Low Self-Esteem

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Self-esteem is essential in maximizing children’s potential in academic achievement, social success, and personal happiness. We all want to protect our children, keep them from harm’s way and guard them from danger. Basically it is the child’s own inner beliefs and self-esteem that is the only thing that can act like an armor and create a shield to protect them from the challenges the world has to throw at them. For a child to reach their full potential, self-esteem is the most crucial tool.

It is encouraged that children use their attributes from within to enable them to live with independence and self-worth. They can try to visualize what they want to be in future and how to achieve it. Focusing on desirable outcomes will give positive connections to their inner purpose.

For those who are saddened with a low self-esteem, it may mean that your child hasn’t fully discovered that he/she has a special value all her own. To motivate them, parents are encouraged to show we all have that special value, which we can use to help us live the lives we really want and to be happy.

As a parent, show your children that you have confidence in their abilities and that they’ll also discover if they really try. The improvement of personal motivation, their positivity for their own capabilities, their respect for their own special values and the optimisms for their own self-worth are truly important for their growth.

There are children with low self-esteem who are afraid to try new things and may frequently speak negatively about themselves. They may become over critical, lack confidence and miss out on the fun and learning that other children benefit from. Experts say that the use of a child’s imagination helps children to develop their unique personality, beliefs, and strengths. Children should be encouraged into doing activities that can help them work through their problems and explore their feelings.

Early childhood is crucial for developments; emotionally, physically and intellectually. Learning new skills and gaining belief in their potentials are great ways to improve self-esteem in children. By interacting with other kids at sports clubs, reading a book or joining a book club, they would learn how to praise themselves and use their imaginations to motivate all welcomed possibilities.

To overcome self esteem issues and lack of confidence we need to Identify and redirect the child’s inaccurate beliefs. Self-esteem is all about the way you judge yourself. Always encourage your children to value themselves and to use their potential, to live personally successful lives and contribute to the success of others.

Along with promoting children’s individual self-discovery and self-esteem, teach your children the importance of discovering others self-worth and becoming respectfully aware of others. To not only understand their own specialties but to seek and understand the positives and strengths in everyone.

What is Ozone Dentistry and Its Benefits to your Teeth

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Today’s modern dental office is more like a spa than like the cold, imposing dental offices you may have visited when you were younger. Top dentists today understand how common dental anxiety is and try to go out of their way to help them feel calm and to provide services like sedation and nitrous oxide for patients who fear dental treatments. A new option is the use of ozone in some dental procedures. One of the best things about ozone dentistry is that in some cases it can prevent the use of the dental drill to address problems.

What is Ozone?

Ozone is sometimes referred to as “trioxygen.” It consists of three oxygen atoms and is less stable than ordinary oxygen, which normally consists of two oxygen atoms. Ozone breaks down into normal oxygen within about a half an hour. It is formed from regular oxygen by the use of ultraviolet light and electrical discharge. Ozone is present in very low concentrations in the earth’s atmosphere, but dentists who practice ozone dentistry have machines that create ozone on demand. Ozone is known as an “oxidizer” and is used in numerous industries for cleaning and sterilizing procedures.

Ozone Properties and Modern Dentistry

Because ozone is a powerful oxidizer, it can be used to oxidize things like the bacteria that cause dental cavities. Ozone also destroys the acids that are produced by the bacteria that wear away tooth enamel. When ozone is used to treat a cavity, the patient’s own saliva is able to enter areas where mineral loss is present and work to harden these areas. When slightly damaged areas of a tooth are re-hardened this way, the tooth becomes more resistant to future decay.

Painless Dental Treatments

Ozone dentistry practices can do without the use of a drill when cavities are caught in their earliest stages. This means no injection of Novocain. When tooth decay is more extensive, ozone can be used to sterilize areas of decay with minimal use of a drill or air abrasion of the affected area. The dental practices that use ozone use FDA-approved machines to create ozone and ozonated water. The ozonated water can be used as a mouth rinse for optimal sterilization. Ozone dentistry for the treatment of cavities is very quick, too. The treatment itself only takes about a minute, which is far less than the time spent in the chair for getting a cavity filled.

Ozone and Modern Dentistry

Ozone dentistry is the future of the dental office. It is quick, painless, and produces superior results and in usually does not involve the use of a drill. People who fear visiting the dentist find this process to be nearly stress-free. Standard dental cleanings and at-home dental care are still as important as always, but the use of ozone in dentistry has added yet another tool that dentists can use to deal with dental problems effectively.

Managing Multiple Teeth Loss

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Tooth loss can cause negative effects to the total well being of an individual. It affects the person’s ability to eat, speak and even smile or laugh. People with multiple teeth loss often judges by others to be unhealthy, unhygienic and are not able to take care of themselves. This kind of negativity can influence the person’s self confidence and his/her ability to land a good job.

Losing multiple teeth can be attributed to different factors such as trauma, dental diseases, and bad dental habits such as bruxism or teeth grinding. A tooth or multiple teeth can be knocked out from accidents such as falling where your face hits the ground, colliding to a person or objects in sports, or in vehicular accidents; and trauma, where someone hits you on the face. The most common cause of tooth loss among adults and children is dental diseases. Dental disease if left untreated, will not only cause decay to the tooth’s structures but it will also damage the tooth’s surrounding tissues (gums) and supporting structures (jaw bone) which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Lastly, bad dental habits such as teeth grinding when angry and stressed may wear out and fracture a tooth in a way that it cannot be saved and must be extracted.

With the advancement in dental technology, there are many options in replacing missing teeth. Among these options, using dental implants prove to be more advantageous. They are more stable and resistant to decay. Since they function as a dental root, they help prevent bone loss which is caused by a missing tooth. After an implant is placed, a dental crown is used to cover and protect it.

In dealing with multiple teeth loss, usually a dentist would advise his/her patient to replace the teeth with the use of a fixed dental bridge. A traditional fixed dental bridge would make use of the remaining healthy adjacent teeth to serve as abutments. These teeth undergo grinding to fit the crowns present in the bridge. However, if you choose to have dental implants, you can save these remaining teeth from being manipulated. The implants will serve as the abutments in lieu of the adjacent teeth. Adjacent teeth used as abutments in a dental bridge are often at risk for tooth decay. Since dental implants are usually made from titanium alloy, the risk for decay under the bridge is not possible.

If you consider dental implants as the method of choice in managing multiple teeth loss, ask your Oakbrook dentist about it. He/she will offer you Oakbrook dental implants that will best serve your needs and budget.

Oak Brook Malocclusions Treatment

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Handling Oak Brook Malocclusions

When you talk about malocclusions, you are referring to the improper arrangement of the teeth in the jaw. The teeth are supposed to develop in harmony with each other, forming the appropriate curves and lines that results into your having an attractive smile. Most of the time, the teeth erupt on their correct location forming into an even set of teeth that one can truly enjoy. In some situations a malocclusion issue will be present and Oak Brook malocclusion specialists – such as an Orthodontist – is sought after to provide perfect solutions.

Oak Brook Malocclusions Treatment

When a patient is dealing with some malocclusion problems, he can come to a dentist for the appropriate treatment.

Ideally, orthodontic issues may be resolved by removable appliances. Usually indicated for younger patients (children and teenagers) going through their growth phase, the removable appliance is worn so that Oak Brook malocclusions may be resolved without the need for lengthy, expensive and more complicated teeth braces and Invisalign.
Teeth braces are the most traditional treatment of choice when the patient is dealing with misalignments and maloclussions. Braces treatments make use of brackets that are attached to the teeth, so that the wires and rubbers may be used to move the teeth.
Invisalign is a more advanced orthodontic option that may be utilized for Oak Brook malocclusion treatments. Using clear or invisible trays, the teeth may be moved without needing to use braces and other appliances.
When the malocclusions also present jaw joint issues, splint therapy is usually indicated. A splint may be worn by the patient to reposition his jaws and alter his bite. Once the realignment is achieved, the next phase of treatment (orthodontics or prosthodontics) may proceed.

Apart from the impressive work they do on Oak Brook malocclusions, dentists also employ various bone grafting techniques when the necessity indicates so. Oak Brook bone grafting procedures are sometimes indicated as a prerequisite orthodontic treatments. The success of orthodontic treatments rely on the ability of the teeth to be moved around the jaw. When the bone is of poor quality, you will not be able to subject teeth to strong orthodontic forces. To allow for such to be performed, an Oak Brook bone grafting procedure may be indicated before an Oak Brook malocclusion can be addressed.

Bone grafting material will be installed into the jaw, to alter the condition of the bone and when it has properly healed, the braces may be installed and the treatment may move on.

Restorative Dentistry and Its Common Procedures

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

If one of the dentists at Oak Brook Smile has told you that you need a restorative dentistry procedure, you may not be entirely clear on what that means. If so, you’re not alone. “What is restorative dentistry?” is a common question that we hear from patients. According to the American Dental Association, restorative dentistry is the process of restoring the teeth, gums, and jaw to a healthy state in order to preserve long-term oral health. You may require one or more procedures if you meet the following criteria:

You experience pain when biting and chewing food
You desire to improve the appearance of your smile by filling in small gaps between your teeth
Treatment is necessary to preserve damaged or decayed teeth and to improve their function and appearance
One of our dentists recommends replacing a previous dental treatment that has failed
You have an improper bite or misaligned teeth
You are missing one, several, or all of your teeth
One of more of your teeth contain cavities

Common Restorative Dentistry Procedures

Before recommending one type of restorative dentistry over another, your dentist at Oak Brook Smile examines your entire mouth in addition to taking x-rays and dental impressions if necessary. He or she may recommend one of these procedures after reviewing all of your information:

Crowns and Bridges: A dental crown goes on top of a back tooth to preserve the function and prevent bacteria from further eroding it. It is more helpful than a filling for teeth that are already badly decayed. Bridges adhere to anchoring teeth in order to hold a single tooth or a few consecutive teeth in place.

Fillings: If you have a cavity, your dentist removes the diseased portion of your tooth and replaces it with a filling to protect the tooth against further decay. You have the option of selecting ceramic, composite resin, gold or silver amalgam, or porcelain fillings.

Implants: Dental implants are a permanent, non-removable solution for tooth loss. Before you receive them, our dentist implants several tiny titanium screws into your jawbone to hold your new teeth in place.

Root Canal: When you have an infected or abscessed tooth, it’s necessary to remove the diseased tissue and clean the tooth from the inside. You also receive a dental cap to prevent further infection.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease: Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, occurs when plaque builds up over time and hardens. This eventually causes bleeding, swollen gums, and pain. We treat this condition as well as teach you how to prevent it.

Now that you understand restorative dentistry, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation to explore your options further.

Fluoride Treatment: To Prevent Tooth Decay

Wed, 22 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Why do we need professional fluoride treatments when we have fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash at home? Professional fluoride treatments are recommended in order to prevent tooth decay and make teeth more resilient to plaque, sugar and other bacteria in your mouth.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps restore and build a tooth enamel layer. Fluoride is not only in your tooth paste or mouthwash, it’s also found in a variety of different foods and in water, which contributes to the restoration of tooth enamel. Fluoride is also used in order to reverse decay.

Fluoride treatments are important because it helps prevent dental issues and strengthen developing teeth. Dental problems that fluoride treatments prevent are:

Dry mouth (Xerostomia): Lack of saliva caused by medications and certain medical treatments.
Gum disease: Gingivitis or periodontitis, exposes the tooth and the roots of your teeth to bacteria.
Cavities: Tooth decay that leads tooth rotting.

Fluoride treatments help restore, strengthen, and build tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. This particular treatment plays an important role in the caring for your teeth because it cleans, strengthens, and restores your current teeth. Additional home fluoride treatments (brushing and rinsing) are also very useful and effective when it comes down to the life of your teeth.

Always remember, additional home fluoride treatments are very useful when it comes down to the life of your teeth.

Important Factors to Consider that Occur in Gum Disease

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Let’s face it, we all are put in situations where we can’t understand how or why something is happening. For example, you’ve been taking proper care of your teeth, but yet just can’t realize why your gums are continually bleeding after each time you brush. Or why you have lingering bad breath and you’ve just brushed your teeth and tongue. Chances are you have gum disease.

Gum disease is a painless condition that your gums and surrounding tissues of your teeth go through once the gums have been irritated, infected by bacteria from plaque left on the teeth and left untreated. The number one question now is “If gum disease is painless, how would I know if I have it?”

Although gum disease is painless, there are a few factors to consider that occur in the stages of gum disease. Here are:

Bleeding gums during and after brushing your teeth: If you experience any bleeding of the gums while brushing your teeth it may be because of the your brushing style or the actual brush your using. It is recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and go in gentle, circular motions to brush your teeth.
Swollen gums: Swollen gums can happen for many different reasons including incorrect brushing and flossing. A much more serious cause is gum disease. If your gums become painlessly inflamed it is safe to say it’s a symptom of gum disease. You should see your dentist immediately if this symptom occurs because it can be treated and prevented for later occurrences.
Lingering bad breath: Halitosis, or bad breath, is another symptom of gum disease. Bad breath can form from a variety of reasons ranging from the foods that you eat, to the medicines you take. If your bad breath remains persistent you should see a dentist immediately.
Receding gums: When your gums recede they form gaps between your teeth and your gums, which makes it easier for bacteria to build up and damage your gums. If you notice this problem with your gums you should see your dentist immediately so that your gums can be treated to prevent other damage and your gum tissue will continue to be health.

If you notice any of these symptoms it is recommended that you make a visit to your dentist and get examined to make sure that you aren’t developing any dental illnesses and so that you can be treated for any present dental issues.

Get A Charge Out Of Inexpensive Dental Treatments

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 04:00:00 GMT

It is essential that you to take good care of your teeth. If you value the function of your pearly whites, you have to make sure to take good care of it. Your personal efforts at home should make amazing contributions to the maintenance of your oral health but it is not going to be enough.

The health and beauty of your teeth is best safe guarded with the help of your trusted dentist. The combined effort of the patient and the dentist should guarantee health and function. Making sure to visit the dentist regularly is going to be very helpful, unfortunately inexpensive dental procedures are not always easy to find so you have to be a little watchful.

The importance of finding a dentist that can offer inexpensive dental treatments is going to be important. So that you can properly preserve the health and beauty of your smile, you should make it a habit to visit the dentist on a regular basis for preventive and therapeutic means.

Dental procedures are not exactly cheap but know that there are ways for you to receive inexpensive dental treatments, here are some solution:

Dental Insurance: Health Insurances are the best way that one is able to receive affordable dental procedures. It does not matter if the dental insurance was obtained through employment or through personal means, what matters is there is appropriate coverage that will shoulder the expenses of the procedure you require. Some dental insurances are generous enough to give full coverage on all minor and major dental procedures, even cosmetic and dental implants; some may only handle a part of the fee, so that means that the patient will have to pay for a portion of the fee.
Dental Financing: Another amazing payment method is afforded by dental financing. This is a payment scheme that is offered at some dental offices to may treatment fees so much more bearable to the patient to cover. Instead of paying a large sum of money, the total amount is cut into smaller instalment fees so that it does not have to be so burdensome, but you get to receive the treatment procedure you need.
Credit Card: Credit cards are also very helpful for health expenses especially if you have the credit card that is designed for use in medical purposes. Credit cards can be arranged so that your payments are deferred. This allows you to afford usually expensive dental procedures and receive the treatment that you need to receive.
Dental Coupons: Although this may not be as readily available as you would hope for them to be, there are dental coupons at different discount sites that you can use. It is quite rare but if you are lucky, you can enjoy as much as 90% discount on all kinds of dental procedures.
Payday Discount: This is another rare example of discount offer that you can avail of at a dental office. This is a discount offer that bases rates of treatment on a person’s salary and capacity to pay. This means that when there is a necessity, the dental expert will tend to be more lenient in terms of payments.

It may seem difficult but it is not impossible. Inexpensive dental treatments are available to you, you just need to know where to find them.

Dental Implants Process

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Dental implants fill the gaps caused by teeth loss due to severe tooth decay, periodontal disorders or dental trauma. They are made from biocompatible materials – usually from titanium alloy, which is embedded to the jaw bone through a surgical procedure. These implants serve as teeth roots and anchorage to dental restorations and dental prosthesis. Besides restoring the natural appearance of your teeth, dental implants allow the patient to chew and speak normally and they also prevent your remaining teeth from shifting which can lead to bite misalignment.

How do dental implants work?

On your first dental visit, a local anesthesia is injected on the site where the implant is to be placed. An incision to the jaw bone is made where the implant should be embedded. After creating the access site, the implant is planted on the jaw bone, followed by a healing cover. The incised gums may be sutured depending on your oral maxillofacial surgeon.

The healing process usually takes 3 – 6 months or until the implant is completely attached to the jawbone. The process of the implant fusing with the tissues of your jaw bone is called osseointegration. When the implant has completely healed, you should return to your surgeon.

On your second dental visit, a post or an abutment is inserted to extend the implant above the gum line. The post serves as a point of attachment for restorations such as dental crowns and bridges, and dental prosthesis such as fixed dental dentures. During this visit, an impression is made for the laboratory fabrication of a restoration.

On your final visit, the restoration or prosthesis is attached to the implant post following the procedure in securing them in place.

For additional questions regarding how dental implant works, you may ask your dentist or your oral maxillofacial surgeon.

What is Comfort Dentistry?

Sat, 24 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of visiting the dentist.

Many people fear dental treatments, dental clinics, dentists or dental needles which may have be due from past experiences or from stories shared by others. Because of this fear of the dentist, there are now many dental office challenged to find ways to better address such issues. And now because of modern dentistry, advanced comfort dentistry techniques are being offered with every treatment procedure.

It has really become a challenge for Oak Brook dentists to make dental appointments more comfortable to patients. The success of a treatment procedure is the triumph of both the patient and the dentist.

Relaxing Music

To provide a comfortable experience, dental clinics will play relaxing music during a patient’s dental appointment. This type of music will help calm the patient’s nerves and lower stress. Some dental offices also take pains to create a more “zen” environment in an effort to make patients feel like they are in a different place instead of in a dental office having their teeth examined.

Movies

Dental clinics also plays age and gender appropriate movies during a procedure so that the patients – young or old – will get distracted with what they see on screen. And when a good movie is playing, the patient will tend to focus on the movie rather than on the dentist. Family or comedy movies are usually preferred.

Sedation

A more common approach to practicing comfort dentistry is to offer sedative techniques to the different treatment procedures. Nitrous oxide is commonly used by most dental office, but there are other sedation techniques administered orally or intravenously, to make the patient more relaxed.

What is a LASER Treatment in Dentistry?

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 04:00:00 GMT

What is a LASER Treatment in Dentistry?

LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) treatment uses a very special kind of light in treating different diseases of the body. In dentistry, LASER treatment is used to manage disorders of the soft tissues in the mouth. LASER is used in conjunction with soft tissue surgeries of the oral cavity like gum reshaping, gingivectomy, periodontal sulcular debridement and frenectomy. It is also used in treating periodontal diseases by being an adjunct treatment to scaling and root planing. The LASER is used to disinfect gum pockets and also help in sealing the pockets after treatment.

The benefits of LASER dentistry in soft tissue surgeries of the oral cavity include:

It minimizes bleeding and damage to the soft tissues.
It promotes faster healing of the wound.
It is less painful and scarring is minimal as compared to the traditional soft tissue surgery of the oral cavity.
It promotes shorter surgery time thus making it possible for the surgery case to be performed as an outpatient case.
LASER treatment is also used in teeth whitening. It is used in speeding up the whitening procedure after the application of a whitening gel in your teeth during in-office whitening treatments.

LASER treatment is also helpful in root canal therapy. It is used in removing decayed dental pulp and other unwanted organic debris and then it disinfects the root canal.

The most important use of LASER treatment in dentistry is the lesion removal or biopsy of a suspected cancerous growth in the oral cavity. LASER can aid in the removal of a cancerous tissue for examination and confirmation of its malignancy.

Valuable Information for Dentures to Last

Wed, 26 Sep 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Valuable Information for Dentures to Last

The following are some denture care tips that you will find useful:

1. Wash it everyday

Equally same as your natural teeth, your artificial teeth will have to be cleaned too. You are rolling to place the dentures in your mouth, so it is essential to be wash. Also, it is coming into contact with food, saliva and bacteria; so plaque can easily build-up on your dentures even if it is “fake” teeth. Clean it daily, just as you brush your teeth. Soak it in a denture bath with a denture cleaner tablet; and remove any stink from the dentures by submerging it for a time in a mixture of vinegar and luke warm water.

2. Maintain its polish and shine

You have to understand that your dentures are not real teeth and they are either made of plastic or porcelain. The components of the denture base are often made of metal, plastic or a combination of both, and they abrade easily when you use your toothbrush or any rough sponge to clean it. To maintain its polish and shine, simply clean it with soapy water, making sure to remove all the soap before you put it back in your mouth.

3. Do not try to repair your own dentures

If any components break off from the dentures or if you dentures unfortunately incurred some fracture or damage, do not try to repair your own dentures, and especially not with any household or hardware tools and materials. Take your dentures to your dentist because he has the equipment to carryout any repairs, effectively and properly.

4. Wear it daily

As simple as you see it, if you want to take good care of the dentures, you will need to wear then everyday because it will be ill-fitting (loose or tight) otherwise and you may not be able to wear it anymore.

5. Store it properly

If you are going to take it out of your mouth, you have to make sure to store it properly. The dentist usually gives his patients a denture case so that he can keep the dentures, in them. Some people are careless enough to just put the dentures in a tissue and they end up in the trash when they are mistaken for one. By having a denture case ready for use, you get to protect your prosthesis and prolong its life.

6. Use it properly

By knowing how to use it properly it means that you do not subject your removable dentures to heavy forces that it cannot endure. Your dentures are man-made and they can break. Just as you took care of your natural teeth, you have to take good care of your denture as well, by using them properly.

Caring for your dentures is not easy, but with the help of your dentist, you can really prolong its life and maximize its function.

Inlay and Onlay Procedure to Revitalize the Health of Your Teeth

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Inlay and Onlay Procedure to Revitalize the Health of Your Teeth

Having healthy set of teeth is important not only for keeping your body healthy but also for improving your self-confidence as well. Any damage to the teeth may have a negative effect to the totality of your well-being. Damages to the teeth and its surrounding structures are caused by cavities. Cavities are attributed to poor dental hygiene, unhealthy lifestyle and wrong food choices.

There are many ways to restore the health of your teeth when damaged. Your dentist will determine the choice of restorative dental option based on the extent of tooth damaged, the location and the health of the damaged tooth, and the cost of treatment the patient is willing to pay. One of the many restorative dental options available in the market is the Inlay/Onlay procedure.

What are Inlays and Onlays?

Inlays and onlays are used to fill cavities that are too large for a standard dental filling to fill but not too large or too damaged to deserve a dental crown. They are custom-fit fillings manufactured in a dental laboratory and are permanently cemented in place with a dental adhesive. A dental inlay is used to fill spaces between cusps or bumps in the chewing surface of a tooth. On the other hand, a dental onlay functions like an inlay but covers an extensive area of damage (one or more cusps) or the entire chewing surface of a tooth.

Inlays and onlays are made from different materials. Your dentist will determine the type of materials that will best suit your needs; however for you to be informed, these are some of the materials which an inlay and onlay is made of:

Gold – It is the preferred choice of metal. An inlay and onlay made from gold is the most durable among other materials.

Porcelain – It is the preferred inlay and onlay material because of its ability to mimic the appearance of a natural tooth. It is also quite resistant to stains.

Composite – A mixture of plastic and glass particles, it is also a preferred material because it can imitate the tooth’s natural façade.

An inlay or onlay procedure is usually completed in two dental visits. On your first visit, your damaged tooth is cleaned and prepared, and an impression of the tooth is made and sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate an inlay or onlay. A temporary filling is placed on the space to protect the tooth from further damage. On your second visit, the temporary filling is removed and the custom-fit inlay or onlay is permanently cemented in place.

Remember to not chew on the side where the inlay or onlay has just been cemented for at least 24 hours following the procedure. Report to your dentist any case of loose inlay or onlay to prevent future complications. You may ask your dentist any questions regarding an inlay and onlay procedure.

Tips on How to Avoid Severe Dental Health Problems

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Tips on How to Avoid Severe Dental Health Problems

When it comes to our teeth, people all through the world are having a serious ordeal on dental health problems due to unclean mouths and poor dental care. As the case maybe the most common disease is dental caries or cavities. There are a number of different factors involved with these diseases, such as poor nutrition and diets with too much sugar.

Bacteria feed primarily on sugar. By practicing good nutritional habits and eating a diet of foods with less sugar, you can help keep your mouth and teeth clean of plaque and bacteria. You should especially avoid sugar in sticky forms, as these are more prone to leave plaque on your teeth. There has been a number of researches conducted proving that people who snack on sugary foods between meals are more prone to getting cavities. For this reason, give your children healthy snacks during the day. Never dip your baby’s pacifier in honey or syrup.

Instead of eating lots of sweet and sugary foods, fill your diet with refined foods and starches, vitamins and minerals, and lots of water. Water acts as a natural cleanser for both your mouth and your overall body. Your gums and teeth have a lot to do with your nutritional health, and your teeth will form better if you practice good dental hygiene.

Eating harder foods will also stimulate your gums and promote a healthy mouth. Poor dental health can lead to poor health in general for our bodies. The bacteria that cover our teeth eventually gets swallowed up with whatever we eat or drink, leading to our digestive and reproductive systems. Our mouths consist of teeth, gums, oral mucosa and the tongue. All of these parts need to be thoroughly cleaned multiple times a day to stay fresh and clear of bacteria.

What is Special about Dental Implant?

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 04:00:00 GMT

What is Special about Dental Implant?

If you’re missing one or more of your natural teeth, you have probably been considering several options for restoration. One solution patients often overlook or are unaware of is the use of mini dental implants. This restorative dental treatment gives you the replacement teeth you need without the long wait associated with traditional dental implants. That means you can enjoy full functioning of your teeth and mouth as well as a beautiful smile that much sooner.

Why Patients Choose Dental Implants

Patients missing one or more teeth have many options for teeth replacement. However, dental implants continue to remain the preferred solution for missing teeth problems.

Dental implants are made of titanium metal posts that are fabricated to act as natural tooth root replacements. Patients who choose dental implants can enjoy the benefits for many years to come!

A practice conveniently located in Oak Brook, Illinois serving the west suburbs, IL area are welcome to visit the practice of Dr. Umar Haque to discuss the advantages of dental implants and if implants are the best option for them.

Best option for replacing a lost tooth
Protect other teeth and bone (compared to a bridge)
No cavities on implants!
Regardless of the problem related to the tooth loss, dental implant treatment can provide a simple solution with proven results.

Dental implants are an artificial tooth root finished of biocompatible materials, which are rooted into the jawbone using a painless and simple procedure.

Dental implants are procedure that is made to outfit your particular oral situation. They are designed to replicate and feel completely natural, while being fully functional and preventing further tooth decay or trauma to the mouth.

Is Dental Veneers a Treatment for your Teeth?

Wed, 16 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Is Dental Veneers a Treatment for your Teeth?

Many people who are familiar with what dental veneers do are not quite sure what they are called. At the dental clinic of Dr. Umar Haque, a common question is, “Is dental veneers a treatment for your teeth?” This is a termed porcelain or teeth veneers, dental veneers which are a favored cosmetic dentistry option for disguising minor issues that affect the appearance of a person’s smile. The paper-thin veneer fits over the affected tooth. This procedure might be right for you if:

You have not had good results with professional or over-the-counter teeth whitening kits.

A large gap is present between two of your teeth that makes you feel reluctant to smile.

One or more teeth are cracked, chipped, misaligned, or misshapen.

Getting dental veneers is a simple, non-invasive procedure that can have a dramatic effect on your appearance.

How it Works

If you’re interested in dental veneers, the first step is to have Dr. Umar Haque complete an oral examination. He needs to make sure that the affected tooth is durable enough to hold the veneer after placement. The next step is for him to remove a tiny amount of enamel from the tooth to make room for the veneer. This ensures that the tooth with the veneer attached does not stick out past the other teeth. You then come back for a final fitting of your dental veneer. We match the shade to that of the nearby teeth so the treated tooth looks completely natural.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

With proper attention to oral hygiene, your new veneer can last up to a decade before you need to consider replacement. It’s also highly resistant to staining, even if you smoke, drink a lot of coffee or cola, or regularly eat dark-colored foods. However, you should avoid these practices so the nearby teeth don’t look yellow in comparison.

We are happy to answer additional questions you have about dental veneers or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure. Please call our office with your inquiries or to request a consultation.

Teeth Whitening That Indulge Your Smile

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Teeth Whitening That Indulge Your Smile

Having stained or yellowish teeth are unappealing to the sight of just anyone. These could make you look older, unhygienic, and irresponsible. Stained or yellowish teeth are caused by regular intake of colored foods and drinks, smoking or just simply aging. As you age, the enamel of your teeth starts to wear down and this process can cause yellowish hue to your teeth.

Luckily there are many ways to correct this problem. You can whiten teeth naturally or you can whiten them with the use of a bleaching agent, preferably, hydrogen peroxide. Teeth whitening with the use of hydrogen peroxide can be done at home or in dental clinics with the help of a professional.

At home, dental whitening treatments make use of toothpaste, dental strips or mouthwashes that contain hydrogen peroxide as its main bleaching agent. You can also use dental whitening trays at home as long as your dentist was able to explain thoroughly how to properly use them. At home whitening treatments are usually inexpensive however, the results they provide are not instantaneous and can only produce one shade lighter teeth.

In-office teeth whitening or those whitening treatments done with professional assistance are a bit expensive because they provide immediate results and can improve the color of your teeth to a few more shades lighter than its natural color. In-office teeth whitening uses a bleaching gel applied to the teeth and then exposed to a blue light for a few cycles to achieve the whitening effect that you wanted.

You can call or visit your dentist to discuss which teeth whitening that works for you best.

The Importance of Pediatric Dentistry

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 05:00:00 GMT

The Importance of Pediatric Dentistry

A pediatric dentist, like a paediatrician, is a dentist who is in charge of dealing with the diagnosis, prevention and management of various dental health conditions on a child patient. While pediatric dentistry is not exactly a specialized skill, there are dental practitioners who will make a decision to go into further education and training to be able to specialize their skill and talents. Dealing with children is not exactly far from dealing with any normal adult patient, but given their age there are anatomical, physiological, mental, social and emotional issues that differentiate a pediatric patient from a normal adult patient, thus signifying the necessity for such. This then brings you to the value of Pediatric Dentistry.

When you make a decision to take your child to a dentist, you have a choice to take your child to a general practitioner or a pediatric dentist. This is a critical decision because it determines a lot of things. When you make a decision to take your child to a dentist, you are privileged to take your child to a general practitioner who is skilled to deal with child patients, but you can also make a decision to take your child to a pediatric dentist who is an expert, someone who has taken extra years of schooling in order to obtain proper knowledge of tackling problems that are special to the needs of a child’s. The dental needs of a child may not be different, but given that their teeth are not exactly similar to that of an adults, their address is not similar.

In terms of anatomy, the teeth of a pediatric patient involves the deciduous teeth (baby teeth) which are only twenty, compared to the thirty-two of the permanent dentition and at a certain phase in an individual’s life, the baby teeth and the permanent teeth, maybe present together in what is referred to the “mixed dentition phase”. Another very important thing to note about dental anatomy is the fact that deciduous teeth have larger pulp canals and exfoliating roots. During the mixed dentition phase, the necessity of dealing with these two sets of teeth becomes a challenge. At one hand, you have a delicate patient whom you cannot wrong and in the other, you have a patient who has simplistic needs but his age pose a difficulty.

Why should every patient value the need to seek a pediatric dentist and why is there a necessity to put importance on a specialty on pediatric dentistry when a general practitioner can very well treat the same conditions?

– The dental treatment is going to be highly specialized. The dentist has received extra training to be an expert in the handling of children and their dental issues. He has undergone extra years to obtain extra knowledge, and this gives him the special skill to meet the needs of patients.

– The dental practice is going to be specialized. Not only is the dental practitioner specialized, but the practice will be devoted to the management of child patients. The equipment and tools will be dedicated to address such issues and the practice will appear to be a place that patients will be more comfortable in.

– The staff will be dedicated to the treatment of children. When a parent makes a decision to take his child to a pediatric dentistry practice, he is taking him to a place where every member of the team is a true expert. From the dental secretary, to the assistant, to the dental hygienist and the technician — the entire dental team that is being supervised by the pediatric dentist has devoted their careers to meeting the needs of child patients.

5 Steps to Improve Oral Hygiene

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 05:00:00 GMT

5 Steps to Improve Oral Hygiene

Did you know that oral hygiene is one of the most important aspects of your health? Keeping your oral hygiene involves more than just the standard brushing.

To keep your teeth healthy and looking radiant it is important to follow these 5 steps:

Be aware of your dental needs

To be aware of your dental needs attending the dentist regularly is a must. You should talk with your dentist about any special dental conditions you may have. If you have any of these special conditions, your dentist may recommend additional treatment. IF you develop any new dental problems, be sure to tell your dentist about them so that he or she can pay close attention to them and treat them as soon as possible.

Create a daily oral health routine

Creating a daily oral health routine will provide you with guidelines to follow from day-to-day. Your daily oral routine should consist of any recommended treatments given by your dentist to be done at home and your regular brushing, flossing and rinsing.

Use ADA approved fluoride products

The use of fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevents tooth decay. Both adults and children benefit from fluoride containing products because it helps strengthen developing teeth and prevents current teeth from being damaged.

Brush, floss and rinse daily

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day helps remove plaque from the surface and from in between teeth. If plaque is not removed it can buildup and lead to tooth decay or gum disease. Once brushing and flossing is complete rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouth rinse can reduce the amount of plaque buildup and prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Eat a well-balanced diet

Eating a well-balanced diet not only helps your body but your teeth as well. Most foods contain acids that stain the teeth. Reducing the amount of foods that contain sugar can help keep your teeth white, strong, healthy and cavity free.

Caring a Healthy Gums and Teeth

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Tooth brushing and flossing are important dental habits to keep your teeth clean and healthy, however they are not enough. Dental problems, such as tartar (hardened plaque) build-up cannot be removed with a mere use of a tooth brush and a dental floss. Tartar build-up usually develops in areas where brushing and flossing cannot reach. This needs to be professionally cleaned by a dentist or a dental hygienist.

Tartar is diagnosed through dental exam performed by your dentist. It is recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice year for dental check-ups. During a dental exam, an oral examination is performed using a dental mirror to check the physical appearance of the teeth. Tartar accumulation may be seen through this examination, however in other cases, a dental x-ray may be taken to further assess the extent of plaque and tartar build-up present in the gum line, like in periodontal diseases.

During the dental exam, your dentist may prescribe teeth cleaning if he/she has detected the presence of plaque and tartar build-up. Tartar can only be removed through professional teeth cleaning. Professional teeth cleaning is called by many names such as “scale and polish” and “prophy”, short for prophylaxis. The procedure’s main goal is to keep the surface of the teeth clean and prevent bacteria from forming plaque and tartar, thus keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Teeth cleaning is done through the use of different dental instruments to mildly remove the plaque and tartar build-up. First, an ultrasonic instrument is used to loosen and remove large tartar build-up. Once the tartar is loose, scalers and curettes are used to remove finer tartar deposits. After which, polishing is performed to further smoothen and clean the teeth surface. Flossing is also done to remove remaining plaque in-between teeth. Lastly, the dentist may apply fluoride to strengthen the teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Teeth cleaning helps prevent gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis by scaling both supragingival and subgingival areas throughout the teeth. It is important that you undergo teeth cleaning regularly to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Contact your trusted dentist or dental hygienist and have you scheduled for a teeth cleaning to prevent future dental problems.

How To Know If You Have Periodontal Disease

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 05:00:00 GMT

How To Know If You Have Periodontal Disease

The oral cavity is composed of the teeth, the jaw bone, the soft tissue (the gums, lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth) and the periodontal fibers — and health can only be declared when all of these structures are found at perfect health. The teeth, although the main structure of the mouth, is not the only structure you have to concern yourself with because the soft tissues are even weaker than the teeth and therefore more susceptible to disease.

Gum disease develops from a successful bacterial attack. Some attacks from the bacteria can lead to tooth decay when disease is allowed to penetrate into the teeth to infect it heavily. Once the bacteria spreads to the teeth, the tissues degrade and deteriorate infecting deeper into the teeth and mouth. Some attacks from the bacteria may proceed to cause gum disease. Gum infection may initially occur as gingivitis, but it can progress into a more serious condition that is referred to as periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is an unfortunate gum condition that may lead to tooth loss and if you value your teeth and your smile, you will make an effort to combat periodontal disease. One’s best chance against disease is to prevent it; but since this cannot be guaranteed, early treatment is your next ticket out.

The following are some of the significant signs of periodontal disease that you ought to look out for; keep your eyes open and know if you have periodontal disease.

Look at the condition of the gum tissue

At health, the gums are supposed to be of a coral pink color and should appear to have stipplings like an orange peal on its surface. When gum disease ensues the infection all these healthy characteristics may not be present anymore and you will find the gums to be reddish and bleeding, and may even present with some pus formation to indicate severity of infection. Severe gum infection will almost automatically mean loss of attachment, so that the bone and the roots will be exposed, further compromising oral health.

Identify the health of the underlying bone tissue

The main thing that differentiates Gingivitis with Periodontitis is bone involvement. When the infection spreads further, it will spread from the soft tissue into the bone and there will be significant bone loss. Often, earlier stages of bone loss is only confirmed with a radiograph but when the condition is more severe, the clinical appearance of the mouth will be evidence enough. In other words, bone loss is more pronounced and easily detected.

Gauge the stability of the tooth within the socket

When bone is lost, the tooth loses support and attachment so its stability is compromised. Mobility will be a likely consequence and may be manifested in varying degrees, depending on the nature and severity of bone loss.

Periodontal disease is progressive gum disease that may lead to tooth loss and the unfortunate degradation of oral health. If the problem is not detected early and not given proper resolution when help is still effective, you may not ever find freedom from periodontal disease. Being aware of the signs of periodontal disease will give you a fair chance to help your teeth survive so that you can preserve your smile.

The Importance of Cosmetic Dentistry

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 05:00:00 GMT

Here at Oak Brook Smiles, we have various kinds of cosmetic dentistry procedures to further improve the smile you always deserve. Dr. Haque will be happy to talk with each of your cosmetic concerns during your consultation. Though, he will make a recommendation depending on your current dental record or dental history as well as your goals.

Most Sought After Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

The field of cosmetic dentistry has been improving for years, with these cosmetic procedures being known to most people:

Teeth Whitening

Also known as teeth bleaching this procedure is a very inexpensive way to brighten one’s smile. Teeth whitening can be accomplished in-office or may even be at home.

Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers help correct broken chipped teeth. They also hide the gap in-between teeth or maybe used to cover permanently stained teeth. Dr. Haque may have to remove a bit of the tooth’s enamel to ensure a proper fit.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are recommended to hide a tooth loss. It stays in place by supporting adjacent teeth. They are also recommended to restore the health of the soft tissues surrounding the damaged teeth. Without it, the remaining teeth may shift its place which could increase the risk of periodontal disease, TMJ or tooth decay.

Invisalign Aligners

While Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment, it is also considered as a cosmetic dentistry procedure because it straightens the teeth for better appearance. During the treatment, Dr. Haque will take an x-ray and take an impression after which will then be sent over to a laboratory to make the Invisalign aligners for the patient.

Dental Implants

Implants are the most stable option to replace one’s missing teeth. This is ideal for those who doesn’t want to wear removable dental appliances such as dentures or dental bridges.

You are always welcome to contact us if you have any questions or you are ready to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haque.

Dental Appliances For Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sat, 18 Nov 2017 05:00:00 GMT

Dental appliances for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are recommended to patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

These dental appliances may also be recommended to be worn in conjunction with a CPAP device to help lower high pressure needs of particular patients.

2 Categories of Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)

Mandibular Advancement Devices for treating sleep apnea may look very similar to sports mouthguards or orthodontic retainers. MADs fit into the mouth by snapping over the upper and lower dental arches and have metal hinges connecting a piece that fits over the upper teeth, and another piece that fits over the lower teeth.

What MADs do is that they push the lower jaw and tongue slightly forward to healp prevent throat muscles from collapsing back into the airways to allow for normal breathing during sleep. Most MADs are adjustable that dentists are able to fine-tune the position of the jaw for maximum effectiveness.

Tongue Retaining Mouthpieces

Tongue retaining mouthpieces are similar in construction to MADs but has a small compartment that fits around the patient’s tongue using suction to keep it held forward and preventing it from collapsing back into the airway. These mouthpieces are mostly recommended to patients who cannot adequately have their jaw repositioned forward.

Getting Dental Devices for Sleep Apnea

Oak Brook Smiles’ very own Dr. Haque is an expert on obstructive sleep apnea treatment. When you see No More Snore dentist Dr. Haque to get treated for sleep apnea, he will make a custom fitted dental appliance to suit your particular needs.

Over-the-counter options are available but not recommended. Over-the-counter dental appliances may be appealing for some because of their reduced prices, but can actually complicate sleep apnea.

Many patients who order dental appliances without consulting with a dentist may find that their snoring symptoms went away. However, these patients are unaware that the over-the-counter dental appliances were not preventing apnea events but only the snoring symptom, which may lead to complications down the road as the disorder itself was not treated.

Sleep Apnea Dental Expert

If you’re concerned you or someone you know has sleep apnea, you can call our friendly No More Snore dentist Dr. Haque to schedule a consultation and discuss your sleep troubles. You can ask him about all of the available treatment options for obstructive sleep including CPAP and dental appliances and inquire which may be best suited for you.

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Invisalign

Sun, 15 Oct 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Traditional metal braces are quickly becoming a thing of the past! Invisalign technology is more popular as an orthodontic treatment option for people who need to straighten their teeth. And because of Invisalign’s many advantages over braces, it was reported to have been preferred by more than 700,000 patients since 2008.

Most modern dentists recommend Invisalign technology because they know it is better for their patients rather than traditional metal braces. More and more dentists are now investing in the training to make Invisalign available to their patients.

Here are the top 5 reasons why dentists and patients alike choose Invisalign over traditional metal-wire braces

What You Should Know About Wisdom Teeth and Dental Emergencies

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Are you feeling discomfort or pain in the back of your mouth? Has your gum erupted and become swollen? Chances are your wisdom teeth are about to set and you need an emergency dentist.

Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth that people get in their teen years or early twenties. Wisdom teeth are essential to the mouth but not needed. In most cases wisdom teeth have to be removed because they are misaligned, but they can also remain in your mouth if they are properly aligned.

Most dentists will recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed before they are actually fully developed. This is done to prevent the future pain that occurs during the development stage.

Most dentists recommend that wisdom teeth be removed before they are actually fully developed.

Wisdom Teeth Emergency

Before your wisdom tooth extraction, the surrounding tissue will be numbed with a local anesthetic and you will be given a sedating medication. Then the procedure will begin. After your wisdom teeth have been removed your gums will be stitched to help the gums heal quicker.

Once the local anesthetic wears off it is normal to experience bleeding of your gums, face swelling and chronic pain. Your dentist may prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to help alleviate the pain. Your dentist may subject you to a complete liquid diet until all the numbness has gone away. Also, you should continue to brush your teeth, but try to avoid the area where the extraction was done. After you’ve finished brushing you should also rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, this will help expedite the healing process.

Seeing an Emergency Dentist

Wisdom teeth development and extraction can be a very painful process. When seeing an emergency dentist, it is important you make him or her aware of any dental problems you are having in order to treat and prevent a later occurrence.

Dental Implants: How Long Do They Last?

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Dental implants are one of the most popular restorative dental procedures available today. Implants has plenty of benefits over traditional dentures, including:

Since dental implants are permanent, they don’t slip out of place when chewing or speaking
There is no hard plastic appliance covering the roof of the mouth
The artificial teeth affixed to the implants are specially made to match the color and shape of the patient’s natural teeth as closely as possible
Having the implants in place prevents other teeth from shifting into the space left by the missing teeth
There is no need to buy extra supplies to care for dental implants
Implants don’t affect speech patterns the way that removable dentures can

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Patients usually ask how much implants cost, and the next most common question is: how long do dental implants last?

We understand these questions because we know you’re making a major investment and want it to last as long as possible. The good news is that dental implants may last as long as two decades when you practice good oral hygiene and don’t subject them to unnecessary strain.

In a survey by a dental industry, 83% of implant patients said they still had their original dental implants in place after 16 years, which is very much longer than the 10-year average lifespan of dental bridges and dentures. The study did note that dental implant patients typically visit the dentist more often for minor repairs, which helps to explain the extended lifespan.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Whether you’re missing a single tooth, several consecutive teeth, or all of your teeth, dental implants may be a viable option for tooth replacement. We encourage you to contact Oak Brook Smiles to request an appointment with Dr. Haque. He will discuss the procedure with you and let you know if you appear to be a good candidate for implants after completing an examination.

Lost a Filling? Here’s What You Should Do

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Do you know what you would do if you ever lost your filling?

Many people feel a sense of panic when this happens and don’t know how to respond. Losing a filling occurs most frequently when patients are chewing their food and accidentally bite down too hard on the filling. Should that happen to you, remove the broken filling from your mouth and set it aside. In the event that you do swallow the filling, it should pass through your body without issue.

The next step is to contact Oak Brook Smiles for an immediate appointment. There is no need to save the filling, regardless of the type of materials used to create it. Dr. Haque will create a new one for you after a quick evaluation.

Options for Replacing Your Lost Filling

Replacing a filling in your tooth as soon as possible is a good way to restore your tooth back to health. An unfilled tooth traps food and is at high risk for being invaded by harmful bacteria. Before you get to our office, we recommend that you gently brush inside the hole where the filling once was to remove all food debris.

If the filling you lost was made from mercury, this is the ideal opportunity to get a tooth colored filling. Dr. Haque takes special care to match the color of the composite materials used to create the filling to the natural color of your teeth. This allows it to blend in seamlessly and be less apparent to others. Besides providing you with a cosmetic enhancement, tooth colored fillings preserve tooth structure better than traditional fillings do. The white color of your new filling allows Dr. Haque to place a dental sealant at the same time as your filling if he feels you could benefit from having one.

You may also wish to replace a metal filling with a tooth colored one even if you haven’t lost a filling. Please contact our office with any questions.

Sleep Better, Call a “No More Snore” Dentist

Mon, 15 May 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Dentistry has an important role airway assessment. Airway is especially important to sleep and overall health. Obstructed airways can increase the effects of diabetes, increases the risk of strokes, heart disease, obesity, and the rate of cancer. Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring has a huge impact on mental health and physical health.

At Oak Brook Smiles, “No More Snore” Dentist Dr. Umar Haque meticulously evaluates the dental health including caries (cavities) and periodontal health (gum disease), TMJ health, occlusion, and airway assessment via examination, history and physical, radiographs, photos, CT scanning, doppler sonography, and digital occlusal evaluation.

Treatments include CAD/CAM dentistry, laser gum therapy, ozone therapy, oral appliances, dental implants, oral prosthetics, mercury-free dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry.

Come see Dr. Haque at Oak Brook Smiles in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

To schedule an appointment, call us today at (630) 343-5688 and we’ll have you sleeping like a baby in no time!

How Modern Dentistry is Beneficial in Detecting Oral Problems

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Bacteria is normally found in a person’s mouth. However with poor dental hygiene, left over food debris is turned by these bacteria into acids. With the accumulation of these three: food debris, acids and bacteria, dental plaque is formed. If dental plaque is left unremoved, it may turn to tartar and when these combine, they could cause and initiate gum causing inflammation.

Chronic inflammation of gums may lead to periodontal disease. Dental plaque does not only damage the soft tissues (our gums) and bones that support the teeth but mostly the teeth itself. The acid formed in dental plaques can damage the enamel of your teeth and thus create dental cavities (holes on our teeth).

Diagnosis of both dental cavities and periodontal diseases are done during your regular visit to your dentist. Cavities are diagnosed usually with the aid of dental tools and sometimes, dental x-ray is ordered to check for cavities that are not yet visible. Periodontal disease is diagnosed with the use of periodontal probe that measures the depth between the tooth and our gums. Healthy depth is measured 1-3mm while a depth exceeding 3mm signifies a periodontal disease.

Modern dentistry introduces a new way of diagnosing dental cavities and periodontal disease with the use of Diagnodent. Diagnodent is a safe fluorescent laser that detects hidden tooth decay instantly, precisely in its early stage. This device accurately reveals the area where cavities develop without probing, scratching or opening the tooth.

Diagnodent system works by measuring the amount of laser fluorescence within the tooth. As each of the tooth is examined, the amount of reflected laser fluorescence is recorded. A tooth with little to no decay have little to no laser light reflection to the instrument while a tooth with cavities reflects more laser light back to the instrument. The amount of laser light reflection to the instrument correlates with the extent of tooth decay.

In the case of periodontal disease, a Diagnodent perio probe is used. This device also uses laser fluorescence to detect calculus (tartar) concrements in the periodontal sulcus. It is accurate in the detection of sub-gingival calculus deposits and it can also reliably measure the amount of these deposits. This device is also helpful in verifying the process of root planing and scaling procedure.

This two new modern dentistry advancement promotes safe, painless and non-invasive procedure that diagnoses dental cavities and periodontal diseases. You may want to ask your dentist for the availability of this diagnostic examination in his/her dental clinic.

Why Your Bite is Important

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:00:00 GMT

You might think that if your smile looks attractive and nothing hurts, your oral health is fine. Yet a bite that is not aligned properly can indeed cause many problems.