Lumineers

At Downtown Dental, our staff is always being asked by patients about the latest cosmetic solutions available.  There are several methods for whitening or straightening teeth, but lumineers are the best way to give your smile a complete cosmetic makeover without undergoing a procedure.

Lumineers are thin shells made of high quality porcelain that bond directly to the surface of your teeth and look like your natural smile.  To outfit a patient with a full set of lumineers, we begin with taking an impression.  This impression will be used to ensure a perfect fit for your new smile.  Some patients won’t require preparation of the teeth, but depending on your individual case your dentist may want to contour or shave teeth in select places.  This is only done when your dentist sees an area they determine could be a problem to fit the shells on.   A new set of lumineers is fabricated outside the office, and on a final visit they are bonded directly to the surface of your teeth to wear forever!

If you’re ready to makeover your smile or have questions about lumineers, please give us a call!  To learn about all the services we provide at our practice, visit downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862.

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  Downtown Dental can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862.

Prevent Periodontitis

Mild gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis, will progress to periodontitis if left untreated. Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease that develops when plaque has spread below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque, irritate the gums and cause inflammation and receding. If not addressed, periodontitis can lead to potential tooth loss. To keep your gums in optimal health, visit our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC for an oral exam and professional cleaning twice a year.

Periodontitis causes the tissues and bone that support the teeth to become broken down and destroyed. Gums will begin to separate from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. Periodontitis treatment will involve cleaning out bacteria from the pockets around the teeth to prevent further destruction. To prevent gingivitis from progressing to periodontitis, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Periodontitis treatment will involve cleaning out bacteria from the pockets around the teeth to prevent further destruction.

If you have questions about periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862.