Dental Implants

The dentists at Downtown Dental replace teeth and restore patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown will be screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about dental implants and all the services provided by our dentists, 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.

Smoking and Sleep Apnea

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should see the doctors at Downtown Dental for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea, but quitting smoking is up to you!  Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep disorders, please give us a call. To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we offer, 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.

Recovering From Oral Surgery

There are several reasons why a patient may need oral surgery but the most common reasons here at Downtown Dental LLC are tooth extraction and/or receiving dental implants. Wisdom teeth are commonly removed because they increase a patient’s risk of infection, while dental implants are an option for patients who are missing teeth. Regardless of why you need an oral surgery procedure, we are here to assist you on your road to recovery.

If the extraction site is bleeding for longer than 24 hours the patient should call our office immediately. Once the patient returns home, he or she should rest, but do not lie flat because doing so could prolong the bleeding. One of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC will prescribe pain medication, as well as a cleaning solution for the extraction site, so if the patient becomes sore it should be taken as directed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral surgery, 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. 

Repair Chipped Teeth with Dental Bonding

If you have teeth that are chipped, broken, or stained, then you may benefit from dental bonding services that our doctors at Downtown Dental provide. The term “bonding” itself is used to describe permanently attaching dental materials to your teeth using dental adhesives and a high-intensity curing light. Bonding is among the easiest and least expensive cosmetic procedures. Chances are, if you have a minor cosmetic dentistry issue, dental bonding can fix it right up.

Dental bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin that your dentist mixes together to match the color of your natural tooth. The procedure itself only lasts about 30 minutes and allows you to leave the office with a brand new repaired tooth. Food and beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine can stain the resin, so it’s important to maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine to keep the bonding white.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bonding or cosmetic dentistry, 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. 

Flossing Excuses

Our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC have heard countless excuses as to why patients don’t or won’t floss. “I don’t know how to floss properly, my gums bleed when I floss, and I just don’t have the time,” are common excuses that are often uttered in the dental chair. Floss is the single most important weapon that fights against plaque, controls bad breath, and decreases the chance of developing gum disease. Here’s why you shouldn’t write-off this important part of your oral care regimen. 

Unlike a toothbrush, floss is designed specifically to clean the tight spaces between the teeth. Flossing at least once a day will do more than keep the smile pretty and healthy, it will prevent gum inflammation that can lead to gingivitis. In fact, if you already have gingivitis, flossing this often will reverse the condition. Flossing will also prevent cavities, and help cut down the risk of developing respiratory diseases.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental hygiene, 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. 

Thank You for Your Positive Testimonials!

Here at Downtown Dental LLC, our staff appreciates feedback from patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. In this post, we’d like to thank Molly J. and Michelle M. for their positive reviews and for being dedicated patients to our practice.  If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“If you work downtown, you MUST go to Downtown Dental. I can't speak highly enough of this office.”

– MOLLY J.

“I work downtown and it is so convenient to go on my lunch break for a cleaning and exam. The staff is helpful and cordial.”

– MICHELLE M.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more 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. 

ARESTIN for Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis is a condition in which the gum will pull away from the tooth and put a patient at risk for tooth loss. When ARESTIN is incorporated into a routine oral maintenance care and used with scaling and root planing, ARESTIN will fight the infection by going deep into the pockets of the gums. At Downtown Dental LLC, our doctors utilize ARESTIN to reduce pocket depth, so the gums have a better chance at healing.

ARESTIN is indicated as a supplement to scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. ARESTIN is different from an antibiotic pill because it is placed right where you need it. A pill can’t give you the level of antibiotic concentration in your gums that ARESTIN can because ARESTIN contains microspheres –tiny particles – that are smaller than grains of sand and are not visible to the eye. The microspheres are filled with the antibiotic minocycline hydrochloride. These microspheres release the antibiotic over time, killing bacteria so your gums can heal better than with scaling and root planing alone.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease or scaling and root planing, 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.