Keeping Up With Regular Cleanings

The doctors at Downtown Dental encourage patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for biannual professional cleanings.  Even when you regularly brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional. At a cleaning, our hygienists use professional tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria build-up from your teeth that is too tough to remove on your own.

The Academy of General Dentistry recommends you have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, our hygienists thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. If you need your teeth cleaned, don’t wait any longer!

To learn more about dental cleanings and all the services we provide, 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.

Characteristics of a Cavity

If you have a toothache that won’t let up, it may be time to review your oral habits, starting with your diet. You are what you eat, therefore, if you don’t eat healthy foods on a regular basis, your smile will pay for it. Cavities and tooth decay are among the world’s most common health problems, and our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC would prefer that you don’t fall into this category.

Cavities are holes in the teeth and if left untreated they can get larger and affect deeper layers of the teeth. Signs and symptoms of a cavity vary, but they can cause toothaches, tooth sensitivity, mild to sharp pain while eating and drinking, and/or pain when you bite. The best way to prevent a cavity is by practicing proper oral hygiene habits and visiting us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding cavities or dental fillings, 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. 

Teeth Whitening

At Downtown Dental, our staff is always being asked by patients about teeth whitening.  Everyone likes to make a great impression with a nice smile which is why we provide an at-home whitening system to patients.  Patients with serious and minor stains can both see great results from this whitening treatment.

A consultation can help you determine how severe your stains are and what kind of results you can expect from a whitening treatment.  To whiten your teeth at home, we outfit patients with whitening gel and a set of custom trays for application.  A dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and from this impression two custom trays are made for your top and bottom teeth. 

The trays are made for you to take home and use by applying gel to the trays and then fitting them over your teeth. The dentist’s recommendation of how often to treat and how long each treatment should last may vary.  When following the dentist’s recommendations, most patients see results of teeth whitening 4-8 shades.

To learn more about teeth whitening and 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.

Soft Tissue Grafting

Soft tissue grafting is a simple procedure that dentists use to help patients overcome different issues with their teeth and gums.  Lacking gum tissue in certain areas can cause extra sensitivity, and if the gum line is very low the patient is at risk for infection.  Less gum tissue can also cause a smile to have the look of elongated teeth.  Depending on the case, a patient may need one small gum graft or enough for a whole gum line.  The doctors at Downtown Dental can help anyone get to their best smile using soft tissue grafting.

To place a soft tissue graft, a dentist harvests healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth. Tissue can also be taken from the gums if the patient has excess gum tissue anywhere.  The grafts are then placed where gum tissue is lacking or has receded.  Gums will heal relatively quickly, and the grafts encourage growth of new tissue as they heal.  The result is an even ratio of tooth to gums throughout the whole mouth.  Don’t let your gums keep you from your best dental health, contact us if you think a soft tissue graft could help you!

To learn more about soft tissue grafting and 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.

Save a Tooth with Root Canal Therapy

Dental pulp is a soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When this part of the tooth has been damaged, the pain can be unbearable and sensitivity may increase. In addition to pain and swelling, an abscess may form inside the tooth or around the gum. Because these symptoms can increase a person’s risk of infection, one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC may suggest a root canal.

The term root canal can sound terrifying but the purpose of the procedure is to clean the tooth root to save it from further damage. When the root canal is cleaned, the dental pulp is removed and all of the canals are sealed to prevent bacteria from entering. Depending on the condition of the patient, a root canal is typically completed in one or two visits to the office. To determine whether or not a tooth needs a root canal, the dentist will take X-rays and properly deliver a diagnosis.

If you have questions or concerns regarding root canal therapy, 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 Reviews!

Here at Downtown Dental LLC, our staff appreciates feedback from patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Though this patient chose to remain anonymous, our staff would still like to thank them for this positive review.  If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"Just had the best dental care I've ever experienced in my 30+ years. Knowledgeable, quick, painless, efficient, friendly, clean, exceptionally modern - all with a great view. I absolutely love this place and the people that work here. Truly a top-notch dental office with a focus on customer satisfaction. Fantastic. (How often do you hear someone say their dental experience was fantastic?!) Highly recommended! Go get your cleaning today! Highly recommended! Go get your cleaning today!" – Anonymous Patient

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. 

Bridges

The doctors at Downtown Dental place bridges for patients with missing teeth to restore function to the mouth and create beautiful smiles. Gaps in the teeth can cause problems with eating and speech, and when a tooth is missing long enough the jaw bone is vulnerable and the structure becomes compromised.  Bridges use caps on the healthy teeth on either side of a missing tooth to anchor the permanent restoration into place. 

To prepare your mouth for a bridge, your dentist will contour the teeth on either side of the gap to make sure the caps will fit over them.  An impression of the area is then taken so that a dental laboratory can create a bridge that will fit perfectly.  Your custom restoration will be fabricated in a dental lab outside the office, and we can fit you with a temporary bridge to protect your gums. On your second visit, the bridge will be cemented into place for you to wear home and wear forever!  With proper care bridges can last a lifetime, but they can be replaced if needed.

To learn more about bridges and all the services we provide, 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.