Pacifiers and Tooth Development

At Downtown Dental, we get a lot of questions from parents about weaning their child off a pacifier.  Infants are soothed to a sense of security by pacifiers, and when the time comes it is one of the hardest habits to break.  It can require a great deal of persuasion, but because of the effect they can have on the growth and development of the teeth and mouth children should stop using pacifiers by the age of two. 

Prolonged pacifier use can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth, prevent proper growth of the mouth, and create problems with tooth alignment.  Narrowing of the roof of the mouth and misalignment of the jaws can also occur.  Using a pacifier too long can also lead to a variety of complications including tilting in of the bottom teeth, and slanting in of the top and front teeth. Until the age of two, any alignment problem with the teeth or developing bone is usually corrected within six months after pacifier use has stopped.  We can help and support parents having any trouble weaning their child off a pacifier before that age.

If you have questions about pacifiers and teeth development, 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.

Different Levels of Sedation

At Downtown Dental LLC, we utilize different methods of sedation for different procedures. If you wish to take the edge off during your dental appointment, our doctors may suggest Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas to ease your fears. If you are scheduling for tooth extraction, you are likely to receive a more powerful form of sedation. Allow us to explain the common types of sedation used in dentistry.

• Oral Conscious – With oral conscious sedation, the patient remains awake but is left in a heightened state of mind. For this option, you will need someone to drive you home after your procedure.


• Nitrous Oxide – Nitrous, also known as laughing gas, leaves the patient in a euphoric state feeling completely relaxed. All feelings of fear and anxiety will fade away and you will be able to respond to the doctor if need be. Nitrous wears off once the procedure is complete, allowing you to return to your daily activities.


• Anxiolysis – This light sedative is not as strong as oral sedation but is recommend for those who have mild to moderate anxiety. You will be able to drive yourself home after anxiolysis is administered. 

If you have questions or concerns regarding sedation 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. 

Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

The doctors at Downtown Dental have seen many patients who are unhappy with their smiles for a variety of reasons.  The total look of your smile includes the gums, and even when a patient’s teeth are healthy they may feel their gums keep them from a perfect smile.  Cosmetic periodontal surgery is a way to reshape gums and achieve the look a patient desires.

Cosmetic periodontal surgery is a technical way of saying sculpting the gum line.  The procedure can include removing gum tissue, grafting gum tissue, or both. Patients with excess gum tissue may have a gummy smile, and this can be removed with a scalpel tool or laser to expose more of the tooth.  Lack of gum tissue or gums that have receded can give the look of elongated teeth.  In these cases, gum tissue is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted onto the area lacking tissue.  With cosmetic periodontal surgery, we can help anyone achieve their ideal smile!

To learn more about cosmetic periodontal surgery and all 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.

Common Types of Tooth Extraction

At Downtown Dental LLC, our doctors will do their best to avoid tooth extractions on any patient. Sometimes, however, tooth extraction can’t be avoided and is necessary to prevent infection, damage to surrounding teeth, and discomfort in the mouth. The most common type of tooth extraction is wisdom teeth removal, but other common reasons for tooth extractions include the following.

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth extractions, 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. 

Gingivitis Prevention

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC are here to keep you out of it. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that is usually reversible, but if left untreated it can progress to a more aggressive form of gum disease called periodontitis. Gingivitis is caused by inadequate oral care habits. Therefore, if you notice a little pink in the sink, it’s time to review your own.

Signs of gingivitis include red and puffy gums that bleed easily when you brush your teeth. To prevent gingivitis, you’ll need to thoroughly brush your teeth for at least twice minutes twice a day. Because your toothbrush can’t reach the crevices between your teeth, you should floss at least once a day and it doesn’t hurt to top off your oral care routine with some mouthwash. It's especially important to visit our office twice a year for an oral exam, X-rays, and a professional cleaning.

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. 

Oral Cancer Screening

At Downtown Dental, we love serving the families from our community and looking out for the condition of your smiles and oral hygiene!  We also screen for oral cancer, and it is important that you and your family are aware of oral cancer and how to prevent it.  Oral cancer screening may not be the most common reason you’ve visited a dentist, but regular screenings are the best way to protect yourself.

Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth.  Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  Your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about 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.

Endodontics: Root Canal

A root canal is necessary when a tooth is decayed beyond repair. Our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC understand that root canal therapy sounds painful, but it’s actually more painful living with a dead tooth. A root canal can relieve pain and save the tooth that has been compromised. If you happen to need a root canal, we promise to make you as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process.

During root canal treatment, one of our doctors will carefully remove the pulp inside the tooth, clean the area, disinfect it, and shape the root canals so that a filling can be placed. The area around the tooth will be numbed with a local anesthetic, but if you don’t want to be awake for the procedure, we can discuss sedation options during your consultation. Once the procedure is over, you will be given post-operative instructions to follow.

If you have questions about endodontics or 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.