Professional Dental Cleaning
To keep your oral cavity as healthy as possible, our caring dental team strongly recommends routine dental cleanings. At North Suburban Dental, we can assure you that our dental hygienist will perform a thorough and professional teeth cleaning. It is the first step in getting you to the healthy and beautiful smile that you want and deserve! Each and every time you visit our office for a routine checkup, your dentist and dental hygienist will provide you with a professional cleaning and a dental exam to keep the health of your smile.
During this exam our dental team will do the following:
- Professionally clean your teeth by removing any plaque or calculus, which leads to tooth decay and periodontal disease
- Floss and polish your teeth to remove excess stain and whiten your teeth
- Perform a full exam of your smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases
- Perform an oral cancer exam
We also utilize dental X-rays to further evaluate your smile and make certain that you receive the dental care you need. By utilizing the latest technology our X-rays are 95% less radiation than traditional X-rays. This is due to the fact that they are digital because we care about every aspect of your health. It is your job to come in for regular dental cleanings and exams. They are crucial in maintaining good oral health, preventing cavities and gum disease, and it allows your dental team to treat any damaging conditions as quickly as possible.
Typically, our dentist recommends that you visit us every six months for a routine dental cleaning and exam. We may suggest more frequent visits if deemed necessary. We also recommend that you contact us as soon as possible if you suffer from a dental emergency, pain, or injury. To schedule your next appointment, we invite you to contact us today. We look forward to caring for your smile!
Dental Filling
Teeth can be damaged due to decay or trauma. The damage can vary from an extremely minor chip to severe decay. When this occurs, a dental filling is often times necessary to repair this damage. The dental filling is done to restore the tooth to its original structure and function and to return your smile to good health and improve aesthetics. Fillings have been done with a white composite or silver amalgam in the past. However, our offices focus on only using the white composite material.
The process for placing a filling requires just one comfortable and simple visit to our office. We can ease your mind in telling you that our dentist will make sure you do not feel a thing.
During the dental filling procedure, our skilled dentist removes the decayed and damaged portion of your tooth. Next, we then bond composite resin directly on the tooth structure. We have many different shades of resin to match your teeth for a natural look. Due to the resins malleability when initially applied, we can sculpt and form it to mimic your tooth. The composite is then smoothed and polished to allow for a long lasting and aesthetic restoration for your tooth.
If your tooth is decayed or damaged, a dental filling may be a great choice for restoring your oral health and function. We would love for you to call or visit our office today to learn more about dental fillings and to schedule your next appointment with our team. We look forward to caring for your smile!
Dental Emergency
A dental emergency is a situation where we recommend immediate attention from a dental professional. At our office, we understand that you cannot always plan when an emergency will occur and when you will need our care. Therefore, our team will be understanding of your situation and schedule you to meet with our dentist as soon as we are able so you can receive the proper care to alleviate your issue. There are several types of dental emergencies. Some of these are:
- Severe toothaches or tooth pain
- A tooth that has recently been knocked-out
- A chipped or broken tooth that is an aesthetic issue
- Damage to the soft tissues of the mouth. This includes the tongue, cheeks, lips, or gums
- A cracked or fractured tooth that may or may not be in pain
- A partially knocked-out or loose tooth
- A lost dental restoration such as a filling or crown
If you suffer from one of these, or another type of dental emergency, please contact our office. If you are not able to get into the office immediately, our team will be able to provide you with
instructions and advice on how to take care of your smile until you are able to see a dentist. However, we do recommend that you see a general physician or the emergency room before visiting your dentist even if your smile is damaged. To learn more about dental emergency care, we invite you to call or visit us today.
Periodontal Disease Therapy
A study in 1999 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that half of Americans over 30 had bleeding gums. If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yes, many people think it is completely normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.
If your gums are swollen, red, tender, or bleed easily, you most likely suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, which is more commonly known as gum disease, is a degenerative condition caused by bacteria in plaque, which accumulates on the teeth and around the gums. When periodontal disease is not treated, it can result in loss of the teeth, gum tissue, and bone. Unfortunately, gum disease is not curable. However, we can treat the condition and keep it under control to protect your oral health. As with any disease, the sooner periodontal disease is treated, the greater the expected outcome. Our dentist and dental hygienists are pleased to provide periodontal maintenance to treat periodontal disease and prevent the serious short and long term effects of the condition.
Periodontal maintenance is a commitment from the patient that involves visiting our office more frequently for a professional cleanings. The frequency of these visits will be discussed with your dental professional. These treatments include thorough cleanings both above and below the gum line, removing plaque, calculus, and bacteria to prevent the condition from worsening. Periodontal maintenance is recommended more frequently than a typical dental cleaning due to the fact that when biofilm is not removed, the bacteria begin to flourish within three to twelve weeks. By providing a cleaning more frequently, we are able to remove these bacteria and keep the condition under control.
It is important to understand the severity of neglecting to treat periodontal disease. Here are some connections between periodontal disease and other health issues:
- Atherosclerosis and heart disease — Studies have shown that gum disease may increase the risk of clogged arteries and heart disease. It also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
- Stroke — Gum disease may increase the severity of a stroke that is caused by blocked arteries.
- Premature births — A woman who has gum disease during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver prematurely which increases the chances of many health issues in the baby.
- Diabetes — Diabetic patients with periodontal disease may have more trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetic patients with healthy gums.
- Respiratory disease — Bacteria involved in gum disease may cause lung infections or worsen existing lung conditions. This is especially true for the elderly in institutions such as nursing homes. In this group, bacteria from the mouth may reach the lungs and may cause severe pneumonia.
To learn more about periodontal maintenance and how we can treat gum disease, we welcome you to call or visit our office today.
