Our Bloomingdale cosmetic dentists are committed to helping patients find cosmetic solutions that fit their lifestyles and personalities. We’ve found that many patients are concerned that their final cosmetically enhanced won’t look natural, or fit them, specifically. With porcelain veneers you don’t have to worry about ending up with a smile that doesn’t look like it belongs to you. Porcelain veneers have a variety of advantages—they’re incredibly versatile, easily shaped, and can be custom shaded.

Dental veneers are used to correct a number of common cosmetic problems. If you’re concerned about any of these issues, veneers may be the answer for you:

Dull, dark teeth

Disproportionate teeth

Short teeth

Crooked teeth

Chipped or damaged enamel

As you can see dental veneers can be used to suit one or multiple cosmetic problems at the same time. You dentist will be able to tailor your veneers to suit your needs.

Dental veneers are also made of porcelain, which means that they can easily be molded and shaped to complement your smile. If you’re looking to change the shape or length of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist can craft your veneers to blend seamlessly with your other teeth and enhance your overall smile.

Another benefit of porcelain veneers is that they can be shaded and colored to blend with your other teeth. Some patients worry that veneers will look fake or dull, however porcelain veneers are multi-dimensional—they reflect and absorb light similarly to natural enamel. Consequently, they look both natural and radiant. Because they can be custom shaded, your veneers will complete your smile, not compete with your natural teeth.

Dental veneers are an exceptional cosmetic option because they can be tailored to fit each individual patient. You can change the shape, size, shade, and straightness of your teeth with one easy solution. Give our Bloomingdale veneers dental office a call if you have questions or you’d like more information!

These days every patient wants to have a beautiful smile that they feel proud to show off. Unfortunately, many teen and adult patients avoid perfecting their smile because they dread the idea of suffering through months and years with metal braces. The good news is that innovative cosmetic dentistry options, such as Invisalign, make it possible to straighten teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces.

The Invisalign teeth-straightening system utilizes clear plastic aligners to progressively straighten teeth. Every few weeks our Bloomingdale Invisalign dentists will provide you with a new aligner, which moves your smile closer to perfection! So why are so many young patients choosing Invisalign?

1.     It’s easy to keep your smile sparkling clean

Parents and teens love that Invisalign aligners are totally removable. Unlike traditional braces, you’ll be able to take your aligners out to brush and floss normally, making it easier to eliminate plaque and keep your dental appliances debris-free.

2.     Comfortable solution

Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic resin, so they fit comfortably in your mouth. Metal brackets and wires can cut at irritate sensitive oral tissues. Invisalign aligners, however, glide smoothly over the inside of the cheeks.

3.     Enjoy your smile as it transforms

One of biggest problems that patients have with metal braces, is that conventional braces turn you into a metal mouth! Going through years with metal brackets and wires can make patients hide their smiles from the world. With Invisalign, however, you’ll enjoy your smile at continues to transform and straighten. Invisalign aligners are clear, and practically invisible when worn, so people will notice your beautiful smile, not your orthodontic work.

Modern cosmetic dentistry has made it easier than ever before to achieve the smile of your dreams. If your teen has been considering straightening his or her smile, Invisalign may be the answer! Give our Bloomingdale Invisalign dental office a call for more information or to schedule an appointment. 

One of my patients, Raymond, called to schedule an appointment because he had noticed that his breath was impossible to keep fresh. Raymond’s problem is incredibly common among adults. Chronic bad breath can be disruptive for sufferers, you may find that you don’t want to interact with people, or stand in close quarters because you’re self-conscious about your breath.

When Raymond came in for his appointment our Bloomingdale family dentists quickly realized that he had been slacking on his daily dental hygiene routine. Although he was still brushing twice a day, he didn’t floss often, and he wasn’t using any mouth rinses. Why does this matter? 

Periodontal disease and cavities are caused bacteria, which infect both gum tissue and dental tissue. These same bacteria are often responsible for bad breath. As bacteria feed on sugars and starches in the mouth, they emit foul smelling odors. That’s why periodontal disease is such a common cause of bad breath. One of the best ways to eliminate bad breath, therefore, is to eliminate bacteria-ridden plaque and tartar in the mouth.

Brushing and flossing at least twice a day will help you keep plaque accumulation to a minimum. If you’re battling bad breath, you may also want to add an antimicrobial rinse, as Raymond did, to kill bacteria that may otherwise be had to reach.

Along with at-home care, it’s imperative that you see your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. Professional dental cleanings are the only way to eliminate tartar build-up that is mineralized onto teeth.

Maintaining clean, fresh breath is an ongoing process. Raymond found that he was able to defeat bad breath by incorporating an antimicrobial rinse into his cleaning routine and brushing and flossing twice a day. If you’re regularly battling bad breath, give our Bloomingdale family dentists a call. We can help you develop a dental treatment plan that meets your needs and keep you smiling confidently—(630) 994-5174.

Our patient Sandy came in to our office looking for an attractive, functional tooth replacement solution. Sandy lost a tooth in an accident, and she quickly discovered that she didn’t look or feel her best with a gaping hole in her smile. Sandy had heard about dental implants, so she scheduled an appointment with our Bloomingdale dental implant dentists to discuss her treatment options.

She already knew that dental implants were surgically imbedded in the jawbone—so they looked and felt like natural teeth. But she worried that they would be difficult to take care of. Would she have to follow some kind of difficult, detailed cleaning routine in order to care for her replacement tooth?

We explained to Sandy that caring for a dental implant is in many ways just like caring for your natural teeth. Patients need to brush and floss regularly, and maintain a schedule of semi-annual professional dental cleanings. Additionally, patients with dental implants should avoid these behaviors:

Dental grinding and clenching

Many patients grind or clench their teeth due to stress or a misaligned bite. You may not even realize that you’re grinding and clenching because you do it while asleep. If you notice that your jaw and teeth are sore upon waking, you may be suffering from this common condition.

Chewing hard candy and ice

Did you know that chomping on hard candies or ice can actually cause micro-cracks in your dental restorations? Over time these cracks can lead to discoloration and weakened dental restorations. Before you undergo dental implant treatment, try to minimize this harmful habit.

Dental implants closely mimic natural teeth, so they are fairly easy to care for. Along with regular dental hygiene, try to avoid grinding your teeth and chewing on hard candies/ice to extend the life of your dental implant. Give our Bloomingdale dental implant dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—630-994-5174.

Our patient Jane came into our office because she wanted to rejuvenate her smile before the holidays. She knew that with a round of holiday parties and family get-togethers ahead of her, she would be in plenty of pictures. Because her teeth were looking dark and somewhat stained, she wasn’t particularly excited about displaying her smile for the world to see.  

Our Bloomingdale cosmetic dentists explained to Jane that she might benefit from teeth bleaching options. Teeth bleach treatments—commonly called teeth whitening treatments—whiten teeth beyond their natural shades. These treatments are available in both home and professional formulations.

So What’s the Difference?

Home whitening treatments are generally gels that are applied to the teeth with a mouthpiece or a strip holding the solution in place. These products have a small concentration of peroxide in them. Consequently, they take weeks or months to work, and they are less effective than professional options. Home whitening treatments are generally less expensive than professional products.

Professional teeth whitening is administered in-office by a dentist. These products have a higher concentration of peroxide, so they can lighten teeth several shades in just one or two appointments. Because your dentist monitors your teeth whitening, he or she can more closely control your results and also help you prevent tooth or gum sensitivity.

Give our Bloomingdale cosmetic dentists a call at (630) 994-5174 to learn more about teeth whitening treatments or to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you get a smile you’ll love to show off!

Our Bloomingdale dentists believe in working in cooperation with our patients to help every person achieve optimal dental health. The best way to prevent cavities is to partner at-home care with professional cleanings at least twice a year. Essentially you prevent plaque build-up on a daily basis, and every six months your dentist gives you clean smile to maintain until your next appointment. Many patients wonder how they can improve their daily oral hygiene routines—and consequently end up with better dental check-ups during the year! Here are some general tips to follow when choosing dental hygiene materials:

Start with the right tools

When choosing a toothbrush, make sure that it’s correctly sized for your mouth. The head of the toothbrush should be small enough to fit into the back corners of your mouth and effectively brush back molars. It’s also important to use bristles that are not too abrasive—hard bristles will wear your enamel down prematurely and cause gum irritation.

When choosing a toothpaste look for a fluoridated formula that will help remineralize dental enamel. Most toothpastes today are fluoridated, with the exception of toothpastes for very young children who are likely to swallow it—fluoridated toothpaste should not be swallowed by children with developing teeth because they may develop dental fluorosis.

Most patients should be brushing at least twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. You may additionally benefit from brushing after meals to minimize plaque build-up. Combining twice daily brushing with regular flossing decreases bacterial accumulation on dental enamel, consequently diminishing cavities.

Give our Bloomingdale general dentists a call if you have any questions about daily dental care or professional cleanings. Diligent preventative dental care is your best defense against infection, cavities, and tooth loss.

Invisalign is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in our Bloomingdale cosmetic dental office. Many patients love the idea that they can straighten their teeth with clear, virtually invisible aligners. Straightening your teeth becomes a much easier and attractive undertaking once you eliminates the need for uncomfortable metal brackets and wires.

Many patients, however, have wondered whether their teeth will move after they complete treatment and achieve their ideal smiles. The truth is that once you realize your goal smile, you will continue to use cosmetic retainers, which keep your teeth from shifting around or reverting back to their old positions.

What are retainers?

Retainers are appliances that are designed to hold your teeth where they are at any given moment. They are not designed to further more your teeth, as Invisalign aligners do. Dental retainers can be divided into two categories—fixed and removable.

Fixed retainers are bonded to the back of your teeth to prevent your teeth from moving. These are often used along the bottom teeth, and they are imperceptible from the front of a patient’s smile.

Removable retainers are made of either metal and plastic or just plastic (like Invisalign aligners). These retainers fit completely over your teeth, keeping your teeth in place. As the name implies, these retainers are removable for brushing, flossing, eating, professional cleanings, or any other reason.

Once you’ve gone through the Invisalign process, you want to know that your perfected smile will last. Our Bloomingdale Invisalign dentistswill discuss your options with you and help you find a retainer that will help you maintain your smile for years to come. If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment in general, or post-treatment retainers specifically give our office a call at (630) 994-5174—we’re here to help!

If you’re missing a tooth you know how disruptive it can be. You may find yourself struggling to speak clearly, eat your favorite foods, or smile with confidence. Patients today have more tooth replacement options than ever before, and the dental implant is increasingly popular course of treatment.

Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the bone. Over a period of months the titanium bonds with natural bone, forming a strong foundation for the natural-looking dental restoration which is then attached on top of the implant. Dental implants, therefore, mimic the appearance and the structure of natural bone, because the titanium post takes the place of the tooth root.

Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth or multiple teeth. The dental restoration, additionally, is designed to complement the shape and shading of a patient’s natural teeth. Dental implants are known for their realistic appearance and stability.

Dental implants are not only an exceptional tooth replacement option when used alone, they can also be used in conjunction with existing dentures or bridges to help improve the stability and comfort of these appliance.

Our Bloomingdale dental implant dentists can strategically place dental implants to stabilize bridges and dentures. Additionally, bridges are usually kept in place because they are attached to adjacent teeth. This can cause unnecessary strain and wear and tear on a patient’s natural teeth. A patient’s bridge can be anchored to a dental implant, ensuring a comfortable fit, and taking the pressure off of healthy, natural teeth.

Dental implants are a versatile tooth-replacement option. They can be used alone or with dentures and bridges to improve the appearance the functionality of a patient’s smile. If you’d like more information about dental implants, or to schedule an appointment give our Bloomingdale dental implant dentists a call at (630) 994-5174.

Our Bloomingdale teeth whitening dentists are always hearing the same question from patients—how can I get a whiter smile again? As patients age, their teeth naturally change, and they often end up appearing darker, yellower, and more worn down. Although regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits can keep your smile healthy and clean, some discoloration is a natural by-product of aging and to a certain extent unavoidable.

The good news is that cosmetic dentistry treatments can help restore your white, bright smile with minimal time and effort. If any of these cosmetic problems sound like your situation, don’t hesitate to contact a dental professional to refresh your smile.

Environmental discoloration—some patients find that their teeth become stained and darker due to the foods and drinks they consume. Tea, coffee, and cola are common culprits that discolor dental enamel over time. Additionally, tobacco products—both smoking and chewing tobacco—can make teeth appear dark and dirty.

Structural changes to dental enamel—many people notice that as they age their teeth become dramatically darker or yellower. Young dental enamel is white, bright, and strong, which is why young teeth appear so sparkling white. As we age, however, dental enamel becomes thinner and wears down, exposing the yellow layer of dentin below the enamel. Consequently, teeth take on more of dentin’s color and look yellow and dark.

These problems are not totally preventable, but they are treatable. Professional teeth bleaching treatments can lighten stains, and porcelain veneers resurface the appearance of dull, worn down enamel. If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry, give our Bloomingdale teeth whitening dentists a call to find out how you can whiten your teeth and take years off of your smile. Give us a call at (630) 994-5174.

When Stacy came into our office she was really feeling bad about her smile, and she had to admit that it was starting to negatively affect her self-esteem. Stacy had chipped multiple teeth in an accident, and she found that her teeth had taken on a dull darker appearance as well. Although Stacy is a generally and outgoing, gregarious girl, she started to hide her smile in public.

Our Bloomingdale cosmetic dentists took charge of Stacy’s case and gave her a variety of options to revamp her smile. One option that she was particularly interested in was the option of dental veneers.

Dental veneers are thing layers of porcelain that are affixed to teeth to resurface the appearance of dental enamel. Stacy was drawn to dental veneers because they could give her radiant, natural-looking teeth again. Porcelain is a unique material for dental restorations because it closely mimics the appearance of natural enamel. This is what allows dental veneers to blend seamlessly with natural teeth and enhance your smile.

Porcelain is white and resistant to staining, which allows patients to enjoy clean, fresh looking teeth for years. Additionally, porcelain refracts and bounces light in the same way that natural enamel does. Consequently, dental veneers always look multi-dimensional and bright, rather than dull or “fake looking.”

Stacy chose porcelain dental veneers, and she’s found that they enhance her smile and her self-esteem. With her rejuvenated smile she feels good about her smile, and she’s back to the social butterfly she was before her accident! Porcelain veneers worked for her because she wanted to resurface the appearance of teeth. If you’re interested in revamping your smile with porcelain veneers, you can always give our Bloomingdale veneers dentists a call for more information— (630) 994-5174.