Month: November 2016

Hesy-Ra: History’s First Dentist

Dental Implants in Chicago

The art and science of dentistry has been around for a long time, but did you know that it has been around for thousands of years? The first recorded dentist, known as Hesy-Ra, lived and worked in Ancient Egypt around 2600 BC, over 4,000 years ago. Let’s get to know more about this founder of dentistry—Hesy-Ra.

Archaeologists and Egyptologists have determined that Hesy-Ra was a high-ranking official under Pharaoh Djoser. Hesy-Ra had many titles, but he was the first to bear the title of “Chief of Dentists.” Though the translations of this title have been debated, many historians agree that Hesy-Ra was an exceptional Egyptian with an illustrious career. Beautifully-decorated cedar wood panels were found in his tomb, and they depict his life history. His tomb also held well-preserved wall paintings and ornaments that further showcased Hesy-Ra’s high distinction under Pharaoh Djoser’s administration.

With University Associates in Dentistry, you will find more than teeth implants, teeth whitening, and general dentists near Chicago. We love to learn exciting facts and history about dentistry , and we want to share these interesting pieces of information with you, our patient. Please visit our blog to learn more fun facts or call us at (312) 704-5511.

How Mouth Guards Can Support an Active Lifestyle

Dental Implants in Chicago

Dentists who specialize in sports dentistry, and those who don’t, all want their patients to have a healthy mouth. Whether you play a contact sport or do weekend rollerblading, a mouth guard can protect your teeth and your smile. Watch the video for a brief look at how mouth guards are necessary to maintaining an active lifestyle.

Mouth guards should be custom-made by your dentist to fit your mouth. This perfect fit ensures that no matter what happens during your active lifestyle—such as falling down or getting hit with a ball—your teeth will be as protected as possible. A mouth guard can prevent knock-out and missing teeth, which will negate the need for future teeth implants.

See your dentist in Chicago at University Associates in Dentistry to learn more about mouth guards . We want you to have the perfect smile, so don’t hesitate to call us at (312) 704-5511.

Check out the Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane’s star-spangled mouthguard created by UAD here .

How to Enjoy Long-Lasting Tooth Whitening Results

Dental Implants in Chicago

After you have left the dentist following your teeth whitening session, the real work begins. To truly enjoy long-lasting results, your daily habits and diet may need to change. In the end, your beautiful, pearly-white teeth will be a great reminder to why you have instilled these new habits in your daily life. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to do to maintain your results:

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks

To maintain the results of your teeth whitening sessions, you should avoid consuming or using the items that stain your teeth. Foods and drinks such as blueberries, coffee, and wine are some of the worst offenders. Smoking or chewing tobacco will also reverse your teeth whitening efforts. To maintain your teeth whitening results long-term, try to refrain from smoking and avoid consuming staining foods and drinks.

Maintain Regular Dental Visits

You can also keep your teeth whiter by seeing your dentist for regular dental exams and teeth cleanings. In addition to these important appointments, your dentist can also recommend the number of teeth whitening sessions that would be needed throughout the year to maintain your results. Teeth whitening is not an overnight fix-all, and the results are not permanent, even with the right lifestyle choices. Consult with your dentist about the necessary appointments and measures to take to continue enjoying the results of your teeth whitening sessions.

Improve Overall Oral Hygiene

Long-lasting teeth whitening results are also influenced by your overall oral health. In addition to continuing to see your dentist regularly, maintain a strong and daily oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth, for two minutes at a time, at least twice a day. Floss at least once a day. Consider using a tooth whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains and contribute to your long-lasting results. These daily habits will remove decay-causing bacteria, which can also cause teeth staining.

If you are looking for great teeth whitening results in Chicago, then call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511. We can address all of your dental concerns, including other teeth whitening procedures like porcelain veneers . Our accomplished staff is available to answer your questions and schedule your appointment right away.

Tips for Talking to Your Dentist About Your Implant Options

Dental Implants in Chicago

Sometimes the cosmetic dentistry industry can be difficult due to some specialized jargon. Once you talk to your dentist and recognize these terms, they should be relatively easy to understand. If you’re thinking about your dental implant options, you should know what the procedure is like as well as the different types of dental implants that are available. Make sure you disclose your medical history to your dentist and read ahead for tips on talking about dental implants.

Understand the procedure.

The purpose of a dental implant is to replace a missing tooth, or missing teeth, to provide strong and stable teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. A dental implant is placed in the upper or lower jawbone. An abutment is attached to the implant for the purpose of connecting the implant and the crown. This creates a natural look and can often be done in one hour.

Discuss different forms of implants.

While all kinds of dental implants seek to serve the same purpose, they don’t all work the same way. Individual dental implants can replace one tooth at a time, but other forms of the treatment are preferable if you need to replace multiple teeth. All-on-4® dental implants are a great alternative for fully edentulous individuals as it allows your dental health professional to implant full arches of teeth with minimal invasiveness, while providing full functionality.

Provide your medical history.

Not everyone is a perfect candidate for dental implants, and you might make a better candidate for one type of implant than another. Make sure you are honest and thorough when you talk to your dentist about your medical background and family history so he or she can prescribe the most appropriate treatment and reduce the chances of complications down the road.

Dental implants in Chicago is just one area of expertise that the team at University Associates in Dentistry has to offer. If you’re interested in permanent dental implants , call us at (312) 704-5511 or visit our website. We also offer porcelain veneers and Invisalign treatment.

George Washington and the Myth of the Wooden Teeth

Dental Implants in Chicago

While there are a few popular connections between history and oral health, the story of the first president of the United States, George Washington , and his wooden teeth may be the most circulated. Dental implants and cosmetic dentistry have come a long way over the course of the past few generations, but how much truth is there to the wooden teeth myth? Take a look ahead and find out.

Like many people during that particular era, George Washington lost his natural teeth at a young age. He had a few sets of dentures that were made of different types of material, but wood was never one such type. Despite this fact, the myth that our first president wore wooden dentures has remained popular. Some suspect that the materials that comprised his dentures wore out over time, making it look like George Washington had wooden teeth. Although he certainly relied on dentures, they were never made of wood.

University Associates in Dentistry is committed to quality cosmetic dentistry in Chicago. From teeth whitening and porcelain veneers to sleep apnea treatment and periodontics, we are happy to help in any way we can. Call us at (312) 704-5511 or visit our website today.

University Associates in Dentistry