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What to Expect at Your Complementary Consultation

Dental Implants in Chicago

dentist chicago

When you become a patient at University Associates in Dentistry, you’ll quickly discover why our office is unlike the rest. Our dentists take pride in helping our patients transform their smiles, and we take a personalized approach to care that includes extensive patient education. During your complementary dental consultation, we’ll take the time to review your full health history to ensure that your treatment recommendations are appropriate for you. We’ll also talk about your existing dental conditions and concerns, which may include cosmetic issues you’d like to improve.

Once your dentist has gotten to know you, he or she will develop your customized treatment plan. Take your time to explore your options, and ask all of your questions. We won’t move forward until you’re fully informed and comfortable with your choices. If you’re planning a procedure, such as dental implants, you may want to speak with some of our other patients or staff members who have gone through the same thing. We’ll be happy to arrange this for you—just ask.

University Associates in Dentistry is a state-of-the-art dental office with warm, courteous professionals who genuinely care about each of our patients. Call us at (312) 704-5511 today to schedule your dental consultation in Chicago.

What Athletes Need to Know About Mouth Guards

Dental Implants in Chicago

mouth guard chicago

Injuries are always a major concern for competitive athletes. It’s why hockey players wear masks and why football players wear helmets. And while professional athletes know they need to wear a mouth guard, amateur college and high school athletes might not always be so careful about preventing oral injuries. Dentists strongly recommend putting in a mouth guard as a regular part of your pre-game routine. It can help prevent everything from missing teeth to broken bones.

Requirements of Effective Mouth Guards

There are a few different types of mouth guards, including the “boil and bite” type found in drugstores. But for optimum protection, you’ll need a custom-fitted mouth guard made by a sports dentistry specialist. The ideal mouth guard should be comfortable, fit properly, and avoid interfering with your speech or breathing. There are plenty of other technical considerations, like having the labial flange be within 2 millimeters of the sulcus, but you can let your dentist worry about those specifications.

Mechanism of Action

So how exactly do sports mouth guards prevent orofacial injuries? Primarily, it’s due to shock absorption. When the chin, jaw, or mouth takes a direct hit, the mouth guard reduces the shock and evenly distributes the rest of the impact.

Prevention of Injuries

Dentists recommend custom-fitted mouth guards because they’re effective against a range of sports-related injuries. Since they absorb the impact, they can prevent jaw fractures. They also provide cushioning when the upper and lower jaws collide together, which can prevent the dislocation or fracturing of the jaw joint. Sports-related impacts can cause another type of severe injury to the facial area: Soft tissue injuries. While it won’t protect the skin on the exterior of the mouth, a mouth guard can prevent lacerations inside the mouth.

As the team dentists for the Chicago Blackhawks, University Associates in Dentistry is known for our expertise in sports-related dental care. We take special care with each of our custom-fabricated mouth guards. If you or your child is in need of sports dentistry services near Chicago, give us a call today at (312) 704-5511.

Could Your Favorite Fast Food Cause Bad Breath?

Dental Implants in Chicago

A greasy burger and fries can hit the spot, but your dentist won’t be happy about the effect it could have on your oral health. Regular fast food intake is also linked to halitosis, which could reduce your self-esteem. Watch this video and see if your favorite fast food is causing your bad breath.

chicago dentist

Most fast food options contain greasy residues that cause reactions inside your body as you swallow and digest the food. These reactions result in an unpleasant smell that comes up through your mouth and taints your breath. Fast food also makes your stomach more acidic and can contribute to gastric reflux, so balance your diet with fruits and vegetables.

University Associates in Dentistry can give you a dental consultation in Chicago to find out what is causing your bad breath. Call us today at (312) 704-5511 or visit our website for more information, including general and cosmetic dentistry.

Examining the Surprisingly Long History of Tooth Decay

Dental Implants in Chicago

There were no dentists thousands of years ago, but there wasn’t always a need for them. Human bodies have adapted and evolved over time to be able to eat comfortably, so tooth decay was not always a problem. Keep reading to take a look at the history of tooth decay.

Pre-Tooth Decay
It was about 10,000 years ago that humans learned how to farm. Before then, there were very few instances of tooth decay. Early humans were hunter-gatherers, and tooth decay was by no means rampant. Their teeth were equipped to chew through tough meats and scrape it off of animal bone. When farming became a popular practice, more grains and carbohydrates were introduced to the human diet. This made it more likely for cavities to occur, so there was a boom in dental decay following the innovation of farming. The interesting part is that tooth decay was an issue for one community of early humans that preceded farming.

Grotte des Pigeons
There is a cave in Morocco called Grotte des Pigeons, and those who inhabited the cave about 15,000 years ago were hunter-gatherers, not farmers. Farming hadn’t been invented yet, and somehow the inhabitants still suffered from serious amounts of tooth decay. This wore down their teeth and made it more difficult to eat, and there was no way to reverse the damage.

Acorns, Oats, and Legumes
It is thought that inhabitants of Grotte des Pigeons developed their tooth decay due to the acorns, oats, and legumes that they would snack on. It appears that the sweetness of the acorns, and the sticky consistency they took on when cooked, would stick to their enamel and cause cavities.

You can lower your risk of tooth decay and improve your oral health by seeing your dentist in Chicago at least once a year for a checkup. Browse through our website or call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511 if you need a dental consultation.

Sleeping Better with the Help of Your Dentist

Dental Implants in Chicago

chicago dentist

Some people are prone to snoring, especially those who are overweight, heavy drinkers and/or mouth breathers. Chronic snoring may be an indication of sleep apnea, and this condition affects the quality of your waking life.

Sleep apnea happens when your airways are not open enough to comfortably allow air to get to your lungs and brain. Your body will repeatedly jolt awake throughout the night so you can catch your breath, which interferes with your sleep cycle and causes fatigue and headaches the next day. Your dentist can offer you Oral Appliance Therapy to alleviate your symptoms. The appliance will keep your airways open so you get the oxygen you need while you sleep. Your appliance will be small, custom-fitted for your mouth, and comfortable to wear. Using your sleep apnea appliance every night can help treat your symptoms so you can get a good night’s sleep.

If you need sleep apnea treatment and live in or near Chicago, look no further than University Associates in Dentistry. Made up of some of the best dentists in the area, our team can treat your sleep apnea and help you sleep through the night. Give us a call at (312) 704-5511.

Common Reasons Your Dentist May Order a CT Scan

Dental Implants in Chicago

chicago dentist

Today’s imaging techniques are better and more thorough than ever, and modern CT scans are proof. When your dentist uses a CT scan, they will get an in-depth look at your teeth, jaw, and gums, so it will be easier to create the best treatment plan for you. Best of all, the patient can watch the process happen. Here are some common reasons your dentist may request a CT scan.

Getting a Good Look
When you go into the office and talk about your symptoms, you give your dentist an idea of what might be going on. However, there can be additional issues hiding underneath the surface, so it’s important to get the best look possible. A CT scan is an imaging technique that lets your dentist see clear images in real time, making it easier to treatment plan and look for any hidden complication(s). The 3D images will show your sinuses, nerves, and arteries in addition to your gums, teeth, and jaws.

Devising a Treatment Plan
The easier it is to see what’s going on, the easier it will be to find a solution or the source of an issue. Once the source has been located, your dentist can start working with you on a treatment plan unique to your needs. The 3D images that CT scans provide are especially helpful when dealing with dental implants and more complex cases. The same kind of computerized technology that takes the images will also be used in any treatment that might be required.

Communicating with the Patient
As a patient, you should automatically feel more comfortable in the dentist’s office when a CT scan is being used. The dentist will have clearer visuals to work with. Your dentist can show you exactly what is needed, why and how you will be treated.

When you come to the office of University Associates in Dentistry , we may use a CT scan to improve your diagnosis, treatment, and overall experience. Call our dentists at (312) 704-5511 or checkout our website, including periodontics and sports dentistry options.

3 Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Smile

Dental Implants in Chicago

bad habits for your teeth

Your teeth are much more fragile than they might seem. If you aren’t careful to avoid unwise oral care habits, you can end up doing serious damage to your smile. If you’ve had restoration work done in the past, these bad habits can be especially destructive. Here are some common habits that you should try to steer clear of if you want to protect your teeth:

Drinking Too Many Sugary Beverages
When you drink a sugary beverage such as soda or even juice, some of the sugar is likely to remain on your teeth. As the bacteria in your mouth consume the sugar, they leave behind acids that gradually erode the enamel of your teeth. Over time, the acids can lead to tooth decay. While regular brushing will help to reduce your risk of cavities, it’s also important to cut back on your sugar consumption if you want to maintain good oral health.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
Everybody knows that you’re supposed to brush your teeth at least twice a day. But if you brush too hard, you might end up counteracting the positive effects of brushing by wearing down your enamel, which weakens your teeth. Brushing too hard can even lead to gum recession, which makes you more vulnerable to periodontal disease. To avoid this, buy a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush using a gentle, circular motion.

Brushing Right After Eating
Many people have heard that they should brush immediately after they eat, but that’s not exactly true. In fact, brushing too quickly after you eat food with acids in it can actually do damage to your enamel. To be safe, you should always wait at least 30 minutes after eating most types of food before brushing. However, it’s still fine to floss right after eating.

Whether you require treatment for sleep apnea, scaling and root planning to treat periodontal disease, or restorative procedures for misaligned teeth, you can find the exceptional dental care you deserve at University Associates in Dentistry. To request a consultation at our office in Chicago, call (312) 704-5511.

Why You Should Choose UAD for Your Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Chicago

dental implants chicago

If you’re in need of dental implants, you can count on University Associates in Dentistry for state-of-the-art care. UAD is one of the few dental providers in the U.S. that offers Trefoil implants from Nobel Biocare, an innovative system that allows your dentist to replace lower teeth in a single visit. The procedure is quick, convenient, and dependable. Our implants are placed by Dr. Russell Baer and Dr. Stuart Schelkopf, who together have more than 25+ years working experience with dental implant technology. Dr. Baer is the Academic Director of the Chicago Center for Advanced Dentistry, and he has published widely about developments in the field of implant dentistry. UAD uses local anesthetics to help to ensure our patients’ comfort during their visit with us.

UAD has been serving the Chicago community for more than 25 years. Our team has the instruments and expertise necessary to handle all your dental needs in one location. To set up a free consultation for your implant procedure , call us today at (312) 704-5511.

CEREC Crowns 101

Dental Implants in Chicago

Thanks to CEREC , your next visit to your dentist’s office for cosmetic work can be faster, simpler, and more comfortable than ever before. CEREC, which stands for ceramic reconstruction, is a technique that allows for digital creation of your new dental prosthesis. It can be used to create full dental crowns, partial crowns, or even dental veneers. The procedure can be done in-office, and it generally takes about an hour. To learn more about CEREC, be sure to check out this video.

cerec dentist chicago

University Associates in Dentistry is proud to offer CEREC and a wide array of other state-of-the-art dental techniques to our patients. If you have any questions for our staff or would like to schedule an appointment at our Chicago office, call (312) 704-5511.

How CEREC Is Revolutionizing Dental Care

Dental Implants in Chicago

CEREC dentist chicago

CEREC has not only changed how dentists think about the way they approach dental care—it’s also changed the way that many patients feel about it. CEREC technology has made it possible for a patient to visit the dentist and leave the same day with a complete tooth restoration. Here is what you need to know about CEREC:

What is CEREC technology?
CEREC is an innovative type of dental software that enables dentists to prepare, create, and place entire ceramic tooth restorations for patients within the same visit. In addition to crowns and veneers, CEREC can be used to provide a material for fillings.

What are the benefits of CEREC technology?
Using CEREC has many significant advantages for patients. Since it allows for restorations to be done in one visit, it makes the treatment process speedier and more convenient. You won’t have to wait months for your implant post to heal—you can start using your replacement tooth right away. The procedure provides for strong, long-lasting tooth restorations that closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth.

How does the CEREC procedure work?
When you’re treated at your dentist’s office using CEREC, your dentist will begin by taking a three-dimensional image of your teeth using a special scanner. Then, he or she will use the CEREC software to design a special restoration that is precisely fitted to your teeth. After that, your dentist will create the tooth restoration right in the office. Then, your new permanent crown will be attached.

If you want to feel proud of your smile again, University Associates in Dentistry can help. Our experienced cosmetic dentists, Dr. Martin Marcus and Dr. Lauren Zalay, can provide you with the innovative treatments and capable care you need. UAD’s dental team has more than a quarter-century of experience helping our patients in Chicago. If you’d like to arrange a consultation, contact us today at (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry