Category: Uncategorized

Here’s How Scientists Are Regrowing Teeth

Dental Implants in Chicago

Some animals, such as sharks and manatees, can actually regrow their own teeth. Wouldn’t it be nice if humans could do the same thing? As this fascinating video reveals, today’s scientists are hard at work finding ways to regenerate teeth that have been damaged by decay. Eventually, this method might well replace the current methods of amalgam fillings. To learn more, watch the full clip.

At University Associates in Dentistry, our first priority is the comfort and health of our patients. We offer a full range of comprehensive services, from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry to dental implants to periodontics. If you’d like to schedule an appointment at our Chicago office, call (312) 704-5511.

Your Guide to Trefoil™ Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Chicago

trefoil implants chicago

The Trefoil system is fast transforming the way dentists think about implants. University Associates in Dentistry is proud to make Trefoil dental implants from Nobel Biocare available to our patients. Here is what you need to know about Trefoil dental implants and how they differ from the implants of the past.

What makes Trefoil dental implants so innovative?

Previously, dental implants were placed by surgically implanting a post, waiting for it to heal, and then placing a replacement tooth. Trefoil implants actually allow a full arch of teeth to be placed in a single appointment. Trefoil uses a prefabricated framework that fits snugly over three implants, which can be placed in a single day.

What makes Trefoil implants a preferable choice?

Trefoil implants speed up the implant process by removing the necessity for waiting three to six months for the posts to heal in the patient’s mouth. The one-day process is more convenient for patients and dentists alike. The implants are also adjustable, so they can be made to fit each patient as precisely as possible. Patients can count on having stable, secure, and natural-looking replacements for their teeth.

Am I a good candidate for Trefoil implants?

Trefoil dental implants are an excellent option for patients who need a full replacement of their lower set of teeth. Patients should be adults, be in good health, and have a stable jawbone. If you have despaired of being able to replace your lower arch of teeth in a fast and cost-effective way, Trefoil implants are the state-of-the-art solution you’ve been waiting for.

University Associates in Dentistry is dedicated to providing all of our patients with the same level of high-quality service. We have been in practice in the Chicago area for more than a quarter-century, and we are continually working to update our services to keep them up-to-date. For a complimentary consultation at our office, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

Historic “French Disease” Treatments and Tooth Loss

Dental Implants in Chicago

Syphilis, once widely known as the “French Disease,” has been known to us since the 15 th century, but effective treatments were not available until relatively recently. For centuries, the most commonly used cure for syphilis was mercury, an element used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Unfortunately, as we now know, mercury is highly poisonous and it can have corrosive effects on the human body. Tooth loss was one of the most common side effects of using mercury to treat ailments, along with skin ulcers and nerve damage. The 20 th century saw the development of antibiotics, notably penicillin, that quickly replaced use of mercury treatments for syphilis.

The experienced practitioners at University Associates in Dentistry are leaders in a wide array of important areas of dentistry, from sleep apnea treatments to cosmetic dentistry . We work to build strong and lasting relationships with all of our patients. To learn more, call (312) 704-5511 today.

What You Should Know About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Dentistry

Dental Implants in Chicago

dentist chicago

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, has been used for many years in medical settings to help patients heal more quickly. Only in recent years, however, has its relevance to dental care become more widely recognized. Here’s what you ought to know about how PRP can help your dentist provide you with better care.

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma is a concentrated part of a patient’s blood that has a high number of platelets. Platelets are the blood cells that are responsible for forming the clots that help a person’s body stop bleeding. Normally, platelets make up only about 6 percent of a person’s blood ; in PRP, the ratio is 94 percent.

Where does PRP come from?

If you’re in need of PRP, your medical provider will use a syringe to take a sample of blood from your arm. Then, a centrifuge is used to separate the platelets from the rest of your blood. The resulting plasma can then be used to treat you.

What do dentists use PRP for?

PRP has many possible applications in dentistry. Most frequently, it is used to promote quicker healing after the extraction of a tooth. It can also be used to speed up the healing process and reduce the patient’s discomfort following oral surgery.

What are the benefits of using PRP in dental procedures?

Since it is taken from the patient’s own blood, there is no transmission risk and a very low risk of infection with PRP. It’s safe, easy to obtain, and helps to lower the likelihood of complications after surgery.

The team at University Associates in Dentistry can respond to all of your oral care needs, ranging from general dentistry to implant dentistry to root canal therapy to orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign. To schedule a free initial consultation at our Chicago office, call (312) 704-5511. We look forward to helping you enjoy a bright and healthy smile!

The How and Whys of CT Scans

Dental Implants in Chicago

Doctors aren’t the only ones who rely on images from CT scans. These high-tech imaging devices have begun appearing in some dentist’s offices. With these highly detailed images, a dentist can precisely plan treatments like the placement of permanent dental implants.

Watch this featured video to find out how CT scans work. You’ll learn that they use X-ray technology, but they offer superior benefits compared to conventional X-rays. CT scans use multiple beams of X-rays, which are directed at many angles. This allows the computer to create a 3D cross-sectional image. CT scans also have much lower radiation than conventional scans and X-rays. They also target a small section of the face- mouth and sinuses only.

At University Associates in Dentistry, we use advanced dental technology for the benefit of our patients—including a CT scanner designed specifically for use by dentists. Call (312) 704-5511 to request a dental consultation in Chicago.

Printing a New Tooth: Is 3D Printing the Future of Dentistry?

Dental Implants in Chicago

3D Printing teeth chicago

With the advent of 3D printing technology, tech enthusiasts have created everything from a DIY violin to a bust of King Richard III. This technology has even been used to build a biocompatible implant to replace most of a man’s damaged skull, and printable organs aren’t too far off, either. So it isn’t much of a stretch to envision dentists using 3D printers to create dental implants, veneers, and crowns someday—especially since some dentists have already invested in CEREC technology .

A Closer Look at CEREC
CEREC is advanced technology that isn’t yet widely available. If your dentist has invested in it, he or she can fabricate your new, custom-made crown, onlay, or veneer, all right in the office. This means you won’t have to wait for impressions to be sent to a lab so that you can receive custom restorations. CEREC is similar to 3D printing, but it’s only used for ceramic restorations. A scan of your mouth is uploaded to the computer. The dentist customizes your treatment digitally, and then sends the final design to the CEREC milling machine for fabrication. The milling machine carves the restoration out of a block of ceramic.

3D Printing in the Dentist’s Office
If 3D printing does find a home in dental offices, it will enable dentists to print new teeth in fewer than 10 minutes. Unlike CEREC, which mills restorations, 3D printers would build them one tiny layer at a time. It’s thought that this would offer advantages over CEREC, as 3D printers could recreate all of the intricate little details of a real tooth. One major obstacle is that, currently, 3D printers can generally only print in one material—plastic. (Highly specialized 3D printers have “printed” human stem cells.) Experts envision a time in the not-too-distant future, in which 3D printers are capable of shaping zirconia into teeth.

Here at University Associates in Dentistry , we understand that your time is valuable, and we want to send you on your way with a healthy, beautiful smile as quickly as possible. That’s why our dentists in Chicago are proud to offer one-visit crowns with CEREC technology. Call (312) 704-5511 to request your dental consultation.

Learning About Christopher Columbus via Dental Studies

Dental Implants in Chicago

christopher columbus dentistry

In 1494, more than 1,000 of Christopher Columbus’ crew members established a settlement on the coast of the present-day Dominican Republic. La Isabela was abandoned after just a few years, and much of the ruins were mistakenly bulldozed into the sea. However, skeletons of the crew members remained, and thanks to new technology, their teeth have been carefully analyzed. They’ve revealed some surprising information about the crew members’ lives.

Teeth are chemically examined by analyzing their isotopes. Carbon isotope ratios can indicate a person’s typical diet. European skeletons would have greater concentrations of carbon 12, because they ate grains like barley and wheat. Oxygen isotopes can be used to determine the climate of where the person lived. And strontium isotopes indicate whether the person lived in an area with very old bedrock, like West Africa. Based on their isotope analysis, researchers have concluded that some of Columbus’ crew members were likely free black Africans. They would have arrived in La Isabela well before the slave trade was established. Less surprising findings include that the crew members suffered from scurvy, malnutrition, and physical stress.

Dental technology is constantly improving, and here at University Associates in Dentistry, we embrace new innovations that help our patients have a healthier smile. Call (312) 704-5511 for an appointment with a dentist in Chicago .

What Dentists Want You to Know About Chemotherapy

Dental Implants in Chicago

chemotherapy and the dentist chicago Chemotherapy can be a lifesaver. It can also cause serious, unintended consequences, like a suppressed immune system, severe nausea, and weight loss. These effects are well-known, but what many cancer patients don’t realize is that chemo can also adversely affect oral health. If you’re expecting to undergo chemo, you’ve already receiving it, or you’re anticipating radiation therapy to the head region, talk to a dentist as soon as possible.

Visiting Your Dentist
During your dental consultation, provide as much information as you can about your medical condition and the drugs you’ll be taking. The dentist will examine your X-rays, and the hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth. A professional cleaning is important because it curbs problems like gum disease. When your immune system is suppressed during chemotherapy , you’ll be more susceptible to illnesses, and bacteria from infections in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and make you sick. If you have any other oral health problems, you’ll receive appropriate treatment for them. Your dentist will also help you learn how to care for your mouth during chemo.

Watching Out for Side Effects
Chemo doesn’t affect every patient the same way. You may not experience all of the following side effects, and it’s possible that you won’t experience any of them. But you should be familiar with the side effects, just in case.

  • Dry mouth
  • Changes in taste
  • Infections
  • Painful mouth and gums
  • Swelling or peeling of the tongue
  • Burning sensations of the tongue

Caring for Your Mouth
Inspect your mouth every day. Become familiar with how it should look, and notice whether there are any unusual changes. If your mouth becomes sensitive, use an extra soft toothbrush and waxed floss, and brush very gently. Choose mouthwash without alcohol. Fight dry mouth by sipping water frequently and chewing sugarless gum. When your mouth hurts, choose soft foods that don’t require a lot of work to chew and swallow.

At University Associates in Dentistry, the well-being and safety of our patients are our top priorities. We provide compassionate, personalized care to meet the sensitive needs of patients with other serious health issues. Call us at (312) 704-5511 to request a prompt appointment with a general dentist in Chicago.

How Does Your Dental Implant Stay in Place?

Dental Implants in Chicago

dental implants Chicago

Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant is a simple, straightforward, and non-stressful procedure. What many patients don’t understand, however, is how the artificial implant integrates into your mouth and becomes a permanent part of your smile. This process is known as osseointegration. Here is a closer look at how this natural process completes the dental implant procedure.

What is osseointegration?
Osseointegration is the process by which the dental implant melds with your living bone. When your human cells come into contact with the metal cells of the implant post, they naturally form bonds, which ultimately allows the metal part of your implant to stay in place. It’s a widely used process; any type of implant surgery that involves metal parts, such as hip replacement or knee replacement surgery, relies in part on osseointegration.

Is osseointegration safe?
Osseointegration is a natural process, so it is completely safe for treatment. It also makes dental implants much more likely to be stable over time, which means that patients now have a safe, effective, and reliable means of replacing lost teeth—which is great news for your oral health.

How long does osseointegration take?
For dental implants, osseointegration generally takes about two to six months. The denser and healthier your existing bone is, the faster the process will tend to be. Your dentist may recommend bone grafting if you have a significant amount of bone loss, so that your implant has a stronger foundation and so that osseointegration can more easily occur.

If you think that you may need dental implants, it’s time to schedule a dental consultation at University Associates in Dentistry . Our experienced dental providers will help you understand all of your options for tooth restoration and what you can expect during your treatment. To make an appointment at our Chicago office, please call (312) 704-5511.

Here’s How Neanderthals Did Dental Care

Dental Implants in Chicago

Dentist Chicago

When you think of dental care, the Neanderthals might not be the first group that comes to mind. However, there is evidence that dentistry was a part of Neanderthal life. Their treatments were a little different than what you encounter when you see the dentist today, of course, but they did take steps to improve their oral health.

Although not much is known about any sustained, organized approaches to dentistry in Neanderthals, teeth from the population show signs of scratches and grooves consistent with using a toothpick to treat the discomfort of impacted teeth. The toothpicks were likely made of pieces of bone or stiff grass. This discovery may not be surprising, given that toothpick use has been discovered in even older civilizations.

At University Associates in Dentistry, we rely on much more modern equipment to provide cosmetic and general dentistry in Chicago , including dental implants and porcelain veneers. To learn more or to make an appointment, call (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry