What qualifies as a dental emergency?

Accidents happen all the time. If you are hurt or in pain, you need to seek treatment.
If you are a patient of record, you can call the office and listen for the emergency number for the doctor on call.  Once you contact the dentist he/she will assess the nature of the problem and in many cases prescribe medicines to help you recover.

If you have not been to our offices, you will only be able to have discussions with our doctors and make immediate arrangements to be seen. We cannot write a prescription over the phone unless we have your complete medical history.
Here's what qualifies as a dental emergency:

- Bitten lip or tongue
- Broken tooth
- Toothache
- Infections
- Lost dental filling or dental crown
- Broken jaw

Do I have to make an appointment?
Your dental health is important! Our offices will schedule an appointment at your convenience, whenever time is available.
To schedule an appointment, please call 630-357-1313 (Naperville), 708-598-0717 (Oak Lawn), 708-598-5858 (Hickory Hills), or fill out our Appointment Request Form and we will call you to confirm your appointment.

 

I have some old silver fillings which are beginning to look bad. What can be done to improve them.

Silver amalgam fillings eventually need to be replaced. The average life
span of a silver filling is five to eight years.

There are many new methods available to replace the fillings with beautiful, functional long lasting restorations. There are white filling materials, porcelain inlays , crowns and veneers that may be used to give you the smile you are seeking.

I would like to have my teeth whitened. There are so many products and ads for whiteners that it is hard to decide which is best. what do you recommend?

 

There are many products and techniques available.  To get a really great result you should probably use one of the products sold through dental offices which utilize custom made trays for home application of a bleaching gel.
There are several great ones out there. Our favorite is Saphire or Britesmile. These products give great results and prevail over the sensitivity problem seen with some other products.

We also offer laser whitening. With this method a laser is used as a light source to activate the bleaching gel which is applied to your teeth in the dental office. It may be necessary to use the at home trays in addition to this treatment. However, there are side effects which can include sensitivity to treated teeth.

 

What are implants?

Dental implants are a wonderful way to replace missing teeth when certain conditions exist. Such things as your overall general health and the length of time you have been missing your teeth must be considered. The replacement of missing teeth using dental implants frequently requires a team approach.

 

After your dentist does a thorough examination and treatment plan the surgical phase of treatment takes place. In most cases a periodontist or an oral surgeon will put the implant(s), the artificial root(s) into the jaw. When healing is complete, usually after 4-6 months, The tooth or bridge segment can be placed on top of the healed implants by a general dentist or a prosthodontist . Some dentists are trained to place the surgical part of the implant as well as the prosthetic or tooth part. You should ask your dentist if you are a good candidate for implants and ask for a referral if he or she doesn't do them.

 

There are so many different toothbrushes on the market today. How do I know which one is the right one for me?

The brand of the toothbrush is not nearly as critical as the type of bristle, the size and shape of the head and how frequently you replace your brush.

We recommend a soft bristled brush with a small head. A small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. The soft bristles are important for the health of your gums.
We recommend replacing your brush at least once a month and brushing your teeth in the morning, after each meal and at the end of the day .

 

If you are not able to do this because of your busy schedule, we recommend brushing twice a day at a bare minimum.

 

When I visited my dentist for my last checkup, she told me that I have impacted wisdom teeth and she wants to remove them. They are not bothering me. Should I see a specialist if I decide to have them removed? What should I do?

 

Having regular dental checkups with x-rays allows you to learn about potential problems and have them corrected before they begin to bother you. There are a number of reasons for recommending removal of unerupted or impacted teeth. Your dentist may have seen that these teeth could cause problems for the adjacent teeth if left in place. There is also the possibility that you could develop such things as a cyst or abscess if left in place.
General dentists who provide any specialty service such as root canal treatment, braces, oral surgery or periodontal surgery are required by law to adhere to the same standard of care provided by a specialist
Your dentist should be happy to talk more with you about this.

 

What Are Dental Insurance Coverage Type?

According to most dental insurance companies, dental procedures are broken down into three categories:

 

1. Preventative

Most insurance companies consider routine cleanings and examinations as preventative dental care, however, X-rays, sealants and fluoride can be deemed as preventative or basic, depending upon the specific insurance carrier.

 

2. Basic or Restorative

Basic or restorative dental treatment usually consists of fillings and simple extractions.
Root canals can be considered basic or major. However, the majority of dental plans list root canals as basic.

 

3. Major

Crowns, bridges, dentures, partials, surgical extractions and dental implants are dental procedures that most dental insurance companies consider as a major procedure.

Since all dental insurance carriers are different, it is important to clarify which dental procedures fall under each specific category. This is important because some insurance plans don't cover major procedures and others have waiting periods for certain procedures.

 

Do you accept all types of dental insurance?
We accept all traditional INS, HMO's. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have in terms of your dental insurance. Please call one of our locations for more information.

Do you accept patients without dental insurance?
Patients without dental insurance are welcome in any of our offices. Our patients friendly policy is to treat anyone who needs help. We will make every effort to provide a payment plan that fits your budget.

Do you accept all major credit cards?
We accept cash, personal checks, debit cards and all major credit cards. (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discovery)

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What is an Abscessed tooth?

An abscessed tooth is an infection that can develop from tooth decay or tooth trauma, such as a broken tooth. An abscess can include pus and swelling. If there is an opening in the enamel of a tooth, such as a cavity, bacteria can get in and infect the center of the tooth and cause an abscess.

Once an abscess happens, the infection could spread throughout the mouth and body. A root canal is usually the only option to save a tooth once it has become abscessed. If you suspect that you have an abscessed tooth, you should see your dentist right away.

 

What is the ADA?
The ADA stands for the American Dental Association. This is a professional trade organization that provides support and educational services for its members and the public.

 

How often should I visit my dentist?

Most children and adults should see their dentist for a regular cleaning and check up every six months. People at a greater risk for oral diseases should have dental checkups more than twice a year. Your dentist takes into consideration factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, diabetes, pregnancy, periodontal and gum disease, and certain medical conditions, when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning and checkup.
The best way to maintain good oral health is to visit your dentist on a regular basis.