by elision | Aug 9, 2022 | Dentist
Are you thinking of getting dental implants in Joliet? There’s a lot of history behind this procedure and it goes back farther than you might expect.
From the very first recorded implants to present-day surgery, we’ve come a long way. Smile League Dental is proud to be able to provide this procedure in a safe, friendly atmosphere with very little risk and very high success rates. Feel free to contact us or stop by our Joliet office to learn more or to schedule an implant consultation.
Just in case you’re wondering what a dental implant is, it’s a prosthetic tooth route that binds to your bone in order to replace a missing tooth. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how implants have changed over the years.
Antique Implants
It has, in fact, been more than just years since implants have been around. It has been millennia.
Some of the earliest dental implants we know about come from China. Chinese dentists some 4000 years ago used carved bamboo shunts as an implant material, securing them into the jaw bones of their patients. Ancient Egypt was also a center of early implant technology, except the Egyptians used precious metals, minerals, and materials such as ivory as a prosthetic.
There’s evidence in the Americas of dental implants, too. People here used carved shells as dental prosthetics.
Modern Implant Research
Some of these ancient methods must have worked based on archaeological evidence, but chances are that the success rate was not very high. The lack of infection control also probably made dental implants relatively dangerous. The goal of modern dental researchers was to make implants into the reliable, safe technology that they are today.
This did not happen overnight. Initial research focused mostly on precious metals, with little success. These metals did not fuse to the bone enough to become reliable permanent replacements for teeth.
Breakthroughs in modern dental prosthetics came around the 1930s, about the same time orthopedic surgeons were making strides in bone and joint repair. Unsurprisingly, the same materials that worked for other bones also helped teeth fuse to the jaw bone.
Into Contemporary Times
Early prosthetic alloys were not the most accessible options for most people. We have mid-20th century medicine and metallurgy to thank for the popularity of implants today. Most implants are now made of titanium, a material that was becoming widely available starting around the 1950s due to increased demand in the aerospace industry. A researcher discovered that it was an effective material in bone grafting, which led to its widespread use as a dental implant in the second half of the 20th century on through today.
Getting an Implant
Research has kept going, with new improvements on, alternatives to, and refinements to the solid foundation of titanium implant technology. In fact, this is one of the best times in history to get dental implants in Joliet, so feel free to schedule your appointment with Smile League Dental today by calling 815-782-6243.
by elision | Jul 11, 2022 | Dental Service, Dentist
It’s natural to feel uncomfortable or even a little scared of gum disease. This type of infection can have some embarrassing and painful symptoms.The best way to deal with gingivitis and periodontitis is to face the issue head-on and get the help you need as early as possible. Smile League has Joliet gum disease treatment in a relaxed, friendly, professional environment, so please reach out and schedule an appointment.For the rest of this article, we’re going to look at the research connecting gum disease to heart disease. We are also going to talk about some symptoms and preventive measures you can take.
Gum Disease and Heart Disease: Are They Related? Did you ever think about how strange it is to have a different doctor for your mouth than you do for the rest of your body? All of these systems are connected in one way or another, and we are beginning to learn more about those connections.Recent research has suggested a stronger link between gum disease and heart disease. We’ve discovered the same type of bacteria in diseased hearts as we find in infected gums. There are also correlations between gum inflammation and some types of cardiovascular inflammation.The theory is that bacteria could enter the bloodstream through the gums. From there, it ends up forming reservoirs in other parts of the body.What does that mean for your heart health? The general consensus is that people at risk of heart disease, especially those with artificial valves, should make every effort possible to maintain good oral health.
Catching Gum Disease Early To keep up with your oral health, you’ll want to pay close attention to any changes involving your teeth, gums, or mouth. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
- Bad breath (not just after food or drink)
- Bleeding when you floss
- Changes in the appearance of your gums (different colors or puffy-looking gums)
- Longer-looking teeth (receding gums)
- Swollen or reddened gums
- Bleeding or pain, especially without flossing
- Loose teeth or teeth falling out
There’s no such thing as a minor symptom of gum disease, but some of these are obviously more serious than others. Please contact us if you have any of them — and preferably reach out before you start feeling pain or serious discomfort.
Preventing and Treating Gum Disease Gum disease is typically a progressive problem that we control early through focused changes in habits. Sometimes, we recommend professional intervention. There are also some things that could prevent it (or prevent it from getting worse):
- Brushing and flossing regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Getting professional cleanings
- Having regular preventive dentist appointments
- Getting deep cleanings
- Taking certain types of antibiotics
Treatment really depends on your exact condition — we’ll have to take a look to see what we can do. Also, if you already come in a couple of times a year, you can be confident that your dentist is already keeping an eye out for any signs of gum disease.Hopefully, that provides a good summary of what we currently know about the link between gum disease and heart disease. For more questions or to make an appointment, feel free to reach out to our experienced family dentists in Joliet at any time.
by elision | Jun 15, 2022 | Teeth Whitening
Your best options for teeth whitening in Joliet are going to be unique to your situation. That said, we would recommend that you use professional whitening services. They’re the safest, most effective options.
If you need a Joliet dentist, consider Smile League Dental. We always welcome new patients, and we will work with you to set up an appointment that fits your needs.
DIY Methods
You would expect a dentist to recommend professional whitening — and we do. In this case, it’s more than just self-promotion. Professional services are safer and deliver better faster results.
Your dentist should also be able to provide a greater level of customization and control over the level of whiteness. Just let us know ahead of time, and we can prepare accordingly. It’s also usually possible to get a tooth whitening procedure finished in one day.
Additionally, professional whitening and stain removal services often provide relatively permanent results, providing brighter smiles for up to three years. Finally, professional whitening typically does not use abrasive products — substances that can irritate sensitive teeth and potentially cause unnecessary wear.
Dentist-Recommended Products
When dentists recommend at-home whitening products, it’s usually to maintain brightness after professional whitening. For example, some dentists recommend whitening toothpaste or mouthwash. You might also get a touch-up kit to use after an appointment.
We would always recommend getting a professional opinion, even if you’re sure you want to go with a DIY approach. There are a lot of options out there, and your dentist can help you choose the most effective one for your specific goals. Make sure to discuss this with your dentist well ahead of time —many at-home techniques require multiple applications.
Professional Whitening Services
There are many different types of professional whitening. Here is an example of the process from start to finish:
- You come in for your appointment and get your teeth cleaned.
- After cleaning, the dentist protects your gums and lips.
- The whitening compound is applied carefully to your teeth and activated with UV lamps.
- The dentist rinses the whitening bleach off of your teeth, checks the brightness, and repeats the bleaching process until you get the result you want.
- You leave the office and avoid foods and, for the next day or so, avoid drinks that would stain your teeth.
The process does not take long at all. You should see results immediately, and they should last for a long time with minimal maintenance.
Maintaining White Teeth
If you want bright white teeth for something like a wedding or a photo shoot, then you will want to maintain the time between your procedure and the event. This means avoiding foods and drinks that might stain your teeth, such as turmeric, coffee, tea, red wine, cola, or berries.
Other than that, brushing and flossing regularly after meals should be all of the regular maintenance you need to enjoy a brighter smile. Of course, you should also come in for regular cleanings. Feel free to reach out and schedule an appointment with us today.
by elision | May 18, 2022 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Service
Nobody needs to be confused or worried about getting cosmetic dentistry. It’s really very approachable for most people. In fact, many of the people you know might have already had these types of procedures.
Let’s take a look at the entire process of going to a cosmetic dentist from start to finish. You might notice that it’s pretty similar to going to a regular dentist — partly because your family dentist probably has a cosmetic practice. If you have any questions or you’d like to make an appointment, please reach out to Smile League Dental at any point.
Consultation
Your first step with any cosmetic procedure will be a consultation. This might happen during a regular checkup when the dentist notices something. Otherwise, you might come in for a specific appointment.
Planning
After you have identified the problem you want to solve, it’s time to think about solutions. This is the hardest part for most patients.
There are usually a number of different ways to address any specific cosmetic challenge that you’re facing. Choosing between all of the options means balancing cost, schedule, and end result against your own personal preferences and expectations.
The best dentists should be able to highlight some of the options that will work for your unique situation. Make sure that you work with someone you trust during this planning phase, and the rest of your experience should be great.
Procedure
After you plan everything, you will undergo the procedure you selected. This could be as simple as a same-day teeth whitening, or it could involve a multistage process. You might need to wait a little longer to start the more complicated options, as they can require advanced imaging, molds of your teeth, and manufacturing of advanced prosthetics.
Cosmetic procedures have come a long way in recent years. They are now more accessible and they can provide more natural-looking results than ever before.
Recovery (If Applicable)
Some cosmetic dentistry might require recovery or some type of downtime. For example, many people get a temporary crown as a placeholder before their new prosthetic can be installed. Implants tend to be sore for a short period before they become as natural-feeling as original teeth.
On the other hand, some cosmetic procedures result in virtually zero discomfort. Teeth whitening, for example, basically only requires you to open your mouth for the dentist.
If a recovery period might not fit into your plans, then you will definitely want to discuss that during the planning phase with your dentist. One common example is getting cosmetic dental procedures in preparation for a wedding — you might want to start planning well in advance for these types of events.
Enjoyment
The final stage of any cosmetic dental procedure is enjoying your new smile and sharing it with those around you. Let us help you get there — reach out for an appointment today at our Joliet cosmetic dentistry center.
by elision | Apr 13, 2022 | Dental Service
How can you find the best dentist in Joliet? Congratulations, because in our opinion — and our patients’ opinions — you’ve already found it.
Smile League Dental is on a mission to put a smile on your face. We embody the approach and the standards we would want in a dentist. You really don’t need to look any further, and the good news is that we’re currently accepting new patients.
We’re going to talk some more about what makes Smile League the top-rated dentist in Joliet, but you’re invited to come in and see for yourself. Contact us soon to make an appointment — we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
All the Services You and Your Family Needs
One of the reasons people recommend our office is our range of services. We provide:
- Invisalign
- Tooth cleaning and preventive appointments
- Crowns, bridges, and implants
- Teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry
- Dental imaging
- Root canal
- Emergency care
Whether our patients are 8 or 88, we have what it takes to put a smile on their faces. We’re also highly conscious of our patients’ overall needs. We get to know people, and we only make recommendations after taking the entire situation into consideration.
Positive Experiences and Good People
We’re a business, but we’re also a community. Smile League is about increasing happiness, whether it’s through our top-quality dental services, through the way we provide them, or through our dedication to helping people.
A special point of pride is our reputation. Our patients love having a dentist they can feel comfortable with and trust, and we love having the support of so many great people. Feel free to check out our online reviews to get an idea of what people are saying about us.
A Convenient Location
Some of our patients travel a good distance to see us, and it’s wonderful to have that kind of loyalty. However, most people don’t need to go too far.
Smile League is right by the U.S. 30 and I-55 interchange, near one of the biggest shopping areas in town. You might already be in our neighborhood more often than you realize.
It’s important to have someone nearby — important for more than just convenience. We always set aside time so we can accept emergency calls. Although it’s unlikely that you’re reading this with a dental emergency, please reach out immediately if you’re suffering in some way. We will fit you in as soon as possible.
Contact Smile League
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us. If you have any questions or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, we’d be happy to hear from you. Call our Joliet family dentists now at 815-782-6243.
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