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.
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.
Smile League Dental is excited to introduce the newest in modern technology for restorations like crowns and bridges, aligners, night guard, implant crowns, and sleep apnea devices: Intraoral scanners. Our CEREC Primescan AC uses state of the art technology and is the best and most expensive scanner on the market today.
Let’s take a closer look at how this new technology works and how it benefits our patients.
What Is an Intraoral Scanner?
An intraoral scanner is a device that’s used to create digital impressions. The scanner works by projecting light onto the area that needs to be scanned. Imaging sensors take pictures, and scanning software creates a 3D surface model.
Intraoral scanners eliminate the need for traditional impressions, which can sometimes be uncomfortable. Color maps can also be created to ensure that your restorations are accurate and natural looking.
Advantages Of Intraoral Digital Scanning Over Traditional Analogue Impressions?
An intraoral scanner replaces the need for traditional analogue impressions. For patients and dental staff, these digital scanners offer many advantages, including:
Quicker Impressions
Speed is important for both dental offices and patients. One study (Patzelt et al., 2014) on the CEREC Primescan AC found that CEREC offered the fastest devices and was up to 23 minutes faster than traditional impression making.
Greater Accuracy
Faster speeds do not impact accuracy. Buccal bite and full arches can accurately be scanned in under a minute. Even in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, the intraoral scanner allows for complete scans in under 60 seconds.
On top of accuracy, these scanners are versatile, allowing our staff to improve our workflow to get your scans done as quickly as possible.
Secure data transfers are made with seamless communication to labs for faster results. Digital impressions can help with:
Clear aligners
Restorative work
Implants
Sleep apnea
OraCheck
When accuracy and speed are combined, we’re able to make sure that all of our patients leave the office with a smile on their face.
More Comfortable
Comfort is of the utmost importance for our patients. Primescan’s intraoral digital scanners are the best because they promote fast, comfortable treatment. Patented imaging technology allows for rapid results, which means less discomfort.
Primescan goes a step further with easy scanning for hard to access areas. The scanner has a large field of view, allowing our dental team to view larger areas with fewer sweeps.
Smile League Dental wants the best for our patients from the first visit to the last. We’ve gone the extra mile to offer intraoral scanning technology to our patients because it’s faster, more comfortable and highly accurate.
Primescan was chosen, after careful consideration from our team, because it:
Offers perfect accuracy with 20mm depth sharpness
Connects to labs and third-party suppliers
Makes scans more comfortable for patients
Improves hygiene with multiple sleeve options and can consolidate 50,000 images per second
With built-in smart features and touchscreens, we’re able to get you in and out of the chair faster and offer better results.
Primescan helps us ensure that when you leave our office, you’ll have a smile on your face.
The long-awaited new year is here. As we are all look forward to a healthier 2021, maybe you are thinking of adding to your new year’s resolution list, healthier and whiter teeth?
Maybe you are a big coffee drinker, and, over time, your teeth have become stained. Perhaps, your new year resolution includes quitting smoking, and whitening your teeth as a fresh healthy start.
As you may know, there is something about whiter, healthy teeth and smile. The happier you are with your teeth, the more likely you are to show them off to other people, boosting your confidence.
If you have not, you certainly may want to include teeth whitening and healthier teeth to your new year’s resolution list.
As Part of Your New Year Resolution
Regular brushing and flossing are important fundamental ways to keep your teeth healthy and bright. And so is visiting your dentist every six (6) months. However, if you feel you want your teeth more shades lighter, then consider teeth whitening. Teeth whitening involves bleaching your teeth to make them lighter. Teeth whitening can lighten the existing color of your teeth by several shades.
Part of Your New Year Resolution and Before You Venture Into Teeth Whitening, Remember This
It is important to see a dentist for an assessment of your teeth and oral health. If you have cavities, gum disease, or other abnormalities, you can make certain symptoms worse and negatively affect your oral health. A dentist will be able to help you make the right choice.
Factors That Can Change the Color of Your Teeth
Multiple factors cause teeth to become dull and lose their bright, white sparkle. Certain foods can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can cause them to look yellow (you would need to first get a cleaning by a dentist). Tobacco use, aging, trauma, and certain medications (like tetracycline) can also change the color of your teeth. The success of teeth whitening will largely depend on the cause of discoloration. For example, grey colored teeth or tetracycline-stained teeth will require more bleaching efforts, compared to yellow-colored teeth.
Visiting the Dentist for an Evaluation and Treatment
Depending on what type of teeth whitening you want, you may need to make a visit to the dentist for an evaluation in this new year, to achieve your new year’s resolution list. For at-home teeth whitening, you would need an evaluation, and then a custom-made tray to help you hold the bleach in place. For in-office teeth whitening, you would need an evaluation, and then the actual bleaching appointment which is less than two (2) hours.
It is important to note that bleaching will not whiten porcelain crowns or composite tooth-colored restorations.
In-Office Teeth Whitening VS at Home Teeth Whitening
In-office-based teeth bleaching means bleaching done for you at a dentist’s office while at-home teeth whitening is bleaching you can do at home yourself, with the guide of a dentist.
Similarities: Both in-office and at-home teeth-whitening options use peroxide-based bleaching agents.
Major differences: In-office yields a dramatic result at a shorter time (since it contains a higher concentration of peroxide) compared to at-home teeth whitening which takes more time and several days.
Other differences: At-home teeth whitening systems contain from 3 to 20-percent peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office teeth whitening systems contain from 15 to 43-percent peroxide. However, the higher the percentage of peroxide in the teeth whitening solution, the shorter it should be applied to the teeth.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
At your evaluation visit, your dentist will evaluate your oral health and medical history. Once it is determined you are a good candidate for at-home teeth whitening, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth to make a mouthguard and instruct you how to use it with a bleaching gel. Then, using your mouthguard at home, consistently apply the gel for a specified period over 2 to 4 weeks (or as instructed by your dentist).
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening done by your dentist can get teeth brighter faster. The bleaching solution is usually much stronger than at-home kits. Also, heat, light, or a combination of the two may be used to speed and intensify the whitening process. This yields the most dramatic results, with teeth getting three to eight shades brighter. This procedure usually takes several minutes, about 30- to 60-minutes. Teeth whitening may not always be predictable, although certain factors help achieve more predictability. Amongst these factors is the use of Philips Zoom teeth whitening LED light to intensify teeth whitening done in the office and to shorten treatment time.
What is the Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening LED light?
Philips Zoom teeth whitening is a popular method of teeth whitening because it takes extraordinarily little time to work and is effective for most people. It can dramatically whiten your teeth up to 8 shades brighter! Since this technology is one of the best in the market for teeth whitening, we deem it important to offer this product to our dearly esteemed customers at Smile League Dental. You may want to review the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Philips Zoom teeth whitening. You should also review the instructions about the Philips Zoom teeth whitening, which will be given to you at your initial evaluation appointment with the dentist at Smile League Dental.
The Zoom Whitening Procedure
Your current teeth shade will be assessed, so you have a reference shade to the new shade, which will be achieved after the whitening.
Next, a protective cover is put over your lips and gums leaving only your teeth exposed.
Some gel is applied to the back surfaces of the teeth to be whitened.
Then the whitening gel is applied to your teeth and will remain for 15 minutes.
A special lamp is used in combination with the hydrogen peroxide Zoom whitening gel to remove stains from your teeth.
More gel is applied every 15 minutes.
The entire procedure takes about 45 minutes.
Once the whitening is complete, a different gel is applied to your teeth to lessen sensitivity.
Before you leave, you will receive a touch-up home kit and advice from your dentist about which foods you are able to eat and drink.
As a note, it is recommended that you get your teeth professionally cleaned before receiving Philips Zoom whitening. You will want your teeth to be as clean as possible before the actual treatment.
Losing baby teeth is an exciting part of growing up. Who does not remember the first time you put a baby tooth under your pillow – with the anticipation of getting something special from the tooth fairy? Losing baby teeth is a normal part of growth and development.
The tradition of leaving a tooth under a pillow for the Tooth Fairy to collect is practiced in various countries, including the U.S. Virtually every child believes the Tooth Fairy myth.
What is the Tooth Fairy?
The Tooth Fairy is a fantasy figure of early childhood in Western and Western-influenced cultures. Linda S. Watts (2007) stated that when children loose any of their baby teeth, they should place it underneath their pillow, or on their bedside table, and the Tooth Fairy will visit while they sleep – replacing the lost tooth with a small payment.
One of the tales surrounding the Tooth Fairy myth is the Tooth Fairy’s house is made from the teeth she collects. The Tooth Fairy’s house is a huge, white castle with towers and a sparkling moat. The Tooth Fairy is very particular about the baby teeth she collects and uses for her castle. If the child’s tooth has a cavity or dark spot, she will throw the bad tooth into the mouth of a big cave, where it will be ground up into fairy dust.
If You Are Wondering How the Tooth Fairy Myth Can Be Helpful to Parents, Here Is How
Telling a child the Tooth Fairy will come to collect a cavity-free baby tooth in exchange for monetary rewards or other gifts often excites them. It may also provide comfort to a child experiencing fear or pain from losing a tooth. Apart from the gift, it could also help children strive to keep their baby teeth healthy for the Tooth Fairy’s cavity free house, by brushing twice daily and reducing consumption of sugars. These are some of the major factors that could lead to cavities.
Making the Tooth Fairy Come Quicker
If you notice your child is having “double teeth” (i.e. baby tooth is present and will not loosen, while the adult tooth is erupting and right behind the baby tooth), you may encourage your child to wiggle it themselves. This will aid in natural exfoliation. Parents can also aid children with wiggling out mobile baby teeth. An alternatively preferable approach would be to schedule your child with the dentist for further evaluation and appropriate management.
Facts About Losing Baby Teeth
The normal loss of baby teeth is important because over-retained teeth can cause gum inflammation and sensitivity or affect the eruption pattern of permanent teeth. Over-retained baby teeth may also lead to crowding of teeth, or cause malocclusion.
Be careful that an overtly loose baby tooth can get dislodged at an unexpected time, such as when a child is sleeping, and can get aspirated in the lungs.
The loss of primary teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth usually occur naturally and without complications, although there are sometimes variations to normal eruption. Check with your dentist if you notice a variation with your child’s baby teeth.
Sometimes the eruption of the adult teeth counterpart can cause swelling of the gum tissue. These swellings will appear as a bubble on the gums and can even take on a bluish hue.
While some children are nervous to lose their baby teeth, it is important to teach them this is a natural part of growth and development. It is also important for parents to realize this is a normal part of their child’s development. If a parent is nervous or apprehensive about a loose baby tooth, it will often lead to the child having similar anxiety. Be mindful how you portray or show your dental fears around your child.
At Smile League Dental, if we need to make the Tooth Fairy come quicker by extracting their baby teeth, we effectively communicate with children in a manner they understand. After the process, we bag their baby teeth to take home so they can get their tooth fairy experience. We also offer them toys to help them feel better.
Our priority at Smile League Dental is making dental treatment a fun, memorable process for children. Our team is extra caring, yet efficient and knowledgeable in various dental procedures and processes and can help your child get rid of their dental ailments while providing quick relief. Call 815-782-6243 or schedule your appointment online today.
References
Watts, Linda S. (2007). “Tooth Fairy (legendary).” Encyclopedia of American Folklore. New York: Facts on File. P. 386. ISBN 0-8160-5699-4
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smileleaguedental@gmail.com
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