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.
by elision | Mar 30, 2022 | Dental Service
Many Joliet general dentist offices (including ours here at Smile League) accept Medicaid — the easiest way is simply to call and ask. Alternatively, you can search for the phrase “dentist near me that accepts Medicaid” in a search engine, such as Google.
Searching the internet works better than you might expect for this. That’s because most dentists publish the fact that they accept Medicaid.
If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, check your membership card. There should be a phone number on the back that you can call to get a list of dentists in your area who accept Medicaid.
DentaQuest
DentaQuest is recommended by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for people who are enrolled in Medicare but do not have a managed care plan. DentaQuest works if you want a broad range of possible options.
Keep in mind that DentaQuest might update its interface at any time. If you need help, feel free to contact us here at Smile League or ask for advice the next time you come in for an appointment.
Searching the DentaQuest Database
There are a number of ways to access the information, but the easiest way is typically to enter “DentaQuest” on Google or navigate to DentaQuest.com and use the main website’s search wizard.
Once you have found the official website, you’re ready to start searching. Currently, if you are using a laptop or desktop computer, you should find the option to “Find A Provider” in the upper-right-hand corner of the website’s front page. If you are using a mobile device, such as a tablet or a cell phone, you will probably have to select the menu in the upper left to find this option.
You should be prompted to select the option for Medicare/Medicaid. You’ll then get a list of the different states.
Once you select Illinois, you’ll see an option to select the type of plan you have. After you select the right category, you’ll finally be able to enter your ZIP code and search for dentists who provide the types of services you need. DentaQuest is a bit of work, but there are some advantages:
- You can search by dental specialty
- Dentists can indicate whether they are accepting new patients
- Each office provides a list of plans that it accepts
Pick Up the Phone
As you can see, you need to have a lot of information at your fingertips to use DentaQuest. Additionally, once you find a list of providers, you will still need to call in order to confirm that they do accept your specific plan.
Unless you need the advanced information in DentaQuest, we would generally recommend that you just call dentists you find on online directories such as Google Maps. The benefit of this approach is that you can read reviews and contact the dentist without going through a complex search process. Of course, you can also feel free to contact us here at Smile League at 815-782-6243.
by elision | Jan 19, 2021 | Dental Service
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.
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