Smile 312 Chicago's Premier Dentist Blog

Did you know that according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, an estimated 5 million dental implants are placed in the U.S. annually? These restorations continue to gain popularity because they’re such a resilient and reliable way to replace missing teeth. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they are embedded directly in your jawbone for added strength and stability.

However, that doesn’t make them the best solution for everyone. Before proceeding, you must consult your dentist to verify whether you’re a good candidate. Continue reading to learn about 3 problems that might prevent you from moving forward!

Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique placement in your jaw. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, these become a permanent part of your smile and can function as sturdy standalone structures.

Although dental implants indeed function the most like natural teeth, many patients hesitate to schedule the procedure because they’re afraid their prosthetics will stick out like sore thumbs. If you’re worried about your appearance, continue reading to learn 3 reasons to set your concerns aside!

You’re considering replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant. Great choice! Many dentists consider dental implants to be the best replacement option to date. But maybe you’re confused about something that you just keep coming across in your research – what exactly is a bone graft, and why it is frequently mentioned with dental implants?

Keep reading, and you’ll find out soon.

Did you know that an estimated 75% of orthodontic patients are teenagers? Your teeth are more flexible in your jawbone in your youth, so it’s an ideal time to get braces to straighten them. However, many adults are surprised to discover that their grins have become somewhat overcrowded or overlapped again, sometimes years after completing orthodontics.

Invisalign is an ideal solution for mildly misaligned teeth, but many patients wonder whether it’s feasible to undergo treatment if they’ve already had traditional braces. Continue reading to learn more about why you can safely set your concerns aside!

So, you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, and you’re looking forward to enjoying the results—congratulations! Your teeth are now beautifully straight, and you may already be feeling your confidence rise. However, your journey isn’t quite over yet. To keep your new smile in place, you’ll need to wear a retainer. If you’re wondering how long you’ll need one, continue reading. You’ll learn more about these critical oral appliances, why they’re important, and how long you’ll need to wear yours to preserve your gorgeous grin.

Purchasing a dental insurance plan may not sound like the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology that’s used to explain the details of the policy. Instead of getting overwhelmed and deciding it’s not worth the hassle, keep reading to discover a few basic components that are most important when comparing plans.

If you missed your chance for braces as a teen or your teeth have moved over the years, there’s good news. You are never too old for Invisalign! You can benefit from clear aligners to fix your bite and alignment issues. However, there are a few things you should know if you’re an older adult. Here’s how you can achieve a straight smile with no brackets or wires.

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Even if you’re ready to begin the process of improving your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry, you may still have a lot of questions for your dentist. Your consultation is the perfect opportunity to get answers to any queries you may have about your upcoming procedure. Here are a few important things to ask before you sign on the dotted line!

Our teeth are durable, powerful little tools that can chew a wide variety of delicious, nutritious foods. Unfortunately, however, there are some foods that are a bit more difficult to break down than others, and though tasty, can sometimes wreak havoc on them. If you’re concerned about tooth damage, here are a few foods that you should avoid.

Dental sensitivity can be surprising, uncomfortable, and annoying, but does it count as an emergency? Depending on its severity and what causes it, your teeth experiencing a tingling sensation or an irksome twinge in response to stimuli may be an easy problem to solve at home or require an immediate visit to your dentist’s office for treatment. Here are a few of the causes of sensitive teeth and how to tell if you should contact your dentist for an emergency appointment.