Not everything about getting older is negative. Arguably, more experience just means you know how to have more fun! Some effects that are a bummer, though, are the subtle ways time can transform your smile – and it doesn’t stop with wrinkles and fine lines. Aging can actually impact your teeth, gums, and jaw structure as well as your skin.
Fortunately, dental cosmetic treatments can help turn back the clock!
Daily wear and tear from eating or grinding and clenching your teeth will eventually take a toll on your natural enamel. As it thins, you lose some valuable protection against bacteria – and dental staining. If your pearly whites are looking more and more yellow, you’ll be happy to know that your dentist’s take-home whitening kits are much more effective than what you’ll find in the store. Within two weeks, your smile will be several shades brighter!
Another “side-effect” of everyday dental function is damage. It’s possible to develop some surface-level chips and cracks over time, and if you’re having trouble breaking habits like nail-biting and using your teeth as tools, the damage can be more significant.
In minor cases, your dentist can provide you with customized dental veneers, which will conceal unwanted blemishes under a flawless, porcelain façade. If your case is on the major side, you can get a tooth-colored crown instead of a metal one – that way, your smile will be perfectly seamless.
Your teeth are responsible for transferring essential stimulation to your jawbone. This stimulation essentially helps the bone maintain itself. So if you lose a pearly white or two, the nearby bone will basically start to deteriorate. As it does, your face shape could very well change and start looking more sunken. Dentures and bridges can slow the rate of deterioration, but dental implants can prevent it entirely.
Whether due to gum disease or years of simply using your teeth as intended, your gumline can recede. This might not sound like a huge change on paper, but it can make your smile look disproportionate. To restore the balance, your dentist can gently (and carefully) recontour (or reshape) your gums.
There are many ways time can affect the appearance of your grin, and just as many ways for cosmetic dentistry to restore your youthful features! If you’re not satisfied with your dental aesthetics, talk to your dentist about your options. They’ll help you find the best way to turn back the clock on aging.
Dr. Harvey J. Mahler has been serving patients near Chicago for over 30 years. In addition to having a wealth of hands-on dental experience, Dr. Mahler is also well-recognized by his peers and community for his skills. You can count on him to provide you with stunning dental cosmetics that will help enhance your youthful features! To contact his office for a consultation, call 312-224-9916.
Teeth don’t fix themselves, and years of use and occasional injuries can leave them with unsightly stains, gaps, cracks, or chips that can distract observers from the more beautiful aspects of a person’s smile. Thankfully, many dentists offer safe and effective cosmetic services that can whiten, reshape, or straighten troubled teeth. Here’s a quick look at how your cosmetic dentist can help you achieve a remarkable smile you’ll be proud to show off.
Veneers and metal-free dental crowns can address mild to severe dental defects like cracks, chips, gaps, stains, and misshapenness. These devices are designed to conceal flaws with layers of beautiful porcelain shaded to match the natural color of the rest of the patient’s smile, and they are placed through a painless procedure that typically takes two appointments scheduled several weeks apart. Veneers are typically used for the front teeth while crowns are usually placed on molars, and they can completely transform a grin into a gorgeous new state.
Years of exposure to the pigments and dyes in darker foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, candies, and colorful sauces can leave teeth with unsightly stains that don’t respond to conventional oral hygiene methods. While you can find whitening products at your local store, professional teeth whitening treatments from your dentist can reliably deliver superior results in brief timeframes. If you practice excellent oral hygiene, the results of your treatment may last up to three years.
Some people will need multiple cosmetic and restorative treatments to achieve their ideal grins, and a smile makeover may be the best way to give you the teeth of your dreams. After your consultation, your dentist will develop a detailed treatment plan designed to address oral infections, rebuild lost dental structure, and beautify your pearly whites. A smile makeover can include any number of treatments necessary to achieve the patient’s desired results.
Don’t let treatable dental defects make you less willing to show off your grin. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to achieve a smile you can be proud of.
Dr. Harvey J. Mahler earned his dental degree at the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and continues to refine his skills with postgraduate coursework. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Illinois State Dental Society. His office in Chicago offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule your consultation for cosmetic dental work, contact his office on the web or dial (312) 224-9916.
When you look in the mirror and see that your teeth look a bit yellow, then it may be easy to pinpoint a reason. Maybe you indulged too much in coffee or wine, and you are planning to cut back. But what if your pearly whites have a gray look to them? The reasoning may seem harder to figure out, but can your dentist also fix them up? Keep reading to learn some causes of this discoloration and which cosmetic dental treatments can help.
Some people may have naturally gray teeth, but other times it can happen gradually. In a few instances, it may even be only one tooth! There are a few different reasons why this can happen, such as:
While you may feel self-conscious about discolored teeth, there are a couple of treatments that can be helpful in brightening them. After you have a consultation with your dentist, there are often two choices that tend to stick out.
You might be able to get a professional take-home whitening kit! These are much more effective and safer for your smile than anything you can find in stores, as they use a higher-quality bleaching gel. After wearing the customized trays for a specified amount of time over a couple of weeks, you will have results that are six to eight shades brighter. That being said, if you have tetracycline-affected teeth, then this option may not be suitable as it can whiten unevenly.
The other treatment that may be recommended is veneers. For this cosmetic work, your dentist will remove a small amount of your enamel in order to bond thin, porcelain shells to the front of your teeth. They can cover the gray color, as well as chips, cracks, and even minor gaps.
Everyone deserves to feel confident in their smile! You can talk to your dentist about the reasons for your dental discoloration and what you can do to make them the pearly whites you dream of.
Dr. Harvey Mahler is here to help the Chicago community get the grins they are proud of through many cosmetic dental treatments. He gets to the root of your problem and offers an effective plan that leaves you feeling better. With state-of-the-art technology, you can even see your results before you commit, so you know you’ll enjoy them in the end. If you have gray or stained teeth you want to fix, schedule an appointment or call his office at (312) 224-9916.
No one likes unforeseen health problems. They can be stressful to deal with, not to mention costly! While you can’t account for every possible scenario, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency by following these best practices. Be kind to your smile, and you can enjoy healthy teeth for years to come.
Toothaches and canker sores might seem like ordinary discomforts, but they can actually indicate that something’s seriously wrong with your oral health. Gum disease and cavities often cause toothaches, for example, and canker sores that look strange or last for more than two weeks could be cancerous tumors. As a general rule of thumb, if an oral symptom is abnormal, it’s a good idea to have it checked by your dentist!
Sports are notorious for resulting in damaged or knocked-out teeth, especially if they’re high contact. You can protect your smile from heavy blows with a customized mouthguard. The ones your dentist can offer are higher quality than what you’ll find in stores and will fit in your mouth more comfortably so you can focus on the game.
It’s simple, but brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing at least once daily has been shown to effectively reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. Oral conditions like these are caused by harmful bacteria accumulation. Keeping your mouth clean mitigates build up and prevents these bacteria from growing out of control.
Experts agree: visiting your dentist once every six months for a checkup and cleaning is essential for preventive care! Scheduling these appointments regularly enables your dentist to monitor your oral health for concerning symptoms. The earlier a problem is identified, the easier it is to treat.
After screening your mouth, your dentist will also use their special tools to remove plaque and tartar from your pearly whites. These substances are just as dangerous as bacteria build up but can’t be eliminated with a normal toothbrush. A checkup and cleaning should be considered part of your hygiene routine!
Taking care of your smile and protecting your teeth from accidents can help you avoid a distressing dental emergency. And you’re not alone when it comes to your oral health – your dentist can support your efforts with regular appointments and professional advice! Whenever you’d like more information on the best way to promote good oral health, talk to your dentist.
Dr. Harvey J. Mahler has been helping patients take good care of their smiles for over 30 years. He has a holistic approach to dentistry that many individuals appreciate and sees his patients as people – not mouths to be treated. Smile 312 Chicago’s Premier Dentist, you’ll receive compassionate care, quality service, and no judgement! For more advice on avoiding dental emergencies, call Dr. Mahler’s office at 312-224-9916 or request an appointment online.
A toothache may not sound that bad to you, all things considered. It’s just a slight pain in your mouth that won’t affect you much, right? However, ignoring a toothache can be fatal in some cases. You should have it diagnosed and treated promptly; otherwise, you may end up in the ER. Keep reading to learn about toothaches, tooth infections, and how dentistry can help.
For starters, remember that toothaches don’t come out of nowhere. They often stem from an underlying infection of one (or more) of your teeth. In other cases, they could be the result of physical damage, bruxism, or even gum disease.
A tooth infection (per its name) occurs when harmful bacteria reach your tooth’s pulp. At that time, the microbes can irritate your dental nerves enough to send pain signals to your brain. The resulting ache is often severe and won’t stop until you receive treatment or the tooth “dies.”
If left unchecked, a tooth infection won’t just harm your mouth. It’ll have an impact on the rest of your body and cause deadly problems like:
A tooth infection will sometimes trigger meningitis, a harsh swelling of the brain and spinal cord that’s quite life-threatening. Based on current research, it has a death rate as high as 70% of its cases.
The bacteria from a tooth infection can eventually reach your lungs. In that scenario, each lung would become an ideal breeding ground for the harmful microbes. The resulting multiplication would then result in a high risk of deadly respiratory issues.
In extreme cases, a body can release large amounts of chemicals to fight a tooth infection. This process of “sepsis” causes a chain reaction that leads to widespread inflammation. After enough time, it ends with deadly organ failure.
Thankfully, emergency dentists can treat the infections that often cause toothaches. Their most typical go-to methods include:
While ignoring a toothache can be fatal, quickly treating it can be life-saving! So, see your dentist for a proper diagnosis and procedure soon!
Smile 312 is based in Chicago, IL. Led by the esteemed Dr. Harvey J. Mahler, our practice has been helping local grins for nearly forty years. We’ve always offered preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to each patient’s needs, and we continue to do so today. That means our team can give your family the smiles of their dreams! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (312)-224-9916.
Modern dentures are customized to fit the patient’s mouth based on precise measurements and crafted to achieve a beautiful and lifelike appearance using advanced methods and technology. However, people have worn sets of false teeth to address tooth loss for thousands of years. Here’s a quick overview of how dentures have evolved into the gorgeous and functional restorations we know today.
The first known set of dentures was used in ancient Egypt, and they consisted of dislodged human or animal teeth held in place with gold wires. The Etruscans and the civilizations of Latin America used similar devices, and a full sets of wood dentures were used in Japan as early as the sixteenth century. While you may have heard that President George Washington wore wooden dentures, the truth is that his appliances were made of ivory.
Primitive dentures such as these were typically used for aesthetic purposes since they were not practical for chewing, and they were prone to developing unpleasant scents due to the lower hygiene standards of their times. Thankfully, prosthetic dental science has come a long way since then.
Today’s dentists craft their patients’ dentures using a specialized process designed to achieve a comfortable fit and a lifelike appearance that can restore a person’s chewing ability as well as their confidence. The bases of these appliances are usually made from acrylic that can be shaded to match the natural coloration of the patient’s gum tissue, and the teeth are often made from ceramic materials like porcelain that offer superior strength for chewing while mimicking the luster and texture of natural enamel.
While a patient can expect some temporary soreness when they first receive their dentures, the appliance should feel increasingly comfortable as they get used to wearing it. For those who wish to achieve a sturdier hold than is possible with traditional dentures, securing their appliances with dental implants may be a great way to achieve maximum chewing power and reduce the frequency with which they must be replaced.
Modern dentures have allowed countless patients to enjoy beautiful and functional smiles after extensive tooth loss. Consulting with your oral healthcare provider can help you find the best way to replace your lost teeth.
Smile 312 offers the finest oral health services in Chicago. Led by Dr. Harvey J. Mahler, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys exemplary courtesy and the most excellent customer service possible. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about how dentures may be able to help you, contact his office online or dial (312) 224-9916.
Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. Not only might you feel self-conscious about the changes to your looks, but you might also suffer changes to your diet and ability to pronounce certain words.
Your dentist can provide full or partial dentures to rebuild your smile’s appearance and functionality, but it can take some time to relearn how to talk with your new teeth in place. Continue reading to learn more about how your restoration might affect your communications and how to overcome these concerns!
Your teeth are essential in your ability to speak with others because you press your tongue against their surfaces in specific ways to form various sounds. Your dentures close the spaces in your smile so that you have two complete arches to work with, but it often takes about a month for your tongue and the other supporting muscles, ligaments, and tissues in your mouth to adjust to their presence.
Many people develop a slur or a lisp during this time, especially regarding “s”, “th” and “v” sounds, but it typically fades once they acclimate to their restoration’s dimensions. Thankfully, there are proactive ways to relearn how to speak with dentures that can hasten this transitional period.
There are several tips you can try to overcome the changes to your speech patterns that often come when you start wearing new dentures, such as:
If you continue to experience challenges enunciating after a month with your dentures, contact your dentist so they can ensure your restoration fits correctly!
Dr. Harvey Mahler has 40+ years of experience helping families enhance their lives by improving their oral health. He earned his dental degree from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and is a trusted member of the American Dental Association. Today, he offers a comprehensive array of services at one convenient location, including dentures. He combines a holistic approach to dental care with state-of-the-art equipment to improve your comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. If you need to replace missing teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (312)224-9916.
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 patients don’t realize that their jawbone starts thinning when teeth fall out. Your roots stimulate new bone growth in your jaw every time you bite down or chew to keep it active and healthy. When one or more goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year.
Dental implants involve surgically placing titanium rods which eventually fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This allows them to function as sturdy standalone structures, but if your jaw is too thin, you might not complete this stage of recovery successfully. Thankfully, in some cases, a bone graft procedure can potentially bulk it up enough to continue with your elected treatment once you’ve healed.
Although these prosthetics can’t get cavities, you must still demonstrate a commitment to oral hygiene to be considered a good candidate. Your gums and any remaining teeth are still vulnerable to common problems like cavities and periodontal disease, so you’ll need to keep your mouth clean to safeguard your smile.
This is especially true after your surgery because bacteria in your mouth can infect the implant site, or you could develop a progressive form of gum disease called peri-implantitis, which is the number one leading cause of failure. If your dentist finds signs of tooth decay or other issues during your initial consultation, they’ll work with you to clear those up first before proceeding.
Because getting dental implants involves oral surgery, your provider needs to confirm that your body can safely withstand the procedure before approving it. After all, they wouldn’t want to provide a beautiful new replacement tooth at the cost of your overall health.
For example, diabetes can impact your body’s ability to heal after your treatment and also is associated with a higher risk of gum disease, meaning failure is more likely. Other medications and conditions, like cancer, blood clotting disorders, and autoimmune diseases might also negatively affect your body’s ability to successfully undergo surgery and heal sufficiently afterward.
If you’re unsure whether you can safely get dental implants, the best way to find out is to contact your dentist to schedule a consultation!
Dr. Harvey Mahler has 30+ years of experience helping families near Chicago build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his dental degree from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry, and is affiliated with several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association. Today, he offers a complete menu of services at one convenient location, including dental implants. He partners with the best local surgeons to ensure accurate placement, then provides a resilient restoration designed to look and feel lifelike. You can start the journey to rebuilding your grin by requesting an appointment on the website or by calling (312) 224-9916.
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!
Dental implants are a versatile solution that can be used to rebuild your smile regardless of how many teeth you lost. Your dentist can place a single titanium rod in your jaw to restore a single pearly white or insert two or more to anchor other solutions. For instance, a bridge or dentures can be designed to reconstruct several teeth or an entire arch.
Regardless of how many implants you need, your dentist will provide a lifelike prosthetic to fill in the gaps in your grin. They use lifelike materials, like composite resin or durable ceramic, that reflect light like enamel. Plus, they can be customized to be just the right shade, shape, and size to match your smile for seamless results.
Did you know that your jawbone thins after tooth loss? Your roots keep it active and healthy by stimulating new bone growth with every bite. Unfortunately, when one goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year.
As your jaw thins, it can alter the structure of your face. For instance, your chin might look more prominent and pointed, and your cheeks can develop a sunken or hollow appearance. Dental implants are the only prosthetics that preserve your facial structure because the titanium rods in your jaw function like roots to keep it strong.
Not only can tooth loss shift the angles of your face, but it can also increase the number and severity of fine lines, which can leave you looking older than you feel. As your jaw thins, the muscles and ligaments attached to it grow slack. As they relax, the skin resting on top of them becomes looser and develops additional wrinkles in key areas, like around the lips, cheeks, and jawline.
That means getting these restorations can help you maintain a younger visage so you can feel confident in your reflection.
Of all the available options for rebuilding your grin, dental implants look and function the most like your natural teeth!
Dr. Harvey Mahler has 30+ years of experience helping families improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He graduated from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and is an active member of prestigious organizations, like the American Dental Association. He provides a wide array of services to meet your needs at one convenient location, and partners with the best local experts to ensure accurate implant placement. Then, he utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient comfort while creating a beautiful, long-lasting restoration to close the space in their smile. You can request an appointment on the website or call (312) 224-9916.
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.
Simply put, a bone graft procedure takes bone matter from one source and adds it to a patient’s bone mass. The goal is typically to increase the density of a weakened or deteriorated bone, and in dentistry, that bone is usually the jawbone. The “extra” matter can come one of the following sources:
Rest assured, if you do need a bone graft, your dentist will help you find a suitable bone matter source!
But why would you need a bone graft in the first place? Something strange happens when you lose a tooth. Thanks to lack of stimulation due to a missing root, the bone matter around that area actually starts to deteriorate! Over time, this can lead to significantly reduced jawbone mass.
Dental implants can effectively replace your dental root and provide the stimulation your jawbone needs, but they also rely on your jawbone for support. In other words, if your bone mass is too weak, your dental implant could fail.
Regular smokers and those who have gone a long time without a tooth replacement are more likely to need a bone graft. However, the only way to truly know for sure is to talk to your dentist. After all, it’s impossible to tell how thick your jawbone mass is without an X-ray. During your dental implant consultation, they’ll make sure to evaluate your jaw, as well as other essential support systems. If a bone graft or other preliminary treatment will promote your restoration’s success, your dentist will let you know!
Dr. Harvey J. Mahler has provided quality dental care to patients near Chicago for over 30 years. He understands that a successful dental implant treatment can change a patient’s life, and partners with trusted local specialists to ensure they receive the best care possible. If you’re considering a dental implant treatment, contact Dr. Mahler at 312-224-9916. He’ll gladly examine your mouth and help you determine whether you need a bone graft.
