Best Restorative Dental Care Solutions for Bad Teeth & Gums

Your teeth are the main act when it comes to your appearance. The color they are and the way they are shaped often speaks thousands to those who see you. Millions of Americans live with noticeable and embarrassing dental problems, but luckily, there are more tooth restoration answers than ever. The days of feeling self-conscious about your smile are gone; you no longer have to live with unattractive and unhealthy teeth.

Modern technology and advanced procedures give patients plenty of possibilities when seeking improvements. There is no oral issue too severe to be addressed by the expert team at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center. We will find the ideal option for you so that you can start living your life with a glowing smile and a boost in your self-confidence.

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is what your dentist does procedure-wise to maintain the health and function of your mouth. This includes several procedures, such as dental fillings, dental implants, dentures, or crowns. It doesn’t require any specialization and can be done at your local family dental clinic like at Beautiful Smiles! We treat patients of all ages, ensuring that their mouth and smile stay strong and protected. Here are the best restorative resolutions patients can choose from to restore their smile to absolute glory:

Crowns

Crowns are dental prosthetics used to protect a damaged tooth. While covering the tooth, a cap restores its appearance while regaining full function. This treatment is often used following bridges, implants, and root canals. Types of crowns available are:

porcelain
ceramic
zirconia
metals like gold and silver
composite resin
a combination of materials

Patients who may require a crown have had large cavities or when a tooth is severely worn down, cracked, or weakened. When fitted for a permanent crown, your dentist may give you a one-day or temporary crown to protect the damaged tooth.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is commonly used when a patient is missing one or more teeth. During the therapy, crowns are placed on two natural teeth closest to the area with a gap, and then artificial teeth are placed and held by the caps. Dental bridges are known as one of the easiest and most affordable options for replacing missing teeth.

Fillings

Did you know that more than 1 in 4 (26%) adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay? While the numbers continue to rise, fillings are becoming the #1 option for dealing with the condition. Due to the damaging effects of leftover food particles, bacteria form, creating a detrimental acid that directly wears down tooth enamel and the inner layers of the patient’s teeth. When this tissue is left alone, tooth decay can leave the nerve exposed to debris and other harmful bacteria. This can lead to the complete extraction of the tooth or a root canal.

Fillings stop the process of tooth decay directly in its tracks. Thus, they are an affordable protector against tooth decay and can often save patients from losing natural teeth. While composite resigns are popular fillings as they boast the same color as natural teeth, other fillings can be made from silver amalgam and metals.

Implants

When a patient loses their tooth, the route is exposed to bacteria and debris. Without intervention, it can cause the tissue in the jawbone to deteriorate as the jaw is no longer being stimulated properly. Implants are the number one choice by dentists to replace missing teeth. Why? Because they are the closest thing to natural teeth and do not require as much special attention as other therapies.

Cosmetic Options that Restores Your Smile to its Natural Glory

While Cosmetic Dentistry is more focused on the way that your teeth look, cosmetic and restorative solutions often overlap. That is why we would like to tell you about a few of the cosmetic treatments that will make your mouth feel and look great!

Teeth Whitening

Discolored teeth stand out like sore thumb, and the desire for whiter teeth is one of many patients. Unfortunately, many people try “do it your own kits at home,” and this is highly unsafe. When not done by a professional, patients run the risk of destroying enamel and eventually exposing the nerve. What may have started off as a simple teeth whitening might land you in the dentist’s chair getting care for a whole bunch of different problems.

Professional teeth whitening treatments at Beautiful Smiles are performed by an expert dental technician and will improve the color of the patient’s teeth by at least eight shades. It is one of the safest and effective ways to improve your smile. When you are desperate for a brighter smile, don’t result in kits you buy at the store; make an appointment with your local Park City, IL, dentist.

Invisalign

Invisalign is one of the newest additions to the world of dentistry. It is an alternative option to metal brackets, something that has been the only option for decades. This new and innovative solution allows patients to have an essentially invisible and removable aligner to correct the teeth in the same way (if not better) than regular brackets.

Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center: Dental Care Near Gurnee, Waukegan, & Park City, IL

Your teeth and gums are connected to the overall health of your body, it’s crucial that you visit your dentist often for constant check-ups and examinations. When you have a dental problem, the teeth experts at Beautiful Smiles will find the ideal approach to fix and restore your teeth and gums. Contact Beautiful Smiles and book your next visit to our clinic today!

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Dental Root Canal Warning Signs

Dental root canals are difficult to identify; it is similar to figuring out whether or not you need a filling. It is challenging, especially during those first stages, to know if just better dental hygiene or major dental work is required, and this is due to the fact that many of the signs can only be determined by a trained dentist. Physical symptoms of the need for a root canal typically do not start until the problem has become more advanced, which is why if you read any of the signs that we list in this blog, it is essential to see a dentist right away.

Dental root canals are used to save and repair teeth that have become decayed or infected. When the part of the tooth that is composed of blood vessels and nerves is damaged, it needs to be removed while the inside of the tooth is cleaned and then sealed. When you suspect that you have a problem with one or more of your teeth, here are signs you may need a root canal:

Persistent Pain of the Teeth, Gums, & Mouth

Pain in your teeth is one of the primary indicators that something is wrong with the root. If constant pain is stopping you from doing normal activities like drinking or eating, you need to see a dentist as soon as you can. Your dentist will examine the tooth or teeth that are bugging you to see if there are any nerves or blood vessels that are infected or inflamed. Antibiotics can fix the pain when identified in the early stages, but your dentist might choose to do a root canal to provide a more permanent pain relief solution.

Teeth Discoloration

Discolored teeth can be the result of food and drink stains, nerve damage beneath the tooth’s surface, or poor dental hygiene. When the discoloration is the result of damaged blood vessels, it will be necessary for your dentist to perform a root canal to repair the damaged root.

Chipped Or Cracked Tooth

Chipping or cracking teeth is very common; it can happen from something as simple as eating to contact sports to when previous dental procedures don’t work out. When a tooth gets chipped or cracked, it will expose the nerve beneath the surface and lead to infection. Infections within the root of the tooth can spread. An untreated infection requires a root canal to prevent further long-lasting problems and pain.

Teeth Sensitivity To Heat or Cold

Another prevalent sign that you may need a root canal is extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. When your tooth aches while drinking or eating hot or cold food and drinks, it is a problem. Small aches will progress into sharp, unbearable pain when left untreated.

Prolonged Teeth Sensitivity

When you put pressure on your tooth, does it hurt? Does that sensitivity to touch last for weeks or months without any signs of improvement? Then a root canal with the experienced dentists at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center may be the answer. Prolonged tooth sensitivity is usually the result of a damaged root, and unfortunately, they will not heal on their own. When you want the pain to stop running your life and keep infections away, your dentist will stop at nothing to help you.

Swollen Gums

Another sign of problems beneath the surface of the teeth is swollen gums. When your gums are in extreme pain and are swollen, your dentist Beautiful Smiles Dental Center will examine the swollen gums to see if inflammation is the culprit. If inflamed gums do not improve, a root canal will be needed.

Irreversible Tooth Decay

Unfortunately, once the tooth has experienced deep decay, no amount of flossing, brushing, or rinsing the mouth will solve the problem at hand. When a cavity has been neglected for too long, it will spread down into the nerve and the root of the tooth. In these cases, root canals are the only option for repair.

Remember to make your oral hygiene one of your top priorities. Brushing and flossing your teeth in the morning is essential, alongside regular dentist visits. When you neglect your teeth, infection and disease will put a damper on your life and put you in unbearable pain. Don’t wait, and call Beautiful Smiles Dental Center away.

Don’t Panic, Beautiful Smiles Dental Center is Always Here To Help!

When you suspect that you have an issue with your teeth that can only be fixed with a root canal, take a deep breath. Though they are not at the top of anyone’s list for a great time, root canals do not have to be painful or scary. The quicker you get your issue diagnosed by a trained professional, the less time you will have to live in pain. Like any other procedure, you will experience some minor aches and sensitivity following the treatment; these small pains will go away in no time. When you are experiencing tooth pain, the best thing to do is contact Beautiful Smiles and schedule an appointment.

Contact Beautiful Smiles Today

When you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or have any questions regarding these signs, contact us immediately. Our welcoming, professional, and friendly staff is ready to help you with any dental concerns that you have. Learn more about our root canal procedures here, and contact us when you suspect you need dental help.

Teeth Grinding Causes & Treatments for Bruxism

Have you recently become aware that you grind your teeth? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your partner or child grinds their teeth while they sleep? Regular teeth grinding is a condition called bruxism.

Bruxism is a fairly common condition that’s thought to affect around 1 in every 12.5 adults and a little less than 1 in every 3 children. Grinding your teeth is not always a serious condition but it can sometimes lead to severe symptoms and dental problems.

Understanding what causes bruxism and being able to identify the symptoms are the first steps towards getting the correct treatment. Whether you’re concerned that you may have bruxism, or you’re looking for more information for a loved one, then keep reading to learn more about the condition & how it’s treated. For more information on teeth grinding prevention & stopping Nocturnal Bruxism: “Back Off the Grind: Stop Nocturnal Bruxism”

Unconscious Pressure: Hacks for Overnight Teeth Grinding

Understanding Bruxism

One of the most important things to know about bruxism is that there are two types: awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Both types of bruxism are essentially the same, but they’re normally brought on by different causes.

Awake bruxism is when you subconsciously grind or gnash your teeth while you’re awake. Sleep bruxism, or nocturnal tooth grinding, is grinding or clenching that occurs while you’re asleep.

Like many conditions, bruxism can vary in severity. Mild cases of bruxism are unlikely to require much in the way of treatment, whilst severe cases need effective treatment to prevent serious dental problems from occurring.

Bruxism is not a life-threatening condition, but it can be very difficult to live with. If not treated quickly and effectively, bruxism can lead to complications that can have a greater impact on your health.

Bruxism Symptoms to Look Out For

A clear sign that you have bruxism is a frequent grinding, clenching, or gnashing of your teeth. However, as bruxism is very common during sleep, this may not be immediately noticeable unless someone alerts you to the sound.

There are a number of symptoms of bruxism that can help you to identify whether you or a loved one has the condition, these include:

Tooth sensitivity or pain
Soreness in the cheek from chewing
Headaches or earaches
Stiffness and pain around the jaw
Difficulty sleeping
Pain in the neck and face
Worn or flattened teeth
Fractured or chipped teeth/fillings

The symptoms of bruxism may not become apparent until the condition worsens, and even then, you may not experience all/any of them. In the worst cases, the wear on teeth can be so severe that patients need extensive dental work to restore function.

The Main Causes of Bruxism

It’s not always easy to determine the reason why an individual has bruxism, as there are a large number of possible causes. One of the first steps during a diagnosis is to determine whether you have sleep bruxism or awake bruxism, as often, the causes are very different.

Awake bruxism is often rooted in your emotions at the time, which may cause you to unconsciously grind your teeth. Emotions that can cause awake bruxism include anger, stress, frustration, and anxiety. Deep concentration can also cause bruxism.

Emotions can cause sleep bruxism, but it can also be the result of:

An abnormal bite
Crooked teeth
Missing teeth
A sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea or sleep paralysis
Talking or violent behavior during sleep
Semi-conscious hallucinations

Further causes of bruxism and factors that can increase risk include:

Lifestyle choices, such as smoking, recreational drug use, high caffeine intake, and alcohol
Taking certain medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
A family history of bruxism
Medical and mental health disorders, including dementia, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease

Visiting a local gurnee dentist is one of the best ways to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of bruxism.

Teeth Grinding Treatment Options for Bruxism– Everything You Need to Know

Bruxism can become very damaging to your teeth, potentially leading to fractures or tooth loss. The condition can also damage your jaw and alter your facial appearance, so getting treatment early on is important.

The options available to treat bruxism are almost as varied as the causes of the condition. If bruxism is rooted in another condition, such as a sleep disorder, then treating the disorder will likely reduce teeth grinding.

If stress or anxiety is the cause of bruxism, then cognitive behavioral therapy may be advised, along with relaxation activities like yoga or massage before sleep. It’s also possible to reduce teeth grinding by learning how to correctly position the jaw and mouth, and by changing habits, such as by stopping the clenching or grinding of teeth as soon as it’s noticed.

Other common treatments for bruxism include:

Mouth Guards and Splints – Splints and mouth guards are a common dental approach to treating bruxism. These are used to keep teeth separate and reduce the damage that grinding causes.
Restorative Dental Procedures – When dental problems are the cause of bruxism, restorative treatments are often used to help stop the grinding. If the condition has caused serious damage to teeth, then corrective dental work may be required. Crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures can help to restore function and appearance.
Medication – Over-the-counter pain relief can be used to reduce some symptoms. Medication to treat anxiety or stress can help if these problems are the root cause of an individual’s bruxism. In some instances, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to be used before sleep in the short term.

There are also ways to treat bruxism at home, such as reducing alcohol and caffeinated food and drink intake, giving up smoking and recreational drugs, and avoiding chewing gum.

Restorative dental treatments are the answer to overcoming many common dental problems. These treatments can fix issues such as discolored, misaligned, or chipped teeth. Of the range of restorative dental treatments in Park City, Illinois available, dental veneers & cosmetic crowns are amongst the most popular.

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What are the Best Restorative Dental Care Solutions for Bad Teeth & Gums?