Find a Dentist with these 4 Tips

If you are new to Joliet or Plainfield or just haven’t been to the dentist in a while here are 4 simple tips that will help you find a great dentist.

4. Advanced Education & Technology

How up to date with technology and procedures is the dentist? Dentistry is a rapidly changing field, so much so that many materials and techniques used just 10 years ago are now considered obsolete. Check to see if the dentist has earned any postdoctoral degrees that require hundreds of hours of advanced education. Some of these degrees include Master of the Academy General Dentistry (MAGD) or Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD).

3. Before and After Photos.

Does the dentist have any before and after photos either on their website or in the office? Any cosmetic dentist should have some clinical photos that demonstrate dentistry they have personally completed. Don’t be fooled by stock photos on dental websites- make sure it clearly states that the photos are indeed the dentists original work.

2. Ask your friends.

While this is not on the top of our list it certainly is important. The best insight friends will provide will be regarding the overall office atmosphere assessing the dentist’s personality and chair-side manner. The truth is that non-dentists aren’t very good at judging the quality of dental work; it’s sometimes very difficult for dentists to judge the quality of dentistry. Also, when we say ask your friends we also mean your extended group of ‘friends’ through social networks. Facebook and Google are excellent resources where patients post reviews.

1. Call Local Dental Specialists

Call the dental specialists in the area and ask for 3-4 local dentists they would recommend. (Dental specialists include oral surgeons, endodontists, and periodontists.) You may ask, why should you call the specialists? The specialists see patients from many dentists in the area and are good judges of dental work that has been completed. Once you call a handful of specialists compare your notes as to which dentists they recommend, more than likely there will be one or two dentists that all or most of the specialists recommended.

That’s it! Hopefully you found these tips helpful!

Dr. Dan Streitz

3 Important Reasons to Consider Dental Implants

1. The adjacent and opposing teeth with shift into the space. This can lead to other complications. Shifting teeth can create problems with your bite, which may lead to TMJ issues or problems chewing. Tipped or uneven teeth are also harder to keep clean leading to cavities and gum disease.

2. Dental implants maintain the jawbone. When you are missing a tooth the jawbone deteriorates in that area do to lack of stimulation. A dental implant stimulates bone growth and maintains a healthy bone level. Waiting to long to have a dental implant placed means there may not be enough bone available to accept a dental implant. By maintaining your jawbone this also preserves a more youthful appearance. When your jawbone begins to deteriorate because of missing teeth, it can cause your face to appear sunken in, causing you to look older. Dental implants provide stimulation to the surrounding bone allowing you to retain and maintain your bone, preserving a more youthful appearance.

3.   Dentures wearers benefit the most from dental implants. Implants allow the denture to remain                securely in place while eating and talking. You don’t have to worry about the denture becoming                loose or falling out in social settings. Implant supported dentures are the closest thing to natural              teeth available. Implants allow you to no longer be dependant on denture adhesives, which are                uncomfortable and costly.

The dental team at Streitz Dental Arts, located in Plainfield and Joliet IL, have successfully restored thousands of dental implants and invite you to call our office to see if implants are the right choice for you.

Patients in Plainfield and Joliet Il who have lost a single tooth or several can choose replacement options that include dental implants or dental bridges. Both are excellent solutions for missing teeth, as well as solve the functional problems that the gaps they leave can cause. However, there are significant differences between the two. Here we will discuss the differences in depth.

About Dental Implants

Plainfield IL

A dental implant restoration involves the surgical placement of a tiny titanium ‘screw’ into the jawbone, which will bond with its bone tissue to form an artificial tooth root. After a healing period to allow that bonding process to occur, an abutment or small metal post is attached to the implant, onto which an artificial tooth will be secured. The result is a naturally looking tooth.

About Dental Bridges

Joliet IL

A dental bridge is a dental restoration that is usually made up of two crowns, and between the crowns is the space where 1 or more teeth are missing. The crowns are fitted onto natural teeth on each side of that gap. The result is a fixed dental restoration, supported by adjacent natural teeth, that closes the gap, restoring appearance and improving oral function.

Dental Implant Vs. Bridge Pros and Cons

Dental Implants

Dental implants offer the benefits of maintaining the jaw bone, the artificial tooth root providing the stimulation the jaw needs to remain strong and healthy. Avoiding bone resorption offers benefits for oral health and structure, as well as appearance, since a shrinking jawbone can cause premature facial aging. Other advantages of dental implants include superior aesthetics and oral function as compared to other options, with the average implant lasting 25 years. Potential cons of dental implants include a longer restoration process than many other teeth replacement options, since dental implant restoration is typically done in stages that may span several months. Additionally, oral surgery is required for this type of dental restoration, and initial costs are typically higher than those of bridge placement.

Dental Bridges

Among the pros of fixed dental bridges is that they are a quick means of replacing missing teeth, generally taking just two dental visits for preparation and placement. Also, they are fairly economical in terms of initial costs.

Cons of bridge use include the fact that they only replace the crown – or visible portion of a missing tooth – and therefore offer no protection against bone loss. Resorption of bone tissue beneath a bridge often leads to instability over time, which contributes to their shorter lifespan – the average bridge will need replacement every 7 to 10 years. Additionally, to place a bridge, the adjacent natural teeth that must support it are reshaped and crowned, a process that can weaken their structure, making them more vulnerable to decay or more apt to be damaged by the stress of supporting a bridge.

All-in-all, Plainfield and Joliet dental professionals will tell you, dental implants are the better choice in for tooth replacement in most cases, offering advantages in terms of long-term oral health and function, appearance and comfort that no other option can. However, if dental implants are not an option for you, dental bridges can provide an adequate alternative for replacing missing teeth.