United Dental Centers of Chicago Blog

Dental implants were designed to last a lifetime, but exactly how long depends on a variety of factors, including how you use and care for them, as well as the materials they’re made of. Here’s a quick breakdown of their parts, and how long you can expect each to remain looking and working it’s best!

If you have just undergone dental implant surgery, you are probably looking forward to enjoying the benefits of this fantastic tooth replacement option. By the end, you’ll have a fuller smile and be able to eat confidently! But did you know they also have an outstanding 99% success rate?

With such a high percentage, you may think that dental implants don’t need as much care as your other teeth. However, doing so may land you in the less than 5% of patients who experience dental implant failure. As long as you adopt these five simple habits, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re helping protect yourself from dental implant failure.

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are often considered the gold standard due to their ability to restore a tooth’s entire structure from root to crown. This means that dental implant restorations don’t just look the part – they are fully functional, resilient, and capable of lasting for a lifetime. However, not everyone with missing teeth is immediately able to get dental implants; some patients must undergo a separate preliminary procedure called a sinus lift beforehand. Here’s more about this process and how it sets your implants up for success.

Although most dentists typically do everything they can to protect and preserve your natural teeth, there are some circumstances in which an extraction is the best way to safeguard your smile. For instance, if you have an overly decayed or damaged tooth that can’t be treated with a root canal, removing it can keep the problem from spreading to your neighboring teeth, gums, or jawbone.

However, many patients have questions about recovering from their appointment, like whether it’s safe to indulge in an alcoholic beverage afterward. Continue reading to learn why waiting until you’ve fully healed is better!

Have you developed a persistent or severe ache on just one side of your jaw? If you’re in pain, it’s natural to wonder why it’s happening and whether you should seek help right away. There are several potential causes; some require immediate attention, while others may be less urgent.

Call your dentist to let them know what’s happened, and they’ll schedule an appointment for you. Once you arrive, they’ll examine you to identify the problem and suggest suitable treatments. Read on to learn more about 3 potential reasons for your discomfort and how your provider can help!

Your teeth are very strong. In fact, the human bite can exert up to 162 pounds per square inch of pressure! But that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. In fact, you can easily chip them if you’re not careful. But sometimes, people don’t do anything to treat their chipped teeth. After all, chips add character, and if it’s not hurting, it can’t be that bad, right? Wrong! Here’s why if you chip a tooth, it’s important to see your emergency dentist right away!

Tooth sensitivity is a common issue people encounter, and it can be triggered by a variety of stimuli. For instance, some people experience sensitivity to cold temperatures while others feel pain when enjoying sugary foods. Is this just a matter of discomfort or is there an issue that needs to be resolved? Do you need to bring this to the attention of your emergency dentist? Continue reading to learn what you should do.

Modern technologies allow dentures to fit better than ever before. They should rest comfortably on your gums, only relying on suction to stay in place. However, there may be times when you’d like a little more stability, like when enjoying a steak or if you have a speaking engagement. No matter the reason, a denture adhesive can be helpful, but it’s not something you should rely on. You have many types of adhesives to choose from, including powders, strips, and pastes. Here’s how to ensure you get an all-day hold using a denture adhesive.

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Tooth loss can negatively impact your life in several ways. You might suffer malnutrition if you can’t eat a well-balanced diet, for example, or could develop a lisp or other challenges speaking. You might even find that you avoid social interactions if you’re overly self-conscious about the state of your smile.

Thankfully, your dentist can rebuild your grin with dentures. These prosthetics are the tried-and-true method for replacing teeth because of the many benefits they provide. With them in place, you’ll be able to eat and converse more easily, so you don’t have to worry as much about what others think of you. To keep making the most of them, however, it’s important to care for your dentures properly. Keep reading to learn 3 tips that can keep them in excellent condition so they can continue to serve you.

At this point, you may want veneers that hide any notable flaws in your grin. Even so, it’s best if you don’t jump into things too quickly. There are several key facts to know before getting veneers. Learning them ensures your treatment has the ideal results. So, let your Chicago dentist share the relevant details. Here are four vital things you should know about veneers before getting them.