Cosmetic Dentistry
Today more than ever, people are aware of just how far a great smile can take you. The advent of extreme makeover shows have given the general public more information than ever before about different cosmetic dentistry services that can make a dramatic difference in their appearance and in their lives. Ultimately, your doctor should help you decide which treatment options are right for you. Contact us today to take the first step towards your fantastic new smile!
Veneers
Veneers are a cost-effective type of cosmetic dentistry that can improve discolored, worn, chipped, or crooked teeth in your smile. Used almost exclusively as a way to improve the appearance of a smile, veneers are also valuable as a way to make teeth resistant to future problems associated with staining agents in your diet or habits.
Implants
Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or even as an alternative to dentures when most or all your teeth have been lost or removed. Properly done, a dental implant will look and feel just like your natural tooth, and it is often the best way to replace a missing tooth while leaving the surrounding teeth intact. Removable appliances (such as dentures or flippers) can be uncomfortable and need to be replaced periodically. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
Crown/Bridge
Like veneers, crowns and bridges are an excellent way to restore misaligned teeth, repair small gaps, and make your teeth resistant to future problems associated with heavy chewing and staining agents. However, their function is not only to make your smile more complete, as crowns and bridges are often used to repair fractured teeth, severely decayed teeth, or damage due to trauma.
Bonding & Composite Resins
Bonding of composite resins is ideal for small corrections, in which most of the tooth is healthy and stable. It can be used to correct a wide variety of problems, including minor decay, chips, cracks, gaps between teeth, discoloration and crooked teeth.
Composite resins are a more esthetically-pleasing alternative to metal fillings or restorations. They have similar characteristics to a tooths natural enamel, and their color can be adjusted to match the particular color of your teeth.
Bonding is a non-invasive procedure that can provide astounding improvements in the appearance of your teeth.
Dentures /Partials
Dentures and partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth when implants are not an option. In the past, the loss of teeth signaled a decline in health that could rarely be reversed. After all, it is important to all humans to eat and, therefore, to have a means of chewing their food. Fortunately, dentures and partial dentures create an option for eating, speaking, smiling, and overall living a more normal, active life.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces a full arch of teeth. Conventional full dentures are removable, but new advancements have allowed practitioners to anchor your full denture using dental implant posts, clips or bonding materials.
While nothing can perfectly replace your natural teeth, new advancements in denture technology have made dentures more comfortable and stable than ever before.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures serve as an alternative to fixed partial dentures (bridges) or dental implants. These are held in place by metal or plastic clasps that affix to surrounding teeth. They can help to restore aesthetics and function to areas with several missing teeth.
Root Canals
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.
At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.
Extractions
While most dentists will do anything possible to save a tooth, it is not always possible. Extractions are sometimes the only treatment that can be done for a tooth that has is a deep stress fracture, a substantial amount of decay, or is severely broken.
Teeth Whitening
As a person ages, mineral exposure causes the teeth to gradually darken. Over time, some food, drink, or tobacco products also create unattractive yellowish-brown stains. Less commonly, you may experience discoloration due to some medications or bacterial infections. We offer both clinical and take-home whitening treatments to eliminate discoloration and give you a brighter, more attractive smile.
Whitening procedures are not a solution for all discoloration (e.g. darkening caused by cavities). Similarly, whitening does not work on all stains. Dr. Yokochi is committed to helping you choose the best option for your personal situation. Some cases that are not appropriate for whitening procedures can be effectively treated with restorative options. Whitening procedures can whiten your teeth about 4 to 6 shades on a standard scale showing the range of teeth color.
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In this procedure, your dentist applies a gel to the teeth. The gel creates a reaction penetrating the enamel of the teeth and eliminating deep stains. This technique is highly effective and can be performed in one. This procedure is then followed by an at home whitening regimen.
At-Home Whitening
We will fabricate a custom tray to fit your teeth, and provide you with a mild whitening gel. Over a course of weeks, you regularly apply the gel to your teeth using the tray. This produces a gradual change in the color of your teeth.
Cleanings & Gum Treatment
Regular teeth cleaning appointments are not just about keeping your smile bright and clean. Cleanings are necessary to keep your gum tissue and the structure of your teeth healthy. The old system of everyone having their teeth cleaned only twice a year has fallen out of favor. In fact, many believe that the idea actually came from the recommendations of a 1940 toothpaste advertisement.
While some people may be able to maintain their dental health with semi-annual cleanings, may patients find that their mouths and teeth staty in better shape when they have their teeth cleaning more frequently. Lack of routine cleaning appointments can contribute to the development of periodontal disease. When periodontal disease is not treated it can eventually develop into more dangerous health problems, including heart disease. Our offices schedules cleanings on each patients individual needs.
Regular or Standard Cleaning
A regular cleaning is known as a prophylaxis in dental terms. The American Dental Association describes a prophylaxis as removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the tooth structures.
A regular cleaning is recommended for persons who do not have any bone loss, periodontal disease, or infection around their teeth. There should also be minimal bleeding (if any), mobility of teeth, receded areas where the gums have pulled away from the teeth, or gaps where the spaces around the roots of the teeth are exposedin other words, the mouth should be health, with no gum and bone problems.
Root Planing Procedure
Root planning removes bacteria and their toxins, tartar, and diseased deposits from the surfaces of tooth roots. Scraping or scaling the full length of the root surface is required, down to where the root, gum and bone meet. Root planning is typically one of the first steps in treating gum and bone disease (periodontal disease).
Periodontal Maintenance
If you have periodontal disease, you may require root planning to remove diseased deposits from the roots of your teeth. Other treatment may be required. After the disease process is under control, a regular cleaning is no longer appropriate. Instead, you will require special on-going gum and bone care procedures, also know as periodontal maintenance to keep your mouth healthy.
Inlays/Onlays
When more than half of a tooth is damaged, your dentist may advise replacing the damaged structure with an inlay or onlay. Many times these are conservative alternatives to crowns and fillings.
If the damage is minimal, inlays are appropriate. When the damage is more extensive (but not enough to warrant replacement with a crown) onlays may be best.
Inlays and onlays are made from porcelain, gold or composite resins that are bonded directly to the teeth. These materials are much stronger than traditional blended-metal fillings and can help prevent further decay or damage.
Bad Breath Treatment
If you have bad breath, chances are good that someone close to you has mentioned it. Bad breath can be more than just embarrassing - it can indicate a serious health issue. If you have persistent bad breath you should begin with a visit to Naperville Dental Specialists so we can help you determine the cause.
Most cases of bad breath are caused by bacteria in the mouth, and so the first step in identifying the cause of chronic bad breath is to schedule a cleaning with one of our hygienists. When you have had a thorough cleaning, and ruled out underlying medical conditions, conscientious home care is the best solution to bad breath. This includes daily brushing AND flossing, and may include some specialized products that neutralize the odor causing agents, volatile sulfur compounds. Ask Dr. Yokochi or one of our hygienists which products we recommend to help.
We are an Invisalign Certified Office....The Invisalign system is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you've always dreamed of. Using advanced 3-D computer-imaging technology, Invisalign depicts your complete treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position. Then a series of clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series, until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor, based on your specific needs.
Invisalign aligners are practically clear. No one may even notice that you're wearing these virtually invisible "braces," making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others.
Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment by simply removing the aligners. And you can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene.
Unlike braces, there are no metal brackets or wires with the Invisalign system that could cause irritation to your mouth. Plus since your office visits during treatment don't involve metal or wire adjustments, you'll likely spend less time in the doctor's chair.
And finally, Invisalign allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
