Category: Blog

Veneers are thin, shell-like layers that cover the teeth’ top or visible surface (the enamel). They consist of ceramic or porcelain materials, depending on which material you choose.

Veneers are cosmetic dental treatments that enhance the appearance of teeth. They can change not just the color of the teeth but also their shape, length, and size. They also closely match the color of the patient’s natural teeth.

What is the difference between porcelain and enamel veneers?

When you searched for “dental veneer near me,” you probably saw the words “resin” and “porcelain.” These two refer to two of the most common materials used to create dental veneers.
Composite veneers are made from the same materials used for bonding and filling teeth. The material has small particles of a hard material, making it soft and flexible. It allows the dentist to quickly sculpt and mold the material into any shape required.

These characteristics enable your dentist to fabricate custom composite veneers in their office. Your cosmetic dentist can place the veneer directly onto your teeth in one appointment.

Furthermore, most resin veneer treatments only require your tooth’s surface to be etched. It’s a technique that helps the shell bond and adhere better to teeth. With the composite resin veneer process, there is minimal tooth structure removal.

Porcelain veneers are similar to the resin kind in that they bond to the surface of your teeth. Porcelain veneers look much more like natural teeth than plastic ones because they reflect the light in the same manner. They’re more attractive than resin and often a better choice than resin.

According to studies, porcelain veneers are more long-lasting than composite resins. They’re durable, with most lasting for up to 20 years or even more. They can also resist stains better than resin.

However, these veneers require an indirect placement, taking longer than direct veneers. The entire porcelain veneer process usually takes at least two to three days. While you wait, you’ll put on temporary tooth covers to protect them.

What type of problems do veneers fix?

Veneers are usually enough for cracked, chipped, and broken teeth. They can also repair any rough spots caused by the wear of the enamel. If your entire tooth is worn down, you might want to consider getting dental crowns. Apart from physical damage, here are some other problems that veneers can help solve.

Stains and Discoloration

Professional teeth whitening can be an excellent way to remove stubborn tooth stains. If the discoloration is severe enough, you may want to consider going for dental veneers instead. These are covers, so they camouflage even the most unsightly teeth stains.

Misshapen Teeth

Some patients may have pointed teeth. Other times, these problematic teeth are misshapen or are smaller than the other teeth. This is known as microdontia, which affects around 1.5 to 2 percent of the population, and is often hereditary.

Veneers can quickly solve shape- or size-related tooth flaws. Your dentist can shape the temporary crowns to look just like the adjacent permanent teeth. This means that your teeth will be uniform both in shape, size, and alignment.

Diastemas

A diastema refers to a small gap between teeth. It often affects the upper or lower front tooth. They’re not a significant health concern, but they can cause unwanted shifting or movement of your teeth. Patients with spaces between their teeth run an increased risk of developing gum disease.

If the teeth move too much when chewing, they can be misaligned, leading to a bad bite. According to studies, some of these problems can raise a person’s risk for tooth decay. Veneers can fill in small gaps between teeth, as a dentist can reshape and resize teeth using the covers of veneer.

Are veneers right for you?

Your dentist will evaluate the state of your teeth and gums and discuss all available treatments. If you decide to go ahead, your dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays so he can determine whether teeth need to have any preparation done before veneers are placed. The next step is to prepare your teeth for your specific procedure. This will ensure they look and feel right after the process is completed.

During your consultation, our team will discuss your preferences for the shapes, lengths, widths, and colors of the veneers and the changes in the appearance of your teeth that you’d like to achieve. You help ensure that your treatment meets your expectations. Your dentist must understand your objectives during your veneer consultation.

For more information about veneers or a free consultation, contact us today.

For those who have a highly diseased tooth, root canal treatment is an effective way to save it. The common dental procedure removes infected pulp from the inside of the root of the affected tooth. The canal is cleaned, filled, and sealed to prevent infection or damage. The tooth is often restored after the root canal treatment so that it can return to full function and normal appearance.  If Dr. Gibbs has recommended a root canal, you may have a few questions.

What is Dental Pulp?

Dental pulp is found in a tooth’s pulp chamber. Pulp is found just under the dentin layer beneath the enamel. The shape of a tooth’s pulp chamber determines the size of a tooth. Pulp is a soft substance composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends out into the root canal of the tooth.

Why does pulp need to be removed?

There can be several reasons why the pulp of a tooth needs to be removed during root canal treatment. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can begin to decay and deteriorate. Over time, this can cause infection and other complications. To restore the tooth’s health, your Glen Ellyn dentist will need to drill out and remove all the pulp in the tooth.

What Damages a Tooth’s Pulp in the First Place?

Pulp can become inflamed, irritated, or infected because of deep decay, large fillings, trauma to the face, cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the tooth. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause a lot of pain. If left untreated, it can worsen and affect the whole tooth or other surrounding teeth. Early root canal treatment can relieve pain, prevent further damage, and save the natural tooth.

What are the signs a root canal is needed?

Sometimes, the signs that indicate you need a root canal are obvious. You may suffer from a severe toothache, or notice a cavity. Other times, it takes the experienced eye of a Glen Ellyn, IL dentist to determine that root canal treatment is needed. Dr. Gibbs can often spot the sign of problems before it escalates. For most people, physical symptoms are not too bad until the problem becomes more advanced. Here are some of the signs you may need root canal therapy:

• Chipped or Cracked Tooth
• Persistent Toothache
• Long-term Sensitivity
• Dark or Discolored Tooth
• Swelling
• Bump on the Gum

The Root Canal Procedure

The root canal procedure can require more than one visit to the dental office. Dr.Gibbs will remove the affected tissue or pulp from the tooth. Then, the inside of the tooth is cleaned. Once it is cleaned it will be filled with a dental composite and then sealed. If the tooth has a lot of decay, Dr. Gibbs may recommend a crown to strengthen it and prevent it from breaking.

Will a Root Canal Include the Use of Anesthesia?

Each individual has their own level of pain tolerance. For most root canals, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the tooth being treated. The area should continue to be numb for several hours after the procedure. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, other types of sedation dentistry may be offered. Minimal sedation to “take the edge off” may help some patients relax even though they will still be awake for the procedure. In some instances, an oral sedative is given prior to the procedure. Dr. Gibbs will discuss your need for anesthetics.

Root Canal Recovery

The tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days after a root canal treatment, especially if it was infected before the dental procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually enough to manage the discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the day following the treatment. You may notice the tooth feeling a bit different from your other teeth for a few days. Contact Dr. Gibbs if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Noticeable swelling inside the mouth
• Hives or itching, or other signs of an allergic reaction to medication
• Acute or severe pain
• The return of symptoms that you had before the root canal

Root Canal Outlook

Root canals have a huge success record and with proper dental hygiene, they should provide results that last your lifetime. Dr. Gibbs places a crown on a tooth following the root canal treatment that will provide extra strength and durability for the tooth.

Root Canal Complications

Most of the time, there are no complications from root canal treatment. However, in rare cases, it is possible that they can occur. Here are four rare but possible root canal complications:

1. Infection. If bacteria enter the tooth during the procedure, an infection may occur. Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat the infection and in extremely rare cases, the tooth may need to be re-treated.
2. Broken Teeth. If the crown is not placed in a timely manner following a root canal, there is a chance that the tooth could break.
3. Fractured Root. In very rare cases, a root could have small pre-existing cracks that could cause a root to fracture during the procedure.
4. Numbness. If the material was to move outside the placement area, it could cause numbness and inflammation. It’s also possible that the nerve could get bumped, punctured, or bruised during the procedure, although this is not likely.

 Contact Us

If you have any tooth that is bothering you, it’s important to make an appointment right away. Don’t hesitate to contact our offices to schedule an exam. You can also use our online contact form. We will take care of you!

Special moments are often highlighted by a genuine smile. Whether it’s a graduation,  wedding, anniversary, important birthday, or family reunion, or another of life’s major milestones, the experiences are accompanied by a great smile. But if you are self-conscious about your teeth, you may be looking for a better smile. Dr. Gibbs offers numerous cosmetic dental procedures that can help improve and transform your smile. Here are five cosmetic treatments and how they help give you a new smile design.

 Get a Better Smile with Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most popular and practical tooth replacement options. They are surgically implanted into the jawbone, so they are sturdy and feel like your natural teeth. Implants are so natural-looking that others will not be able to tell you have dental implants. They blend naturally into your smile design, restoring aesthetics and function at the same time.

 Make Veneers Part of Your Smile Design

Veneers are one of the simplest cosmetic dental procedures, but they have a dramatic effect on your smile and appearance. Dental veneers are very thin shells that add a layer to the surface of your teeth. They are used to conceal flaws, improve your teeth’s appearance, and even out uneven teeth. A little bit of the front of the tooth must be reduced for veneers to be placed. They look natural and greatly improve your smile’s appearance. Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice.

 Let Dr. Gibbs Transform your Smile with Lumineers

Dental Lumineers are one type of veneer. They are much thinner than porcelain veneers and the teeth don’t have to be reduced before they are placed. Lumineers are popular with patients who don’t like the idea of having their natural teeth reduced and with those who prefer a material option other than porcelain.

 Teeth Whitening in Glen Ellyn Can Transform Your Smile

If you want a better smile fast, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jessica Gibbs to have your teeth whitened. Your teeth stain easily when exposed to things like soda, tea, and coffee every day. If you are looking for a low-cost way to improve your smile, teeth whitening is the way to go. Just one trip to your Glen Ellyn dentist will help make over and improve your smile.  

 Check Out Ceramic Crowns at Your Glen Ellyn Dentist

If your teeth are stained, cracked, or discolored, dental crowns are a great way to give your smile a makeover. Crowns are a non-surgical procedure. A small cap or crown is placed over the damaged or discolored tooth. This helps give you a better smile by improving the appearance of the tooth. But it also makes the tooth stronger and prevents further damage. They fit comfortably and are a long-lasting treatment option that helps your teeth look and feel better.

 Ready for a Better Smile?

If you are ready for a new smile design, any of these five cosmetic dental treatments can help give you a whole new smile. If you are not sure which option is right for you, or which one will be best for improving your teeth’s appearance, please contact us to schedule an exam with Dr. Jessica Gibbs. She can recommend treatment based on your teeth’s appearance. Let us help you get the smile you desire!