Palatine Dentist Explains Specific Types of Teeth Stains

WhiteningDentists that provide cosmetic dental procedures do many consultations for teeth whitening. Dull, yellow teeth create the appearance of older age on what might otherwise be a beautiful and engaging grin. Palatine cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg will explain the two types of tooth stains, and how your teeth can be improved thought cosmetic dental options.

Staining from the Inside Out

The rarest type of teeth stains are intrinsic, which means they originate inside the teeth. Typically, intrinsic stains result from tooth injuries or because of side effects from certain medications. Tetracycline and doxycycline are examples of powerful antibiotics that ended up discoloring the teeth of many children under the age of eight before the connection was discovered. Now, doctors avoid prescribing these pharmaceuticals to young patients. However, side effects from new medications can pop up from time-to-time. Intrinsic stains have been seen from certain antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, and high blood pressure medications. You can also end up with intrinsic stains when the roots or your tooth die due to injury. Stains that are born inside your tooth don’t generally respond to regular teeth whitening options. Due to this fact, other cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers may be a viable option presented to you by your Palatine dentist. (more…)

Evanston Cosmetic Dentist Quizzes on Dental Fears

True or false stampsFear is one of the main reasons why you might avoid going to the dentist. You can try to reason with yourself, but the biology of fear does not seem to be something that is mind-over-matter. Once your heart begins to pound, it seems impossible to slow it down. When your muscles tighten, and you feel like you can’t breathe, having someone tell you to stay calm simply won’t stop the physical chain reaction. If you wonder what causes fear, enjoy today’s true-or-false quiz from Evanston cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg to learn more.

Questions

Q1. True or false – Reactions to fear begin in the nerves.

Q2. True or false – Fear is induced by a chemical imbalance as opposed to an event.

Q3. True or false – Fear responses are directly related to your hypothalamus.

Q4. True or false – If your fear of the dentist is so intense that you avoid going, you can possibly be helped through with various types of sedation.

Answers

A1. FALSE – The chain reaction of fear is born inside the complex channels of your brain. Fear is usually ignited by a stressful stimulus. You heart begins to race, your breathing becomes rapid, and your muscles tighten up. (more…)

Skokie Cosmetic Dentist Defines a Dental Issue Called Craze Lines

Smile Head TiltHave you ever heard of craze lines? This might sound like a fun new trend – perhaps the latest dance that all the kids are doing. In fact, craze lines are tiny vertical fractures that can develop in tooth enamel. When the hard outer shell of your teeth is compromised like this, stains can easily develop. What you are left with is discoloration on your teeth that you cannot brush away. Your Skokie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg will tell you how craze lines on your teeth are caused, and what you can do if you have them.

What Are Craze Lines?

You probably wouldn’t believe the amount of stress that your teeth undergo throughout a lifetime. Craze lines are usually caused from stressors that are placed on your tooth, though they can occur naturally over time. Some of the most common craze line causes include:

  • Chewing ice
  • Nail biting
  • Using your teeth as a tool
  • Oral piercings
  • Bruxism (teeth grinding)
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Extreme temperature exposure (more…)

Evanston Cosmetic Dentist Helps Patients Avoid Facial Collapse

Older Man CrosswordYou may not think that the perils of losing teeth will go much beyond cosmetic embarrassment and perhaps a little trouble getting used to eating in a new way. However, when teeth are missing, your jawbone will actually begin to shrink over time. Your cheeks and lips will start to take on a sunken appearance known as facial collapse. While this isn’t an overnight process, the gradual change in appearance from depletion of jawbone density can be very disconcerting. Many people find they look years older when they succumb to facial collapse. Fortunately, as your Evanston cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg will explain, there’s a great tooth replacement method that will prevent facial collapse from ever happening.

The Purpose of Dental Implants

Dental implants have become one of the most popular ways to replace any number of missing teeth. While implants can be a bigger financial investment than other replacement procedures, restoring your teeth this way will pay off in the long run. Titanium fixtures are surgically implanted into the jawbone to create a root-like replacement for missing teeth. Prosthetic teeth are attached to the supporting posts to give you a healthy and natural looking smile. Dental implant retained dentures are more convenient than traditional (more…)