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Soft Tissue Grafting: A Case Study | Chicago Dentist

Although most people concentrate on the teeth for an attractive, healthy smile, the appearance of the gums cannot be ignored. Because your gums are the “frame of your smile”, an ugly frame will destroy the appearance of a beautiful smile. Knowing this, we will often use soft tissue to enhance the appearance of the tissue in conjunction with new restorations. The following case demonstrates one such example:

This case illustrates a 35-year-old physician who was missing two teeth in the front and had a bridge placed many years ago. She did not like the appearance of the bridge and wanted to replace it. The before photos illustrate how an unsightly indentation in the gum tissue compromised the appearance of the bridge. In addition to replacing the bridge, we wanted to improve the appearance of the tissue in order to improve her “picture frame”. Utilizing minimally invasive tunneling procedures, a collagen graft was placed to build out the tissue and create an appearance that a tooth was present, but in actuality, it is missing. The improvement was seen immediately at the time of surgery, and after several weeks in a new temporary bridge, the result is even more apparent. As you can see, we have created the illusion that there are teeth present by simply reconstructing the tissue.

If you find that you have gums that are affecting your smile and self-confidence, soft tissue grafting may just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Not only will it improve the look of your gums but will also give you a discreet way to bring back a reason to smile.

If you would like more information about dental bridges, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Starting the Year with a Beautiful Smile | Chicago Dentist

Now that we are about to start a brand-new year, we prepare to make necessary changes to live our happiest, healthiest lives. We plan to hit the gym, eat healthier and promise to improve all of the other aspects in our lives that need help. But is your smile on that list? If you are thinking of improving your grin, here is a list of healthy habits to achieve the best smile possible:

Proper dental hygiene. If celebrating the holiday season brings us anything, it’s delicious foods with people you love. But it is important to maintain proper dental hygiene when you do. Keeping bacteria that causes cavities, gum disease and other dental issues is not only done in a dentist chair but at home as well. Brush, floss and rinse frequently – the longer bacteria have to nestle into your mouth’s crevices, the worse off your dental checkups will be.

Don’t judge a tooth by its color. No two smiles are alike. And not having the brightest smile doesn’t necessarily mean that you have poor dental habits because teeth come in lots of different shades. But avoiding overconsumption of foods and drinks that stain your teeth can have an effect if dental hygiene isn’t practiced.

Take preventative measures. It is important that you don’t skip out on your dental visits. Not only does your dental professional give your pearly whites a deep cleaning that they need, but they also check your mouth for any issues that may be developing, including an oral cancer screening. If caught early, treatment can be given to eliminate the issue, so make sure to keep your appointments.

If you would like more information about improving your smile, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Dental Implants: The Cure for Shifting Dentures | Chicago Dentist

As we progress in age, it is possible that some may require dentures, especially if we don’t have good dental hygiene routines. There problem is that many find wearing dentures to be cumbersome, as they tend to need a lot of maintenance and have a tendency to shift around inside the mouth. This ill-fitting fix to our dental issues not only leads to discomfort and soreness but can even affect our self-confidence.

Thankfully, implantology has progressed to the point that denture issues are a thing of the past. Now dentures can be attached to the mouth with dental implants. During this surgery, your periodontist will place dental implants that vary in size depending on the patient’s anatomy. Patients usually can function well with two implants on the lower while more implants are typically needed on the upper as the bone is softer. This is especially beneficial to those that have difficulty wearing dentures due to their sensitive gag reflex. Upper implants allow the roof of the denture to be removed because it is fixed to the upper jaw.

Now for the advantages – not only will wearing dentures become a whole lot less cumbersome, but this  procedure is affordable and minimally invasive. For best and long lasting results, the surgery is performed by a well trained surgical specialist, the periodontist in collaboration with your dentist.

If you are considering dentures to improve your smile, discuss your options with your periodontist. You could be the perfect candidate for implants.

If you would like more information about dental implants, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.