The Importance of Dental Check-ups

By Dr. Michael Vold

Regular dental check-ups play an important role in maintaining healthy teeth. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year can prevent infections from spreading, minimize the amount of dental work that is needed, and keep your gums disease-free. More frequent visits may be necessary if you are at a higher risk of oral diseases.

During a dental check-up, both your teeth and gums are thoroughly examined. Infections, tooth decay or other non-optimum dental condition are immediately addressed, and preventative measures such as teeth cleaning are taken to avoid potential future problems.

Mouth infections can occur for many different reasons, including dietary changes, stress and a weakened immune system. Left untreated, an infection can lead to cavities, abscesses and other dental issues that can require costly and extensive dental procedures. When an infection is caught early and cavities are filled quickly, your teeth will also last longer.

Another benefit of regular check-ups is the prevention of gum disease. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and is often reversible. Periodontitis is a more serious gum condition involving an infection of the ligaments and bones that brace the tooth. The infection and resulting inflammation causes tooth and bone loss.

Gum disease can also lead to health issues. Gingivits for example, has been linked to heart disease and stroke due to the higher levels of bacteria that develop in areas of the mouth where the infection is located. As the disease progresses, the risk of cardiovascular disease becomes greater.

Teeth cleaning by a dentist is one of the best ways to ensure your gums remain healthy. It is a routine procedure that also reduces the likelihood of cavities. During the cleaning, several small tools are used to remove dental plaque, including a scaler and polisher. Plaque is a colorless film of bacteria (and sugars) that come from the food you eat. It is the acid from plaque that causes cavities. The scaler is used to remove the hard pieces of plaque that can form on and between teeth. The polisher gets rid of smaller plaque particles and buffs the teeth. The teeth cleaning procedure is usually performed by a hygienist, and takes approximately 30 minutes.

During your dental check-up and cleaning, you may also be given advice on how to improve your home brushing and flossing.

Taking proper care of your teeth can reduce your dental expenses and prevent tooth loss as you get older. Regular check-ups and cleaning are part of the maintenance process, and should be scheduled as often as necessary with your dentist.

About Dr. Michael Vold

Dr. Michael Vold has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin (1963), a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Northwestern University Dental School (1967) and a Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law (1980). He served as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force and taught as an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry. Dr. Vold is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, as well as the recipient of numerous professional honors and awards

Northbrook Court Dental Now Offers Digital CAD/CAM Technology Dentures

Northbrook, Illinois: Northbrook Court Dental Associates has announced that it now offers AvaDent digital CAD/CAM technology dentures. AvaDent Digital Dentures are thinner, lighter and stronger than conventional dentures, and can be delivered in fewer appointments. The state-of-the-art denture preparation technique is available for full denture patients, single arch dentures patients and implant retained denture patients.

“AvaDent Digital Dentures are a breakthrough technology that makes the entire fabrication process easier and faster,” says Dr. Michael Vold, D.D.S. and founder of Northbrook Court Dental. “We are one of only a few offices in the Chicago area capable of providing this unique dental service.”

Digital Dentures is the world’s first computer-designed and precision milled digital CAD/CAM denture. It results in a perfect fit for patients needing full or partial dental prosthetics. Digital Dentures are made of bio-hygienic materials to help reduce sore spots and "denture breath." They cost the same as conventional dentures and can be prepared in as little as two appointments.

The Digital Denture process begins with the creation of a permanent digital record of the patient using a 3-D laser scanner and proprietary computer software. The record is then electronically transmitted to a state-of-the-art facility in the USA where the dentures are created using perfectly cured, non-distorting resin. If the denture is ever lost or broken, a duplicate can be delivered without additional appointments.

“Digital Dentures look natural and create a more youthful appearance,” says Dr. Vold. “Not only are fewer adjustments needed to fit the denture, the use of digital technology results in more accurate positioning and a better bite.”

For more information on Digital Dentures, visit the Northbrook Court Dental website at http://www.northbrookcourtdental.com or http://www.digitaldenturesofchicago.com, or call their office today at 847-272-2900.

About Dr. Michael Vold

Dr. Michael Vold has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin (1963), a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Northwestern University Dental School (1967) and a Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law (1980). He served as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force and taught as an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry. Dr. Vold is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, as well as the recipient of numerous professional honors and awards.

Root Canal Treatment

By Michael Vold, DDS, JD

 

Natural teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Many years ago, diseased or injured teeth were frequently removed. Today that is not true. Root canal therapy can save a tooth.

Root canal treatment is a necessary procedure when the pulp of the tooth, composed of soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, becomes inflamed or diseased and the dentist and patient want to save the tooth.

The need for root canal treatment can occur as the result of:
A deep cavity
Repeated dental procedures to the same tooth
A cracked or broken tooth
Injury to the tooth, even with no visible damage to the tooth.

A root canal is often indicated when the patient experiences:
Dull pain in the tooth or area,
Swelling that becomes increasingly uncomfortable,
A throbbing pain,
A small pimple or blister that doesn’t go away over time,
Or sometimes, there are no symptoms what so ever.

During root canal therapy, the dentist or endodontist, a dental specialist who does root canals, removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed.

If the infected pulp is not removed from the tooth, pain, swelling and infection can ensue and the tooth might have to be removed. Even if there is no pain, certain substances released by bacteria can damage the bone that anchors the tooth in the jaws. Without treatment, the tooth might become loose and have to be extracted.

There is a downside to losing a natural tooth. When one is lost and not replaced, the adjacent teeth may begin to shift from their normal positions. This can cause the teeth to become crooked and crowded. This makes eating and biting more difficult. The teeth are more likely to develop gum disease because they are more difficult to keep clean. Furthermore, the replacement of missing teeth by bridgework or implants is more costly than root canal treatment and requires work to be done on adjacent teeth. A natural tooth is generally preferred to an artificial one.

When a patient cares for their teeth and gums, the restored root canal treated tooth could last a lifetime with regular checkups. A tooth without the nerve can still develop gum disease and tooth decay. Most often the root canal treatment is a simple procedure with little or no discomfort. It can be finished in one to three visits.

When the root canal treatment is finished, the dentist needs to restore the tooth so that it is strengthened to resist the biting forces of the mouth. This is frequently done with a post and simple restoration. If a simple restoration is not possible because of extensive loss of tooth structure, a crown is placed on the tooth.

While this may seem complicated, these are all routine dental procedures and can save your teeth and smile for a lifetime.