Pregnancy can be a joyous but overwhelming time in a person’s life, and good dental care is rarely the first thing on an expectant mother’s mind. However, being mindful of your oral health is actually an important part of safeguarding the overall health of both you and your baby. Dr. Dean Lodding is an Elgin-based family and cosmetic dentist with decades of experience helping his patients enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles. He is also deeply involved... Continue Reading
While we typically do whatever we can to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, in some cases, extraction is actually the best option for your health and comfort. Our Elgin dentists offer a range of dental care procedures designed to meet your specific needs. For patients experiencing pain or who have severe damage or decay, root canal therapy is typically the first choice, as it allows for the removal of the... Continue Reading
A smile makeover is a completely customizable, multi-faceted treatment that can transform your smile and provide you with confidence for the future. However, patients sometimes wonder about how to ensure the longevity of their smile makeover results. In order to get the most out of your treatment, there are several things to keep in mind. First, it’s imperative that patients understand what a smile makeover is. A smile makeover can include many things, depending on... Continue Reading
While traditional braces can often efficiently straighten teeth, not everyone is interested in getting them—often because they don’t want noticeable brackets or wires disrupting their smile aesthetics. This is a totally understandable viewpoint, and one we hear frequently at Smile For Life Dental. In many cases, we can often accommodate a patient’s wishes for straighter teeth using Invisalign® or porcelain veneers instead. Both treatments have provided countless patients with the opportunity to improve the functional... Continue Reading
Regardless of how diligent one may be when it comes to taking good care of their teeth, even the slightest aesthetic concern can have an effect on the overall appearance of a person’s smile. Some of the most common cosmetic dental issues include chips, noticeable gaps, and very deep stains. Fortunately, there are two exceptional treatment options that can be performed to address these concerns; however, one is often more ideal than the other, depending... Continue Reading
The jawbone not only securely holds the roots of a tooth in place, but is also dependent on healthy teeth to stimulate bone cells. When a tooth is extracted or lost, bone tissue in that area recedes since the tooth’s roots are gone and are no longer able to enhance jawbone density. Bone deterioration after tooth loss can be a very serious problem in that it can create significant risks to surrounding teeth. In fact,... Continue Reading
The team at Smile for Life Dental want to be here for you in cases of a dental emergency during this unprecedented and challenging time. While our office is currently closed for routine procedures and other elective dental care options, our dentists are on standby for dental emergencies and can treat patients who are suffering from concerns that require immediate attention. In many cases, what qualifies as a dental emergency may vary; however, here is... Continue Reading
Many of us across the United States are under shelter-in-place orders or are simply doing our part to follow social distancing guidelines by remaining at home as much as possible. In fact, to achieve maximum levels of risk-management during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, Smile for Life Dental has temporarily closed, with the exception of treatment availability for dental emergencies. Since routine and preventative dental care options are so limited for individuals across America during this extraordinarily... Continue Reading
One of the most common concerns relating to smile aesthetics is the yellow discoloration that often affects the teeth over time. Some level of tooth yellowing is likely for most individuals at some point, even those who take great care of their teeth. While tooth discoloration can eventually develop from tobacco use, regular consumption of foods and beverages containing ingredients that can stain the teeth (like berries, tea, coffee, and wine), or poor oral care,... Continue Reading
Taking steps to prevent cavities in your child’s early development is the best way to start good oral health habits that continue throughout life. Educating them on proper daily oral hygiene, the importance of a nutritious diet, and other factors that are good for their oral health can go a long way toward minimizing the risk of cavities and other teeth and gum concerns. Our dentists at Smile for Life Dental place a high emphasis... Continue Reading
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