Fast Cosmetic Dental Procedures: Porcelain Veneers

Posted by glamoursmiles

We really do live in a fast-paced, fast food, short-on-time society. People work long hours, take little time off, and want everything they want as quickly as possible. With dental work, patience is sometimes a necessity, as a fast-food pace and price is going to get you fast-food results. This means that your dental work might look pretty good, but the results won’t have the same high-quality as something that you spend a little more time and money on, and you might find yourself a lot less satisfied. Dr. Brent A. Engelberg, your Northwest Chicago dentist, will tell you about one particular cosmetic procedure that can provide nearly instant results, however, while still maintaining quality: porcelain veneers.

Multi-tasking Porcelain Veneers

Are your teeth stained, worn, broken, worn-down, and/or full of gaps? You may dream of a gorgeous, natural looking smile that makes you proud to flash your grin. Porcelain veneers are the multi-taskers of cosmetic dentistry. Thin ceramic shells that can be placed over damaged or unattractive teeth are an effective treatment for a multitude of dental issues. If you have several things wrong, porcelain veneers may be able to make over your smile in as little as two visits to the dentist. (more…)

Rolling Meadows Dentist Explains Anatomy of Your Teeth

Posted by glamoursmiles

Some people go through their life with the same set of teeth. They might even be lucky enough to never require braces, or anything more than a filling or two. Others end up needing extensive dental work throughout their lives in order to have a fully functioning mouth full of teeth. Whatever the case, knowing the anatomy of your teeth can help you take better care of them, or prepare you for procedures you may need in the future. To aid you in this understanding, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg, your Rolling Meadows dentist, describes the basics of your teeth from the outside, in.

Tooth Enamel

Question: What is the second hardest substance on earth? Answer: Enamel. (more…)

Replacing Old Fillings in Elk Grove

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There are generally two reasons why people might consider replacing their old amalgam fillings: they don’t like the way the fillings look, and/or they are concerned about the mercury content in amalgam. Most experts believe the quantity of amalgam in a filling is too small to create health problems, but beyond the unattractive look of a mouth full of metal are other concerns. When there are temperature changes, metal can expand and contract, causing cracks and fractures in teeth. If you have interest in possibly replacing your amalgam fillings with tooth-colored composite materials, your Elk Grove dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg, encourages you to read on.

Layering Composite Materials for Better Filling Results

Since the 1990’s, over 30 shades of composite materials have been utilized for fillings and other restorations. The availability of these materials has turned fillings into a restorative procedure with a cosmetic dentistry slant. Fillings that blend in with the (more…)

Skokie Dentist Explains Types of Dental Crowns

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Dental crowns have a long history dating back to the Etruscans, in the 8th to 5th century B.C. The earliest crowns were made out of materials ranging from ivory to human teeth, but gold eventually became the standard.  You may assume that tooth-colored porcelain crowns are relatively new in dentistry, but as early as the late 1700’s, denture manufacturers discovered that porcelain jacket crowns could be fashioned out of hollowed out dentures. A variety of materials have been utilized in dentistry for crowns, in an effort to attain both cosmetic continuity and restorative functionality. Your Skokie dentistry, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg, will talk more about two of the most common dental crown materials, though his practice preferences include  lithium disilicate (e.max) and zirconia (lava) crown materials.

Gold Dental Crowns

Gold crowns have a long history and many advantages that still make them one of the most popular materials in dental restorations. With gold, there is no danger of chipping which can sometimes be seen with porcelain. Gold is extremely hard, but also forgiving when it comes to the wear of opposing teeth during chewing. However, they are not a good choice in cosmetic terms, and certainly would not be the top choice for your more visible teeth. However, Dr. Engelberg replaces many full porcelain crowns to gold because of  dark lines at the gumline that can sometimes develop and become a concerning side effect to patients.  (more…)