Dentures
Full Dentures
When the condition of the teeth has deteriorated so far that they can no longer be repaired, removal is the only option. A complete denture is a removable prosthesis of white plastic teeth in a pink gum-colored plastic base; the denture rests on the remaining gum ridge once all of the teeth in the arch have been removed.

It is important to note that life with an upper and/or lower denture is a major lifestyle change when compared to natural teeth. Dentures impact the type of food you are able to eat, your self-confidence in social situations and even your self-esteem.

Reasons for a Full Denture

An upper full denture will almost always feel better than a lower full denture. In order to dramatically improve the fit of a lower full denture, we frequently suggest using dental implants as a retentive mechanism. Implants placed in the lower jaw can help anchor the denture and significantly improve comfort. Sometimes, the implants can even be placed in the jaw after a denture has been in use for several years.

Partial Dentures
Often called a "partial," this type of denture is often used when only some of the teeth are missing. A partial denture is a removable appliance held in place by gripping the remaining healthy teeth, usually with metal clasps or wires.

It is an economical solution that allows all missing teeth in the same arch (either the upper or the lower) to be replaced with one appliance. A partial denture is inherently much more stable and therefore more comfortable than a complete denture. There are many factors that help us to determine if you are a candidate for tooth replacement with a partial denture. Among these factors, the health of the gums and the shape of the anchor teeth are most important.

Reasons For Partial Dentures

The metal clasps are usually visible and usually affect the beauty of your smile. Often, there are options available to reduce or eliminate the need for visible clasps.

Finally, partial dentures can be designed to allow for the future loss of teeth which may not be as healthy as the rest. Alternatives to partial dentures include bridges, implants, and, occasionally, full dentures.

Tooth Extractions
A tooth extraction is the procedure done to remove a tooth that is damaged beyond repair from its socket in the jawbone. Extractions are also done to remove wisdom teeth that may be impacted or create future problems.

Many extractions can be performed in our Libertyville office; however, more complicated procedures may be referred to one of our trusted oral surgeons.

Why Are Teeth Extracted?

Extractions are generally classified as either non-surgical (also known as "simple") or surgical (involving cutting through the gums and tooth). A simple procedure can quickly become a surgical procedure if the tooth fractures or refuses to loosen under pressure. We perform these procedures only after making the extraction site(s) profoundly numb.

Nightguard Therapy
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause moderate to severe long-term damage to teeth. Constant grinding wears down the surface of the tooth, exposing the soft dentin beneath the enamel. Over twenty percent of adults clench or grind their teeth. Many people are unaware that they have this destructive habit. Some of the damage that can occur includes:

Bruxing can even cause a root fracture below the gum line, requiring a root canal and crown to restore the damaged tooth.

Patients are screened for signs and symptoms of bruxism in order to diagnose this condition. If present, we recommend a custom nightguard appliance. One of the nightguards we use is the NTI™ appliance. There are several types of appliances. Depending on the specific condition, we will recommend the appliance that is best suited for you.

For more information, please visit www.headachehope.com.

Snoring/Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are conditions that can be mildly disruptive to life-threatening, depending on their severity. Patients are screened for these disruptive (snoring) and potentially life-threatening (sleep apnea) conditions. Depending on the severity of the snoring and/or sleep apnea, custom oral appliances can be made to help alleviate the condition. Contact our office to learn more and to schedule a consultation.

Sports Dentistry
As the weather warms up, many more people, especially children, get more active. We all know more exercise, whether it's spring sports or outdoor play, is great for children's overall health. But more activity also increases the risk for injury. Dental injuries are most common in children. But adults, too, may chip, crack or knock out a tooth. Lips, tongues, cheeks or jaws can also be injured.

The head and neck have a lot of blood vessels so injuries in this region tend to bleed more than injuries in other places. It may or may not be an indication of the seriousness of the injury. Less obvious injuries to children may occur when they fall with a sharp object in their mouths.

Here are a few ways you can prevent oral injury:

Mouthguards
When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.

While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, you can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

There Are Three Types of Mouthguards

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, if you can't afford a custom-fitted mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore.

Emergency Dentist
Cracked, Broken and Chipped Teeth
Teeth are amazingly strong, but even strong teeth can chip, crack or break. You may fall, be hit in the mouth or face, or bite into something hard. If this happens, it is important to get to your dentist right away, saving the broken part of the tooth if possible. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of permanent nerve damage to the tooth. But what do you do when your tooth breaks and you can't get to the dentist right away?

Here are some guidelines to carry you through until you can get in to see your dentist.

Toothache:
If you are experiencing a toothache or any other dental emergency, do not wait to call our office even if it is after hours. If there is swelling or if you are running a fever, it is extremely important to seek immediate care.

Dr. Wojciechowski can be reached through the office number at 847-362-5511. We always recommend being seen as soon as possible in an emergency/pain situation.