Cutting-Edge Cosmetic Dentistry in Chicago
Cosmetic dentistry can rejuvenate your smile, leaving it healthy and beautiful. Dr. Marianne Schaefer understands how your physical appearance impacts psychological well-being. This awareness and our holistic approach are what distinguish Healthful Alternatives from other practices. Dr. Schaefer has an artistic eye to design aesthetic treatments that highlight your natural beauty.
Many factors affect the appearance of your teeth. Heredity determines some aspects that we have no control over, and lifestyle plays an important role too. At some point, we may wonder if our dental age matches our chronological age. Whether you want to treat minor imperfections or need to renovate your smile completely, Dr. Schaefer listens to your concerns so we can create a treatment plan that matches your lifestyle and your budget. Call our Chicago practice today to find out more!
CALL US: (773) 777-8300 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Our Holistic Approach
Cosmetic dental care has become very popular as an important part of improving overall health. The standard treatments used only for aesthetic purposes merge with preventive services to create and maintain a healthier, whiter, and more radiant smile. From a full smile makeover to a single restoration, we offer procedures to address your oral health needs. Our services all have a central focus, you! We design our services to:
- Address your needs above our own
- Tailor your treatment to your specific and immediate needs
- Require your participation in the maintenance of the work delivered to you or your children
- Interact with your other health care practitioners
- Focus on your wellness rather than the quantity of work delivered
The success of your treatment depends on an educational partnership with our team. We provide you with all the information you need to make the best choice for you. You can depend on us to be completely straightforward and conservative in all our recommendations. Also, we are available for a to discuss anything you have questions or opinions about. With your full participation, we can achieve the finest results.
Get Dramatic Results with Professional Whitening
Teeth whitening is possibly the most common cosmetic service. Professional whitening can remove years’ worth of staining from your enamel. Our professional methods use specialty-grade whitening gels to lighten teeth safely and effectively. These teeth bleaching solutions are powerful enough to break up the staining molecules that discolor teeth, leaving you with the stunning smile you’ve always wanted.
Bonding for Conservative Cosmetic Treatment
Composite bonding is a material that mimics the luster of natural enamel. With artistic placement, it can repair chips and cracks or make a tooth look longer. Deep discoloration can be covered, as well as small areas of the tooth root exposed due to receding gums. Bonding can also close small spaces between teeth and balance the shape of a tooth.
Only a light buffing is needed to the area where the composite will be placed. The treatment requires a single appointment, and you can return to your normal routine the same day.
Naturally Beautiful Fillings
Dental wear, damage, and tooth decay can happen at any age, leaving your teeth vulnerable and in need of repair. You may have needed to settle for a dark, more noticeable metal in the past. The composite materials of today allow for discreet restoration of form, function, and aesthetics. White, composite fillings are metal free and provide top-notch protection to preserve the look of your natural smile.
We repair the damage using the safest materials possible. Although amalgam (metal) fillings were reliable treatments for decades, their tin, silver, and mercury components can pose potential issues to your oral and overall health. For example, older metal fillings may expand when exposed to changes in temperature, sometimes releasing small traces of mercury vapor into the mouth. For those with sensitivities and allergies to metal, it is beneficial to replace these fillings.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, durable shells of beautiful porcelain. They can address many limitations in the smile when applied to the surfaces of your teeth. Their ability to mimic the natural characteristics of teeth, veneers are an excellent option for achieving a smile worthy of the silver screen. Veneers can address everything from severe discoloration and mild misalignment to surface damage in enamel and dental gaps.
With veneers, you can improve a tooth’s:
- Color: Veneers can hide discoloration from stains, damage, or other factors.
- Size & Shape: With veneers, chipped, broken, or worn teeth can all appear full-sized and healthy.
- Alignment & Spacing: Veneers can disguise teeth with mild spacing issues, including teeth that are slightly crooked.
Porcelain Crowns
Each crown is a custom-shaped cap that fits over a prepared tooth, protecting it from damage and decay. We offer porcelain crowns that protect your teeth while maintaining natural aesthetics. With a crown, you can speak, eat, and chew without complications or pain. Porcelain is a traditional restoration option, but it’s not the only choice. Depending on the kind of crown needed, some other options include composite resin, and zirconia.
Porcelain is a strong material, which means it’s perfect for almost all kinds of restorations. It works well on molars and incisors and can withstand the chewing pressure exerted by those teeth. Its semi-translucent properties look more like natural enamel than other materials.
Do Missing Teeth Need Replacing?
We recommend having missing teeth replaced for a few reasons. Even when a single tooth is missing you increase your risk of developing more complex oral health issues. Other teeth can shift due to the space left by the missing tooth. You can also experience bone loss without a tooth root in place to stimulate the jaw.
Unwanted gaps can also impact your self-confidence, making you uncomfortable in many social situations. There are many ways to replace missing teeth, but dental implants are quickly becoming the most popular option.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are biocompatible posts surgically placed so that they fuse with living tissue and bone to serve as an artificial root. The artificial posts give your jawbone the stimulation it needs to stay healthy and strong and helps you keep a youthful facial appearance. Implants consist of three parts:
Implant Post: The foundation or base of the dental implant that serves as the tooth root when surgically placed into the jawbone.
Abutment: This sits atop the post and connects the dental implant to the crown.
Crown: This prosthetic is the visible part of the restoration and is firmly attached to the abutment above the gumline. Implants can also support dentures and bridges.
Achieving Your Best Oral Health
Having a bright, attractive smile can make a significant difference in your life. If you’re looking to restore the natural glow of your teeth, we offer a holistic treatment plan that’s safe, effective, and completely personalized to you. With our wide range of cosmetic treatments, Dr. Schaefer can address any dental issues that prevent you from achieving your ideal smile. Contact Healthful Alternatives to start your cosmetic dental care treatments today!
CALL US: (773) 777-8300 REQUEST APPOINTMENT