Dental Services in Hickory Hills, IL
Signature Dental Care is proud to be a practice where you can take care of all your dental needs in one place. We offer a large suite of dental treatments to suit the oral health needs of everyone in your family, from the youngest member to the oldest! We’d love to be the family dentist you come to year after year to look after your smile.
Preventive Dentistry
Even if nothing is wrong with your dental health, the best way to keep it that way is through regular dental prevention care. Remember, you should be visiting the dentist twice a year for your routine cleanings and check-ups!
Teeth Cleaning
Regular cleanings are recommended every six months. Not only do you walk away from the appointment with a clean, refreshed smile, but it is a great opportunity to talk to the dentist about your oral health concerns. Cleanings include scaling and tooth polishing to remove tartar buildup, as well as expert flossing to reach deep between the teeth and clean up potential trouble spots.
Dental Exam
When you visit for teeth cleaning, the appointment also includes a thorough dental exam. The combination of digital imaging and a visual inspection of your teeth and gums is necessary for identifying tooth and gum issues in their earliest stages. The purpose of a dental exam is to evaluate your risk for a variety of oral health problems and check for abnormalities in your mouth, neck, and face.
Fluoride Treatment
If you want to strengthen your teeth, then an in-office fluoride treatment can be a great way to protect your smile. This natural mineral is placed on the surface of your teeth, helping to prevent cavities and protect the overall structure of the teeth. Regular use of fluoride has been found to make teeth more resistant against attacks from sugars and bacteria in the mouth.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are used to add an extra layer of protection over the teeth. This treatment involves placing a thin coating of plastic over the chewing surfaces. The molars and premolars are susceptible to tooth decay because of food that can get trapped in the grooves and depressions of the teeth. The sealant works as a protective shield to cover the enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.
Sports Mouthguards
Protect your smile while you are on the field. Sports mouthguards reduce the risk of tooth loss and serious mouth injury if impact occurs during sports activities. For best results, talk to our team about custom-designed mouthguards to use during practice and games. Sports mouthguards are a great investment since you can minimize the need for emergency dental services.
Night Guards
Teeth grinding at night can be stress-related, or some people have chronic issues related to TMJ. Over time, clenching and grinding can wear down the surface of the teeth. Additionally, some people experience damage to their teeth such as chips and cracks. A night guard offers an effective solution for relaxing the jaw while you are sleeping, helping to eliminate the symptoms of TMJ.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Abnormal growths in the mouth can be early signs of cancer, which is why our team offers a thorough oral cancer screening during every exam. In the mouth, this cancer screening includes an inspection of the tongue, cheeks, and gums. Additionally, the face and neck are included in the screening.
Restorative Dental Services
Is there something not quite right with your oral health? We’re here to help you find a solution with a restorative dentist appointment. Whatever dental condition you’re dealing with, we promise to treat you with respect and without judgment.
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease often leads to serious dental health concerns when left untreated. We take a proactive approach in identifying early stages of gum disease, then using minimally-invasive treatments to correct the issues. If pockets of infection are present, then our team will talk to you about at-home dental care, as well as in-office treatments to eliminate infection and help your gums heal. Early treatment is recommended for optimal results.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
When a tooth is damaged due to decay or trauma, then a filling restoration can be used to strengthen the tooth. Not only do fillings work to protect the remaining structure of the tooth, but they improve the overall appearance of your smile. We use tooth-colored composite fillings to maintain a natural look. The repaired tooth will blend in with the natural color of your teeth.
When a crown is needed, it’s beneficial to complete the treatment in a single visit. Instead of taking an impression of your tooth to send to another lab, we offer in-office equipment that enables the placement of same-day crowns. Our digital tools scan the remaining portion of the tooth, then you can relax in the dental chair while a personalized crown is created in the machine. Finally, this tooth restoration is bonded in your mouth to give you a natural-looking tooth that will last for years.
Missing teeth not only leave gaps open in your smile, but the open space can lead to dental complications. It’s important to replace missing teeth so you can avoid issues like shifting and bone loss. Dental implants use a strong post in place of the root of the tooth, as well as a crown on top of the post to complete your smile. Dental implants are beneficial for both aesthetic and functional reasons.
Dental Bridges
Gaps in the mouth can be bridged using dental restorations that connect on either side of the space. For example, dental bridges can be fixed by crowns on nearby teeth or using one or more implant posts as needed. Dental bridges are effective for replacing one or more missing teeth.
Dentures are removable replacement teeth, with special considerations to customize the prosthetic based on the unique needs in your mouth. Not only can the teeth be replaced using dentures, but the gums can also be filled in to restore your smile. Dentures are available as partial or full sets, depending on the number of teeth you are missing.
Root Canal Therapy
An infection deep within the root of a tooth can be treated through a root canal. The benefit of this treatment is that you can avoid tooth extraction. Root canals remove the inner portion of the tooth to eliminate the infection. Then, the root is filled in so the tooth is strengthened. Modern technology makes root canals easy and pain-free, giving you an effective treatment that is as simple as getting a filling.
Cosmetic Dentistry
A bright, enhanced smile can do wonders for your self-esteem. If you’d like to take your teeth’s appearance up a notch, cosmetic dental care may be the best choice for you. We can create a personalized smile makeover plan to help you achieve your goals.
Veneers offer an effective solution to upgrade the appearance of your smile. While veneers are mainly used for cosmetic purposes, they also add strength to the teeth since the thin porcelain shells are bonded in place. Custom veneers can be used to overcome common issues like chips, discoloration, gaps, and more.
One-Size Tray Teeth Whitening
If you want a bright smile, then professional teeth whitening products outshine over-the-counter products. We offer a one-size tray teeth whitening system that is both affordable and easy to use at home. The treatment solution is a fast way to brighten your teeth by a few shades.
Custom Tray Teeth Whitening
For optimal at-home teeth whitening, it’s best to use a custom-fit tray. These teeth whitening trays cost a little more than one-size trays, but they minimize the risk of gel sliding out of the trays. As a result, a tray with a perfect fit reduces the likelihood of the bleaching agent leaking out to cause irritation or complication. We offer a proper fit to improve the overall results from your teeth whitening kit.
One-Visit Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is the fastest way to improve the shade of your teeth. We use the latest technology and proven products for teeth whitening. You will experience noticeable results from one appointment, without the hassle of using teeth whitening trays at home. Talk to our team to identify the best teeth whitening treatment based on your unique needs.
If you’re looking for a teeth-straightening option outside of traditional braces, Invisalign could be the perfect choice for you. Invisalign is a type of clear aligner therapy that uses barely noticeable trays to push your teeth into the correct positions. No metal brackets and wires, no visible appearance, and no food restrictions because of orthodontic hardware.
Oral Surgery
The first step for dental restoration is the placement of an implant post in your jawbone. This surgery involves a cut made into the gums so the bone is exposed. Next, a metal post is carefully placed in the right location by the tooth root. This implanted post is secured deep into the bone, then the jawbone continues to assimilate the post over the next few months. The final result is a strong tooth foundation that can last a lifetime.
Denture Stabilization with Implants
One common complaint with traditional dentures is that they slide around the mouth throughout the day. If you are looking for a solution to improve the function of your dentures, then talk to our team about implants to secure the prosthetics in place. These implant posts are placed strategically in the mouth to anchor dentures. You have the option to remove the dentures as needed for cleaning and care.
The third set of molars in the back of the mouth are known as the wisdom teeth, which usually grow in between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people don’t have enough room in their mouths to accommodate the extra teeth, which is why wisdom teeth removal is a common recommendation. This dental surgery involves cutting into the gums to remove the teeth before they erupt through the gum line.
Tooth Extractions
We strive to maintain the natural structure of your teeth and gums whenever possible, but there are times when tooth extraction is required. The most common reasons for tooth extraction include removal of a tooth damaged beyond repair, making space for orthodontics, or as part of other cosmetic treatments. In addition to quality tooth extraction practices, we also offer a variety of restoration treatments to replace the tooth after it has been removed.
Bone Grafts
If bone loss is occurring, then there might not be a strong enough foundation to support a dental implant. Sometimes, bone grafts are needed to improve the overall outcome of implant placement. This minor surgical procedure is done in our dental office. It involves the placement of grafting material in the bone, which promotes the deposit of new bone cells to strengthen the overall structure.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a safe and effective sedative that can help you to relax during dental procedures. If you have dental anxiety or are having more extensive restorative or oral surgery treatments, we may recommend nitrous oxide to help you feel calm and comfortable. Feel free to give us a call with any questions you may have about nitrous oxide.