As a busy professional, you probably juggle work deadlines, family responsibilities, and personal commitments. Because of this, finding time for dental care often gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. Unfortunately, when dental problems finally demand attention, they’ve usually progressed beyond simple prevention into costly, time-consuming treatments that could have been avoided with regular care. That’s where we come into play!
At Dental Group of Chicago, we specialize in providing complete general dentistry services to working professionals and families in the South Loop area. Our team understands that maintaining your oral health shouldn’t disrupt your work schedule or family commitments, which is why we offer extended weekday hours, as well as Saturday appointments to ensure you and your family get the dental care you deserve.
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is the most foundational branch of your oral health care. These essential services focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating common dental problems before they develop into more serious issues that require extensive treatment. Think of your general dentist as the primary care physician for your mouth; the first line of defense against dental problems and your partner in maintaining lifelong oral health.
Our comprehensive general dentistry services include routine cleanings, dental exams, fillings, restorations, and preventive treatments. We also handle dental emergencies because we understand that tooth pain doesn’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. When you’re experiencing discomfort, our team is here to provide swift and effective care, helping you return to your daily routine.
Preventive Care to Protect Your Oral Health
Prevention truly is the best medicine when it comes to your oral health. Regular dental cleanings and exams biannually can help you avoid costly, invasive procedures down the line. During these appointments, our skilled hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing and flossing can’t eliminate. We also perform comprehensive exams and oral cancer screenings to catch potential issues early when they’re easier and less expensive to treat.
Our preventive approach extends beyond your appointments. We provide targeted guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques, recommend appropriate oral care products, and discuss lifestyle factors that affect your oral health. This educational component helps you maintain optimal oral health between visits.
Restorative Treatments That Preserve Your Smile
Even with excellent preventive care, restorative treatment may sometimes be necessary. Our general dentistry services include several options to restore damaged teeth and maintain the function and appearance of your smile.
Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the most common restorative treatments we perform. When cavities develop, we remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill the space with durable materials that blend naturally with your teeth. Modern filling materials are designed to withstand the forces of chewing while maintaining a natural appearance and texture.
Inlays & Onlays
For teeth that need more restoration than a filling can provide but don’t require a full crown, inlays and onlays offer an excellent middle-ground solution. These puzzle-piece restorations are crafted in a dental lab and bonded to your tooth, providing superior strength and durability compared to traditional fillings.
Inlays fit within the cusps of your tooth, while onlays extend over one or more cusps. Both options save more of your natural tooth structure than crowns while still providing excellent protection against further decay.
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns are an ideal choice to strengthen teeth with large cavities when there isn’t enough healthy tooth structure to hold a filling. They can also protect weakened teeth, restore broken teeth, and attach dental bridges. Our crowns are carefully crafted to match your natural teeth in terms of color, shape, and size.
For those missing one or more teeth, dental bridges can be installed to fill the open space in your smile. This keeps your remaining teeth from shifting out of position and supports the proper alignment of your bite.
Emergency Dental Care When You Need It Most
Dental emergencies can happen at any time of day or night, and when they do, you need immediate attention from a knowledgeable team. Our practice prioritizes emergency appointments because we understand that dental pain can be debilitating and affect every aspect of your life.
Common dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothaches
- Knocked-out teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Lost fillings or crowns
- Dental abscesses
If you have a knocked-out tooth, the ADA recommends keeping it moist and attempting to reinsert it into the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, and contact us immediately.
Saving Your Natural Teeth With Root Canal Therapy
When tooth decay spreads to the inner pulp of your tooth, a root canal is likely needed to repair and save your tooth instead of extracting it. Despite common myths, modern root canal therapy is often associated with the same level of discomfort as placing a large filling.
During root canal treatment, we carefully remove the infected inner pulp, clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, and seal it to hinder further infection. Most teeth that receive root canal treatment can be saved and function normally for years with proper care.
When Is Extraction Necessary?
Sometimes, tooth extraction becomes essential to protect your overall oral health. Common reasons for extractions include severe decay, advanced periodontal disease, or overcrowding. When saving your tooth is no longer an option, our skilled team performs extractions with minimal discomfort and provides detailed aftercare instructions to promote proper healing and recovery.
Wisdom teeth removal is another standard extraction procedure. Unfortunately, many people don’t have enough space in their mouths for these third molars, leading to problems like impaction, crowding, or difficulty cleaning. Removing problematic wisdom teeth can prevent future complications.
Making Dental Care Accessible
At Dental Group of Chicago, we understand that busy schedules can make it frustrating to prioritize dental care. That’s why we offer extended hours and work with most major dental benefits plans to make quality dental care accessible. Our team is always happy to help you maximize your insurance benefits and explore alternative financing options when needed.
We also offer a dental membership plan for patients without insurance, making preventive care and treatments more affordable. This plan includes regular cleanings, exams, and discounts on additional services.
Your Partner in Oral Health at Dental Group of Chicago
At Dental Group of Chicago, we believe that excellent general dentistry goes beyond treating problems; it’s about building lasting bonds with our patients and helping them maintain optimal dental health throughout their lives. Our experienced team combines clinical expertise with genuine care to provide the comfortable, comprehensive dental care you deserve. We take pride in serving the South Loop community and understand the unique needs of working professionals and families in this dynamic area.
Don’t let a busy schedule prevent you from getting the dental care you need. Contact us today at (312) 588-0043 or visit our contact form to schedule your appointment and experience the difference that high-quality and accessible general dentistry can make in your life.