Smile Whitening Frequently Asked Questions

Getting your teeth whitened can be a great way to improve your smile. However, people often have questions when it comes to getting smile whitening.

What is the difference between dentist-supervised whitening and drugstore kits?
Rubino Dentistry prescribed home systems and in-office treatments are customized to your unique needs. we can determine the most effective whitening procedure for you based on they type and extent of the staining and the location and number of restorations you have.
Will whitening brighten my restorations too? 
No, however, you and Dr. Rubino can discuss options so that older restorations are not able to sabotage your new, beautiful smile.
At what age is it safe to start whitening? 
Sensitive pulp is closer to the surface in younger teeth, so age is 18 is usually considered the youngest age we recommend so patients avoid irritation. Our recommendation is important! If you visit another Chicago dentist, they will likely tell you the same thing.
What options do I have if I need to repair damaged or discolored teeth? 
There are many wants to repair teeth and even improve their shape while also making them look whiter. Beautiful white bonding or porcelain veneers can correct damage and imperfections. Old, silver fillings can be replaced with attractive, tooth-colored fillings.

If you have any questions about teeth whitening, then contact Rubino Dentistry. 

5 Things About the Roof of Your Mouth

What is the point of the roof of our mouths? Why is it there? What does it do? Etc. I mean, it's not like the roof of our mouths is something that we ponder about too often and we lay away at night thinking about it; however, it is a strange part of our body, huh?

The palate, not to be confused with the pallet (a bed), or palette (a range of colors), is the formal name for the roof of our mouths.

So what does it do? Why do we have it? Let's find out:

1. The hard palate at the front is made of bone, the soft palate behind it is made of tissue. Both the hard palate and the soft palate help our breathing, swallowing, and our speech. Think about it, these things would not be possible if there was no barrier there. 
2. If the bones of the hard palate do not fuse before birth, it is called a cleft palate. This is a purely structural problem that can be repaired before the age of one. 
3. The soft palate helps to close off the nasal passages during swallowing and the airway, if required, during sneezing. Fun fact: crocodiles do this too. 
4. The soft palate has salivary glands and taste buds- this is why we call good food "palatable". 
5. Arachibutyrophobia is the fear that peanut butter will stick to one's palate. I personally do not have this fear but it is more common than one may realize. 

If you have questions about the palate, then talk with Dr. Rubino, a dentist in Park Ridge. If you notice any discoloration, inflammation, or other issues with your palate, then contact your dentist. If you do not have a dentist, then schedule an appointment with our Park Ridge dental office. 

A Camera that Finds Cavities? Available at Our Park Ridge Dental Office

It's true. We have a camera at our Chicagoland dental office that is replacing intramural camera that we used for many years. Intramural photos of your teeth, gums, etc. are very valuable in their own way by helping us diagnose dental problems and show/explain them to you. The new camera, SoproLife® is an excellent cameral for this but has one big advantage: it can also find decay. 

The special light in the camera penetrates the enamel and underlying tooth structures and bounces back to the camera. If there is decay, it shows as red on the image of the tooth. We have used a laser (DIAGNOdent) in the past, and will continue to do so, but the DIAGNOdent could not be used around old fillings crowns, or in between teeth. The SoproLife will work in these areas and help u to be as accurate as possible in finding cavities as early as possible. This is especially important around old fillings and crowns that are stained, look suspicious, or have become symptomatic to you.

 

We will continue to use our digital x-rays and the DIAGNOdent, but the addition of the SoproLife is a big step forward. 

SoproLife also has a high magnification setting, which will help us to evaluate cracks in teeth and find calcified canals when doing root canal therapy. 

In addition, Dr. Rubino will use it when removing deep decay near the nerve chamber. The SoproLife will allow him to remove the decay only and not the sound tooth structure, which could help avoid an exposure of a nerve. 

We will be using the new camera on most patients at their preventative maintenance appointments. So next time you're here, you'll get to see how it works. Feel free to contact Rubino Dentistry and let us know what you think!

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing (SRP) remains the cornerstone of periodontal therapy for gum disease (gingivitis). SRP is usually accomplished under local or topical anesthetic to allow the therapist to meticulously clean root surfaces, remove chronic inflammatory irritants under your gums, and eliminate the bacteria involved in active gum disease. In addition to the mechanical removal of calculus (tartar), some scar tissue adherent to the tartar and roots may be removed in a non-surgical manner. As a result, the bacteria imbedded in these irritants is also removed, producing a much healthier environment for the gums, roots, and bone to heal.

We use an antimicrobial gel, called Arestin, in those areas where there is bone loss  and pockets over 5 mm which remains under your gums for about 1 week. This was a key addition to eliminate the bacteria most often involved in reoccurrence of gum disease. As a result, we do far fewer surgeries than was necessary 15 years ago.

After administration of anesthetics, the other areas of your mouth not being treated under the gums are scaled ultrasonically. Once this is complete, the target areas are cleaned ultrasonically, with hand instruments, and again ultrasonically. The second ultrasonic cleaning sprays a special antibacterial rinse (chlorhexidine) through the tip to flush debris out of your gums and kill bacteria. Then the Arestin gel is injected under your gums where needed. You will not be able to feel it and it dissolves over time. Wait 10 days to floss or WaterPik in the areas your therapist advised the Arestin was placed.

You will be given the same antibacterial rinse, called Periogard, in a home use bottle and will be instructed in its use. Your participation with meticulous home care is very important! If you smoke, stopping or reducing to less than five cigarettes per day will be very beneficial.

Post treatment symptoms are often minimal. Some gum soreness, hot-cold sensitivity, and possible minor tooth soreness can be expected, but last only a few days in most cases. During this time, following home care recommendations and the use of the chlorhexidine rinse not only helps keep you comfortable, but also contributes to the healing and final result. Brush and floss all of your teeth, including the treated area (although gently there unless otherwise directed). If you have a WaterPik for you chlorhexidine use as directed. Discomfort can be controlled by taking Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Tylenol as needed.

If you have any questions, then contact Rubino Dentistry. We are a Park Ridge dental practice and have great knowledge about this subject and can help you with any curiosity about it. 

Do You Experience Dry Mouth While Sleeping, During the Day, etc.?

Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem for many people, especially older adults. What causes it are certain medical conditions; it is also often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, and diuretics. Hundreds of medications list dry mouth as a possible side effect. Since many patients take multiple medications, the potential for any particular patient on medication to develop dry mouth is significant. As a Park Ridge dentist, I have plenty of patients who have medications that can cause dry mouth, it's a very common issue.

Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include a constant sore throat, burning sensation, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages. If left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive decay can occur. It is a significant contribution to dental erosion, which can be very damaging. Meticulous home care routines, using our recommended aids, is very crucial to controlling this potentially serious threat to your oral health.

We recommend Biotine over the counter products to our Park Ridge dental patients experiencing dry mouth. There are hygiene products you can use that cleanse the oral environment and remove bacterial. Soothing gels and liquids that clean and refresh plus intelligently formulated toothpastes with unique enzyme systems combine to protect dry mouth sufferers. There is also a spray that can be used anywhere.

For stimulation products to stimulate saliva glands, using chewing gum and mouth rinses that help manage bad breath while stimulating the mouth's own defenses is a huge help.

For moderate to severe cases, we here at Rubino Dentistry of Park Ridge may recommend the use of dry mouth gels, prescription fluoride toothpastes, and/or remineralization fluoride paste to aggressively fight the serious problem with rampant decay that often can be found in dry mouth patients. Our goal is to not only make your mouth feel better but to prevent dental disease from this growing problem.

If you have any questions, contact Rubino Dentistry and ask us. Or stop by our Chicagoland dental office.

Cracked Teeth? Tips from a Chicagoland Dentist

A very common and often difficult problem for patients is having cracked teeth. Teeth crash for a wide variety of reasons; the most common reasons are having back teeth with moderate to large silver fillings. Patients with parafunctional habits such as grinding or clenching teeth and having cracked teeth that were never fixed. teeth that have had root canals are also good candidates for cracking.

Many teeth have surface cracks which are not a problem; once a crack begins to discolor, we become suspicious of the crack as it progresses into the teeth. In a tooth that has a vital nerve, cracks can actually cause chronic inflammation and eventual irreversible nerve damage. Sometimes, this process is symptomless until the nerve damage is irreversible. We monitor any cracks that are visible every time you come in for exams. Unfortunately, often very since cracks exist which are undetectable at the beginning. Cracked teeth are one of the most unpredictable and difficult scenarios for doctor and patient. Diagnosis is sometimes a product of process of elimination.

Teeth with moderate to large silver fillings eventually will crack! Most of the time, the fillings to not brake but rather the enamel of the tooth does. Usually, these cracks will progress until a corner of the tooth breaks. These breaks will be to the deepest part of the filling and beyond. It is very common to remove an old silver filling and find a significant crack underneath the filling very close to the nerve chamber. Many of these cracks are symptomless but often a patient will begin to have symptoms and hypersensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets, discomfort while chewing or biting, and eventually escalating pain as the nerve becomes damaged. We try and stop this progression by removing the old filling, following and removing the crack and placing a protective lining in the deepest area. This is usually followed by a dental crown. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of teeth with moderate to deep cracks will eventually require root canal therapy in spite of our efforts to stop them. Therefore, the sooner we identify and treat active cracks, the lower the possibility of root canal therapy.

Worse case scenario with cracked teeth are cracks in the root system. It is one of the most common reasons for failure of root canals and usually results in extraction of the tooth. We have a variety of options to help reduce the risk of cracked teeth, which we will discuss with you if we find cracks in any teeth.

If you have any cracked teeth, come into our Park Ridge dental office. As a Chicagoland dentist, Dr. Rubino has seen it all, you can have confidence in his ability to treat your dental concerns, including cracked teeth.

What to Know About Cavities and Fillings

As a dentist near Chicagoland, I do see my fair share of patients come through my Park Ridge dental practice door with a cavity or two. It's not at all uncommon for people to have cavities, it doesn't make it okay, but it is common.

Dental cavities have been around since people have been around; the treatment of them has been been around for centuries at least, however, it was in the wonderful year of 1875 when the organization of the treatment came about. Dr. G. Black created a plan for how to successfully treat the cavities that his patients were regularly suffering from. Dr. Black created the idea of using a filling to treat the cavity as well as removing any decaying part of the tooth. His concepts were so good that they fostered the modern treatment of dental cavities. 

The treatment is comprised of two simple parts: remove the decayed part of the tooth and then fill that with some sort of filling material; today, we use silver (amalgam). For the procedure, the dentist will often give the patient a local anesthetic like Xylocaine or Novocain; if the patient does not want this, then they can get "laughing gas". Once that has taken effect, the dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth with a high-speed drill; do not worry, since you have the anesthetic, you do not feel any pain.

Once the tooth has been drilled, the dentist will often use some sort of liner to help reduce any tooth sensitivity. Many dentists will use a liner that is comprised of gluma, copalite varnish, and then some dycal. This liner will help the dentin regenerate in your tooth and help heal it. If you have a deep cavity, then the dentist will likely use a bass as well as the liner. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I have used these both before.

Once the tooth is ready for the filling, the dentist, along with the patient, can choose a filling; most common one is amalgam, resin, silver, or even gold. This last layer will help rebuild the tooth to its original integrity and strength.

It is entirely common for your tooth to be a bit sensitive for a day or two; if you experience discomfort for an extended period of time after your filling, then contact a dentist immediately. If you are in Chicagoland, contact Rubino Dentistry and we can take care of it. It is possible that you can have an infected pulp, which is remedied by root canal therapy.