Preventative Dental Care in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
We share your goal of sustainable, lifelong oral health.
Prevention is the best way to keep your teeth and gums from developing serious problems that can lead to major dental work down the road. In addition to the many restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures available at our practice, Vence Dentistry offers a vast array of general and preventative dental care options that can help you maintain your oral health and stop the development of major conditions before they start. From thorough oral exams and cleanings to advanced gum care procedures, our dental team is dedicated to providing comprehensive preventative treatments that can keep your smile healthy and fresh!
Periodontal Therapy
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease, medically referred to as periodontal disease, can affect anyone, even individuals who consistently take very good care of their teeth and gums. Our experienced dentist, Dr. Brian Vence offers advanced options to help control gum disease and prevent it from causing severe and irreparable harm.
The typical view of how periodontal disease compromises our teeth is this: when plaque and tartar collect beneath the gum line, what’s known as “deep pockets” can form, which can lead to a collection of harmful bacteria that continues to multiply. Dr. Vence believes this is a sign of systemic medical issues that need to be addressed with a physician. Keeping your oral health in check is essential, so when medical issues arise your oral health will not be compromised. This infection can get significantly worse if left untreated, ultimately leading to a variety of symptoms, including gum recession and bone loss, that can compromise the health of your teeth and even increase risks to your overall health. There are a number of stages of gum disease, beginning with gingivitis and progressing toward periodontitis, which is a very severe stage of the condition.
Symptoms Can Include:
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Redness and inflammation affecting the gums
- Gum sensitivity
- Deep pockets between the teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
- A bite that feels different or altered in some way
- Pus discharge along the gum line or between the teeth
- Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
- Persistent bad taste in the mouth
- Tooth loss
- Dentures that do not fit like they did previously
Here at Vence Dentistry, regular check-ups and teeth cleanings can serve as strong defenses against the development and progression of gum disease. For more advanced levels of the condition, treatments such as non-surgical scaling and root planing can remove deep-set bacteria and sterilize the pockets between the gums and teeth. Our periodontal therapies can go a long way toward preventing the serious consequences that can occur when gum disease goes untreated, helping you maintain the health of your gums for years to come.
Come See Us
Hours: M-Th 7:30AM-3:30PM
Preventative Dental Services
Total Wellness
Dr. Vence and his team at Vence Dentistry believe that an individual’s oral health and overall health often go hand-in-hand. That’s why we take a “Total Wellness” approach for all of our patients. Conditions such as TMJ Disorder, periodontal disease, sleep apnea, and others related to the health and function of oral structures can be treated by our experienced professionals. Some of these conditions are known to cause debilitating symptoms and have been linked to increased general health risks. By recognizing the associative factors between the health of the mouth and the health of the body, our team strives to help patients attain optimal wellness with our comprehensive range of advanced procedures.
Oral Exams and Routine Dental Cleanings
Routine exams and dental cleanings represent the frontline in the battle against poor oral health. A periodic oral exam can help us identify any existing problems or potential problems with your teeth and gums as early as possible. An early diagnosis can allow us to address concerns quickly, which can prevent them from getting worse and potentially requiring more extensive treatment later in life.
After your routine oral exam, we can perform a professional teeth cleaning. Regular dental cleanings can reach areas of your teeth and gums that your toothbrush simply cannot, helping us remove plaque and tartar while providing the teeth with a more polished appearance. Depending on your unique needs and goals, it is typically recommended that oral exams and dental cleanings be performed at least twice each year.
Digital X-Rays
X-ray imaging is one of the first, and most important, steps in dental care. Fortunately, x-ray technology has significantly advanced over the years, making the process faster, more efficient, and more detailed than ever before. Our practice utilizes digital x-ray imaging systems that can reduce your exposure to radiation by up to 90% when compared to x-ray techniques of the past. This technology also eliminates the need to develop x-ray films – once the images are taken, they are relayed almost instantaneously to a computer monitor so that you and our dental team can view them. This process also makes it easier and more convenient to send the x-rays to insurance providers. Plus, it does not require the use of developing chemicals that may be harmful to the environment.
Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Taking a minimally invasive approach whenever possible is one of the hallmarks of Vence Dentistry. Dr. Vence and his team are committed to what’s known as “biomimetic dentistry,” a method designed to target only the affected areas of the teeth and conserve more of the healthier tooth structure. This can help provide long-lasting results and a more comfortable treatment experience. Advances in dental care have made it possible to provide patients with necessary procedures in more conservative and less invasive ways, and our goal is to enhance your treatment process as much as we can.
Mouthguards for Athletics
Any type of contact sport or activity can put your teeth and oral structures in danger of blunt-force impact, potentially causing a serious oral injury. Our practice offers custom-designed mouthguards (also known as sports guards), to protect your teeth and gums from harm. Unlike one-size-fits-all mouthguards that can be found at a local store, custom mouthguards can fit more comfortably on your teeth while reducing the risk of dental trauma during athletic activities. These advanced mouthguards can give you protection and peace-of-mind while you focus on scoring that winning goal!