Posts Categorized: Cosmetic Dentistry

Repair a chipped tooth

A number of factors can cause a tooth to chip. For example, eating something too hard or suffering with dental trauma can lead to a damaged tooth. Regardless of the cause, though, a dentist can typically repair the tooth. To help his patients understand how a chipped tooth is treated, Dr. James Fondriest shares this… Read more »

Chicago Dentist: Learn More About Dental Bridges with Today’s Quiz

Losing a tooth can affect more than just your appearance. In fact, even a single missing tooth can start a chain of events that leads to diminished oral health and an increased risk of further tooth loss. At Lake Forest Dental Arts, we can replace one or more missing teeth using a dental bridge. In… Read more »

Chicago Dentist Answers FAQs About Veneers

Are you satisfied with the appearance of your smile? Recently, the American Association of Orthodontists commissioned a study conducted by Wakefield Research. The results were surprising: Over a third of American adults are unhappy with the appearance of their smiles. Teeth stains, dental damage, and misalignment are all common dental issues that can hinder the… Read more »

Stained Teeth | Categories of stains, Treatments

stained teeth

Do you have stained teeth? You’re getting ready for the job interview you’ve been thinking about for weeks. But when you flash yourself a grin in the mirror, you see that yellowish or brownish discolorations make your smile look less than brilliant. Unfortunately, those discolored teeth can cause people to perceive you as unhealthy, unkempt,… Read more »

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for Me?

Cosmetic Dentistry

Is cosmetic dentistry the best way to go for me? The cosmetic dentistry journey is one that begins and ends in the mirror. For most patients, the journey starts when they look at their reflection and feel unhappy or dissatisfied with the general appearance of their smile. That same journey often ends when their dentist… Read more »

Natural Looking Porcelain Veneers – Really!

Often, people feel self conscious about their smiles due to stains or misalignment. But what if there was a type of dental procedure that could address a myriad of dental imperfections in as little as two visits? In today’s blog, we explain how natural looking porcelain veneers can transform your smile. Cosmetic Dentistry can give… Read more »

Smile Improvement | Design Options, Procedures

Do you ever feel self conscious about your smile? Do you want a beautiful smile free of dental damage or embarrassing teeth stains? Dr. James Fondriest understands that a beautiful smile boosts confidence and helps make a great first impression. In fact, according to a recent Kelton Research study, a bright smile can make a… Read more »

Ceramic veneers to restore your smile

Ceramic veneers

Our tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. But unfortunately, our teeth are still vulnerable to damage and discoloration. While teeth are meant to withstand a lifetime of wear and tear, your smile can still lose its youthful luster. Many people assume restoring their smiles will require multiple office visits and innumerable… Read more »

Best Crowns in Chicago | How to tell quality

Best Porcelain Crowns Chicago

Did you know a recent Kelton Research study revealed that people with beautiful, bright smiles are considered more attractive and successful? A gorgeous smile can boost confidence. Often, our teeth become damaged due to tooth decay or injury. When this happens, people can become self conscious regarding the imperfections in their smiles. Thankfully, a dental… Read more »

Replace a Single Tooth | Do you have a gap in your smile?

Single Tooth Replacement

Single tooth replacement can be achieved in three ways A removable partial denture Dental implants Fixed dental bridgework Dental bridges and implants have replaced partial dentures as the most recommended single tooth replacement options. The quality of life is much better and the aesthetics are much preferred. Why is single tooth replacement important? Teeth are… Read more »

Prepless Veneers | Very Thin Veneers

Prepless veneers

Research on the psychology of smiling shows the influence that your smile has on your professional, social, and romantic relationships. Do you hide your smile due to insecurities over the shape, size, color, or general appearance of your teeth? You could be perceived as insecure, reserved, or even unfriendly. Dr. James Fondriest offers a revolutionary… Read more »

Crown Vs Veneer as a Cosmetic Dentistry Option

crown vs veneer

If you aren’t completely happy with your smile when you look in the mirror every morning, it may be time to visit your dentist for a smile makeover. When deciding on cosmetic options, you should know the pros and cons for treatment options when it comes to crowns vs veneers. Both types of restorations can… Read more »

Cosmetic Dentistry Planning – The assessment process

Cosmetic dentistry planning

Are you planning to have some cosmetic dentistry done? Are you comfortable with how your treatment is being arranged? What is the best way to plan for cosmetic dentistry? Not all dentists do comprehensive assessments of your cosmetic dental issues. If you feel dissatisfied by the condition of your smile, we suggest that you get at… Read more »

Craze lines on your teeth | Enamel cracks

If you’ve noticed small lines on your teeth, you may have what dentists call craze lines. These web looking imperfections should not be confused with a truly fractured tooth, which is painful. Craze lines are merely hairline cracks in tooth enamel. Though these lines on teeth are cosmetically displeasing, they are not particularly harmful to… Read more »

Dental Bonding | Is It Right For You?

Dental bonding

Are you looking to improve your smile? Do you have a severely stained, chipped, cracked, or misshapen tooth? One of the most affordable and effective cosmetic treatment options involves dental bonding.  The composite resin can be artfully color-matched and molded over a tooth to conceal a wide range of issues. This treatment can make smile… Read more »

Problems with Teeth Whitening and How To Prevent Them

translucent teeth in smile

Throughout history, people have tried nearly everything to whiten their teeth. The first recorded use of toothpaste dates back 7,000 years to ancient Egypt. Toothpaste used goat’s milk, urine, pepper, and rock salt. Mouthwash was also an early oral hygiene tool used to whiten teeth.  Then as now, white teeth were tied to youth and… Read more »

Veneers for men | Do men want cosmetic improvements?

porcelain veneers for men

Do men want veneers as much as women do? As a society, Americans have historically tended to associate a concern for one’s personal appearance with women. For men, caring too much about the way you looked threw your masculinity into question. In recent years, however, that way of thinking is changing. Men are becoming more… Read more »

Esthetic dental restorations

Esthetic dental restorations is the term that Dr. James Fondriest uses to describe the type of dentistry he offers in his Chicago-area dental office. Esthetic refers to beauty, while dental restorations refers to dental work that improves health, oral function, and appearance.  The media has popularized the phrase cosmetic dentistry, but most consumers don’t know… Read more »

Collaborative cosmetic dentistry – Best way to great outcome

dentist patient partnership

Achieving your dream of a beautiful smile can be a daunting challenge to some. The challenge comes in picking the right cosmetic expert, making the right treatment choices, and most importantly, overcoming the emotional stress. Finding a dentist that will work with you makes things easier. Going through a collaborative cosmetic dentistry process is the… Read more »

Dental planning | Treatment design with patient input

Cosmetic dental treatment planning

The artistic side of cosmetic dental planning can easily be varied from patient to patient. There are many factors that make a smile that can be adjusted to a patient’s preferences. Just as an architect will work with a client to design a family home, dentists can design smiles to meet the needs of our… Read more »

Advantages of No-prep Veneers

Eighty percent of people aren’t happy with their smiles. If you fall into this category, you might benefit from no-prep veneers. This elective cosmetic treatment basically allows you to resurface your smile with tooth colored restorative materials. Today, our Lake Forest cosmetic dentist Dr. James Fondriest discusses the advantages of no-prep veneers. What are No-prep… Read more »

The Wear and Tear of Bruxism

Do you have the wear and tear of bruxism? Teeth grinding, known clinically as bruxism, is the repeated clenching of the jaw, sometimes causing tooth damage that can ultimately require restorative work. If you already have restorations, you might wonder if your bruxism will damage your new beautiful smile. Today, cosmetic dentist Dr. James Fondriest… Read more »

The Most Popular Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular than ever before. Your smile is an asset. An attractive smile is important in both your professional and personal life. With modern technology and extensive experience, our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Fondriest can transform your smile into something you will want to show off. We offer many of the most… Read more »

Should you replace metal fillings?

Replace metal fillings

Do dark, unsightly fillings in your mouth cause you embarrassment and hold you back when you want to show off your biggest smile or laugh with abandon? Tooth colored fillings are an excellent option to replace metal fillings and enhance your smile. Have you heard that the mercury in metal fillings can cause health issues,… Read more »

Celebrities with Cosmetic Dental Work

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that cosmetic dentists rank Natalie Portman’s smile as the best in Hollywood, followed by James Franco’s and Nicole Kidman’s. Annette Bening, Colin Firth, and Christian Bale came next. The dentists also reported on the most kissable mouths on the silver screen. For the females, Angelina Jolie came in… Read more »

Are thin veneers more durable?

What are thin veneers? Low preparation veneers, or ultra thin veneers are durable cosmetic restorations that enhance your smile with as little tooth reduction as possible. No-preparation veneers are made with porcelain restorations with a minimal thickness of 0.2 mm. To put this size into perspective, 0.2mm is about as thin as a piece of… Read more »

Enhance My Smile With Veneers

Have you ever asked yourself the question,  “Would it be worth it to enhance my smile”? We offer artistic restorations and cosmetic enhancements to patients in the Chicago area. One of our most popular cosmetic services involves bonding porcelain veneers. This cosmetic procedure addresses many smile imperfections by carefully placing cosmetic enhancements over the front… Read more »

When too much gum shows | Treatment options

  When too much gum shows in your smile, there are several treatment options available. Current estimates indicate that up to seven percent of men and fourteen percent of women have excessive amounts of gum tissue or smiles that appear “gummy.” Excess gum tissue creates a disproportionate appearance of a patient’s smile by covering more… Read more »

Mouth Reconstruction | Types and benefits

full mouth reconstruction

Have you ever heard of the terms full mouth reconstruction, mouth restoration, and full mouth rehabilitation? These terms essentially mean the same thing; a smile makeover. Reconstruction of the mouth and/or teeth includes an array of procedures that create a uniform smile. Reconstruction can also restore proper jaw alignment, and improve overall oral health.   Depending… Read more »

Confirm dental treatment opinion when planning major work

Confirm dental treatment opinion

It’s important to completely understand and confirm your dental treatment opinion To confirm your dental treatment opinion dental appointments can help in many circumstances. Seeking out the input of an expert in cosmetic dental work can help. They can help you develop a clearer picture of how to achieve remarkable smile improvements. You can also… Read more »

Beautiful smile | Enjoy the benefits

Beautiful smile

There are many benefits of a beautiful smile. Have you ever wondered why people feel happy around children? Yes, they are cute and energetic, but research indicates it’s for another reason entirely. It’s because they smile an average of 400 times a day. It’s true. The average adult only does it about 20 times a… Read more »

Meet Matt Roberts

Dr. James Fondriest is a well-known and accomplished cosmetic dentist in the Lake Forest area of Chicago. With an expert eye for smile design, aesthetics, and high-quality dentistry, Dr. Fondriest and the Lake Forest Dental Arts team have created healthy, functional, and beautiful smiles for patients from across Illinois. A Complete Team for Your Smile… Read more »

Artistic Dentist | The Cosmetic Dentist as an Artist

Is Your Dentist an Artist? Cosmetic dentistry is a scientific discipline, but it also involves artistry. Dr. James Fondriest, a Chicago cosmetic dentist, possesses the attention to detail and aesthetic eye of a true artist. His work is highly sought after by people in Chicago and across the country. As an artist, are you proud… Read more »