How often should you go to the dentist?

dental appointment time

So you haven’t seen a dentist in “Forever”! It may be time for a dental appointment. Life gets hectic, and we understand that things happen. So it’s not uncommon for some patients to not make it into an appointment for a year or maybe a couple years. If you haven’t seen a dentist in what you call “forever,” you may feeling somewhat insecure about the damage that could have occurred over that time. That fear may lead you to avoid scheduling a dental appointment. Don’t let it! Our Lake Forest, IL practice reminds you that when you’re coming in to see our team, fear or guilt should be left at the doorstep! We are more than happy to see you and help with your smile, no matter how long it’s been since you’ve seen a dentist. Restorative dental services may be needed, but don’t forget that we offer artistic dentistry  for individuals just like you, too.

Are you looking for a new dentist in Chicago? Ready to start fresh with your dental provider? Contact us to schedule your first consultation with Dr. James Fondriest, a dentist specializing in superior restorative and cosmetic care.

Schedule Your Dental Appointment Anyway

You might feel like you’ve been away from a dental practice for so long that even though you want dental care, our team will probably gasp and run for the hills after seeing your smile. We understand that it can feel a little unnerving to step foot into a dental practice when you feel guilty or upset about your grin. However, don’t feed into this emotion too much. We suggest you schedule a preventative care visit as soon as possible! The sooner you get in to receive treatment, the sooner we can help you get your smile back on track through dental care.

At your visit with our practice, we will provide a full examination of your mouth. In the examination, we will inspect each tooth for signs of decay or deterioration, broken or chipped enamel, or any fracture lines or cracks which will need to be repaired. We will also check for signs of periodontal disease, or gum disease. In its earliest stages, periodontal disease presents as swollen, red, or tender gums. In advanced stages, the infection caused by harmful oral bacteria can spread and grow: bleeding, painful gums, shifting or loose teeth, deep gum “pockets” around the gum line, and persistent bad breath are all signs of advanced periodontal disease or periodontitis.

Remember, We Offer Full Mouth Care

Once a complete examination and initial cleaning has been performed, Dr. Fondriest will share with you his recommendations for any necessary restorative treatments. Some patients may need just one or two fillings, or a dental crown, or deep dental cleaning. For other patients requiring several restorative treatments, we provide full mouth reconstruction! This custom treatment plan is uniquely created by Dr. Fondriest to help solve all of your oral health issues. Through a full mouth restoration, we can completely eliminate decay and periodontal disease, while repairing any damaged or decayed teeth. We address missing teeth, damaged teeth and tissues, and esthetic concerns during these treatments. Afterwards, cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening or porcelain veneers can help to improve the aesthetics of your smile.

While the upfront costs of a full mouth restoration may seem steep, there are ways to help ensure that you can receive the treatment you need while keeping it affordable. Discuss any financial questions you may have regarding treatment with our team; we can often make the process more affordable by phasing each treatment over a period of time, or suggesting alternative treatments which may be less costly.

Prepare For A (Wonderful) Journey!

Whether your full mouth reconstruction includes dental implants, a variety of esthetic treatments, etc., we remind our patients: Prepare for a wonderful, exciting journey! It isn’t going to happen overnight. However, much more quickly than you might imagine, you will go from seeing a smile you feel unhappy with (and that may make daily life frustrating) to one that is not only beautiful to behold but that also gives you back your confidence and the ability to enjoy daily life! You’ll be chewing, smiling, speaking articulately again, and more, in no time!

Some patients worry about their existing medical issues. Occasionally the medicines they take can conflict with dental medicines.  We always are careful about this and ask that you always bring a full list of your meds.

Maintaining Your Results

The most important thing you can do after visiting the dentist following a lapse in treatment is to stay vigilant about future dental appointments. When it comes to dentistry, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure! Keeping regular appointments every six months with your Chicago dentist is the best way to not only save time in the dental chair in the long run, but to save money, too. Are you overdue for a preventive dental care visit? Preventive treatments are much more affordable than restorative treatments. Additionally, tooth decay that is caught early on at a routine appointment can be treated with a small filling, rather than a costlier crown or root canal therapy later down the road.

See Our Team For Your Next Dental Appointment

Skipping out on routine preventive visits can cause you to miss major issues that increase costs and major loss. Are you worried about developing cavities? Even when you feel you have a long list of details that require treatment to get your smile back to its previous state of health and beauty, we can treat you! Feel free to schedule a visit with Dr. Fondriest by calling us at (847) 234-0517. We proudly serve residents in the Chicago Metro area, as well as from around the United States.