Composite veneers are thin shells, hand shaped with composite resin material, and bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. They can change the shape, size, color, and texture of a natural tooth. They can remove the need for white crowns, teeth whitening, braces, or porcelain veneers. This affordable treatment alternative to porcelain veneers can be… Read more »
Cosmetic dental work comes at a cost, but the benefits are well worth it. The goals of a cosmetic dentist are to enhance a tooth or multiple teeth and improve your quality of life. There are many types of tooth enhancement that a skilled dentist can render. Common cosmetic dental goals are to improve a tooth’s:… Read more »
It may be time to see a professional if you’re tired of trying to hide your smile or fed up with costly dental gimmicks that fail to deliver. We have compiled a list of 6 ways you can make your smile look better. In the past, patients were very limited in the ways they could… Read more »
A better smile can lead to promotions in the workplace and new romantic opportunities. Many studies have shown that our smiles are one of the most important features people remember after a first meeting. Am I a Candidate for a Better Smile? Almost anyone can desire an improved smile. Before undergoing a cosmetic treatment, you… Read more »
A smile is one of the first things we notice when talking to others. A pretty smile can exude confidence while a bad smile can have others questioning your oral health. If there are things that you wish you could change about your smile Dr. James Fondriest can help. Dr. Fondriest specializes in cosmetic dentistry… Read more »
Problem: “My discolored teeth make me look unhealthy and unattractive, so I’m embarrassed about my smile. I want to whiten my teeth, but I don’t know the best product or treatment for my dental stains.” Solution: “Your tooth stains can be corrected, but there are many types of tooth whitening products on the market. When… Read more »
Have your talked to your dentist about closing diastemas between your teeth? What do Madonna, Samuel L. Jackson, and 50 Cent have in common? Not much, but they do all share a dental feature called a diastema. A diastema is any noticeable space between teeth. Most people won’t see a gap between molars or other hidden… Read more »
The Veneer Before and After Experience Our website is full of porcelain veneers before and after photos. We would love to add your photo to our treatment example gallery. Many patients are stunned to see their transformation. Your cosmetic dentist takes all of the photos for our website. Nothing is altered or borrowed from another dentist. You… Read more »
Have you seen people with really bad dental work? Veneers that make teeth look huge or thick crowns with dark lines at the gum line. Do you want your dental work to disappear, to be truly not perceptible to the eye? To have seamless dental restorations done, you must work with a proven, respected, and… Read more »
TV shows like Extreme Makeover play off a familiar idea. Sometimes, a drastic change can be a good thing. Undergoing a cosmetic teeth makeover can have long reaching benefits, from better oral and overall health to more self confidence. Undergoing one treatment at a time can actually leave you paying more. You’ll make more trips… Read more »
There’s a reason that dental crowns have a name fit for a king. The custom crown serves many needs. Even more, today’s dental restorations are natural looking. You may need a crown to fix deep tooth decay. Perhaps you want straighten a crooked tooth. Our doctor will deliver a natural looking crown that fits, functions,… Read more »
Do you have gaps in your smile or anywhere in your mouth? Some individuals embrace this trait. Others, however, may wish to fill spaces between the teeth for a more uniform appearance. Let’s discuss why extra space can occur between the teeth, and explains how to address the issue with cosmetic dentistry. Why Do I… Read more »
Achieve a completely new looking smile without years and years of cosmetic dental work. Porcelain veneers are often called “instant orthodontics” because the cosmetic results are similar to those offered through orthodontic treatments. Unlike metal braces or Invisalign, veneers can reshape your smile in two short visits. The goal of this article is to show… Read more »
For patients who need a convenient but effective method for improving their smile, teeth veneers are an ideal option. They address a wide variety of cosmetic concerns, but they do so with minimal changes to your natural teeth. Today, we veneer teeth and what makes them one of the most popular and effective cosmetic dentistry… Read more »
Modern patients and dentists prefer realistic esthetics and frequently opt for beautiful zirconia crowns. Zirconia is considered a metal. Although it is listed as a ceramic it has more of the characteristics of metals. There are two main types of crowns that are used for different situations. One type is for cosmetic situations and the… Read more »
On television and in the movies, an ultra bright “Hollywood smile” is essential. Have you ever watched a film on Netflix only to wonder if editing created the perfect smiles? Digital movie magic can work plenty of wonders, but it cannot change smiles. Dental professionals play that role! Back in the early 1930’s, a now… Read more »
Most people want a great smile. Have you ever been around a group of bubbly people, and suddenly you started to feel giddy, too? This could be the result of a contagious grin. In the same way that yawning can make other people yawn, smiling can make others smile. In a Harvard study covered at NPR,… Read more »
Unless you’ve dealt with receiving a dental crown before, you may not yet be familiar with PFM crowns. Good news: It might sound mysterious but we can explain very quickly. PFM simply stands for porcelain-fused-to-metal. This is a dental crown built on a metal base with a layer of porcelain baked over it. It’s like… Read more »
What is a cosmetic dentist? A doctor who focuses on cosmetic dentistry procedures to improve your smile. More attention is directed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. Most of the public thinks of teeth whitening or bonding, but most cosmetic dentists in Chicago will provide many smile improvement treatments…. Read more »
When your front teeth are yellow no matter how much you brush, it may be that you have lost your tooth enamel. Enamel erosion or abrasion is the thinning out of the outer coating over your teeth. The average tooth has about 2 millimeters of enamel on the chewing surfaces and 1.5 mm on the… Read more »
You may have many ways of describing your jagged smile, none of which include the terms “uniform” or “symmetrical.” Instead, you think of it as uneven, up-and-down, and more, as a result of teeth of varying lengths that don’t lend themselves to beautiful consistency. While you may assume you’re stuck with the jagged smile nature… Read more »
If you are not a dentist and you aren’t really familiar with any of the treatments, jargon, or clinical details associated with dentistry, then you may feel at a loss. You know that you would really love a better smile but trying to explain what it is that you dislike about your smile or the… Read more »
The fastest way to repair a broken smile is to get pretty crowns. Whether you have broken, crooked, or missing teeth, pretty crowns can address each of these issues. They work great on top of implants. There are any equally important benefits to restoring a damaged, decayed, or severely blemished tooth with a custom-designed porcelain… Read more »
Do you have a confident smile? If not, what is the particular problem (or set of problems) plaguing your grin? While it’s easy to overlook, the way you feel about how your smile looks is actually more significant than you think. Learn more about the ways cosmetic dentistry can be extremely beneficial to you and… Read more »
Smile improvement is an important part of cosmetic dentistry. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a significant motivating factor for visiting your dentist. For many patients, so is being proud of their smile’s appearance. Depending on the nature of your cosmetic concerns, upgrading how you look with the smile makeover process may seem complicated…. Read more »
Do you have smile problems that you have considered fixing? Your smile is a valuable asset, and as one of the most dominant features of your face, you’re probably more willing to show your smile when you’re proud of how it looks. Unfortunately, good dental hygiene isn’t always enough to preserve your smile’s appearance, and… Read more »
One question cosmetic dentists often field is, “Can porcelain veneers deliver a perfect smile?” The answer depends on your definition, as everyone has their own idea of what makes a smile perfect. Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover smile imperfections, and when done right, they can produce a perfect smile. But not all… Read more »
Does your imperfect smile make you feel self conscious and uncomfortable? It can be difficult to feel confident when there are tooth imperfections like staining, gaps, or sharp edges causing concern. Fortunately, cosmetic treatment makes it possible to address most issues, and often quickly and with natural looking results. Are you interested in how a… Read more »
Are you in need of a smile correction? Have you dreamed of correcting and enhancing your smile? But a smile correction is not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. It involves cosmetic procedures based on each patient’s individual dental needs and desires. There are many reasons someone may want to improve their smile, and there are several… Read more »
Teeth crowns can be used to restore teeth and improve your smile. They are used when a tooth has sustained severe tooth damage, such as a broken tooth or severe cavity. When made well, they can be beautiful solutions that will blend seamlessly with your smile. You may qualify for a cosmetically pleasing type of… Read more »
If you have visited us before, you are likely aware of our philosophy that extends into providing patients with beautiful, natural looking smiles. We base your care on artistic dentistry, an approach to guiding you toward the most beautiful smile that best complements your features, while matching your smile goals and other preferences, such as… Read more »
Fixing some front teeth with crowns is one thing but creating artistic smiles is quite another. Whitening your teeth brightens your smile, braces straighten your smile, but smile design revamps your whole smile. An artistic smile design can make your dreams for a beautiful Hollywood smile come true.
Have you been lazy about your dental care and after years you’re seeing the effects? Maybe you have suffered an illness, or been on medications that have played havoc on your teeth. You may be familiar with cosmetic dentistry treatments such as veneers, dental implants, tooth whitening, etc., and you may think that they are… Read more »
Be sure to go through a personalized smile design process before having a makeover. When you think about cosmetic dentistry in general, you may have a vague idea that you can come in, talk with us about treatments, and make your smile look significantly more impressive than it does at this very moment. What may… Read more »
There are many things that stain teeth. In many cases, teeth whitening won’t work. Depending on the nature and severity of the stains. Your teeth are comprised of a dense, porous, bone-like substance called dentin, which is surrounded by a semi-translucent material known as enamel. Though dentin dictates the color of your tooth, enamel is… Read more »
Have you been considering a dental makeover? A person’s smile dominates their facial appearance. Even with a lifetime of diligent dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, visual blemishes can still appear and diminish a patient’s confidence. While many cosmetic issues don’t threaten a patient’s health, their appearance may indicate more trouble than the… Read more »
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 »
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 »
Cosmetic dentistry can help us look younger When we age, we may look older but we never seem to feel older. So, why not have a smile that reflects how young you really feel? Over time, our smiles become stained and damaged, losing their youthful luster. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have the… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »