Do you dream of a dazzling “Hollywood” smile? A smile makeover with cosmetic veneers can give you a stunning smile, but there are several types to choose from. They can be made with composite resin or porcelain. The first question to answer is deciding which material is best for you, porcelain or composite resin. Choose… 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 »
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day are certainly important steps to keeping your smile beautiful, but it’s also important to schedule professional dental cleanings and checkups every six months. Our Lake Forest dentist Dr. James Fondriest wants you to know the benefits of regular dental preventative care examinations and how… Read more »
Dr. Fondriest and our team understand that about half of Americans avoid dental visits, but we’re here to relieve your fears and misconceptions. A common reason for avoiding dental visits is fear of being exposed to too much radiation during dental x-rays. Although this used to be a legitimate fear, technology has improved so much… Read more »
If you are exploring porcelain veneers to address your smile concerns, you should know that there are two major categories options: traditional regular prep or no-prep veneers. Are you looking for less invasive alternatives to traditional dental veneer treatment? Cosmetic bonding may be right right for you. There are many low prep and no-prep veneer options… Read more »
Smile improvement is something that most of us consider at some point in our lives. With today’s advanced techniques and dental technologies, more people can enjoy cosmetic dentistry when you have bruxism. However, some things can affect your smile’s appearance without you realizing it, or can impact the success of your cosmetic dental treatment. For… Read more »
Cavities are common problems even today. The vast majority of Americans have had tooth decay. Fortunately, cavities aren’t typically difficult to deal with, especially if they’re detected and treated early. In many cases, treating cavities is easier with the help of tooth colored white fillings. White fillings not only blend in with your natural teeth,… Read more »
Is it Decay Immunity or just good Cavity Prevention? Tooth decay is an international chronic infectious health disease in industrialized and developing countries, especially in young children. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) begins early in life, progresses rapidly, and causes immediate and long-term effects. People suffering from tooth decay can also suffer pain, lack of self-esteem,… 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 1930s, a now… Read more »
Did something happen to your tooth that is far too severe for a dental filling? Perhaps you broke your tooth or are suffering from the effects of severe tooth decay. No matter the problem, a PFM crown is a wonderful solution to protect your remaining tooth, so you can avoid an extraction. In many cases,… Read more »
Have you considered having some cosmetic dental changes done to your smile? We are not asking about cosmetic facial surgery but rather about porcelain veneers, whitening, or other cosmetic dental care. One thing is certain: There are an awful lot of new advancements to get excited about! If you have tried to learn about cosmetic… Read more »
Are you missing one or more teeth and looking for the best way to restore your smile? If so, you may wonder which restorative dentistry treatment is best to restore the function and beauty of your smile. While each treatment can provide you with a beautiful smile, they each have pros and cons. Today we… Read more »
TMJ refers to the tempromandibular joints that lay in either side of your face, where the jaw connects to the skull. Nestled within the joint is a cartilage disc that allows for full articulation of the jaw. Healthy TMJ function lets you to open and close your jaw with a smooth gliding motion. Any disruption… 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 »
If you are avoiding going to the dentist due to dental anxiety, you are putting your health at risk because regular dentist visits are essential to good overall physical health.
It’s estimated that 80 percent of all dental injuries involve at least one of the front teeth. With warm weather and lots of spare time, summer is a prime time for playing sports. Then, when summer is over, school sports will be in full swing. Dr. James Fondriest, would like to offer some tips about… Read more »
What does alcohol do to your mouth? It’s Friday, and maybe you and some coworkers are planning on celebrating the end of the work week with cocktails at happy hour. Perhaps you plan to spend the weekend watching baseball and drinking beer. While a couple of drinks probably won’t hurt, heavier drinking can have negative… Read more »
Olympic champion Michael Phelps eats between six and ten pounds of food each day to fuel his body for grueling training sessions. His 10,000 to 12,000 calorie diet includes pancakes, eggs, French toast, cheese, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. While it’s almost certain you don’t need to eat like a 2012 Olympian, there are several foods… Read more »
Some of the most popular products available today are energy drinks. These energy drinks damage teeth. It comes as no surprise that Americans love the stuff. Between 30 and 50% of teens alone consume them. Contents of these drinks promise long-lasting energy boosts through caffeine, sugar, and herbal ingredients. The effectiveness and safety of these… Read more »
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 Veneers? For years,… Read more »
Smoking is bad for you. You know that. You’re probably well aware of the fact that smoking can lead to a laundry list of health problems, including emphysema, heart disease, and cancer. But did you know smoking can also increase your chances of needing a root canal procedure? Our Lake Forest dentist Dr. James Fondriest… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Anti-inflammatory Herbal Remedies for Your Gums Have you considered anti-inflammatory herbal remedies for your gums? Most commonly associated with sunburn relief, aloe vera can also be beneficial for your gums by alleviating ulcers. Applied directly, the antibacterial properties of aloe vera can help your ulcers heal faster. If you have a toothache, contact us right… Read more »
Do you have tooth discoloration? Does your smile appear dull or discolored? Did you know that stains and discoloration can involve both the external parts of your teeth and internal tooth structures? Understanding the cause of tooth discoloration is an important part of assessing your oral health and improving the appearance of your smile. Some… Read more »
Gum disease is common. Recent findings show up to 80% of the population in the United States has gum disease. Despite the fact that gum disease is very common, many patients lack awareness and information on the disease. Early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) are reversible with regular dental cleanings and thorough oral hygiene. If… Read more »
The tongue is one of the most overlooked parts of the mouth. You have probably been told many times not to neglect brushing your tongue when you clean your teeth. Despite being frequently forgotten, your tongue is very important. The tongue has three major functions. It assists with chewing food and pronouncing words properly along… Read more »
As a cosmetic and general dentist who strives to educate his patients on oral systemic health, Dr. James Fondriest and our team at Lake Forest Dental Arts would like to raise awareness for birth defect prevention. January is designated by the National Birth Defect Prevention Network as a month to educate the public on birth… Read more »
If you start your morning with coffee or finish an evening off with red wine, you might be staining your teeth. These beverages, along with cola and many others, are notorious for causing extrinsic tooth stains. Many of our patients can ease the incidence of these stains with regular dental cleanings and comprehensive daily oral… Read more »
There are many benefits of a beautiful smile. Did you ever wonder 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 »
Did you know that using straws can protect your teeth? This simple invention can help protect your smile from beverages that can stain or erode your teeth. Drinking from a straw can limit highly acidic drinks from contacting your teeth. It also prevents staining of your front teeth from coffee and tea. Americans drink an… Read more »
Have you ever asked your dentist to do one of the following? Give your dog braces To let you keep the teeth you have extracted To have an emergency dental cleaning because you’re going to see an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend Give you local anesthesia in your lips to ease the pain during permanent lipstick tattoos… Read more »
Research suggests that over half of the American population is affected by cold sores, but not all show symptoms or know they have contracted the virus that causes these unsightly, painful blisters. With the cold and flu season quickly approaching, cold sores will be showing up on faces even more frequently. Few know the facts… Read more »
What would you do to find the fountain of youth? These days, it seems like many people would do anything, including going under the knife, to shave a few years off of their appearance. One of the many benefits of smiling is that it will make you look younger instantly. So go ahead and smile!! It’s… Read more »
Most celebrities have a reputation of having perfectly white, straight teeth. But not all! Here are a few of the rich and famous stars that could benefit from cosmetic dental work. let us introduce some celebrities who could really need a smile makeover. Morgan Freeman: He didn’t start his career until later life, so he… Read more »
The dental consultation Are you thinking of getting some dentistry done and need to have at least one or two consultations with dentists? Are there questions that you should be asking your dentist but you are reluctant? We have found that most patients are uncomfortable asking doctors how many times they have done this procedure…. Read more »
We all remember how the terror of a loose tooth was offset by the subsequent visit from the Tooth Fairy. However, we only get one set of adult permanent teeth, and losing one is hardly a cause for celebration. Proper oral hygiene is the most important part of caring for your teeth, but minimizing and… Read more »
You know how to properly brush your teeth. You go in for regular dental checkups and cleanings. So you’re doing all you can to protect your teeth, right? Wrong. If you are practicing bad habits or eating the wrong foods, you may unknowingly hurt your teeth. These habits can cause damage to your teeth: Grinding… Read more »