Fluoride - It's Not Just For Kids Anymore

One of the most devastating adult dental problems today is known as root cavities. ALL adults are susceptible to root cavities. So you ask, what are root cavities? The root of the tooth is the portion of the tooth that is covered with gum tissue, and as adults, our gum tissue recedes and more of the root is exposed. This exposed area of root is composed of softer material or cementum and is different than the hard enamel surface we normally see on our teeth. So as the aging process continues, and our gums receed further, more root surface is exposed and cavities can occur.

In this picture, you can see the hole in the upper part of the tooth near the gumline. The decay is being removed below the gumline.

One of the most respected dental researchers in the world says that once you get a cavity on the root surface, it is just the beginning of the end of your tooth. At Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry, we will continue to clear out the decay and fill it, but the problem lies in the fact that the root surfaces are more than 700% softer than enamel.

The ONLY and best prevention for root cavities is fluoride. The best and most reliable fluoride delivery is immediately after your professional hygiene reservation. Our hygienists use fluoride varnish in our offices on adults and children.

Dr. Beri and his team at Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry believe in all possible preventive measures to make your whole body healthy for your lifetime. Fluoride varnish as a preventive measure is just one of the many ways we help you keep your smile for a lifetime.

Quality Dental Plan for Affordable Dentistry in Wheaton

As the healthcare debate rages nationally, we have decided to do something tangible to hlep individuals and families afford quality dental care. Statistically, more than 60% of Americans don't have dental insurance and those that do have a limit on its value per year. The maximum for the majority of insurance plans is still $1000/year which is the same as it was in the 1970's. Don't you wish prices were the same today as they were in 1970?

A recent report by CBS News indicated dental decay as a contributing factor in many seemingly unrelated problems...including employment problems, heart disease and childhood school absences. The idea is to come to the dentist for preventive maintenance so the doctor can catch any changes in your health early on. Catching a cavity early on may prevent larger decay later which could lead to a root canal and crown which is more costly than a filling.

We have teamed up with a group of dentists nationally to provide free exams, free simple teeth cleanings, and 10, 20 or 30% off all our fees depending upon which membership program you choose. This program is called Quality Dental Plan and you can contact us at the office and we can answer all your questions.

Invisalign - Not just for teenagers

Did you know that 75% of the adult population could benefit from having their teeth straightened? So many adults have crowding of their teeth which makes flossing difficult if not impossible, or large spaces between their teeth which makes for a great food trap.

We use to think that "braces" were only for kids. That is no longer the case. At Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Beri helps patients correct years of crowding, spacing, and mis-alignment with Invisalign invisible braces.

The patient pictured here is a grandmother and has always wanted straighter teeth. The adult crowding of her lower teeth were becoming troublesome to floss, and Invisalign is proving a solution to her problems.

Teens, young adults, older adults and seniors - Invisalign could be an answer to your dental problems. At Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry we help you achieve your goals for your mouth, your teeth, your gums and your smile.

Patients That Give

This is an unusual posting for a dental office since it does not have to do with dentistry, but I was so impressed with the story one of our patients told me on Tuesday, I wanted to share it with everyone. They say it is better to give than to receive, and Sharon Bell and PepsiAmericas Corporation know how to give unconditionally.

Sharon came into Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry on Tuesday glowing. I wanted to know what she was so happy about and she told us about the day she spent with a group of seniors in their shared home provided by Senior Home Sharing, Inc. She had breakfast and lunch with these wonderfully active seniors, and enjoyed her time with them. They seemed to have more energy than Sharon had imagined.

Sharon told us about the 100 days of giving and the African American Employee Resource Group Community Outreach Committee that sponsored this volunteer event. It is wonderful that a corporation like Pepsi and their employees give back to America at least 100 days per year. I am sure there are other corporations that give back to communities, but to see the glow on Sharon's face, THAT was priceless. Thank you Sharon for donating your time through PepsiAmericas. Your smile said it all on Tuesday.

Jaw pain (TMJ) relief and Botox

Many people suffer from jaw pain today. If you are one of the millions that continually suffer from the muscle tension and headaches associated with TMJ, you understand the frustrations with trying new procedures that may or may not alleviate the pain.

TMJ or temporalmandibular joint pain is a medical condition involving the jaw muscles and joints that move the lower jaw. The condition can cause head and neck pain, a locked jaw, problems biting, and popping sounds when you bite. This can be caused by trauma, disease, wear of teeth, aging or habits.

There are several alternatives available to help with the discomfort of this disorder and your dentist will go through a system of treatment options starting with tylenol and going through medical treatment. One of the options that we use in our office as a final alternative or in conjunction with TMJ splints, after going through several of the less invasive procedures is using Botox injections into the facial muscles. Dr. Beri is now able to perform this procedure in our office as a later choice of options.

If you have jaw pain, do not hesitate to contact your dentist for treatment options. At Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry we have several options available to our patients to help with this condition.

Total Facial Esthetics and Dentistry

Last week Dr. Beri and I attended a class in downtown Chicago on Dermal Fillers and Botox Treatments for Healthcare Professionals. As a 57 year young single mom, I was concerned about having any type of work done on my face or my smile. Needless to say, I was apprehensive and scared.

I am sold on the beauty that botox and fillers can provide us to enhance our beauty, not make us look like plastic faced, non-expressionistic models. Dr. Beri did such a wonderful job on my face, getting rid of the deep wrinkles between my eyes, and forehead, along with my crows feet around the eyes. I can still move my muscles, my eyebrows still move, but I look relaxed. The one deep parenthesis I have on each side of my gorgeous smile are decreased, but I still have my radient smile.

What does this mean to Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry? Dr. Beri was able to fill my facial lines with Juvederm after numbing my mouth. Did I feel anything? NO!!!!! That is the beauty of having a highly trained dentist doing these facial aesthetic procedures. Who works in the mouth and face more than a dentist?

The next step - Dr. Beri will be adding a little Botox around my nose so that my smile is not as gummy. My smile will be enhanced and I will not see the gums around my upper teeth. If I get TMJ or severe headaches, Botox can relieve those problems also.

It is exciting to see where this will lead Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry in the future. Providing our patients with the best dental care is one avenue, but providing full facial esthetics and enhancing the smile - that is a totally exciting avenue to travel down.

Same day crowns at Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry

Here is a video of Dr. Beri working on a CEREC one day crown. Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry has been utilizing this technology for over 7 years. Dr. Beri has placed 1000's of all porcelain crowns that are warrantied for your lifetime.

We hope you enjoy the video.