General Procedures

Family Dentistry

If you are looking for a family dentist in Plainfield, IL, Dr. Patel sees children and adults alike! At Ivory Dental, we happily see kids of all ages—from toddlers to teenagers. We help children form healthy dental hygiene habits and teach them how to keep their smiles bright for years to come. Establishing a dental home for your child early on will help them form a positive view of dental appointments.

Fillings (Metal-Free)

Composite fillings (otherwise known as tooth-colored fillings) repair teeth afflicted by tooth decay, fractures, or cracks. They can be closely matched to the color of your natural teeth and are often used for the front teeth. Composite fillings can be placed in one appointment. First, Dr. Patel will apply anesthesia to the tooth and then remove the decay. After the decay is removed, Dr. Patel will place, shape, and polish the filling.

Cleanings

The American Dental Association recommends that patients undergo a dental cleaning every six months. Dental cleanings and exams play an essential role in preventing dental disease. During your dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will remove plaque and calculus as well as polishing your teeth. After your dental cleaning, Dr. Patel will come in to perform a dental exam.

Periodontal Treatment (Gum Disease)

Four out of five people have periodontal disease, and they don’t even know it. Symptoms of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, new spaces between the teeth, and pus around the teeth and gums. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Dr. Patel diagnoses periodontal disease through periodontal examinations and provides periodontal treatment for all stages of the disease.

Extractions

If a tooth has been damaged beyond repair, a tooth extraction may be necessary. While Dr. Patel will take any measures necessary to save the tooth, she may have to extract the tooth if they are blocking other teeth from coming in, don’t leave enough space for orthodontic work, or for impact wisdom teeth that are causing pain. Most simple extractions can be done under a local anesthetic, so you will feel pressure but no pain.

Dentures

Dentures are a tooth replacement solution for patients who are missing multiple teeth. There are three main types of dentures: partial denture, full denture, and implant overdenture. Partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth. Full dentures replace all of the missing teeth in both the upper and lower jaw. Implant overdentures are connected to dental implants to secure full dentures and provide better denture stability. Dentures may either be immediate (made in advance and placed immediately after the teeth are removed) or conventional (placed after the gum has healed, usually 4-6 weeks) If you are missing multiple teeth, consider dentures as a tooth replacement option.

Bridges

Dental bridges replace missing teeth in between two healthy, neighboring teeth. A bridge consists of two crowns for the neighboring teeth on either side of the gab, and a false tooth in between. The crowns act as anchors for the false tooth in between. The neighboring teeth are filed down in order to prepare for the crowns and a temporary bridge will be created to protect the teeth and gums. When you receive a permanent bridge, Dr. Patel will position it over your teeth and make sure it is fitted properly.