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Duane E. Wolff, D.D.S., P.C.

Mokena Office
19160 88th Avenue
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 479-7733

Homewood Office
18161 Morris Avenue
Homewood, IL 60430
(708) 799-7722

 
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Posts for tag: celebrity smiles

Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment

By Duane Wolff, D.D.S.
November 04, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   root canal treatment  
WhyAlfonsoRibeiroIsGratefulforRootCanalTreatment

As the host of America's Funniest Home Videos on ABC TV, Alfonso Ribeiro has witnessed plenty of unintentional physical comedy…or, as he puts it in an interview with Dear Doctor–Dentistry & Oral Health magazine, "When people do stuff and you're like, 'Dude, you just hurt yourself for no reason!'" So when he had his own dental dilemma, Alfonso was determined not to let it turn onto an "epic fail."

The television personality was in his thirties when a painful tooth infection flared up. Instead of ignoring the problem, he took care of it by visiting his dentist, who recommended a root canal procedure. "It's not like you wake up and go, 'Yay, I'm going to have my root canal today!'" he joked. "But once it's done, you couldn't be happier because the pain is gone and you're just smiling because you're no longer in pain!"

Alfonso's experience echoes that of many other people. The root canal procedure is designed to save an infected tooth that otherwise would probably be lost. The infection may start when harmful bacteria from the mouth create a small hole (called a cavity) in the tooth's surface. If left untreated, the decay bacteria continue to eat away at the tooth's structure. Eventually, they can reach the soft pulp tissue, which extends through branching spaces deep inside the tooth called root canals.

Once infection gets a foothold there, it's time for root canal treatment! In this procedure, the area is first numbed; next, a small hole is made in the tooth to give access to the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The diseased tissue is then carefully removed with tiny instruments, and the canals are disinfected to prevent bacteria from spreading. Finally, the tooth is sealed up to prevent re-infection. Following treatment, a crown (cap) is usually required to restore the tooth's full function and appearance.

Root canal treatment sometimes gets a bad rap from people who are unfamiliar with it, or have come across misinformation on the internet. The truth is, a root canal doesn't cause pain: It relieves pain! The alternatives—having the tooth pulled or leaving the infection untreated—are often much worse.

Having a tooth extracted and replaced can be costly and time consuming…yet a missing tooth that isn't replaced can cause problems for your oral health, nutrition and self-esteem. And an untreated infection doesn't just go away on its own—it continues to smolder in your body, potentially causing serious problems. So if you need a root canal, don't delay!

If you would like additional information on root canal treatment, please contact us or schedule a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “A Step-By-Step Guide to Root Canal Treatment” and “Root Canal Treatment: What You Need to Know.”

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Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth

By Duane Wolff, D.D.S.
September 25, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   thumb sucking  
ActressEmmaStoneRevealsHowThumbSuckingAffectedHerTeeth

It's no secret that many of Hollywood's brightest stars didn't start out with perfectly aligned, pearly-white teeth. And these days, plenty of celebs are willing to share their stories, showing how dentists help those megawatt smiles shine. In a recent interview with W magazine, Emma Stone, the stunning 28-year-old star of critically-acclaimed films like La La Land and Birdman, explained how orthodontic appliances helped her overcome problems caused by a harmful habit: persistent thumb sucking in childhood.

“I sucked my thumb until I was 11 years old,” she admitted, mischievously adding “It's still so soothing to do it.” Although it may have been comforting, the habit spelled trouble for her bite. “The roof of my mouth is so high-pitched that I had this huge overbite,” she said. “I got this gate when I was in second grade… I had braces, and then they put a gate.”

While her technical terminology isn't quite accurate, Stone is referring to a type of appliance worn in the mouth which dentists call a “tongue crib” or “thumb/finger appliance.” The purpose of these devices is to stop children from engaging in “parafunctional habits” — that is, behaviors like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which are unrelated to the normal function of the mouth and can cause serious bite problems. (Other parafunctional habits include nail biting, pencil chewing and teeth grinding.)

When kids develop the habit of regularly pushing the tongue against the front teeth (tongue thrusting) or sucking on an object placed inside the mouth (thumb sucking), the behavior can cause the front teeth to be pushed out of alignment. When the top teeth move forward, the condition is commonly referred to as an overbite. In some cases a more serious situation called an “open bite” may develop, which can be difficult to correct. Here, the top and bottom front teeth do not meet or overlap when the mouth is closed; instead, a vertical gap is left in between.

Orthodontic appliances are often recommended to stop harmful oral habits from causing further misalignment. Most appliances are designed with a block (or gate) that prevents the tongue or finger from pushing on the teeth; this is what the actress mentioned. Normally, when the appliance is worn for a period of months it can be expected to modify the child's behavior. Once the habit has been broken, other appliances like traditional braces or clear aligners can be used to bring the teeth into better alignment.

But in Stone's case, things didn't go so smoothly. “I'd take the gate down and suck my thumb underneath the mouth appliance,” she admitted, “because I was totally ignoring the rule to not suck your thumb while you're trying to straighten out your teeth.” That rule-breaking ended up costing the aspiring star lots of time: she spent a total of 7 years wearing braces.

Fortunately, things worked out for the best for Emma Stone: She now has a brilliant smile and a stellar career — plus a shiny new Golden Globe award! Does your child have a thumb sucking problem or another harmful oral habit? For more information about how to correct it, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “How Thumb Sucking Affects the Bite.”

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A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang

By Duane Wolff, D.D.S.
August 16, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
ADifferentKindofChipShotforProGolferDanielleKang

While the sport of golf may not look too dangerous from the sidelines, players know it can sometimes lead to mishaps. There are accidents involving golf carts and clubs, painful muscle and back injuries, and even the threat of lightning strikes on the greens. Yet it wasn’t any of these things that caused professional golfer Danielle Kang’s broken tooth on the opening day of the LPGA Singapore tournament.

“I was eating and it broke,” explained Kang. “My dentist told me, I've chipped another one before, and he said, you don't break it at that moment. It's been broken and it just chips off.” Fortunately, the winner of the 2017 Women’s PGA championship got immediate dental treatment, and went right back on the course to play a solid round, shooting 68.

Kang’s unlucky “chip shot” is far from a rare occurrence. In fact, chipped, fractured and broken teeth are among the most common dental injuries. The cause can be crunching too hard on a piece of ice or hard candy, a sudden accident or a blow to the face, or a tooth that’s weakened by decay or repetitive stress from a habit like nail biting. Feeling a broken tooth in your mouth can cause surprise and worry—but luckily, dentists have many ways of restoring the tooth’s appearance and function.

Exactly how a broken tooth is treated depends on how much of its structure is missing, and whether the soft tissue deep inside of it has been compromised. When a fracture exposes the tooth’s soft pulp it can easily become infected, which may lead to serious problems. In this situation, a root canal or extraction will likely be needed. This involves carefully removing the infected pulp tissue and disinfecting and sealing the “canals” (hollow spaces inside the tooth) to prevent further infection. The tooth can then be restored, often with a crown (cap) to replace the entire visible part. A timely root canal procedure can often save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted (removed).

For less serious chips, dental veneers may be an option. Made of durable and lifelike porcelain, veneers are translucent shells that go over the front surfaces of teeth. They can cover minor to moderate chips and cracks, and even correct size and spacing irregularities and discoloration. Veneers can be custom-made in a dental laboratory from a model of your teeth, and are cemented to teeth for a long-lasting and natural-looking restoration.

Minor chips can often be remedied via dental bonding. Here, layers of tooth-colored resin are applied to the surfaces being restored. The resin is shaped to fill in the missing structure and hardened by a special light. While not as long-lasting as other restoration methods, bonding is a relatively simple and inexpensive technique that can often be completed in just one office visit.

If you have questions about restoring chipped teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Porcelain Veneers” and “Artistic Repair of Chipped Teeth With Composite Resin.”

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Jason Derulo's Ideal Match

By Duane Wolff, D.D.S.
July 07, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   cosmetic dentistry  
JasonDerulosIdealMatch

When the multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and TV personality Jason Derulo was recently asked about his ideal woman, his answer covered a remarkably broad spectrum. "There’s no specific thing," he said, "so I think it’s unfair to say what my ‘type’ is." But it turns out that there is one thing the So You Think You Can Dance judge considers essential: A beautiful smile.

"I’m not into messy teeth," Derulo said. "If the grill has spaces and different colors, it’s not my vibe."

As it turns out, he may be on to something: A number of surveys have indicated that a bright, healthy smile is often the first thing people notice when meeting someone new. Yet many are reluctant to open up that big grin because they aren’t satisfied with the way their teeth look. If you’re one of them, consider this: Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of ways to improve your smile — and it may be easier and more affordable than you think.

For example, if your smile isn’t as bright as you would like it to be, teeth whitening is an effective and economical way to lighten it up. If you opt for in-office treatments, you can expect a lightening effect of up to 10 shades in a single one-hour treatment! Or, you can achieve the same effect in a week or two with a take-home kit we can custom-make for you. Either way, you’ll be safe and comfortable being treated under the supervision of a dental professional — and the results can be expected to last for up to two years, or perhaps more.

If your teeth have minor spacing irregularities, small chips or cracks, it may be possible to repair them in a single office visit via cosmetic bonding. In this process, a liquid composite resin is applied to the teeth and cured (hardened) with a special light. This high-tech material, which comes in colors to match your teeth, can be built up in layers and shaped with dental instruments to create a pleasing, natural effect.

If your smile needs more than just a touch-up, dental veneers may be the answer. These wafer-thin coverings, placed right on top of your natural teeth, can be made in a variety of shapes and colors — from a natural pearly luster to a brilliant "Hollywood white." Custom-made veneers typically involve the removal of a few millimeters of tooth enamel, making them a permanent — and irreversible — treatment. However, by making teeth look more even, closing up spaces and providing dazzling whiteness, veneers just might give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

If you would like more information about cosmetic dental treatments, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cosmetic Dentistry — A Time for Change.”

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Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"

By Duane Wolff, D.D.S.
May 28, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   chipped tooth  
FifthHarmonysCamilaCabelloChipsaToothbutConcertStillWorthIt

Everyone loves a concert where there's plenty of audience participation… until it starts to get out of hand. Recently, the platinum-selling band Fifth Harmony was playing to a packed house in Atlanta when things went awry for vocalist Camila Cabello. Fans were batting around a big plastic ball, and one unfortunate swing sent the ball hurtling toward the stage — and directly into Cabello's face. Pushing the microphone into her mouth, it left the “Worth It” singer with a chipped front tooth.

Ouch! Cabello finished the show nevertheless, and didn't seem too upset. “Atlanta… u wild… love u,” she tweeted later that night. “Gotta get it fixed now tho lol.” Fortunately, dentistry offers a number of ways to make that chipped tooth look as good as new.

A small chip at the edge of the tooth can sometimes be polished with dental instruments to remove the sharp edges. If it's a little bigger, a procedure called dental bonding may be recommended. Here, the missing part is filled in with a mixture of plastic resin and glass fillers, which are then cured (hardened) with a special light. The tooth-colored bonding material provides a tough, lifelike restoration that's hard to tell apart from your natural teeth. While bonding can be performed in just one office visit, the material can stain over time and may eventually need to be replaced.

Porcelain veneers are a more long-lasting solution. These wafer-thin coverings go over the entire front surface of the tooth, and can resolve a number of defects — including chips, discoloration, and even minor size or spacing irregularities. You can get a single veneer or have your whole smile redone, in shades ranging from a pearly luster to an ultra-bright white; that's why veneers are a favorite of Hollywood stars. Getting veneers is a procedure that takes several office visits, but the beautiful results can last for many years.

If a chip or crack extends into the inner part of a tooth, you'll probably need a crown (or cap) to restore the tooth's function and appearance. As long as the roots are healthy, the entire part of the tooth above the gum line can be replaced with a natural-looking restoration. You may also need a root canal to remove the damaged pulp material and prevent infection if the fracture went too far. While small chips or cracks aren't usually an emergency (unless accompanied by pain), damage to the tooth's pulp requires prompt attention.

If you have questions about smile restoration, please contact us and schedule an appointment. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Porcelain Veneers: Strength & Beauty As Never Before” and “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.”

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Older Posts celebrity smiles (31)
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Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • Here's How We Can Jazz up Your Holiday Smile This Season
      • November (3)
        • Here's What you Need to Know about a Root Canal Treatment
        • Behavioral Therapy Could Reduce a Child's Dental Anxiety Without Drugs
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
      • October (3)
        • You May Need an Endodontist for a Tooth With Interior Decay
        • That Scalded Feeling Isn't in Your Head - It Could Be Burning Mouth Syndrome
        • Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
      • September (3)
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • Lingual Braces: An Invisible Way to Move Your Teeth
        • Orthodontics: More Than Straightening a Crooked Smile
      • August (3)
        • Contrary to Popular Opinion, Vaping May Not Be Safer Than Smoking
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Smoking Could Increase Your Gum Disease Risk
      • July (3)
        • 3 Ways to Protect Your Teeth in the Great Outdoors
        • Sedation can Make Dental Treatment Easier for High Anxiety Patients
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • June (3)
        • Be on the Alert for White Spots on Teeth While Wearing Braces
        • Getting a New 'Tooth in a Day' Will Depend on Your Bone Health
        • You May Not Need a Narcotic to Manage Post-Dental Work Pain
      • May (3)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
        • Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
      • April (3)
        • You Might Avoid a Root Canal with This Tooth-Saving Procedure
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • What You Should do About This Bizarre Drug Side Effect
      • March (3)
        • March Is the Time to Evaluate Sleep Problems
        • Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • February (3)
        • Chronic Dry Mouth Could Increase Your Risk for Dental Disease
        • 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants
      • January (3)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
        • Lingual Braces Offer a Less Visible Alternative to Traditional Braces
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Protecting Primary Teeth from Decay Helps Ensure Future Dental Health
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • New Year, New Smile
      • November (3)
        • Gum Surgery Can Improve Your Smile and Save Your Teeth
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
      • October (3)
        • A Long-Term Orthodontic Strategy Could Help Ensure an Attractive Smile Later in Life
        • Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
      • September (3)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Oral Hygiene isn't Easy with Braces - but it's Still Doable
        • A Low Sugar, High Fiber Diet will Help Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
      • August (4)
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
        • Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
      • July (3)
        • Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
      • June (3)
        • 3 Advantages for Improving Your Smile with Composite Resins
        • Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • May (3)
        • Eating Disorders May Contribute to Damaged Teeth and Gums
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
        • 3 Things You Need to Know about Easing Anxiety Over Dental Visits
      • April (2)
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • If You're not a Good Candidate for Dental Implants, Consider Bridgework
      • March (2)
        • 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
        • Why a Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
      • February (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • February Focuses on Children's Dental Health
        • How to Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Hygiene Habits
      • January (2)
        • Why it's Worth the Effort to Save a Problem Baby Tooth
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • New Year's Resolutions for Better Oral Health
        • Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
      • November (2)
        • Why Dental Visits are a Smart Idea - Even on a Limited Budget
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • October (2)
        • Preventing Dental Disease Starts with Assessing Your Unique Risk
        • Your New Implants Need Proper Hygiene Just as Much as your Other Teeth
      • September (2)
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • August (2)
        • You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • July (3)
        • Overcoming Gum Recession will Restore Dental Health and your Smile
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
      • June (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
      • May (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
      • April (3)
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • March (2)
        • Clean Your Implants Just Like you Clean Your Natural Teeth
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • February (1)
        • With Proper Care, you can Lower Your Risk of Tooth Loss as You Age
      • January (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
  • 2016
      • December (3)
        • Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Transform Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
      • November (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
      • October (2)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
      • September (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
      • August (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Sedation During Dental Visits can Reduce Anxiety
      • July (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • 4 Dental Care Areas to Keep in Mind for the Senior Adult in Your Life
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • June (3)
        • Orthodontics Could be the Smile Transformer You've Been Looking For
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
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