Common Dental Conditions

Tooth Decay: Also called dental caries, tooth decay occurs when a part of the tooth is destroyed by acid producing bacteria that live in the mouth.

Periodontal Disease: Also called Periodontitis or Gum Disease, this is a condition that affects the support system for the tooth. It can destroy the gums, the ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone, and the bone itself.

It affects 50% of those over the age of 18 and an estimated 75% of adults. It can remain completely painless till it progresses to threaten tooth loss.

Bruxism: Also known as grinding or clenching of the teeth, bruxism can cause headaches, gum recession, tooth abfraction (knotches at the root surface of a tooth), facial pain, and tooth attrition. Treatments for bruxism include adjustment of the fit of the teeth, orthodontics, and bite guards.

TMJ or TMD: We used to say that if you had problems with the jaw joint (the temporomandibular joint or TMJ) you had TMJ. If you think about it, everyone has a TMJ. So we now use the letters TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction) to describe a problem with the TMJ. TMD can result in a host of myofacial symptoms, similar to problems associated with bruxism (see above).

Malocclusion: Malocclusion is when one's teeth do not fit together properly. This can result in a loss of functionality and compromises in how one looks. It can also cause TMD. Treatment for malocclusion would include orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and occlusal adjustments which reshape the contours of the teeth so that they fit together better.

Sensitive Teeth: Teeth can become sensitive due to several factors: decay, gum recession, cracked or fractured teeth, infection, and sinus problems. Treatment would depend on the nature of the problem.

Abscess: An infection caused by a gum problem (peridontal disease) or a tooth whose nerve has become necrotic. These can be quite painful and they require immediate treatment.






Monday : 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 8pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 12pm - 7pm
Friday: 8am - 12pm & 1pm-3pm
Saturday: 8am - 12pm

Wednesday: by special appointment only

Top 10 dentistry clinics in Elgin, IL
A Elgin Dentistry winner of the 2015 Patients' Choice Awards.
Verified by