Tell us your story! Why do you choose Gilleran & Van Fossen DDS?

If you've ever visited our convenient office located in Chicago's Loop, you know we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, along with their personable staff, are committed to providing a clean and comfortable atmosphere for up-to-date preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care.

Whether you’ve just come in once for a cleaning or your family has been visiting us for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google listing!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend! We look forward to seeing your reviews!

Dr. Patricia Gilleran presents: Invisalign and your oral health

When considering treatment options in Chicago, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than just getting traditional braces at an orthodontist's office. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign at Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS than you may know. Invisalign, a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, not only straighten your teeth, but can improve your oral health as well. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Patricia Gilleran or Dr. Amy Van Fossen during your next visit. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

September is National Gum Care Month!

At Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS, we know that gingivitis - the early stage of periodontal disease - can be difficult to recognize. In fact, most people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen know these can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Chicago Loop office by calling 312-368-8771 as soon as possible. Our doctors can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

With OraVerse, Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen can reverse the numbness of anesthesia!

Our staff at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry are pleased to offer our patients the option to reverse the affects of anesthesia at the end of dental procedures. OraVerse, a local anesthetic reversal agent, reverses the effects of anesthesia so that it wears off in approximately 30 minutes, instead of the usual 120 minutes. This is great for those of you who need to get back to work or have important meetings scheduled after your appointment.

This cutting-edge treatment option allows patients to leave our Chicago Loop office without the unpleasant side affects that can result from anesthesia. Dr. Patricia Gilleran and Dr. Amy Van Fossen offer OraVerse at a minimal cost to our patients.

Please give us a call at 312-368-8771 if you have any questions about OraVerse, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment. See you soon!