Why Invisalign? From Dr. Van Fossen

Are you interested in straightening your teeth, but aren't interested in doing so through conventional orthodontic treatment? Dr. Amy Van Fossen and our team would like to recommend Invisalign!

Invisalign aligners are customized, clear aligners used to straighten teeth quicker and with fewer office visits than traditional braces.

Here are a couple of questions you may have:

Why would I want Invisalign®?
Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does Invisalign® work?
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position that has been prescribed. You'll visit our office about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

Dr. Van Fossen is our Certified Invisalign® Provider. If you are considering Invisalign, have questions, or would like to have a complete consultation to determine if Invisalign is right for you, please call the office at 312-368-8771 for an appointment.

How important is your smile? From Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

At the office of Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, along with their personable staff,

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Call us at 312/368-8771 or email office@drgilleran.com to schedule your appointment at our convenient office in Chicago’s Loop!

How to Freshen Bad Breath, from Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, your Chicago Loop dentists, recognize that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Gilleran and Van Fossen Dentistry, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay.

Call us at 312/368-8771 or email office@drgilleran.com to schedule your appointment! Or, if you have any questions, ask us on Facebook!

March is National Nutrition Month!

March is upon us, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, as well as thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and 2011 is no different.

This March, our professional team at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health. Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and veggies: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From Chicago's farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods here in the Windy City.

• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!