Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are perfect for patients hoping to redesign and reshape their smile with a simple, non-invasive procedure. Those with misaligned, chipped or broken teeth are great candidates for this procedure. We will provide you with the opportunity to repair their smile with dental veneers. 

 

There are many types of veneers available. Dr. Wook Kim utilizes ceramic veneers. Ceramic veneers cover the existing tooth structure. The process by which veneers are installed takes two to three visits. In the first visit, Dr. Kim will consult with you to determine whether or not you are a candidate for veneers. Once approved, Dr. Kim will present a set of options such as what size, shape and color the veneers will be. The molding process will then begin. This process consists of removing half a millimeter of the enamel from the tooth surface so the veneers are flush with the gum line. A mold will then be taken of your teeth and we will have the veneers structured at an outside dental lab. Creation of the veneers takes approximately 10-14 days.

 

Once the veneers are ready, we will fit them in your mouth to see if the shade and size is correct. The veneers will then be trimmed to assure a permanent fit. We will then thoroughly clean the area and etch the teeth before applying the bonding agent. Once the bonding agent is applied, the veneer will be placed in your mouth and the bonding agent will be activated by a UV light source. The final step in the process involves an inspection by Dr. Kim. He will examine your bite, remove any excess cement and make any final adjustments. You may be asked to return for a follow-up visit to evaluate how the gums are responding to the new veneer.

 

Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Wook Kim!

Diagnodent

Diagnodent

Here at Orland Dental Wellness Center, we utilize advanced dental technology and tools, including the Diagnodent. The Diagnodent is a tool that uses lasers to locate cavities underneath the surface of the tooth. Many cavities are hidden from examinations and even x-rays, but the Diagnodent can help find them with its fluorescent laser.

 

There are many reasons we use the Diagnodent for finding cavities or investigate other dental problems, including the following:

 

1. It is minimally invasive and performed without any probing or poking into the teeth. It simply glides over the tooth surface to find cavities or decay. This provides a painless experience for patients.

2. It is highly accurate. The Diagnodent detects cavities at any stage, whether they are in the first stage and not seen by X-rays or years old.

3. It finds cavities on the roots of the teeth, in the tooth surface or between the teeth, where they are very hard to find with other resources or x-rays.

4. It is done quickly. The Diagnodent is glided over the teeth and completed very fast.

 

If you fear you may have hidden cavities, the Diagnodent can help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Wook Kim at 708-460-6666.

Surgical Dental Microscope

Surgical Dental Microscope

Among the many advanced dentistry tools used at Orland Dental Wellness Center, the surgical dental microscope is one of the most helpful. The microscope lets us see up to 20x magnification better than what the naked eye can see. It is used in various surgical applications, including extractions, periodontal surgical procedures, and restorations.

 

The surgical dental microscope is used by our dentist Dr. Wook Kim to get better resolution and magnification while performing surgeries and treatments, using a zoom-style optic and seeing areas he would not otherwise be able to see. Its use also helps patients have shortened dental visit times.

 

There are several surgical treatments that the dental microscope can be used for, including restorations. Here are some of the top benefits for restorations specifically:

•  Close inspection of the tissues.
• Better lighting and magnification.
•  Detection of root fractures or other abnormalities.
• Better cord placement.
• Improved inspection for impressions.
• Helps with polishing and finishing margins.
• Final evaluation.

The microscope goes from 3x magnification up to 20x magnification, with a halogen bulb, and fiber optic cabling. It is an advanced piece of dental equipment that makes patients feel more at ease with their procedures.

 

Call us at 708-460-6666 to schedule a consultation and realize the multitude of benefits of the surgical dental microscope.

Bad Breath

Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common complaint many of our patients have. Bad breath is actually a medical condition called halitosis, and is often due to improper oral hygiene and many other causes. Everything from the food and drinks the patient enjoys daily, to their teeth cleaning habits and not visiting us often enough, can all add to their bad breath.

Dr. Wook Kim provides a variety of recommendations for the treatment of bad breath, including:

1. Brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day, plus using a mouthwash containing fluoride, but not alcohol.

2. Scheduling regular dental visits for a professional cleaning.

3. Getting gum disease or periodontal disease treated.

4. Drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated and keep the teeth clean between meals.

5. Avoiding breath mints as they contain high amounts of sugar which can add to the problem.

6. Reducing alcohol and coffee, both of which make the situation worse.

7. Cleaning dentures if the patient has them.

8. Eating healthy foods and avoiding garlic and onions.

By visiting our dental practice twice a year for a check-up and cleaning, our patients can improve their bad breath and have a healthy, clean mouth. Call Orland Dental Wellness Center at 708-460-6666 to schedule an appointment and get help with your bad breath.

 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

Dr. Wook Kim provides many cosmetic dental procedures for our patients, including teeth whitening. This includes the tray whitening system and ZOOM! whitening, depending on the patient’s preferences. Some patients at Orland Dental Wellness Center love the ZOOM! whitening system because it is completed in just a single visit to our practice, while others love the customized tray whitening system.

Tray whitening is done in our office and at home. Custom trays are made to fit the patient’s teeth perfectly. They are filled with a whitening gel and placed on the patient’s teeth for a short period of time. After leaving our office, they will use the trays on their own for several days, during certain increments each day. Teeth are less sensitive after using the trays, and they work well due to being customized.

The other type of whitening offered in our office is ZOOM! teeth whitening, which uses a low intensity light and whitening gel, made from hydrogen peroxide. The lamp is placed over the teeth with the gel on, which activates the gel whitens the teeth by getting deep into the enamel. This is beneficial for patients wanting the whitening done in just an hour.

Visit our website at www.orlanddental.com to find out more about our teeth whitening procedures. We'd love to give you a whiter, brighter smile!

Dentures

Dentures

Dentures and partials help patients in Orland Park, IL replace their missing teeth with a removable oral device. It is one of the most common ways to make up for missing teeth, letting patients eat the food they want and smile confidently, without having their missing teeth obvious.

There are two main types of dentures provided here in our practice, including the following:

1. Immediate Full Dentures – Immediate dentures are created before the patient’s teeth are removed, and impressions are made of their teeth. These are made when the patient’s teeth must be removed for a medical or dental reason and they have enough natural teeth for the impressions. Once the teeth are removed, the dentures are already prepared for the patient.

2. Conventional Full Dentures – Conventional dentures are created after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue is healed completely. This is a better option for patients who are already missing several or most of their teeth, prior to needing the dentures.

Patients are advised to take good care of their dentures by soaking and brushing them daily. This helps extend the life of the dentures. Partial dentures are also provided here at Orland Dental Wellness Center by Dr. Wook Kim. Contact us for more information about the denture process.

Mini Implants

Mini Implants

Mini implants are a type of dental implant that helps patients replace missing teeth. Here at Orland Dental Wellness Center, we offer mini and traditional implants. Both versions are completed by Dr. Wook Kim, who implants a titanium post into the jaw bone of the missing tooth, with a permanent crown placed over the top of the implant. With mini dental implants, the post is about half the size, so much less bone is needed. They work on patients with minimal bone left in the jaw, and is great for those that don’t want to wait months before getting the crown fitted.

The benefits of getting mini dental implants include those that are related to implants in general, and the mini version. They include the following:

• They require less bone and can be done during a single visit.


• They allow patients to continue eating like normal.


• Mini dental implants are as permanent as traditional.


• They have the same stability as traditional implants.


• The healing time for mini implants is shorter.

Mini implants are done in one visit and provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. They should be cared for like other teeth, including brushing them daily. To find out more about the mini implant procedure, call our Orland, IL office at (708) 460-6666.

Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Rays

We at Orland Dental Wellness Center are committed to providing our patients with state-of-the-art dental technologies.  This helps us provide quality dentistry and comfortable dental visits.  One of the many ways we maintain excellent dental care is with digital x-ray technology.

Digital x-rays offer several benefits over the conventional film x-rays they have come to replace.  They are safer, more precise, and provide more detailed images.  Digital images make monitoring your oral health and maintaining dental health records simple.  The technology also emits 80% less radiation than film x-rays have in the past.  This improves patient oral health on a number of levels.  In just a few moments, digital x-ray images can be displayed and examined without any loss to the quality of the image.

We invite patients to learn more about digital x-rays and how they can improve your dental care on our website.  You can also schedule an appointment with us at Orland Dental Wellness Center to experience the technology firsthand.

Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

We are always stressing the importance of good oral health to our patients.  You should always remember to brush, floss, and visit us for biannual cleanings and exams for your smile health.  However, good oral health habits mean more than a healthy smile.  More and more studies are showing a link between the prevalence of periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.  When you care for your smile, you are also caring for your overall health.

When plaque inducing bacteria enter the bloodstream through inflamed gum tissue, they can cause your blood vessels to thicken.  Just as this bacteria causes plaque buildup on your tooth surface, they can also cause plaque to build up on your artery walls.  This increases an individual’s risk for heart attack, among other forms of cardiovascular disease.  We remind all of our patients to care for their teeth not just for smile preservation, but also for overall health and longevity.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

Do you wish your smile was just a few shades brighter?  Many of our patients share your same concern.  Although our number one priority is your oral health, we want to make sure you are happy with the appearance of your smile too.  This is why we offer professional Zoom whitening at our practice.

Zoom whitening is a safe and efficient whitening method that provides patients with dramatic whitening results.  Zoom whitening is one of the best ways to professionally whiten your smile.  There is no need to wait for your results.  Patients leave our practice with a brighter smile just about an hour later.  This cosmetic service is a great choice for patients with busy schedules who want to find confidence in a bright, beautiful smile.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits, teeth whitening ostensibly improves your oral health.  When our patients treat their smile as an asset worth showing off, they also work harder to maintain it.  This means better flossing, brushing, and eating and drinking habits.  Thanks to Zoom whitening, our patients have improved their smile health and beauty.

If you are looking to improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, contact our office and learn more about Zoom whitening.  We are happy to help you find confidence in a brighter, more beautiful smile.

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays/Onlays

There are several ways to restore the health of your smile.  While fillings and crowns are both very effective, sometimes a tooth needs more support than a filling can provide, but doesn’t quite need a full crown.  In these cases, inlays and onlays are the perfect restorative solution.  We work hard to provide our patients with beautiful inlays and onlays that improve the health and beauty of your smile.

Inlays and onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns.  They cover just a portion of your tooth and require less preparation time.  At Orland Dental Wellness Center, we want to make sure that all of our patients are happy with their smile restorations.  If you need to restore a cracked, chipped or decayed tooth, we encourage you to contact our practice.  During a consultation, we can determine if inlays and onlays are the right restorative choice for your oral health needs.

Bonding

Bonding

Unfortunately, it’s fairly easy to chip a tooth.  You could slip and fall, bite a tough piece of food, or even clink your tooth against a coffee mug, and in an instant you’ve noticeably damaged the structure of your smile.  Tooth chips can also occur as a result of night grinding and enamel weakening due to decay.  Thankfully, the solution to chipped or moderately damaged tooth is affordable, easy to place and provides a beautiful result. That solution is bonding.

Bonding allows us to correct small structure issues that concern individual teeth, including chips, fractures, cracks, and even gaps created by teeth that are too narrow or short.  Bonding is very efficient, versatile and provides an aesthetically pleasing result. If you’re ready to fix that chipped tooth or makeover a minor tooth flaw, contact us to learn how our bonding services can help.

White Fillings

White Fillings

While metal amalgam fillings were once the norm for fixing cavities and the effects of tooth decay, dental offices like ours now offer a better solution. White fillings are comprised of specialized dental resin rather than metal.  As a result they look more natural on the surface of the tooth, they don’t expand or contact with temperature changes, and they don’t cause tooth sensitivity that can occur after filling a tooth with metal amalgam.

White fillings are also an excellent way to update old amalgam fillings that are creating sensitivity issues or compromising the aesthetic appearance of your smile.  To learn more about the process of placing white fillings and to find out if they’re right for you, give us a call at 708-460-6666.

 

Dental Crowns

Crowns

When a tooth becomes damaged, it’s very important to save the structure while restoring the aesthetic appearance of the smile. The surface of your tooth may need to be restored due to decay or an accident, or as the result of a procedure such as a root canal.  Fortunately, these are very easy issues to address.  For such needs, we here Orland Dental Wellness provide our patients with beautiful and long lasting dental crowns. We also provided the added benefit of crown placement and milling services that can be completed in a single visit.  This is possible thanks to CEREC capabilities.

We use CEREC to prep the damaged tooth and create a new, custom crafted surface from compressed porcelain. The resulting crown will look immaculate among your surrounding teeth, while providing full functionally.  To learn more about the advantages of crowns as a dental restorative, and how CEREC helps us improve your experience, give us a call at 708-460-6666.   

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

We believe that a comfortable dentistry is a minimally invasive dentistry. One of our goals here at Orland Dental Wellness is to ensure that you experience a calm and thorough visit.  We accomplish this through various capabilities and processes that are performed with your comfort foremost in mind.

Laser periodontal therapy, rotary endodontic tools, electric handpieces, and other procedural resources allow us to complete once complex procedures in a precise and easy manner.  Even our diagnostic and examination capabilities, including the diagnodent and intraoral camera are designed to make the exam process incredibly thorough with minimal prodding.

To learn more about the minimally invasive dentistry options we provide and how we can ensure your comfort here at Orland Dental Wellness, please contact us directly to arrange an appointment.

Smile Makeover

Smile Makeover

If you want to transform your smile to perfectly suit your features, appear flawless and serve as a genuine asset to your confidence and the impressions you make, a smile makeover is just what you’re looking for. Here at Orland Dental Wellness Center, our comprehensive array of cosmetic dental services can correct a range of aesthetic issues and renew your smile.

We’ll work closely with you to discuss the changes you wish to make and determine which of our capabilities are best utilized to complete your smile makeover.  We can provide you with a combination of teeth whitening, bonding, veneers and other services that will bring you closer to the result you envision.

We invite you to arrange a smile makeover consultation with us here at Orland Dental Wellness.

CEREC Machine

CEREC Machine

Exciting new dental technologies are always improving the efficiency of patient visits.  Now, patients that are in need of a smile restoration can have their procedure completed in minimal time.  3D printing technology allows objects to be designed and milled in just minutes.  This CEREC machine does just that; custom forming restorations layer by layer and producing your new dental crown, inlay, onlay or veneers right before your eyes.

At my practice, I use CEREC to create ready-to-place restoratives in just a single visit.  While this process once required two to three weeks to complete, these crowns, veneers and more can now be completed in as little as an hour.  I’m happy to offer this convenience and quality to all of my patients.  If you are in need of a restoration, schedule an appointment and experience this convenient procedure firsthand.  I welcome questions and the opportunity to show you how this exciting technology can help improve your smile.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Many of us would love the opportunity to makeover our smile and create a look that we love.  When our smiles are bright and beautiful, we feel more confident in ourselves.  For my patients who want to correct misalignment, cracks, spaces or overall brightness, I offer a complete smile makeover services with veneers.  Veneers are an excellent way to completely makeover your smile’s appearance by covering your teeth with a strong, long lasting dental porcelain.  Each veneer is customized to fit your individual smile, covering each tooth with a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing solution.  The veneers are then bonded to the tooth’s surface with a specialized material that ensures your new smile is secure.

Veneers are capable of providing you with the smile you have always wanted.  Since the needs of every patient differ, it is best to schedule an appointment at my office where we can discuss how veneers can work for you.  I look forward to helping all of my patients find confidence in their smiles.