When you take steps to invest in your health, you have a huge responsibility to protect your investment. That means finding out which procedures are right for you, identifying any potential complications, and following professional instructions for long-term success.
During your consultation for dental implants in our Chicago office, be sure to inform your implant dentist about any habits that may cause damage to your new teeth. Clenching and grinding of the teeth are known to damage both your real and your artificial teeth.
The forces that are generated by your jaw muscles are strong enough to damage cartilage, bone, tooth enamel, porcelain restorations, and dental implants. In fact, this parafunctional habit, known as bruxism, is one of the leading causes of implant failure.
Fortunately, bruxism does not eliminate dental implants as a restorative choice for you. With a little planning and teamwork between you and your restorative implant dentist, it is possible to prevent the damage caused by bruxism.
To combat your clenching habit, some detective work may also be required. While most patients tend to clench and grind the teeth at night, not all patients are aware of the habit. Before starting your implant procedure, you’ll need to look for clues that suggest that you may be clenching. These can include tightness in the jaw joint upon waking, morning headaches, sore teeth, or broken fillings.
You will also need to take note of your habits during the day. Do you tend to clench or grit your teeth while driving, concentrating at work, or during exercise? If so, it is very likely that you may carry the habit into your sleeping hours when you are unable to control it.
According to your needs, your implant dentist can offer a number of solutions to help you to overcome or control your clenching habit. You will find that the solution enables you to move forward with the implant process as well as protect your health. Under the healthiest circumstances dental implants are successful in about 97% of all cases. When even a single factor such as bruxism is ignored, that success rate can drop significantly. The failure is not a surgical one or one of the dental implant surgeon– the implant still integrates – but rather, a restorative one. The dentist who is making the abutment and crown for the implant, after it has completely healed and integrated, should be clinically astute enough to occlusally correct the final crown of the implanted tooth so that it is not in heavy contact.
To discuss your options for tooth replacement, contact the Chicago Loop office of Drs. Steven Koos and Brian Shah. Call 312-328-9000 for your appointment today.
Downtown Chicago oral surgeon, Dr. Steven Koos, has recently been appointed as a Hu-Friedy Thought Leader.
Online PR News – 03-August-2012 –Chicago, IL – Dr. Steven Koos, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in oraland jaw surgery in Chicago, is proud to announce that he has been appointed as a Hu-Friedy Thought Leader. Hu-Friedy is a global company that is a leading dental surgical instrument manufacturer and dental solutions supplier worldwide. National Thought Leaders lecture regularly at major conventions and their names are closely associated with their field of expertise throughout the dental and medical community.
Dr. Koos, owner of the Chicago Loop oral surgery practice ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, will be featured within Hu-Friedy’s “National Trendsetter” category in both the “implants” and “surgical” sections. A National Trendsetter is a Hu-Friedy Thought Leader who is well recognized in the industry with engagements across North America.
“Dr. Koos joins a select group of opinion leaders at Hu-Friedy who help influence new innovations and the development of dental products within the industry,” explains Ken Serota, President of Hu-Friedy. “The individuals who we have chosen to partake in our Thought Leader community have names that are very recognizable and their work is renowned. They are, after all, the leaders of the dental community. Hu-Friedy is honored to be in close association with these individuals.” Since 1908, Hu-Friedy has been putting high quality and innovative dental products into the hands of dental professionals worldwide and is one of the world’s leading dental instrument companies today. They are committed to advancing dental performance by supporting their products with world class service, support, education, and peer communities.
“Hu-Friedy, and all of the individuals that comprise the company, has created an amazing presence in the dental industry,” explains Chicago Loop oral surgeon Dr. Steven Koos. “I am so fortunate now to be a developmental contributor to their organization.” This nomination as a Hu-Friedy Thought Leader is not the first time Dr. Koos has been recognized by a company or organization for his outstanding contributions to the field of oral surgery. The Chicago oral surgeon has also received numerous accolades for his expertise and his commitment to the practice of environmentally conscious and sustainable dentistry and medicine.
Dr. Koos offers a broad spectrum of services related to oral surgery and jaw surgery in Chicago at his practice ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio. Within his dental clinic, he performs procedures such as dental implants, All-on-4 implants, wisdom teeth removal, corrective jaw surgery, bone grafting, implant dentures, TMJ therapy, treatments for snoring and sleep apnea, and facial and dental reconstruction, among other services. All procedures are performed in a patient-friendly environment that has been designed with a commitment towards environmental responsibility and patient comfort. He consistently adopts the most innovative techniques, procedures and materials and is recognized as a premier Chicago oral surgeon.
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Dr. Steven Koos, a Chicago Loop oral and maxillofacial surgeon, is proud to be one of Hu-Friedy’s Thought Leaders and has been named by the company as a national trendsetter in the areas of implants and surgery. This nomination recognizes the Chicago oral surgeon’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the dental and oral surgery fields and will allow Dr. Koos to influence the development of new dental products and innovations within the industry. For more information about Dr. Koos, or to learn more about his Chicago Loop oral surgery practice, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, visit http://orasurgery.com or call 312-328-9000.
The dental implant may very well be one of the most revolutionary and advantageous restorative solutions in modern dentistry. For patients who are missing even a single natural tooth, implant dentistry offers an opportunity to regain the ability to chew, bite, and smile with confidence once again.
Clinically, this tooth replacement solution has been held in highest regard because it eliminates involving adjacent teeth, it’s unparalleled success rate, and its tendency to prevent the adjacent teeth from drifting out of place while simultaneously preventing bone loss. Patients who have chosen implants appreciate the fact that their artificial tooth can be easily cared for just like a natural tooth.
Our implant dentist serving Chicago Illinois will tell you that, though these new teeth are impervious to cavities-tooth decay, your replacement teeth do not relieve you of certain responsibilities. You’ll want to care for your new teeth just as you would care for your natural teeth, taking steps to prevent damage, gum health and infection.
Dental implants are designed from an extremely durable and biocompatible titanium post, and then restored above the gumline with porcelain and noble metals. These materials are not compromised by the bacterial acids that cause cavities. In fact, these materials are highly resistant to stain or damage from the foods that you may eat or drink.
The risk of gum disease, however, will require that you pay close attention to plaque control around your implant as well as your natural teeth. The implant post is designed to mimic a real tooth root, meaning that it depends upon a secure relationship with the underlying jaw bone for support. Failure to protect this relationship can lead to the failure of the implant tooth.
In essence, gum disease is an infection that attacks not only the gingiva but also the bone and the microscopic fibers that hold natural teeth in place. Although the actual implant hardware will not be damaged, progressive gum disease can make it impossible for the implant to remain stable in the mouth. Therefore, just as a natural tooth can be lost due to lack of support, without proper plaque control, an implant can also be prone to the same fate.
Your replacement tooth is amazingly durable and strong, but certainly not indestructible. With help from our skilled Chicago implant dentistry team, you’ll have the support and knowledge to care for your implant for a lifetime. Learn more by calling 312-328-9000 for your appointment today.
When contemplating your options for dental treatment, it is important to understand the advantages of your dentist’s recommendations, but it is equally important to understand what will happen if you choose to do nothing. In order to properly weigh the risks versus the benefits, you deserve to have all of the facts.
Tooth loss is a dental condition that millions of patients are faced with each year. Some of these patients may seek the best available treatment, and others may choose to postpone treatment indefinitely. Of course, our implant dentist serving Chicago Illinois will recommend the very best treatment option, with your long-term oral health and oral stability in mind. Today, that option is typically dental implants.
Implants are so similar to natural teeth, that they can prevent virtually all of the problems associated with tooth loss. They are the only form of tooth replacement that can extend below the gumline to replace the missing tooth root. Above the gums, the implant will mimic the shape, size, and shade of the natural teeth.
Without treatment, bone resorption can be expected to occur at the location of the missing tooth, eventually spreading to affect the neighboring teeth. Research has proven that bone loss or bone resorption will occur without the direct stimulation of a natural or artificial tooth root.
Unfortunately, bone loss is responsible for a chain reaction of events that can disrupt the quality of your life and compromise your health. Bone loss tends to lead to pockets and irregularities beneath the gumline that can promote periodontal disease (gum disease). A decrease in bone volume also has a significant impact on the appearance of your facial features, such as sunken lips, cheeks, and jaws.
The decision to forgo tooth replacement will also compromise the position of the neighboring teeth. As the teeth shift or move due to a lack of support, a number of complications may arise. Difficulty brushing or flossing with consequential periodontal disease and cavities, difficulty chewing, excessively worn teeth, and strain on the jaw joint can be eventually expected.
As an individual, your experience with tooth loss will be unique, but you can trust our implant dentists to anticipate the potential consequences and provide you with the appropriate solutions. To learn more about your dental implant options, call ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio in Chicago, Illinois at 312-328-9000 for your consultation.
A sinus lift is a common dental surgical procedure that can be performed prior to, or at the time of, dental implant placement. In this procedure, the bone and related anatomy at the bottom of the sinus cavity is augmented to create the needed vertical height to provide a more ideal environment for a dental implant.
To best position you for a successful implant, Dr. Steven Koos, your implant dentist serving Downtown Chicago, will need to assess the proposed location for your replacement tooth. If the quality or quantity of the bone structure is deemed inadequate, the implant may fail to heal properly if bone grafting is not done due to a lack of vertical support. Fortunately, this determination does not necessarily prevent you from enjoying a healthy dental implant. Instead, additional procedures may be recommended to provide increased support for the new tooth.
As it related to the actual sinus cavity, a sinus lift can only be performed in the upper jaw. A sinus lift is never relevant when an implant is used to replace a missing lower tooth. When an upper tooth needs to be replaced with a dental implant, the location of the floor of the sinus cavity should be verified with the use of advanced 3D dental x-rays. If roots of the upper teeth tend to extend towards and into the sinus, then it is reasonable to expect that the proposed dental implant will also extend into the same area.
To prepare the bone in the vicinity of the sinus, your implant dentist will carefully make a small window in the bony wall of the sinus and raise or “lift” the floor of the sinus membrane. The new space will then be filled with natural or artificial bone and be permitted to heal. With the additional vertical bone depth, the implant can be expected to heal properly with support throughout its length and serve you well for many years.
There are a number of available procedures designed to improve the success of your dental implant. Since every procedure is not recommended in every instance, trust Dr. Koos to select the procedures that are best for you. Start by calling ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio in Chicago, Illinois to schedule your consultation to discuss dental implants today.
When you lose a tooth, it leads to negative effects beyond the unattractive gap left behind in your smile. A missing tooth can affect your speech and ability to chew because its opposing tooth now becomes useless. Remaining teeth shift, drift and migrate if missing teeth are not replaced, and when the absent tooth’s root is not replaced, the jawbone in the vicinity can begin to recede.
For this reason, dental implants offer a tooth replacement option that is superior to other alternatives like fixed permanent bridges and dentures.
Because a dental implant replicates the entire tooth structure—not merely the visible crown portion—Dr. Steven Koos, your dual-degree Chicago IL implant dentist, can help to protect your jawbone.
In placing dental implants, Dr. Koos is inserting a tooth root-like fixture into your jawbone. The dental implant, which is made of bio-compatible titanium, fuses with the jawbone and functions much like the root of a biological tooth.
A tooth’s root serves as source of stimulus and support that stabilizes the jawbone. When no structure is present to maintain the bone, the jawbone begins to atrophy. Over time, it wears away and other teeth may be at risk for being lost, as well. However, with dental implants, that resorption is halted. The implant continues to secure and stabilize the bone over time.
Jawbone erosion usually progresses most quickly toward the rear of the upper jaw. If you need to replace a tooth in this vicinity, dental implants can be particularly valuable to use immediately after a tooth has been lost.
Similarly, fully edentulous patients have a more significant risk of jawbone resorption. Dental implant-supported dentures are the best choice for these patients.
Because of jawbone erosion, it’s important to have a dental implant placed relatively quickly after the tooth is lost. You will need to have a certain amount of remaining jawbone to fuse with the implant. If too much bone has worn away, you may need to have a preliminary surgery, namely a bone graft, before your implant can be placed.
In addition to the functional benefits of dental implants, these tooth-like devices have aesthetic advantages, and they’re easier to maintain than traditional bridges or dentures. Consider a dental implant if you are missing a tooth, and contact ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312-328-9000 to learn more about the process involved.
Generally speaking most of us seem to be more prone to writing about a negative or unpleasant experience than to take time and give praise for a positive one, a job well done. I am no different than most but today however I will write about something positive. A positive experience which I feel must be shared.
I have been a patient of ORA Studios for several years and generally have all my exams, cleanings and related care performed at their West Loop and Gold Coast offices with Dr. Mladen Kral. I find their staff to be very pleasant as well as professional and I also enjoy the laid back atmosphere at the offices. I have had many visits for annual exams, cleanings as well as whitenings and fillings. Most recently I had an extraction and an implant done by Dr. Steven Koos at ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio in the South Loop.
I was originally referred to Dr. Koos and by Dr. Kral after an examination there revealed a vertical crack in the root of a tooth, which simply could not be permanently repaired and the tooth had to be extracted. Dr. Koos, the oral surgeon, was highly recommended for this extraction.
Upon my arrival to ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, my initial thought was how nice the space was. It was clean, stylish and very comfortable. It didn’t feel like a dental office. The staff was very friendly and I was in the OR as soon as the appropriate paperwork was completed. I have to be honest and tell you that I did struggle with some “extraction anxiety” at first but after some clear answers and guidance by Dr. Koos and his staff, my reservations quickly dissolved.
The extraction was both quick and painless, even though it was a difficult tooth to pull out. I think I was in and out of the office within about 30 to 45 minutes and all I took for the pain after was Ibuprofen. The site healed quickly and I experienced no complications.
Two weeks ago I came back to Dr. Koos for the implant. That procedure took about the same length of time if not shorter and was performed under local anesthetic like the first (I elected local, was offered full sedation). Again the procedure was quick and painless. There was some pressure associated with the drilling and implant insertion to the implant site but there was no pain. Again I only needed Ibuprofen for a few days post-op. My healing cap is on and I look forward to having the replacement tooth placed in a couple of months. I have recommended ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio and Dr. Steven Koos to all my friends and family and have no reservations recommending to anyone else.
There was absolutely no down side to any of my experiences there.
WAY TOO OFF THE CHARTS EXPENSIVE! Catty, obnoxious reception too.
Ugh
Comment from Steven K. of ORA Dental, Oral Surgery & Implant Studio 12/11/2011
Interesting comments (brings up concerns of the possibility of an unscrupulous competitor writing fictitious review, which is an unfortunate circumstance that can occur on Yelp). The review before it was edited down to this current sentence referenced “our trendy haircuts, us attending all the cool parties in the city, Groupon daily deal mega-discounted implants and our expensive dental implant fees.”
Specifically with regard to our fees so that others reading will have accurate information…
We are providers for a vast array of insurance companies. These companies set the fee schedule and providers do not. The fee schedule/pricing on different services are, therefore, consistent between one provider to the next (given they are within the same geographic area and you are comparing a general dentist to a general dentist or a specialist to a specialist). The fees for the exact same procedures do indeed vary from insurance carrier to insurance carrier for the exact same procedure and, as mentioned before are set by the insurance company not the doctor, but the doctor has to follow them exactly.
As an example – These are some Dental Implant Fees (dental code 6010) set by the following insurance companies for the exact same procedure. Cigna $1440, Delta $1500, Guardian $1464, Blue Cross Blue Shield $2,417. As you can see there is a range- big range sometimes. If this is a real patient and you would like any further clarification with your insurance we would be happy to take time with you and carefully review all of your benefits and treatment plan so that you are not under any misconception. While Groupon and other “Daily Deal Steals” are great opportunities to save money and try great products and services, I caution patients receiving healthcare, particularly surgery, to be very very cautious.
The advantages of dental implants are endless. Compared to other tooth replacement alternatives, the dental implant has consistently ranked higher in terms of risks vs. benefits, patient satisfaction, longevity, and clinical success.
A primary contributing factor to the dental implant’s consistent success can be accredited to its similarity to an actual tooth. In the past, tooth replacement options such as the partial denture or the fixed bridge have only been successful at recreating the biting surface of the tooth.
In reality, the value of a natural tooth extends well beyond the portion that is visible when we laugh, smile, and eat. The root of the natural tooth (the portion that is anchored to the jaw bone) plays a major role in your chewing stability. The root is also the portion of the tooth that maintains the surrounding bone’s integrity and can prevent bone loss in the immediate area.
Our implant dentist serving Chicago understands this relationship, and recognizes the dental implant as the only alternative that can mimic the entire structure of the natural tooth. Dental implants effectively replace the lost chewing surface, but also consist of a titanium post (similar in shape and size to a tooth root) that becomes permanently anchored to the jawbone. Because of this unique design, the implant can exist as an individual tooth, completely unattached to the neighboring teeth.
In sharp contrast to other tooth replacements, the dental implant is also the smallest and most conservative solution. Just like a natural tooth, the whole implant system only consists of a naturally appearing crown (the chewing surface), an abutment (connecting the crown to the actual dental implant) and the implant (the portion corresponding to a root attached to the bone). There are no clasps or clips and no excess materials to compromise or irritate the adjacent teeth.
Only your implant dentist can recommend the appropriate dental implant for you. Contact ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio and schedule your appointment with our experienced implant dentistry team to begin your journey towards the most ideal tooth replacement solution.
An unsightly gap in the smile is bad enough in itself, but a missing tooth (or multiple missing teeth) also presents a major decision for dental patients. How do you choose among all of the different tooth replacement options available in modern dentistry?
Dental implants, which offer the most advanced tooth replacement technology available, are now the gold standard among Chicago patients. Implants have a number of advantages over other alternatives, and they can be used to fill in for a single tooth or to secure an entire arch of replacement teeth.
Made of biocompatible titanium, dental implants—which look like small screws—are able to bond with the jaw bone. This process, known as osseointegration, allows the implant to serve as a strong, durable root-like structure that will help to anchor the jaw in addition to replacing the missing tooth. When a tooth and its accompanying root are lost, the jaw bone can begin to recede through resorption. It is important to consider that other tooth replacement methods, such as bridges and dentures, do not replicate the tooth’s root as an implant does.
In comparison to other tooth replacement methods, implants offer superior function. Unlike dentures, implants stay firmly in place, meaning that implant patients don’t need to overhaul their diets to accommodate their new teeth. Additionally, implants offer the same access to the gumline as natural teeth, so patients can use customary brushing and flossing routines to maintain their oral health. Bridges, on the other hand, not only damage adjacent teeth, but prevent the patient from properly accessing the gumline, making it harder to keep bacteria at bay.
Implants offer benefits in terms of aesthetic appeal, as well. The artificial tooth cap that tops the implant can be designed to the specifications of your smile, making the implant virtually indistinguishable from its neighboring natural teeth.
Dr. Steven A. Koos, an implant dentist serving Chicago, can place a patient’s implants during an appointment in the office. In fact, many patients may be able to undergo implant placement while under sedation alone, rather than general anesthesia.
If you need to replace a missing tooth in the Windy City, contact Chicago’s premier implant center, ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312.328.9000 to schedule your consultation.
When you take steps to invest in your health, you have a huge responsibility to protect your investment. That means finding out which procedures are right for you, identifying any potential complications, and following professional instructions for long-term success.
Online PR News – 03-August-2012 –Chicago, IL – Dr. Steven Koos, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in oraland 
