1933 Franciscan Way, West Chicago, IL 60185
At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we take a preventive-first approach to dental care because early detection and consistent maintenance are the simplest ways to protect your long-term oral health. Regular oral exams let our team track changes over time, catch small problems before they grow, and create a personalized plan that keeps your teeth, gums, and supporting structures healthy. We combine experienced clinical judgment with patient education so every visit delivers both actionable findings and clear next steps.
Our oral exams include a full visual inspection, targeted screenings, and any diagnostic imaging needed to form a complete picture of your mouth and surrounding tissues. Beyond evaluating current concerns, we use these visits to review medications, medical history, and lifestyle factors that influence oral health. The goal is straightforward: give you the information and care required to maintain a strong, functional, and confident smile.
Your first comprehensive exam at our practice establishes a baseline that guides future care. We begin with a careful review of your health history, including any medications, medical conditions, or symptoms you may be experiencing. Understanding the full context helps us identify risk factors that can affect dental treatment and long-term outcomes.
Next comes a systematic clinical evaluation. We inspect every tooth, assess gum health, and examine the soft tissues of the mouth, along with the bite and jaw joints. During this process we look for early signs of decay, areas of gum inflammation, abnormal wear from grinding, and any unusual lesions that might require further evaluation.
When appropriate, we take diagnostic images to reveal what isn’t visible to the eye. Those images, coupled with our clinical findings, allow us to develop a clear, individualized plan. We’ll discuss any concerns we find, explain recommended follow-up or treatment options, and answer your questions so you leave the appointment informed and comfortable with the next steps.
The mouth is an accessible window into broader health. During an oral exam we don’t just look for cavities and gum disease; we also screen for signs that can signal systemic conditions. Inflammation, unusual oral lesions, dry mouth, and persistent gum problems are examples of findings that may warrant coordination with your medical provider.
Research increasingly links oral health with overall health: chronic inflammation in the gums can complicate existing medical conditions, and some systemic diseases produce oral symptoms that appear early. By monitoring these connections during routine exams, we can help identify issues sooner and support a more comprehensive approach to your well-being.
Our clinicians are trained to recognize patterns that may indicate broader health concerns. If we spot something that needs attention beyond the dental scope, we’ll recommend appropriate follow-up and ensure your dental record accurately reflects our observations to assist other health professionals involved in your care.
Home care is the foundation of a healthy mouth, but professional cleanings play a critical complementary role. Even with excellent brushing and flossing habits, plaque and tartar can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas. A hygienist’s thorough cleaning removes those deposits, reducing bacterial load and lowering the risk of cavities and periodontal disease.
Cleanings also refresh the mouth and offer a chance for personalized instruction. Our hygienists assess your brushing and flossing technique, suggest practical adjustments, and recommend tools or products that can improve daily care. Patients leave with both a cleaner mouth and stronger routines to protect it between visits.
Consistent exam-and-cleaning cycles let us monitor changes over time, making it easier to treat conditions early when they are less complex. For children, these visits establish preventive habits and allow us to track dental development; for adults, they serve as checkpoints to preserve function and appearance for years to come.
Even small improvements in daily care can pay off in fewer restorative visits and more predictable oral health. Our preventive focus aims to support long-term results through education, professional maintenance, and targeted interventions when needed.
Diagnostic images reveal the structures beneath the surface: the roots of the teeth, the supporting bone, and the areas between teeth where decay can begin. When combined with a clinical exam, radiographs provide a fuller and more reliable assessment of oral health and are essential for planning many treatments.
Digital radiography has transformed how we capture and review these images. Compared with older film-based methods, digital images are quicker to acquire, use less radiation, and can be enhanced for clearer interpretation. Images are stored electronically, making it easy to compare past and present records to identify changes over time.
Because every patient’s needs are different, we select the most appropriate imaging for each situation. Whether a targeted periapical image, bitewing for detecting interproximal decay, or a panoramic film to view overall jaw relationships, our choices are guided by diagnostic necessity and your safety.
Different radiographs serve different diagnostic purposes. Bitewing images are commonly used to reveal early decay between teeth and to monitor the height of bone between back teeth. Periapical films show the entire tooth from crown to root and are useful when root health or localized problems are suspected.
A full-mouth series gives a comprehensive overview of all teeth and surrounding bone and can be helpful for new patients or when broad assessment is needed. Panoramic films capture a wide view of the entire dental arch and jaws in a single image, useful for evaluating tooth development, impacted teeth, and overall jawbone condition.
For complex planning, particularly when surgery or implant placement is considered, three-dimensional imaging such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides detailed spatial information that enhances precision. We recommend advanced imaging only when it clearly benefits diagnosis or treatment planning.
Every oral exam concludes with a conversation about what we found and what it means for you. If maintenance and monitoring are appropriate, we’ll explain the signs we’ll watch for and why routine recall is important. When treatment is needed, we present options in plain terms, explain the benefits and expected outcomes, and answer any questions you have.
We prioritize treatments that preserve natural tooth structure and long-term function. Our recommendations consider your overall health, lifestyle, and personal goals so that any plan aligns with what matters most to you. Because understanding drives better decisions, we make sure you have the information and time you need to make a choice that feels right.
Regular oral exams are an investment in prevention. By staying proactive with exams and cleanings, you reduce the likelihood of urgent problems and preserve both health and confidence in your smile. If you'd like to learn more about what an exam would involve for you or a family member, please contact us for additional information.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At West Chicago Smiles, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting West Chicago Smiles for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of West Chicago Smiles.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of West Chicago Smiles is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
