# Amazing Smiles > Interested in learning about the different types of dentistry and getting tips to care for your teeth? Select from our various blog topics. --- ## Pages - [Office Fees](http://www.444smile.com/office-fees/) - [Pediatric Services (LP)](http://www.444smile.com/pediatric-dentist-tinley-park/) - [Cone Beam Technology](http://www.444smile.com/cone-beam-technology/) - [iTero Intraoral Scanner](http://www.444smile.com/about/itero-intraoral-scanner/) - [Dental Membership Plan](http://www.444smile.com/financial/dental-membership-plan/) - [New Patient Resources](http://www.444smile.com/about/new-patient-resources/) - [Emergency Dental Care](https://www.444smile.com/emergency-dental-care/): Emergency dental care is offered at Amazing Smiles in Tinley Park, IL. Call us today to schedule a same-day emergency dental appointment. - [External Payment Plans](http://www.444smile.com/financial/external-payment-plans/) - [Privacy Policy](http://www.444smile.com/privacy-policy/) - [Accessibility Statement](http://www.444smile.com/accessibility/) - [Digital Xrays](http://www.444smile.com/about/digital-xrays/) - [Intraoral Camera](http://www.444smile.com/about/intraoral-camera/) - [COVID-19 Response](http://www.444smile.com/covid-19/) - [Blog](http://www.444smile.com/blog/) - [Home](https://www.444smile.com/): Our dentist in Tinley Park, IL offers preventative, restorative and cosmetic care. Schedule your appointment with Amazing Smiles today! - [Financial](http://www.444smile.com/financial/) - [About](http://www.444smile.com/about/) - [Contact](http://www.444smile.com/contact/) - [Services](http://www.444smile.com/services/) --- --- ## Posts - [How to Save on Dental Care: Discover Affordable Options with Amazing Smiles Family Dental's Membership Plan](http://www.444smile.com/how-to-save-on-dental-care/) - [How to Manage Being Scared and Stressed at the Dentist](http://www.444smile.com/how-to-manage-being-scared-and-stressed-at-the-dentist/) - [Are Dental Implants Safe?](http://www.444smile.com/are-dental-implants-safe/) - [Insights on Invisalign®](http://www.444smile.com/insights-on-invisalign/) - [Porcelain vs Composite Veneers](http://www.444smile.com/porcelain-vs-composite-veneers/) - [4 Signs You Need Emergency Dental Care](http://www.444smile.com/4-signs-you-need-emergency-dental-care/) - [Sedation: Taking the Fear Out of Dental Care](http://www.444smile.com/sedation-taking-the-fear-out-of-dental-care/) - [What Are Dental Implants?](http://www.444smile.com/what-are-dental-implants/) - [Why Are My Teeth Stained?](http://www.444smile.com/why-are-my-teeth-stained/) --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages - Published: 2021-03-02 - Modified: 2023-03-21 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/privacy-policy/ Amazing Smiles PRIVACY POLICY Last modified: March 2023 Introduction Amazing Smiles is committed to protecting your privacy and developing technology that gives you the most powerful and safe online experience. This Statement of Privacy applies to the Company's website, https://www. 444smile. com/, and governs data collection and usage. This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their "Personally identifiable information" ("PII") is being used online. PII, as used in United States privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your PII in accordance with our Website. By using the Website, you consent to the data practices described in this privacy policy. This policy applies to information we collect: On the Website; In email, text, and other electronic messages between you and the Website; Through any mobile and/or desktop applications you download from the Website, which provide dedicated non-browser-based interaction between you and the Website; and When you interact with our advertising and applications on third-party websites and services if those applications or advertising include links to this policy. It does not apply to information collected by: Use offline or through any other means, including on any other website operated by the Company or any third party; or Any... --- - Published: 2021-03-02 - Modified: 2022-01-17 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/accessibility/ Please find a few resources below to help make your experience on our site more accessible: If you have trouble seeing web pages Use your computer to read web pages out loud Use the keyboard to navigate screens Increase text size Magnify your screen Change background and text colors Make your mouse pointer more visible (available with Windows only) These tips were provided by the US Social Security Administration If you are looking for mouse and keyboard alternatives Speech recognition software such as Dragon allows a user to navigate around a website through voice commands. If you are deaf or hard of hearing Closed Captioning – Closed captioning on videos allows all users to experience the presentation by overlaying real-time visual transcripts of the audio track over the video. Learn how to turn captioning on and off in YouTube. Volume Controls – Every device such as a computer, tablet, or mobile device has the ability to adjust the volume. Additionally, videos and audio presentations have their own individual volume controls within their media players. Adjusting both your device’s volume and your media player’s volume can make the listening experience more enjoyable. If the recommendations above do not meet your needs, please contact us for assistance. --- - Published: 2020-10-25 - Modified: 2024-12-27 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/about/digital-xrays/ Intra-oral imaging gives you a detailed view of your mouth in pictures and videos. Putting specific problem areas onto a computer screen lets us see with clarity and detail that’s not possible with a traditional mouth mirror. Hand-held wands quickly capture the details of your teeth and gums. In fact, even small cracks that often lead to broken teeth appear vividly with the click of a button. We can explain the need for treatment more clearly by showing you what we see in great detail. As an added benefit, dental insurance benefits often pay more quickly with the visual proof of a digital image. --- - Published: 2020-10-25 - Modified: 2024-12-27 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/about/intraoral-camera/ Intra-oral imaging gives you a detailed view of your mouth in pictures and videos. Putting specific problem areas onto a computer screen lets us see with clarity and detail that’s not possible with a traditional mouth mirror. Hand-held wands quickly capture the details of your teeth and gums. In fact, even small cracks that often lead to broken teeth appear vividly with the click of a button. We can explain the need for treatment more clearly by showing you what we see in great detail. As an added benefit, dental insurance benefits often pay more quickly with the visual proof of a digital image. --- > Our dentist in Tinley Park, IL offers preventative, restorative and cosmetic care. Schedule your appointment with Amazing Smiles today! - Published: 2020-03-12 - Modified: 2025-08-20 - URL: https://www.444smile.com/ This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin' caught in the rain. ) ... or something like this: The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickeys to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community. As a new WordPress user, you should go to your dashboard to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun! --- --- --- ## Posts - Published: 2024-08-12 - Modified: 2025-03-06 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/how-to-save-on-dental-care/ - Categories: Uncategorized Discover how our new in-house membership plan can help you save on dental care with discounted services and affordable annual fees, ensuring you receive quality care without the high costs. Dental care is an essential part of maintaining overall health, but the cost can sometimes be a barrier to getting the treatment you need. Whether you're without insurance or simply looking for ways to make dental care more affordable, Amazing Smiles Family Dental has a solution that could be perfect for you. Our in-house dental membership plan is designed to provide significant savings on essential dental services, ensuring that you and your family can receive the best care without breaking the bank. Understanding the Cost of Dental Care Dental care costs can vary widely depending on the type of treatment, the complexity of the procedure, and even your location. Routine check-ups, cleanings, and preventive care are essential to avoid more costly treatments down the road, but without insurance, even these routine visits can add up. This is where dental savings plans, like our new membership plan, come into play. What is the Amazing Smiles Family Dental Membership Plan? Our in-house dental membership plan is an exclusive program designed to help patients save on the cost of dental care. For one affordable annual fee, members can enjoy a range of benefits, including discounted rates on preventive and restorative services. This plan is ideal for individuals and families who do not have dental insurance or who are looking for additional savings beyond what their insurance covers. Key Benefits of the Membership Plan: Affordable Annual Fee: Pay one low fee each year and enjoy consistent savings on your dental care. No Deductibles or... --- - Published: 2024-01-23 - Modified: 2025-03-06 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/how-to-manage-being-scared-and-stressed-at-the-dentist/ - Categories: Regular Dental Checkup, Sedation Dentistry Does seeing the dentist give you anxiety? Follow our four tips for easing your fears about the dentist for a stress-free visit. Nervous About Your Appointment at Amazing Smiles? If you get anxious about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Not by a long shot. Some studies show nearly three-fourths of American adults experience anxiety or outright fear when they even think about visiting the dentist. About 1 in 10 Americans experience enough fear to classify it as a phobia. It’s okay. We at Amazing Smiles know going to the dentist can seem scary! But avoiding dental care as a result of dental anxiety can result in serious consequences for you and your teeth. Even if you’re nervous about going to the dentist, it’s extremely important to do what’s necessary to keep your mouth clean and healthy. We want all of our Tinley Park patients to be as comfortable as possible when they visit our office, so we do everything we can to give our guests a comfortable, calming environment. But there are a few things you can do on your own to help make your visit a little easier. 1. Talk with your dentist If you’re stressed about your upcoming visit to our Tinley Park office, one of the best things you can do is talk with us about it. Having a clear understanding of what your visit will be like – even visualizing what will occur during your appointment – can do wonders. It’s possible we can make special accommodations to make things more comfortable for you. You’re not the first person who’s been worried about a visit to... --- - Published: 2024-01-22 - Modified: 2025-04-12 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/are-dental-implants-safe/ - Categories: Dental Implants Dental implants have become many dentists’ go-to procedure for replacing missing teeth. Learn about the pros and cons of this dental procedure. Dental Implants in Tinley Park, IL Dental implants have become many dentists’ go-to procedure for replacing missing teeth. Dental implant surgery replaces tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. This surgery is a great alternative to dentures and can offer an option when a lack of natural teeth roots don't allow building denture or bridgework tooth replacements. What are the risks of dental implants? Like any type of surgery, there are a few risks to getting dental implants. However, the problems that come with dental implant surgery are rare and typically minor and very treatable. All of our doctors at Amazing Smiles work to minimize these risks as much as possible. Risks include: Sinus problems, when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin Infection at the implant site What are the advantages of dental implants? Dental implants are one of the most reliable dental procedures with a 95% success. They also offer advantages that other missing teeth solutions do not, such as: Appearance – Implants look and feel like your natural teeth. Speech – No need to worry about slipping dentures or loose bridges that can cause slurred speech. Comfort – Implants are permanent and stable, so... --- - Published: 2024-01-22 - Modified: 2024-07-31 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/insights-on-invisalign/ - Categories: Invisalign Invisalign is a popular alternative to metal braces. Learn about the benefits, fitting process, and available payment options. Invisalign® in Tinley Park, IL Braces can feel like a bit of a contradiction. You want a clean, straight smile, but you first have to wear a highly visible device on your teeth for months on end. You want a well-aligned bite, but for a while braces make some day-to-day tasks, such as brushing teeth and eating some foods, more difficult. Fortunately, for those who want to show off their pretty pearly whites as they go AND show off the results of their realignment as soon as possible, one option is clear plastic removable aligners such as Invisalign aligner systems. The Benefits of Invisalign® Clear aligners, as their name suggests, are clear plastic devices intended to straighten your teeth over time. They are nearly undetectable by observers. Not only are they more difficult to see (getting you closer to being able to show off that perfect smile), but they can be taken out temporarily when needed, allowing you to brush your teeth or eat without distraction. The Invisalign® Fitting Process For most clear aligners, including Invisalign systems, one of the doctors at Amazing Smiles will take a mold of your teeth and send it in. From there, orthodontic experts will determine the difference in positions between where your teeth are and where you want them to be and will create several stages of aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. You’ll have to wear the aligners most of the time—about 22 hours a day. At certain points... --- - Published: 2023-07-31 - Modified: 2025-05-06 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/porcelain-vs-composite-veneers/ - Categories: Uncategorized The type of material used for dental veneers can have a serious impact on their look and lifespan. We've put together a comparison so you can make an informed decision about the best type of dental veneer for you. Learn About Dental Veneers With Amazing Smiles in Tinley Park Whether you’re looking to have only a few teeth or all of your front teeth covered by dental veneers you might be wondering; which material is the best, composite or porcelain? Dental veneers can be used alongside other cosmetic dental procedures to dramatically change the look of your smile. It’s an important question, so let's dive in. How Long Do Veneers Last? Porcelain vs Composite Veneers The lifespan of any type of dental veneer depends upon a number of factors. The most important of those are hygiene and overall oral health. Under ideal conditions, if a patient follows brushing, flossing, and twice annual dental checkup recommendations, both porcelain and composite veneers can last for many years. A common estimate for the lifespan of composite veneers is between 4 to 10 years. Porcelain veneers are estimated to last between 10 to 15 years if not longer. Porcelain is generally fragile but after it is bonded to a tooth it becomes extremely durable. Composite materials are strong as well but once attached are more prone to chipping than porcelain. However composite veneers can be repaired, similar to fillings for normal tooth enamel, while porcelain veneers must be replaced entirely if they are damaged. Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Cost & Time Composite veneers have the advantage of a faster application process compared to porcelain. Composite veneers can be fabricated in-office and can be applied during the same visit in which your teeth are... --- - Published: 2023-04-17 - Modified: 2025-07-03 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/4-signs-you-need-emergency-dental-care/ - Categories: Emergency Dentistry Think you might need emergency dental care? Learn more about the warning signs and give Amazing Smiles a call to set up an appointment. Damage to teeth and gums can’t be ignored. It’s always important to act quickly if something is wrong, but some dental issues are more pressing than others. How can you know the difference between a dental problem that needs to be solved soon and a problem that needs to be solved now? We never want our patients to put off a dental procedure when it could lead to lasting harm, so we’ve compiled a list of important warning signs that mean you should get your teeth checked out as soon as possible. After all, you’ve only got so many teeth — it’s best to keep them all in good shape. 1. Dental abscesses A dental abscess is a small collection of pus inside of a tooth or gums that is caused by a bacterial infection. If your symptoms include shiny red swollen gums, a fever, or pain that spreads to your jaw or neck, you may have an abscess, even if you don’t see it. Try to see us as soon as possible, but, in the meantime, you can reduce the pain of the abscess by avoiding cold drinks. Use a soft toothbrush to very gently clean the area until we can get you into the office. 2. Broken or missing teeth It goes without saying that obvious physical damage to your teeth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies you can experience. If your tooth has been damaged, rinse your mouth with warm water immediately and call us... --- - Published: 2023-01-24 - Modified: 2025-07-03 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/sedation-taking-the-fear-out-of-dental-care/ - Categories: Sedation Dentistry At Amazing Smiles, we understand that visiting the dentist can be intimidating. That's why we are committed to providing our patients with a comfortable and relaxing experience. To help ease any anxiety you may have, we offer a variety of sedation options. Read more about our sedation options. As we age, we come to understand that a lot of the things we didn't enjoy as kids were actually for our own benefit. Even some of these things, such as eating our vegetables or going to bed early, may end up becoming favorite activities. But let's be real, when you're stuck in a dentist's office and you hear an eight-year-old boy having a meltdown, you can relate! Going to the dentist is rarely anyone's favorite thing to do. For many people, the thought of a dental appointment can be intimidating and even anxiety-inducing. Unfortunately, this fear of the dentist has caused about 15% of Americans to avoid regular check-ups altogether. This can lead to larger and more painful dental issues in the long run, as small dental problems are left untreated. Thus, it is important to confront this fear and make regular visits to the dentist to ensure good oral health. At Amazing Smiles, we want you to know we understand coming to see us can seem intimidating, and we are committed to making your visit as comfortable as possible. Among other things we do to welcome you to our office, we can make most procedures relatively painless, thanks to the power of modern medicine. Usually, a local anesthetic is enough to manage your pain. However, for some people pain isn’t the only concern. Patients who suffer from anxiety, for example, may be concerned the discomfort of a procedure will cause elevated anxiety. If that’s the case for you,... --- - Published: 2022-10-31 - Modified: 2025-02-10 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/what-are-dental-implants/ - Categories: Uncategorized It is a common question we get at Amazing Smiles in Tinley Park, IL. Learn more about dental implants and their procedure. Dental implants are a safe and effective way to replace a single missing tooth, multiple teeth, or secure dentures and other large prostheses. Dental implants consist of an artificial root and a manufactured tooth that can be placed on it. Why a Dental Implant? There are several benefits that can make dental implants the best option for replacing missing teeth: Dental implants stabilize bone levels and can prevent bone loss Dental implants provide greater long-term support and functionality Dental implants stabilize dentures Dental implants provide an artificial root system, which keeps the remaining teeth in line Dental implants do NOT require alteration of adjacent teeth. Are There Different Types of Dental Implants? Yes. The most common type of dental implant are endosteal implants. Endosteal implants consist of a metal rod installed into the jawbone and a supporting post that secures either a dental crown or a dental bridge. Another common type of dental implant are All-on-4 implants. These revolutionary systems consist of an entire top or bottom denture that is supported by just four implants. The implants are placed so that replacement teeth remain steady and secure. The advantage of the All-on-4 implants is that they help patients recover faster and reduce the chances of complications. What Does the Procedure Entail? First, our dentist will examine the area in your mouth where you’re considering a dental implant. Then, an oral surgeon will need to decide if there are any current teeth that need to be removed and which type of... --- - Published: 2022-08-24 - Modified: 2025-06-05 - URL: http://www.444smile.com/why-are-my-teeth-stained/ - Categories: Uncategorized There are three different stain types that could be affecting your teeth. Learn more about the type of stains and ways you can treat them. To many people a morning coffee or afternoon glass of wine is a ritual that cannot be disturbed or broken, but as there are many joys that come with those drinks there are still many enamel straining prices. There are 3 different types of staining that can happen to your teeth and different causes. Learn more below. If you are unhappy with the color of your smile, Amazing Smiles in Tinley Park, IL can help! Types of Stains: Tooth discoloration can be caused by surface stains, material changes in your teeth, or a mix of the two. Tooth discoloration can be divided into three types, according to dentists: Extrinsic Teeth Stains: These stains are a type of discoloration that affects the outer layer of your teeth. Extrinsic stains are not as permanent as the other types, these stains will not respond to simply brushing your teeth. If there are cracks on the teeth they can become deep-set and begin to be harder to remove. Intrinsic Teeth Stains: This type of stain will be found on the inner layer of your teeth, or the dentin. Though dentin is beneath the tooth enamel, the darkened dentin can cause the whole tooth to appear discolored. Age-Related Teeth Stains: Age-related teeth stains are a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. The core tissue of your teeth, the dentin, will naturally yellow over time causing your teeth to become discolored. Another factor that may cause your teeth to show discoloration is that the enamel... --- ---