Family Dentistry

If you want to continue seeing the same dentist as you age or would prefer one dentist to treat your entire family, then Family Dentistry in Elk Grove Village, IL, is a great choice for you. Family dentistry is a branch of dental care devoted to treating patients from cutting their first teeth until their senior years.

Dr. David Schumer, who graduated from dental school in 1984, and Dr. Stefan Schumer, who followed in 2016, have the training and experience necessary to complete a wide range of family dentistry procedures.

Procedures Completed by Family Dentists

Below are some of the most common procedures Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer perform as family dentists.

Filling Dental Cavities

Cavities occur when plaque, tartar, and bacteria invade a tooth and cause decay. Left untreated, decay eventually takes over the whole tooth, requiring extraction. Dental fillings preserve teeth.

To start the process of filling a cavity, Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer drill a tiny hole into the enamel and remove the decayed portion of the tooth. The next step is for your dentist to add filling material to your tooth to prevent further decay.

Fillings feel damp for a few hours after leaving the dentist’s office, so be sure to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where you just had a cavity filled until it feels dry. Ideally, you should wait until the Novocain wears off as well since you could accidentally bite the side of your cheek and not feel it.

Fluoride Treatments and Dental Sealants for Children

Children often need extra help to keep their teeth clean and cavities-free. A fluoride treatment consists of Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer painting liquid fluoride onto your child’s teeth, which dries within minutes. Any child could benefit from this procedure since most Americans do not consume enough fluoride from natural sources.

The back molar teeth present a challenge for most kids. Dental sealants on the back teeth protect against plaque, tartar, and bacteria, especially in the grooves and ridges.

Preventive Care Exam

People of all ages need a dental exam and cleaning two times a year. The only exceptions are infants and toddlers who can wait a bit longer after visiting Schumer Family Dental Care for the first time. The biannual cleaning and exam is an opportunity to have your teeth cleaned by a professional and for Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer to detect and treat oral health conditions as early as possible.

During your preventive care appointment, your dental hygienist spends at least 30 minutes removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. No matter how well you brush and floss at home, you cannot always reach certain teeth well enough to ensure that no plaque or tartar remains on your teeth. Our hygienists may use a combination of handheld instruments and an ultrasonic scaler to achieve this goal.

The next step in your biannual exam is for your hygienist to floss and polish your teeth before leaving the treatment area to find Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer. Your dentist then inspects your teeth, jaws, and gums to determine if he sees any obvious oral health issues. Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer also look at your X-rays, which we take once a year. If your dentist notes a problem, he will ask you to return to Schumer Family Dental Care for at least one follow-up visit.

Schedule Your Family Dentistry Appointment Today

The above are just a few examples of procedures that fall into the category of family dentistry in Elk Grove Village, IL. Please contact us with additional questions or to request an appointment.