Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can we help you?
Other
Are you accepting new patients?
Forte Dentistry welcomes all new patients, and with 28 years of experience, you are in excellent hands. We offer the full range of dental procedures as well as preventative care and regular cleanings.
For your convenience, we accept most types of insurance. We see adults as well as children, so we can provide service for your whole family. Whether you are new to the area or just looking to make a change, we encourage you to call the office to schedule your initial consultation.
Do you take my insurance?
At Forte Dentistry, we accept most major insurance plans. This enables us to provide more patients with excellent dental care while helping to minimize your out-of-pocket expense.
Our team is highly skilled in answering questions you may have about insurance coverage, yearly maximums, waiting periods, procedure codes, or when your benefits roll over for the year. If you have specific questions about coverage or if you are looking to maximize your benefits, we are here to help.
If you need dentistry beyond your insurance limitations, we can help you with that, too. We offer in-house financing options to help patients get the care they need and work it into their budgets.
I have a dental emergency. What should I do?
If you experience a dental emergency such as a broken tooth, tooth pain, significant swelling, bleeding, or a lost restoration, we encourage you to call the office immediately. The sooner you call, the sooner we can address your concern and get you comfortable again. Putting off your dental emergency often creates a bigger problem or more pain for you down the line.
Forte Dentistry is committed to your comfort and health. Call the office, even if it is after hours, and describe your dental emergency in detail. We may ask you to come to the office for an evaluation or treatment.
Are you a new patient who has never been to our office? No problem. We want to take care of you, as well. We look forward to getting you established in our office and on the road to dental health.
I need a tooth pulled. Do I have to go see a specialist?
Despite our best efforts, it sometimes becomes necessary to remove a tooth. Whether an infection is present or your tooth has cracked, Our Team at Forte Dentistry is trained in oral surgery and can perform most types of extractions right in our office.
Our patients love that they can have all of their treatment with our team. This eliminates the need for a referral to a specialist and the struggle of trying to get an appointment. Plus, they get to stay with the dentist they know and trust. We understand that continuity of care is very important to you, and our full-service philosophy was constructed with our patients’ needs in mind.
Where is your office located?
Our office is located in Brookfield, Illinois. It is one-quarter mile west of the Brookfield Zoo next to the old Brunetti’s restaurant. We proudly serve Brookfield, North Riverside, Riverside, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, and the surrounding area.
The address is 9026 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois 60513.
If you need specific instructions to find our office, please call and one of our helpful team members will get you going in the right direction.
Cosmetic Bonding
Can you get rid of the gap between my teeth?
Many patients come to us because they don’t like something about their smiles. We can certainly understand if something bothers you and makes you feel so self-conscious that you would like to change it. We are here to help.
If you have a gap between your teeth that you do not like, we can discuss some options with you. One option is to have cosmetic dental bonding. Dental bonding is a process of fixing minor cosmetic issues with composite material, the same white material we use for fillings. Dental bonding can take care of some small issues and may work for fixing the gap between your teeth.
A benefit of dental bonding is that it is non-invasive. We leave your tooth structure mostly intact and just add to it to fill the gap.
Depending on the size of the gap, we may decide to move ahead with bonding or we could recommend dental veneers. Dental veneers completely cover your natural teeth and create a new smile for you.
Which procedure will work best depends on you. The best way to figure it out is to schedule an evaluation where we can make a recommendation and share some possible outcomes with you.
I chipped my tooth. Can you help?
No matter how careful you are, sometimes chipping a tooth is inevitable. Whether you had an accident or bit into something hard, chips happen and we are here to help restore your appearance and health.
If your chipped tooth is very minor, we may be able to get away with just smoothing it off so that you don’t have a sharp edge that catches your cheek or tongue. In other cases, especially if the chip is unattractive or if you have exposed dentin, we can fix it with dental bonding.
Dental bonding utilizes the same white filling material we use for cavities. It is versatile and strong. It also comes in a variety of shades to match to your natural teeth and looks attractive. Another benefit of dental bonding is that it is very affordable compared to cosmetic treatments. We do not need to use a dental lab.
We can fix things like small chips and gaps between your teeth with dental bonding, but bigger damage, stains, breaks, and larger aesthetic problems may require a different kind of procedure.
To find out if cosmetic bonding will work for you, give us a call to set up an evaluation. We look forward to helping you achieve your dental goals.
What cosmetic procedures do you offer?
From simple procedures such as whitening to more complex procedures such as cosmetic bonding or dental implants, we have the cosmetic solutions for you. Whether you wish to change just a few small details about your smile or you would like to explore some more dramatic changes, Forte Dentistry is happy to help.
With 28 years of experience in dentistry, Forte Dentistry has the skills and expertise to create the smile of your dreams.
What is dental bonding?
At Forte Dentistry’s dental office, we can sometimes make small cosmetic adjustments and minor repairs using a procedure called dental bonding. Dental bonding utilizes the same composite material we use to make white fillings for our patients. The composite material is versatile, comes in a variety of shades, is durable, and long lasting.
If you have small flaws like a chip on your tooth, a gap between your teeth or a tooth that just looks oddly shaped, we may be able to address it with dental bonding.
Dental bonding works by first prepping the surface of your tooth to enable bonding to adhere. Then we apply the bonding material in layers and cure it with a special light, making it hard and durable. Next, Forte Dentistry will polish and shape the bonding material so that it blends perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Most people will never know you had dental bonding because it will look so natural.
One of the biggest benefits of dental bonding is that minimal tooth prep is necessary. We maintain the integrity of your tooth structure and simply add on to it to create the fix.
Dental bonding does not work for every situation, but to find out if it is right for you, give us a call and schedule an evaluation.
Children's Dental Care
Do you see children?
We welcome children of all ages to our practice. Usually, we begin seeing kids around the age of three. We will introduce them to the dental office by showing them a mirror and some of our other handheld tools as well as letting them “go for a ride” in the dentist’s chair. If your child allows us, we will proceed with a gentle cleaning to help them get accustomed to the dental office.
We have 28 years of experience treating children of all ages. Forte Dentistry enjoys building relationships with our youngest patients and working with parents on home care techniques to support a lifetime of good health. We combine education and preventative techniques so that you have the necessary tools to prevent many of the most common childhood dental conditions.
We go at your child’s pace. We’ll help them feel comfortable and confident, creating a solid foundation for lifelong dental health. When you start dental care at a young age, it helps to eliminate the fear of the unknown. We will help their dental visits feel as routine as going to the doctor for a check-up. We make your child’s appointments fun and engaging because we know kids have limited attention spans.
Does my child need fluoride and sealants?
At Forte Dentistry’s office, we recommend treatment based on need instead of assuming everyone needs the same treatments. In order to determine what treatments might benefit your child, we need to do an evaluation and look at their over all health, diet, tooth anatomy, and the quality of their home care.
Fluoride is beneficial for strengthening enamel against the acidic effects of bacteria. Having regular fluoride treatments in addition to brushing with fluoride toothpaste is one inexpensive and safe way to protect your child’s teeth against unnecessary decay. We understand that parents do not want to pay for unnecessary treatment, but a small investment in prevention can prevent more significant expenses down the line.
Sealants are especially beneficial for children and adults that have deep grooves in their molars. Sealants are a thin plastic coating that covers the deep grooves in your child’s teeth. This prevents food and bacteria from taking hold in those grooves and creating potential cavities.
Anytime you have questions about treatment for your child, we are happy to address your concerns. We want you to feel confident and informed about all treatment in our office. Just like you, we want the best care for you and your little ones.
How can I help my child prevent cavities?
Dental decay is the number one disease in children and young adults. The tragedy of it is that decay is largely preventable. Preventing dental decay in your little one will require awareness, dedication, and consistency, but it is possible.
Diet plays a large role. Avoiding sugary snacks and sticky foods can help.
Until about the age of eight, your child will need your help with brushing and flossing their teeth. They simply lack the dexterity, skill, and attention required to do the job on their own. It is important to do this consistently, twice a day (at least) and will be your best and first line of defense against tooth decay.
Preventative appointments and professional cleanings are important, as well. No matter how good you are at brushing and flossing, it is impossible to remove all of the plaque and bacteria that collect on your teeth with brushing alone. We can also help with further instruction if we notice some areas that your brush misses regularly.
We offer other forms of preventative treatments, as well. Fluoride treatments can help to defend enamel against decay. Dental sealants protect the grooves of your child’s teeth from decay causing bacteria. If you have concerns about decay prevention for your child, please give us a call and we can talk about ways to protect your little one.
Teeth Whitening
Do you offer teeth whitening?
We offer professional take-home teeth whitening systems from Opalescence. Our professional whitening systems out-perform the over-the-counter products because of their professional strength and because they are custom made to fit your teeth.
Forte Dentistry will evaluate your smile and the types of stains you have to determine which type of whitening will work well for you. Our professional whitening systems can brighten your teeth by up to eight shades. Whitening is a quick, affordable way to improve the appearance of your smile.
Dentures and Partial Dentures
Do you make dentures?
Yes, we offer both full and partial dentures in our office. Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat, and ill-fitting dentures can create painful sores. Whether you have dentures that no longer fit or you are looking for dentures for the first time, Forte Dentistry has the expertise to make sure you have high quality, comfortable dentures so that you can enjoy an active lifestyle and eat the foods you like.
The first step is to schedule your free evaluation so Forte Dentistry can determine your treatment options. Then he will share his honest opinion with you about what will work best for your particular circumstances. To learn about your options, call us to schedule an evaluation.
Night Guards and Anti-Snoring Devices
Do you treat snoring?
Forte Dentistry treats snoring with a special type of night guard that gently moves the lower jaw into a forward position, opening your airway. This special night guard is custom-made by taking impressions of your teeth. Because it is made just for you, it is more comfortable and effective than the over-the-counter versions.
Snoring affects up to 40% of people over 40 in America. It can disrupt sleep for you and your partner. A custom-made snore guard might be the answer for a quality night’s sleep.
I grind my teeth. Can you help?
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can adversely affect your sleep. Not only that, but it can cause real damage. Your jaws can exert enough pressure on your teeth that you could crack a tooth, wear down your teeth, or cause painful head and neck aches.
Forte Dentistry makes custom night guards to protect against bruxism. A night guard provides a protective barrier between your teeth that absorbs some of the force exerted by your jaw. Wearing a custom night guard can help prevent damage that may result in extensive dentistry in the future.
Root Canals
Why do I need a crown on my root canal tooth?
Root canal therapy is an effort to save an infected or damaged tooth. Once you have a root canal, we may recommend that you have a dental crown to strengthen and stabilize your tooth.
Through the process of the root canal procedure, we clean out all of the infection from your tooth, but also the pulp and nerve. Because we remove all of the living parts of your tooth, it can become brittle and more susceptible to cracks and splitting.
Because our jaws exert so much force when we chew, protecting your tooth may be necessary to prevent it from breaking and end up losing the tooth after all. This is especially important if you have a history of grinding your teeth.
Why do we go through all this effort just to save one tooth? Because once you lose a tooth, you can start to lose bone and encounter other serious and costly dental conditions including bone loss and shifting teeth. That is why we put forth such an effort to save your natural teeth, when possible. It is also important to remember that many tooth replacement options are far more costly and time consuming than simply saving your natural tooth.
Have More Questions?
New Patients Are Always Welcome
If you’re looking for a dentist in Brookfield or nearby, we’re here to help you smile with confidence. Whether you need a routine checkup or a complete smile makeover, our team is ready to guide your care every step of the way.