chicago dentist

As the vaccines start to roll out, we’re feeling a few things: incredibly grateful that so many of our staff have been able to get their first dose already, optimistic for an improved 2021 over 2020, and concern for all those who must wait for the vaccine roll out to continue. 

At the practice we are looking at vaccination as an extra precaution, and not an opportunity to ease the rigorous safety protocols we’ve implemented since COVID-19’s inception. We are still utilizing PPE, screening procedures, and strict sterilization protocols to keep our patients and staff safe. 

Yet we know that for many, the risk is still too great to make it into the office until COVID is well behind us. That’s why we’re implementing complimentary check-in calls for our existing patients with the doctor, to make sure you can still have your questions answered while you need to stay away.

Appointments can be made for these 10-15 minute appointments up to 2 days in advance, and you’ll have your choice of video or audio calls with your doctor. We are committed to your oral health, and while this certainly could never replace on-site care, we’re hoping to help alleviate concerns and triage larger problems by offering this service. Call or email us today to schedule your session!

As you all know, we take the current pandemic and all matters that affect public health very seriously. The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority, and as such we have been following all governmental and industry guidelines very closely.

The American Dental Association's response to the WHO's recent global recommendations on dental care underscores the importance of making sure your dental practice is utilizing the best protocols and technology available to protect themselves and their patients. We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of all the precautions we've put in place since March:

• High levels of PPE as appropriate to each treatment including dual layered masks, surgical gowns, gloves, protective eyewear, face shields
• Mask requirement for all common areas of the practice
• Daily check ins with staff to ensure employee health
• Temperature and questionnaire screening of patients
• Dry Shield - an innovative technology that dramatically reduces aerosol spray during dental procedures
• Air Doctor - top-line, medical grade air purification machines for each treatment room and all common areas
• A completely renovated, upgraded sterilization space and water filtration system to enhance our already rigid sterilization protocols

We know you face dozens of tough choices daily when deciding where to go and how best to protect yourself and your loved ones. It's important to us that you know you can be confident that every precaution has been taken to help you stay safe. The team at Strobel is so grateful for the chance to serve their community in this unprecedented crisis, and we're honored that you've chosen us to be part of your oral health. If you have any questions on our pandemic response or anything else, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

As some of you may already know, our on-site periodontist Dr. Jennifer Shango has made the difficult decision to consolidate her practice in the suburbs and end her schedule with us in the city. We have loved working with Dr. Shango for the past year and are sad to see her go, but we are excited to welcome our new on-site specialist Dr. Scott Drucker!

Originally from southern Florida, Dr. Scott started at the University of Pennsylvania for undergrad and dental school; in 2016 he completed his residency in Periodontics at University of Illinois at Chicago. His collaborative research at UPenn, UIC, and Hadassah Hospital has been published in several peer-reviewed journals.

As the son of two physicians, he has always been drawn to the healthcare field and uniquely positioned to identify inefficiencies and devise solutions. Finding himself disappointed at best by the practice resources available to dental clinicians when he graduated, he was inspired to create the start up Supply Clinic. This online resource makes vetted, high quality materials available to users directly from their sources, increasing efficiency and transparency when supplying a practice.

Clinically, Dr. Scott specializes in bringing patients with periodontal disease and tooth loss back to oral health; the procedures he’ll be helping our practice with include bone and connective tissue grafting, wisdom tooth extractions, and implant placement. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, Academy of Osseointegration, and certified by the Board of Periodontology.

We can't wait to see how our patients will benefit from this new relationship. If you are in need of a periodontal consult or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our administrative team today!

Just like everything else in the world, your dental visit is bound to look a little different in the post-pandemic climate! Our team is proud of the measures we’ve implemented to keep our staff and patients safe. You might be wondering - what exactly can I expect from my visit now? Let’s walk through some common questions about our typical hygiene appointment!

• What do I need to do to prepare?

• • • Expect a text from us 2 hours in advance - this will include a link to a brief COVID screening questionnaire that we’ll need before we get your visit started
    • Bring a mask - this is a requirement in the common areas of our building and our practice!
    • Please don’t bring family or friends with you unless you specifically need a caretaker or guardian present so we can minimize people in the reception area at any given time

• Where can I wait? 

• • • Once you arrive, you can enter our waiting area to check in OR text us to let us know you’re out in the hall; our provider will come and get you from wherever you prefer to wait!

• What’s different once I’m in the room?

• • • We’ll start by taking your temperature as an additional screening measure
    • You’ll notice new air purifiers in each room 
    • Providers may be wearing additional masks, gowns, and face shields based the type of cleaning being performed
    • You may get to experience Dry Shield, a technology we acquired just before the shutdown that dramatically reduces the release of aerosols during the procedure, keeping you and our staff safer!

• Do I have to interact with more people on the way out?

• • If you want to skip check out altogether, fill out our Credit Card Authorization Form and Update Form before your visit to avoid the front desk!

If you have any questions prior to your visit, please don’t hesitate to call us. We look forward to seeing everyone back in soon!

Last week we released a video message by Dr. Dan, to check in on everyone (we miss our patients!!) and provide an update on how we’re using this time to create the safest dental experience in the area. Here’s the video link in case you missed it:

https://youtu.be/FJ7jtCYstLA

In it we mention a possible re-open date of May 26 - Governor Pritzker has since extended the stay at home order, so we are now planning on June 1st. While we wait and work toward this re-imagined space, we wanted to give you more insight into exactly what we’re implementing!

Dry Shield

• All-in-one superior isolation system: high-suction evacuator, bite block, tongue shield and oral pathway protector
• Reduces aerosols in the dental operatory keep staff safe and operatory sterile 
• Increased patient comfort over the more traditional isolation methods listed above

Hyrdim Instrument Washer L110W

• This instrument dishwasher cleans off any debris or bacteria from instruments and burs with maximum efficiency prior to sterilization.  
• Reduces time spent by staff scrubbing instruments, freeing up that time for other sanitization/safety procedures
• Minimizes the risk of a sharps accident and dramatically reduces the possibility of user error in the cleaning process

Sterasil Water Filtration

• 2 tanks: One that has distilled water for our sterilization (autoclave and instrument washer), and one with purified, distilled water for use in the operatories.  
• Eliminate the need for staff to manually flush lines or use purification tablets, freeing up employee time and reducing user error
• EPA registered dental water is automatically monitored, contains no iodine or chlorine, and is the safest for both patients and dental equipment

AirDoctor Air Filtration Units

• Ultra-HEPA Medical grade air filtration units in each operatory to filter out viruses and bacteria.  
• Reduces risk of airborne cross contamination among patients and staff
• Allows our team to sterilize rooms more efficiently and safely than ever before

We are continuing to stay abreast of all governmental and industry guidance in regards to protecting ourselves and our patients from COVID-19 and other viruses. As we continue to refine our safety protocols, we’ll post updates here. We hope this finds you all healthy and safe!

It’s been a long time coming, so we are EXTRA stoked to finally announce that Strobel Dentistry will be expanding into the suite next door! Since this is brand new, we don’t have all the details yet, but here’s a rough timeline:

• Immediately: We welcome the patients of Chicago Dental Smiles! The first step in our expansion was acquiring the practice next door, as Dr. Joshi had made the difficult decision to consolidate his practice to the suburbs. We’ll miss our neighbor but are SO excited to have this chance to help more members of our community.
• Early April: Construction begins! As soon as we have our ducks in a row, we’ll begin executing our vision for our updated space. Thankfully we can remain open for our patients during almost all of this construction, so this time should have very little impact on our ability to provide quality dental care.
• Mid July - Close for a Few Days. Since our ultimate goal involves some reorganization as we expand, it’s likely we will need to close for a few days to finish the transition. We will of course aim to keep this to a minimum and let you know as soon as we have a definitive timeline. Our team is planning to spend this time refining our skills and knowledge at a Seminar in Scottsdale.  Can’t beat Arizona in July! 
• By the end of summer: a new and improved space! Our end result will include the following enhancements to improve our patient care:
  • Two new operatories for expanded treatment (including hopefully more specialist days on site!)
  • A brand new lab for fabricating in-house appliances in addition to our dedicated sterilization area
  • An expanded, comfortable reception area for patients to sit before their appointments begin
  • Dedicated, private spaces for patients to discuss potential treatment with one of our Patient Care Coordinators

We’ll keep you all posted as our plans progress! Thank you as always for being a part of our journey and growth!

With the increasing complexity of the insurance landscape, a lot of people are turning away from their traditional insurance options toward savings clubs and memberships run by the practices they frequent. But how do you know which is really the better deal?

That depends, of course, on a couple of factors:

Do you have access to group dental insurance through an employer?

While there are exceptions to every rule, generally you’ll have affordable access to better dental plans if you work for a larger employer - places like Accenture or Publicis, for example. Larger companies are usually able to negotiate better rates for better benefits from insurance carriers. If you source your own dental insurance, you’ll usually wind up with a plan that costs you more a month for fewer benefits.

Are your gums healthy? Do you anticipate a lot of dental restorations in the next couple of years? (think crowns, fillings, bridges)

This will have a direct correlation to what makes the most sense for you - if you are reasonably healthy, don’t need a lot of dental work, and are paying a high premium, you may be overpaying for benefits you don’t really need. Similarly, if you need a lot of work and have very bare bones insurance, a membership plan may be a better option for you. If you have access to good benefits at a reasonable rate and need a consistent amount of dental work, traditional insurance is likely the way to go!

How does the cost compare between a dental membership and traditional insurance?

Let’s take two examples:

1. Joe is insured by a large corporation for $30 a month, and comes in for 2 check ups, one with x-rays, and a moderate filling. 
   1. With his insurance, he might expect to pay $360 in yearly premiums and another $200 in copays and deductibles
   2. With a membership plan, he would pay $389 in yearly premiums, and $250 for his filling. 
2. Brenda is insured with a self-funded plan for $50 a month and needs the same treatment as Joe.
   1. With her insurance, he might expect to pay $600 in yearly premiums and another $300 in copays and deductibles
   2. With a membership plan, she would pay $389 in yearly premiums, and $250 for his filling. 

As you can imagine, the figures can change quickly depending on what you currently pay and what you need. Curious how your coverage stacks up? Contact our admin team today and we’d be happy to run through a breakdown specific to your situation!

Hi! My name’s Jess - I’m the office manager here at Strobel Dentistry and the main contributor to this blog (we usually don’t do first person here so an introduction felt in order ;) ). I very recently started Sure Smile clear aligner therapy at our office, and aside from mild and irrational fears that I’ll revert to my grade school lisp, I’m pretty excited!

But it got me thinking; since my teeth aren’t in need of extreme movement, I wasn’t even sure I needed orthodontic treatment at all. As it turns out, there are ways your teeth should come together that might just never occur to you if you don’t know what you’re looking for. So how, optimally, should our teeth align?

• FROM THE FRONT:  your upper front teeth should fall in front of your lower teeth (toward your lip), and should overlap them by about 2 mm. Upper and lower front teeth should hit lightly.
• FROM THE TOP (OR BOTTOM): The back teeth should be upright, NOT tipped toward the cheek or tongue. The tips of the cusps should fit into the grooves of the opposite teeth.
• FROM THE SIDE: The upper back teeth should sit on the outside of the lower teeth. When the teeth go side-side, the ONLY teeth that hit should be the canine teeth.

Why Should I Care About My Bite?

Good question! An optimal bite not only allows for clear speech and efficient eating, it:

• prevents muscle/jaw strain that can cause headaches
• Makes teeth easier to clean, preventing decay
• Allows teeth to wear evenly
• Prevents undue stress on teeth that could lead to breaking or cracking

If my adventures in alignment have you curious how your bite measures up, ask us for an assessment at your next visit!

It’s time for our yearly reflection, and here at Strobel Dentistry our hearts could not be more full with all we’ve experienced this year and everything we have to look forward to in the decade to come! A few highlights:

Dr. Isabella got engaged! We could not be more thrilled for her and her fiance Tony to take this next step (and keep needling her for invites to the stunning wedding she’s planning in Colombia ;)).

Bridget, our newest hygienist, tied the knot in October in a beautiful ceremony that they followed up with a 2 week European honeymoon. 

Our hygienist Aer is expecting her second baby in May! The team is really going to miss her when she’s on leave May through August, but we expect to make up for it with adorable baby snuggles.

New tech! Could we let a year go by without celebrating this?? Of course not! :) Our latest addition - the 3D printer - is fitting in nicely, and our rockstar assistant Mika is working hard to integrate it seamlessly into our daily services.

2019 also saw the expansion of our in-house services: on-site night guards, complex extractions courtesy of the itinerant specialist Dr. Sam, and expanded hours for our periodontist, to name a few. 2020 promises more enhancements and improvements to keep our patients’ experience with us phenomenal!

Thank you to all our patients, friends, family, colleagues - everyone who has touched our lives and allowed us to help improve the oral health of our community members. We wish everyone a happy, healthy new year and great things in this new decade!

It’s here! It’s finally here! We’ve been eyeing a 3D printer for months now, waiting for the right time to introduce one to our practice, and now the time has come. Here’s a quick FAQ on our latest technological advance!

What is 3D printing?

Very simply, a printer puts out layer after layer of thin material to build up a three dimensional object. This is often called additive manufacturing, in contrast to the “subtractive” manufacturing or milling done for our same day crowns. Instead of removing material to create an object (i.e. crown or onlay), the appropriate type of liquid resin is applied in thin layers and then cured to create the appliance or restoration needed.

3D printing has been around since the 80s and 90s, but the term and its use has recently seen a big upswing. The machines themselves are quite simple, and wouldn’t be much without the sophisticated design software that allows our dentists to design restorations, appliances and guides from start to finish in a virtual environment. At Strobel, we use Itero, Dentsply Sirona, and SureSmile software, among others!

How is 3D printing used in Dentistry?

As the technology continues to develop, the possibilities are pretty much endless! Right now, considering what will maximize resources, time, and benefit to the patient, we will be printing:

• hard night guards
• Retainers
• surgical guides for implants. 
• In the near future, express orthodontics cases!

Why is 3D printing any better than traditional methods?

When evaluating any product, the most common considerations are quality, time, and cost. Bringing the manufacturing of these appliances gives us heightened control over the output, allowing us to better meet individual needs. Longer term, as we continue to integrate the technology into our practice, it will result in a considerable time and cost savings that we can pass on to our patients.

Yes please!! In our never ending quest to seek out and utilize the latest technology, we are THRILLED to announce our latest advance: pain free laser dentistry. 2018 has brought the Solea laser to Strobel, and we can’t wait to see how this changes our patients’ experience for the better!

What is the Solea laser?

Solea is the first CO2 dental laser system cleared by the FDA for hard, soft and osseous tissue procedures. It allows the vast majority of procedures to be done in less time without  pain (and thus without needles and anesthesia!).

How does Solea work?

This is the really cool part. The specialized wavelength of light energy supplied by the CO2 Solea Laser vaporizes four different “photoreceptors:” hydroxyapatite, water, collagen, and plastic. It basically makes the tissue disappear! Meanwhile it overwhelms our nerves’ ability to sense pain, allowing decay and unwanted tissue to be removed quickly and without anesthesia. This energy is “pulsed” and expertly controlled by our dentists via foot pedal, guaranteeing precision and predictable results.

Are there any side effects with Solea?

You’ll feel none of the lingering numbness that you would after a traditional procedure, but just like a normal dental restoration there may be some residual soreness. During treatment you should feel no pain; our patients have reported cold sensitivity and mild pressure during use, but an overwhelming majority felt nothing else!

For what procedures can the Solea laser be used?

There are many procedures that can benefit from the use of this laser, from dental fillings to oral surgery. Some examples:

• Direct Fillings
• Frenectomies
• Gingivectomies
• Apthous Ulcer Treatments
• Fibroma Removal
• Crown Lengthening / Bone Removal
• Implant Uncovering

Solea is not currently indicated for use in endodontic procedures and amalgam removals. The procedures we’ll use the laser for in our office will vary from case to case, but we expect to use it more and more as the technology continues to grow.

There are only 600 of these in the world as of January 2018, and only 2 in Chicago!! We’re so stoked to be in on the ground floor of this exciting advance in dentistry. Call us today to see if this treatment is right for you!

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