Innovation Dental

Alex Schillinger, DMD

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(618) 277-6550

Innovation Dental

717 Insight Avenue, Suite 200
O'Fallon, IL 62269

Innovation Dental > Services > Preventive Dentistry

Your smile is an asset worth protecting, and our dental team has the skills to keep it healthy for life.

We Are Your Partners In Good Dental Health Care

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Preventive Dentistry

A preventive approach to dental care is essential but can be challenging to grasp. The team at Innovation Dental wants to help you keep on top of your dental care. Our approach to preventive dentistry rests on the following:

Exams and diagnostics
Teeth cleanings
Fluoride and dental sealants

When we provide these services regularly, you can help prevent progressive tooth decay or gum disease.

Routine Visits Include Complete Exams and Detection

The foundation of effective preventive dentistry is Dr. Alex Schillinger's ability to monitor your teeth over time. This is why you should visit our O'Fallon dental office regularly, twice or year, or possibly more frequently if we prescribe it. Your unique smile needs will guide our recommendations.

At each visit, Dr. Schillinger will utilize the latest technology to aid with diagnostics, preventive care, and potential treatment options.

Digital x-rays and sensors – Safer than traditional film x-rays, we use small sensors that allow for more precise images of your teeth in fewer shots.
CBCT cone beam technology – This advanced tool takes a 360-degree view of your entire head so we can view your teeth, jawbone, and facial bone structure and plan treatments more accurately.

Professional Tooth Cleanings Reach Places Toothbrushes Can't

At your routine visit, our hygienists will also perform a teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums thoroughly. Professional teeth cleanings are your first line of defense against tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, even a proper home brushing and flossing routine can't remove all debris, bacteria, and deposits from your teeth and gums. We use specialized dental equipment to rid you of potentially damaging buildup.

Fluoride and Dental Sealants for an Extra Line of Defense

At Innovation Dental, we realize some patients are more susceptible to tooth decay than others. We can offer several safe and non-invasive procedures to add more protection. For example, we use fluoride and dental sealants for anyone whose teeth may benefit.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel in areas where plaque-causing bacteria have damaged the tooth and dissolved away minerals. Fluoride restores enamel by remineralizing damaged areas.

Dental sealants work more directly than fluoride. We apply this clear coating to freshly cleaned teeth. This material is a liquid that we brush onto tooth surfaces to penetrate deep into your molars' grooves. Dental sealants wear away over time, so you don't have to worry about any long-lasting adverse side effects.

Preventive Dentistry in O'Fallon, Belleville, and Lebanon

Your teeth are strongest when you've maintained their health through routine dental exams, cleanings, and other preventive measures. Dr. Schillinger and his team are ready to serve your oral health care needs, supplying the services that keep your family's smiles strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to prevent gum disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is often a silent menace to your oral health. It can progress with few, if any, symptoms, and by the time you know it directly, it may be advanced and cause other problems like bite misalignments and tooth loss.

The best defense against gum disease starts with your regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings with one of our excellent dental hygienists. But what you do at home also matters. We recommend you brush twice daily and floss every evening. It's especially vital that you brush before you go to bed.

During sleep, germs thrive as your mouth tends to be drier, and because you go hours during sleep without drinking water, you cannot benefit from how it rinses away disease-causing bacteria. Our hygienists will be happy to show you good brushing and flossing techniques.

Other Ways to Prevent Gum Disease in O'Fallon, IL

Dr. Schillinger and his team can offer several other steps to prevent gum disease. Among these are:

Avoid tobacco use; smoking and chewing are bad for your gums
Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables
Minimize sugary snacks and always drink water to rinse away accumulations
Use an antiseptic mouthwash, especially after brushing and flossing before bed
If you have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, your gums may need extra attention
Always share changes you notice with your dental team during your checkups

The best news about gum disease is that if we catch it early enough, its effects are entirely reversible.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Alex Schillinger DMD
Owner/Dentist

Dr. Schillinger has a level of training and expertise that sets him apart from most O’Fallon dentists. Dr. Schillinger is a 1999 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. ...