University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry – Interview

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry
801 S. Paulina St.
Chicago, IL 60612
United States
(312) 996-7555
https://dentistry.uic.edu/patients/services

Clinic hours are 8am to 4:30pm
We serve Chicagoland primarily, but also have patients from across the world taking advantage of our specialties.

Please introduce yourself.

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry offers the widest range of general and specialty dental care services in Chicago – all in one place. We have over 280 faculty and residents in general and advanced specialty clinics including Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics. We also have 40+ researchers advancing scientific knowledge to improve oral health outcomes in Chicago and across the world.

We are dedicated to educating and helping patients adopt healthy oral hygiene habits and make the best decisions to improve their oral health. We do this by taking the time to develop a strong relationship with each of our patients — this is why patients choose UIC.

The College of Dentistry offers a comprehensive set of specialized oral health care services – all in one place. We have over 280 faculty and residents in advanced specialty clinics including Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics. We are a multidisciplinary group of specialists — many of whom are board certified — working as a team to deliver the best care possible – even for the most advanced, challenging oral care needs.

The College of Dentistry uses advanced digital technologies and methods to offer patients the highest levels of precision and accuracy, and minimally invasive treatments – which translates to less time overall, and more comfort. For instance, we can reduce the time spent to receive a new crown from several days – to a matter of hours. For more complex restorations and surgeries, we can pre-plan and coordinate the entire treatment virtually across multiple specialties, and even provide restorative and surgical services in the same appointment – so patients get the advantage of expert consultation and care, quickly and easily.

Patients also benefit from a collaborative and caring educational environment that brings together a broad range of expert clinicians and researchers to provide the best treatments using the latest advances in oral health care.

Please list your accreditations, certifications & associations

We have several board certified (and in process to become board certified) Endodontists, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Orthodontists, Pediatric Dentistry specialists, Periodontists and Prosthodontists.

How long have you been in business?

Over 100 years! We’ve served Chicago with expert, affordable dental care since 1913.

What services do you offer?

The College of Dentistry offers a comprehensive set of specialized oral health care services – all in one place. We have over 280 faculty and residents in advanced specialty clinics including Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics. We are a multidisciplinary group of specialists — many of whom are board certified — working as a team to deliver the best care possible – even for the most advanced, challenging oral care needs.

How many dental implant procedures have you done?

Several hundred, with over 90% success.

Why should someone choose you over the competition?

Patients choose UIC because we offer:
A choice of care from students, specialists-in-training or faculty
Highest standards of care provided by dental students under the supervision of faculty
Wide range of dental services for adults and children
Discounted rates compared to area dentists
We work with insurance providers including Cigna and Delta Dental of IL
Multicultural clinical team who speak numerous languages to accommodate patients of diverse backgrounds
Convenient location next to CTA, bus lines and parking

Where do most of your patients hear about your clinic?

Word of mouth, and online. We serve thousands of highly satisfied patients every year.

What procedures do you typically recommend and perform?

We treat a wide variety of dental care needs, from simple tooth decay repair and single implants to the most complex reconstructions and full mouth implant prosthesis. This includes single and multiple implants, implant supported crowns and bridges, and we offer guided restorative surgery using our in-house 3D CAD/CAM technology. Through the use of CAD/CAM technology, our dentists can plan and fabricate implants, crowns and other restorative treatments through digital modeling.

What type of implants does your clinic use?

We use the latest in implant materials for the safety, most effective outcomes.

Please give me a summary of the steps in the process of getting an implant at your clinic.

All new patients receive a comprehensive oral health examination to determine the best treatment options. The first visit is a screening appointment, where we will assess your overall oral health care needs and determine whether our Comprehensive Dentistry or Advanced Specialty care options best match your needs. Patients may also choose to see a faculty member for dental care. As an educational institution, appointments can take longer than a typical dental visit.

If you choose to see a student dentist, they will call you to schedule an initial evaluation, after which we will prepare a comprehensive treatment plan for your review and acceptance prior to beginning treatment. The initial evaluation and planning usually takes 2 to 3 visits and may require taking additional x-rays. Once your treatment plan is accepted, the student dentist will schedule the next visits.

Quick description of the surgical procedure at your clinic.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. The implant itself is not visible, and over the course of three to six months, the bone and implant bond together, in a process called osseointegration. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, we will design the final replacement teeth, bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics. After this stage, we perform a second surgical procedure to attach a small post which serves as an anchor for the new artificial tooth.

How much do your procedures cost?

Our costs range from significantly less than most area dentists to about the same, depending type of care option chosen, and payment type.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit cards (Visa, MC, Discover, American Express), cash, personal check and money orders, and some insurance plans. Payment is due at time of treatment. The college does not provide financing or payment plans for dental care.

How many appointments are required to get one or two implants?

Our approach is highly comprehensive and personalized, so this varies on each specific case.

How long is the healing time?

After implants are placed, and over the course of three to six months, the bone and implant bond together, patients be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, we will design the final replacement teeth, bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics. After this stage, we perform a second surgical procedure to attach a small post which serves as an anchor for the new artificial tooth or teeth.

Almost one day after surgery the patient can continue their activities

What do advise your patients to do if they have a problem with their implant?

Since our approach is comprehensive and personalized – and we strive for the absolute best outcomes based on evidence-based practice philosophy – we stand behind our dental services and will work with patients to ensure their satisfaction.

Please note: This interview is for informational purposes only and does not represent a recommendation of the dentist mentioned. All opinions expressed are those of the interviewee.

If you’ve had dental work done by this clinic, please leave a review in the comments!