Dental Services

Preventative Care

We love doing preventative diagnostics and services. Dr. Vence treats some complex oral conditions, but he does general dentistry too! From his unique perspective, Dr. Vence can work with you on preventing the development of complex problems. Our New Patient examination is designed to help you understand the current health of your mouth, know how different conditions may effect your oral health overtime, and what you may do overtime to stabilize your oral health for a lifetime. We also provide hygiene service to maintain periodontal health but also monitor your oral health including cancer screening. Medical conditions, medications and treatments can effect saliva quality and quantity that leads to tooth decay. Some patients biofilm (plaque) contains the bacteria (Strep. Mutans) that causes tooth decay. We have caries prevention protocols to change your biofilm- with liquorice root extract lollipops, kill Strep. Mutans with xylitol sweetened gum , remineralize intial lesions with calcium and phosphate and make tooth structure more resistant to decay with fluoride. Hygiene visits are essential in monitoring and maintaining the stability of patient's oral health.

Implants and Dentures

Implants came to North America in 1981 by professor Per-Ingvar Branemark. In 1983, six satellite training centers began training oral surgeons and periodontists in implant surgery. One of these was UCLA. Dr. Vence did a hospital residency at The VA- Wadsworth/ UCLA in 1985 and was one of the first General Dentists to be trained in Implant Surgery. Dr Vence also worked in his father's Removable Prosthetic Laboratory where he fabricated dentures. This unique blend allows him to fabricate his own scanning appliances for c-t scans for virtual implant planning or his own surgical guides. Dr Vence utilizes his blend of experience to fabricate naturally esthetic fixed dentures to implants. If it doesn't look right in the denture phase, placing implants won't change things. The provisional denture when correct esthetically, functionally and phonetically becomes the guide for placing implants. Thanks to this process, we consistently attain predictably beautiful and functional outcomes.

TMD and Sleep Apnea

As a dentist treating complex cases, Dr Vence encounters Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) and the ravages of Bruxism which is grinding or clenching of teeth. In 1986, Dr. Vence did a mini TMD residency at UCLA. To protect the dentition, Dr. Vence understands the importance of force management for the TMJ, teeth, restorations and implants. adfasf

Dr. Vence also knows the importance of treating the effects of Erosion and Attrition to protect the dentition. Many patients have Gastro-Esophygeal Reflex Disorder called GERD. Erosion occurs when acid from the stomach enters the mouth and dissolves tooth structure. Attrition is occlusal wear caused by grinding the teeth and may be accelerated by GERD. Now there is evidence that some Erosion and Sleep Bruxism may be part of a triad with Apnea. Dr. Vence is actively studying Sleep Apnea. A positive air pressure mask called CPAP is the gold standard for treating patients with sleep apnea. Many patients are not compliant with CPAP. With the help of a sleep physician, Dr Vence makes oral sleep appliances to be used with or as an alternative to CPAP. For patients with daytime stress bruxism, Dr. Vence fabricates various orthotics and equilibrates occlusions to help patients manage joint pain or reduce loads on teeth.

Esthetic & Reconstructive

Dr. Vence has a reputation for treating complex cases. His artistic eye and scientific mind allows him to visualize the most Esthetic and Functional outcome utilizing the least amount of restorative dentistry possible for enduring results. Knowing and executing the basics well and setting up cases to make it easy for the technician allows Dr. Vence to obtain terrific outcomes. We pour up our impressions and cross mount all of our working casts with casts of the provisional restorations to verify our plan works esthetically, functionally and phonetically- before we fabricate the definitive restorations  

Interdisciplinary Care

Dr. Vence believes in making treatment as easy to execute as possible and do it as well as possible. Treating the true cause or causes of a oral condition results in less dentistry, less costs, more enduring results and less maintenance over a lifetime. This requires Interdisciplinary Dentofacial Therapy (IDT). Dr Vence began a study club with several colleagues in 1993 called the Chicago Academy of Interdisciplinary Dentofacial Therapy. He works with specialists in Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics and Oral Surgery. He has presented his work by himself or with his colleagues Dr. Forbes, an orthodontist, and Drs. Rosenfeld and Mandelaris, periodontists, in peer reviewed journals and dental meetings. Dr. Vence is the only member of both the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry in Illinois. The AAED and AARD are the premier organizations for esthetic and restorative dentistry and its membership is by invitation only to select educators in dentistry.