Freshworks Dental Studio

Practice philosophy

• Emphasis on compassionate care, especially for patients who may feel anxious about dental treatment.
• Focus on quality dentistry using current techniques and materials.
• Commitment to affordable dental care.

About Dr. Meme Salem

• Owner and dentist at Freshworks Dental Studio.
• Born in Chicago and raised in the Chicago suburbs.
• Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Loyola University, graduating with honors.
• Dental degree from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine.
• Combines compassion and clinical skill, with a focus on using techniques aimed at minimizing discomfort.
• Enjoys cosmetic dentistry and keeping up to date on the latest techniques.
• Committed to offering patients treatment options that support their long-term oral health.

Patients served

• Serves patients in Chicago, IL and surrounding areas.
• Welcomes adults and families looking for general, preventive and cosmetic dental care.

• Professional whitening designed to remove external stains from foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine and berries.
• Also lightens the overall color of teeth to make them appear less yellow.

Porcelain veneers

• Thin, durable ceramic coverings bonded to the front of teeth.
• Used to improve the appearance of teeth and treat mild to moderate issues such as chips, fractures and certain cavities.

Cosmetic bonding

• Tooth-colored composite material applied to the front teeth to repair damage or make esthetic changes.
• Can address discoloration, minor position issues and spaces between teeth.

Crowns

• Porcelain crowns (caps) used to rebuild teeth when damage is too extensive for a filling but the natural tooth can still be saved.
• Reconstruct the structure and appearance of the tooth.

Dental implants

• Natural-looking replacements for missing teeth that also function like natural tooth roots.
• Can replace individual teeth and may be used to support other restorations.

Treatment planning

• The dentist works with patients to create a clear plan when multiple treatments are needed.
• Options are discussed so patients can choose approaches that align with their goals for appearance, comfort and long-term oral health.

Freshworks Dental Studio provides a range of general and preventive services to support long-term oral health.

Comprehensive dental exam

• An extended, in-depth exam protocol designed to develop a complete picture of a patient's dental health.
• Evaluates how dental health may influence overall health.

Periodontal therapy (gum treatment)

• Treatment for periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth loss if not addressed.
• Aims to control bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth and contribute to gum disease.

Oral cancer screening

• Screening to help detect signs of oral cancer.
• Reflects the understanding that oral cancer can occur even without traditional risk factors.

Custom mouthguards

• Custom-fitted devices worn over the teeth.
• Used to protect teeth during athletics or as recommended by the dentist for other purposes (for example, certain bite or grinding concerns).

Composite (tooth-colored) fillings

• Tooth-colored restorations used to repair cavities or damage in teeth.
• Typically placed in a single visit once the tooth is numbed and prepared.

Ongoing preventive care

• Regular exams and cleanings (prophylaxis) to maintain oral health.
• Home-care guidance and risk assessment to reduce the chances of future cavities or gum disease.

Phone

• Main phone: 312-899-6757
• Secondary phone (as listed on contact page): 312-276-4775

Email

• General contact: team@freshworksdental.com

How to contact the office

• Call the office during business hours for appointments, questions about treatment, or help with insurance.
• Email can be used for non-urgent questions and follow-up communication.

Office hours

• The website does not currently list a complete, reliable daily schedule of opening hours.
• Patients should call or email the office to confirm the most up-to-date hours and to schedule appointments.

Appointment steps

1. Numbing the tooth

• The affected tooth or teeth are numbed so the procedure is comfortable.
• Multiple fillings can often be completed in a single visit if needed.

2. Isolation and keeping the tooth dry

• An isolation device is placed in the mouth to keep the area very dry, which helps the tooth-colored material perform best.

3. Removing the cavity and shaping the tooth

• The cavity is removed from the tooth.
• The tooth is reshaped in preparation for placement of the filling material.

4. Managing spaces between teeth

• If a cavity is between teeth, the teeth may be wedged apart so that after the filling they touch tightly and do not trap food.
• A plastic or metal band may be used to help maintain the proper shape of the tooth while the filling is placed.

5. Bonding the filling material

• The tooth is prepared with a series of bonding agents so the composite material adheres securely.
• The tooth is then filled with tooth-colored composite.

6. Curing, shaping and polishing

• A special ultraviolet curing light is used to harden the filling.
• The dentist shapes the restoration, checks the bite and polishes the filling.

Longevity and care

• All dental restorations have a limited lifespan.
• Composite fillings are usually replaced because of changes in the surrounding tooth, not because of the filling material itself.
• Teeth with fillings can still develop new cavities, especially at the margins where the filling and natural tooth meet, so good home care is important.

Home-care recommendations

• Brush and floss thoroughly every day, paying special attention to areas around fillings.
• Attend regular dental checkups so fillings and surrounding tooth structure can be monitored.
• Follow any personalized advice from the dentist about diet, fluoride use or other ways to reduce cavity risk.

Common reasons for bonding

• Repairing discoloration in front teeth.
• Correcting minor tooth position issues.
• Closing spaces between teeth (diastemas).
• Improving the shape or size of small teeth (such as "peg laterals").
• Repairing teeth that have been broken or chipped in an accident.

How bonding works

• A tooth-colored composite material is applied to the tooth in layers.
• The material is shaped and hardened, then polished for a natural appearance.
• Composite is versatile and is also used for many small or large fillings.

Bonding vs. porcelain veneers

• Bonding uses a soft plastic-based composite material placed directly on the tooth in the office.
• Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic restorations fabricated by a dental laboratory.
• The materials differ in appearance, durability and in how much natural tooth structure is prepared.
• The dentist discusses both options to help patients choose the approach that best matches their goals and clinical needs.

Longevity and care

• No dental treatment lasts forever; bonding has a variable lifespan that depends on individual risk factors.
• Teeth with bonding can still develop cavities, so good brushing and flossing habits are essential.
• It is important that the way the teeth come together when biting, chewing and speaking does not place excessive force on bonded areas.
• The team can provide personalized guidance on habits, foods and home care that help extend the life of cosmetic bonding.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.