Grant W. Sims DDS
Dentist | General Practice
5503 North Clark Street 2nd Floor Chicago Illinois, 60640About
Grant W. Sims, DDS, maintains a position at Dr. Sims Dentistry, his own private clinic where he works as a dentist. Areas of expertise include general dentistry, sedation, implants, and cosmetic orthodontics. Dr. Sims was educated at the University of Illinois and completed an internship at the university as well. He is a professional member of the Chicago Dental Society, the Illinois State Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Grant W. Sims DDS's Videos
Education and Training
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Champaign B.S. Biology 1985
University Of Illinois College Of Dentistry D.D.S. 1989
Provider Details
Grant W. Sims DDS's Expert Contributions
What should be done for a chipped "baby tooth"?
Doing nothing is always an option. At least have him checked by a dentist who will most likely want to Xray the teeth to see how soon the adult teeth may be coming in and to make sure they were not damaged underneath. Then you can decide if fixing them is worth it to you, but at least you will have peace of mind knowing if there is not a bigger problem brewing underneath. READ MORE
Why does only one tooth area bleed when I floss?
If it has been a while (more than 6 months) since you had a professional cleaning, you may have a piece of hard tartar stuck on that tooth under the gum in that spot. The tartar gives the plaque bacteria more surface area to grow on, and the more plaque bacteria, the more toxins. Like any living thing, the plaque bacteria take in "food" and give off a waste product, which is acidic. This acid irritates and inflames the gums and causes them to bleed and eventually, the gum will "back away" from the irritation leading to gum recession and bone loss. The best thing of course is go to your dentist and have the Dr or the dental hygienist check the area to see if they can find the cause. They may want to Xray the area as well to see if there is any tartar visible under the gum, or possibly a cavity that may be collecting food, but not really big enough to be painful. I also know that if I get "lazy" and maybe don't floss for several days or a week (I'm human too) , and then when I do floss again for that first time, my gums will bleed, but it's usually several spots and not just one spot. Best bet is have the dentist take a look. Hope that helps. Dr Sims READ MORE
Can I do teeth whitening with a front half fake incisor?
Normally in our office, we have the patient whiten first so that we can match the new crown to the new lighter shade. The "fake" part of the tooth, or any type of dental restoration; be it bonding, a crown, a veneer, a resin filling, a white filling, will not be lightened by whitening materials. READ MORE
My son's teeth are discoloured. Why?
Most likely the brown spots are from something in his diet. Many drinks can cause these stains. Apple juice is a common cause. READ MORE
Will frequent teeth cleanings remove spots from my teeth?
That depends on if they are superficial or if they are "in" the enamel. If they are on top of the enamel layer, a regular "cleaning" should take care of it. If the spots are "in" the enamel, you may need to do enamel microbrasion which is a treatment you can ask your dentist about. It uses a topical acidic solution and special deep cleansers followed by a remineralization step to remove or significantly decrease the appearance of brown stains. READ MORE
I had some bleeding in my gums while brushing. Could it be serious?
Healthy gums should not bleed when brushing or flossing! Bleeding is an early warning sign of gingivitis and other more serious forms of gum disease. Best to go to a dentist and have a comprehensive examination including taking the periodontal probing depths. That will help determine what is going on. READ MORE
Are electric toothbrushes any better for the teeth?
Quality electric (battery operated) toothbrushes are able to remove more plaque , the bacterial buildup that we all get on our teeth and gums, in the same amount of time than brushing manually. I prefer to use ones with not only a timer for the entire brushing time, but with a "signal" when 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 of the way through to aid in brushing each quadrant evenly. READ MORE
Why do my oral ulcers keep coming back?
The 2 most common types of recurring mouth ulcers are called apthous ulcer or canker sore, and herpes virus or fever blister. Both types will keep coming back once you start getting them. Experts say they tend to recur more often when the body is under "stress", be it from a cold,flu or other systemic illness, but can also be from a dietary deficiency or from exposure to certain chemicals (some tothpaste ingredients for example). Keeping them from recurring depends on what type of ulcer you have. The best is to see a dentist or oral surgeon for the proper diagnosis and treatment. READ MORE
What is the medication that the dentist will use as an anesthesia before my root canal?
The most common type of local anesthesia the dentist will use is Lidocaine with epinephrine. Most dentists today do not use "Novacaine" and have not since the 1950s due to a higher incidence of allergic reactions. This is why dentists have switched to other local anesthetics. Most anesthetic makers do put some type of preservative in the solution. The type varies from manufacturer, but it is very rare that someone will be allergic to it. The most common "reaction" that people feel to the anesthetic is that their heart may race for a few minutes. This is because some people are more sensitive to the epinephrine (also called Adrenalin) and not the anesthetic itself. The epinephrine is included in with the anesthetic to help constrict the blood vessels in the area to help keep the anesthetic in the area longer. If the medicine does not suit you, there are several other types of local anesthetics that most dentists keep in the office. Finding one that suits you is rarely ever a problem. READ MORE
Is a root canal in pregnancy safe?
Most experts agree that if dental treatment is NECESSARY, the 2nd trimester is the best time to do it. However, sometimes a toothache doesn't really care if you are pregnant at all, let alone in the 2nd trimester, and it becomes an EMERGENCY. If the pain is too unbearable, you have no choice but to do something, right? Then root canal would be the best choice; or extraction. Most OB/GYN that I have worked with in this situation recommend using local anesthetic without vasoconstrictor, if an Xray is necessary-use 2 lead aprons, and if pain control after the fact is necessary, then Tylenol (Acetominophen) or Tylenol #3 with codeine can be used. Hope you feel better. READ MORE
Food getting stuck behind wisdom teeth
Rest of the answer. . . laser off or surgically remove the extra tissue. Typically, once the food starts to get stuck on a regular basis, it means something has changed and should be evaluated by a dental professional. READ MORE
Clicking in my jaw
Personally, when I come across a patient with symptoms that I may not be familiar with, or just when I want another set of "eyes" on a particular set of presenting symptoms, I am either trying to confirm what I think is going on, or I have little experience with those symptoms and I need help in a diagnosis to make sure my patient is getting the best care and proper treatment for the condition. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Awards
- Leading Physicians of the World Award 2015 Leading Physicians of the World
- Volunteers with Goldie’s Place Goldie’s Place
- New Life for Girls New Life for Girls
- Hope House Lawndale Community Church
- Connections for the Homeless Evanston , IL
- Southside Christian Center Southside Christian Center
Treatments
- Six Months Smiles
- Conscious Sedation Dentistry
- Professional Dental Cleaning
- Tooth Colored Filling/inlay
- Teeth Whitening
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Crown/bridge
- Root Canal Therapy
- Periodontal Gum Therapy
- Gingivectomy
- Laser Gum Treatment
- Frenulectomy With Laser
- Implants
- Extraction
- Ilase Laser
- Prexion 3d Elite Scanner
- Deka Laser
- Ezlase
- Gum Therapy
- Veneers
- Teeth Grinding
- Limited Orthodontic Treatment
- Denture Partial
- Wisdom Teeth Extraction
- E4d – Same Day Crowns
Professional Memberships
- American Dental Association
- Illinois State Dental Society
- Chicago Dental Society
- Professional Member Illinois State Dental Society
- Professional Member American Dental Association
- Professional Member Chicago Dental Society
- Professional Member Academy of General Dentistry
- Professional Member International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- Professional Member American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Internships
- University of Illinois DDS 1989
Professional Society Memberships
- Chicago Dental Society, Illinois State Dental Society, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
What do you attribute your success to?
- Grant attributes his success to staying curious, compassionate, always striving to learn more and doing the best he can for each patient.
Areas of research
- PRP/PRF
Philanthropic Initiatives
- Extensive Volunteer work: Connections for the Homeless-Providing Dental Care, New Life for Girls-Faith based program for victims of domestic violence-Providing dental care, Lawndale Community Church-Hope House Christian Mens Recovery Program providing dental care, Goldies Place-Helping to provide dental care and working with student from University of Illinois at Chicago
Favorite Place to Vacation
- Any white sand beach.
Hobbies / Sports
- jet ski, travel, motorcycle riding
Grant W. Sims DDS's Practice location
Grant W. Sims DDS's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Sims
- Grant
Had a great experience.
Recommended Articles
- Illinois Dental Practice Offers Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are a few options for treating sleep apnea. The most common that many people are familiar with is using a CPAP machine. CPAP machines work wonders for most patients. Some patients choose to get surgery to try to correct the problem. The least known treatment for sleep apnea can...
- When are Dental Crowns Recommended?
What is a Dental Crown?Dental crowns are used for saving damaged or broken teeth, as well as when a tooth requires a root canal treatment. In order for the dental crown to get attached to the tooth, the tooth needs to be reduced in size first.A dental crown is a prosthetic superstructure that...
- Healthy Teeth for a Healthy Life
Dentists suggest that infection and inflammation of the oral cavity correlates with other medical conditions, like a heart attack or dementia, and can cause serious health concerns over a period of time. Although the causes and effects between oral health and health conditions are not yet...
- Mason Motz Becomes A Chatterbox Once His Sleep Apnea Was Fixed
Mason Motz is a 6-year-old Texas youngster who now sings his favorite songs and talks to everyone who will listen to him. He is always asking his mom about her day and discussing the world with his brother. Every day, he leaves his family astounded, because, for over five years of his life, Mason...
- Why are my Gums Bleeding?
Bleeding gums can result from a number of other health conditions, and can also result from vigorous brushing of the teeth or even wearing dentures that don’t fit correctly.The most common causes of bleeding gums include:...
- Severe Stress and Depression May Cause Gum Disease
According to a review published in the Journal of Periodontology, studies show a strong link between stress and gum disease. About 57% of the studies conducted displayed an accurate association between gum disease and stress-related symptoms, including distress, anxiety, depression, and...
Nearby Providers
- Neal Nealis DDS737 North Michigan Avenue Chicago IL 60611
- Dr. Monika Tyszkowski DDS845 S Main St Lombard IL 60148
- Dr. Rosemarie Buen DMD1128 Lake St Oak Park IL 60301
- Dr. Michael C Griffin D.M.D.3710 N Halsted St Chicago IL 60613
- Dr. Perry Danos DDS5700 Dempster St. Morton Grove IL 60053
- Dr. George E. Barsa Other3190 N Elston Ave Chicago Illinois 60618