An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, much to the chagrin of brokers who invested heavily in cure. Get in while prevention's still hot with today's Groupon: for $49, you get an exam, cleaning, and x-rays at Willow Festival Dental in Northbrook (up to a $289 value).

Led by Dr. Sergei Yuryk, the English- and Spanish-speaking staff at Willow Festival Dental wages war on plaque in its eco-friendly dental facility. Visits commence with a comprehensive exam (an $82 value), as hygienists scrutinize every chomper for damage, decay, and notarized permits allowing them to dwell inside the patient’s mouth. A careful cleaning (an $86 value) rids teeth of any buildup, wiping away months of disease-causing plaque and preventing gingivitis in the process. A technician then spies on teeth with reduced radiation x-rays, which display any cavities, cracks, or molars doubling as transistor radios.