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Monthly Archives

September 2014

Sep 29

Just read a nightmare Clear Choice review online!

By Blog

Clear Choice is my second opinion and I have an appointment next week. I am going because my co-worker recommended them to me. Her brother-in-law got good results at Clear Choice. I just read a nightmare review about a Clear Choice recommendation for dental implants that went bad. The patient was all set for implant surgery, but the surgeon came in and told the patient not to go through with it. This is scary and it shakes my confidence a little. What can I do if Clear Choice makes a different recommendation from the first dentist that I met with? Thanks. T. Yarborough

Dear T. Yarborough – We understand your concern. It is possible that you will receive a different treatment recommendation from Clear Choice. Clear Choice has implant procedures that it does more frequently than others, and that it recommends more frequently than others.

Remember that just because a recommendation is made, it doesn’t mean that you have to accept it. You are free to, and we suggest it, get a third opinion. Find an independent prosthodontist who is neither affiliated with the first dentist with whom you met, nor with Clear Choice.

An experienced prosthodontist will let you know your treatment options and the results you can expect from each of them. A third opinion will help you make a decision with more confidence.

This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Sep 26

My dentist won’t do implant supported bridge even though it’s cheaper than single implants

By Dental Bridge, Dental Implants

I have had a lot of success with my current dentist which is why I have stayed with the practice, even when he moved, since 2004. Now I am at the point where I need several teeth replaced. He is insisting on individual implants which are not even an option for me. He is talking about financing and payment plans. Doesn’t matter, I can’t afford it! What I can afford is an implant supported bridge and he seems totally against it. I have repeatedly asked him why it won’t work, but I haven’t received a reasonable answer. I need to have the teeth replaced. Is it really possible that only individual implants will work? – Ted W.

Ted – We won’t speculate as to why your dentist is telling you that only single implants will work. We recommend that you visit an experienced prosthodontist for an examination and a review of your x-rays.

An implant-supported bridge will replace multiple teeth and help preserve jawbone. And as you know, it is less expensive than individual implants. Whether or not it will work in your case requires a personal visit.

When you received a second opinion, you can wait to hear your options from the dentist. If an implant-supported bridge is not among the options, you can ask why it will not work.

Whenever a single treatment is recommended and you are not presented with another option, you can ask about or options or seek a second opinion.

This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist and implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Sep 23

Is All-on-4 safe or do I have to worry about failed implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

My teeth and gums have been problematic for most of my life. I am at the point where I am finally giving in to dentures. I have too many teeth missing or that need to be extracted. I don’t want a bunch of partial dentures in my mouth. Since I have to get dentures I want them to be stable. I have friends with dentures and I have seen laughter turn into embarrassment when the dentures fall out. I can’t go there. My dentist and I have talked several times about dentures and implants. This topic was worth a second opinion to me. My dentist seemed to be somewhat put off about me getting a second opinion but it is my mouth, and I feel that she is too young to wear dentures to understand. The second opinion came with a surprise for me. That dentist recommended All-on-4 which I had heard of but not considered. When my dentist heard me mention All-on-4, she kept saying, “Don’t do it. They don’t work.” Now I feel like I need a third opinion. If All-on-4 doesn’t work why does it exist, and why would a dentist recommend it for me? Thank you for your help. Gina

Gina – Much of the success of dental implants, including All-On-4, depends on diligent planning for placement, the quality of the implants, and the skill of the implant dentist. Implant dentists, who are skilled in the use of the All-On-4 technique, have great success with this procedure.

The comments from your dentist indicate that she is familiar with All-On-4, but she doesn’t use it. The dentist who recommended All-On-4 for your case likely has successfully completed many cases with the procedure. But that’s a question you want to ask any implant dentist who is recommending any particular treatment for you—how many cases has he or she successfully completed? Why is the particular treatment being recommended for you, and what are your options?

If you decide to receive a third opinion, it will likely help put you at ease. We suggest that you visit a prosthodontist or other skilled implant dentist who uses multiple techniques, including All-On-4. You should be informed of more than one option for stabilizing your dentures.

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist and board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Sep 12

Why do I keep getting canker sores?

By General Dentistry

I keep getting canker sores? It almost seems like before one goes away, I get another. What is causing this and is there something I can take or rinse my mouth with to prevent them? Thanks. Jerome

Jerome – There are many things that can cause canker sores. You really need to visit a dentist to have your sores and mouth examined, but some of the causes are listed below.

  • Sodium lauryl sulfate – you may be sensitive to this ingredient, which is commonly found in mouthwash and toothpaste
  • Sensitivity to food, including highly acidic food, and chocolate, strawberries, coffee, nuts, and eggs
  • A vitamin or mineral deficiency – vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid) or iron
  • An injury to your mouth from dental work, aggressive tooth brushing, a sports accident, or biting your cheek
  • Emotional stress
  • Hormonal changes
  • Immune disorder, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, or other conditions

In addition to an examination, a dentist will review your history of canker sores, and your medical history to determine what is causing them. You will also receive appropriate treatment, which may be a mouth rinse, topical paste, oral medication, or whatever is appropriate for your case. Call a dentist to schedule an appointment for an examination.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Sep 09

Need dental implant to replace a baby canine tooth

By Dental Implants

I have a baby canine tooth because the permanent adult tooth never came in. I need to have it replaced with a dental implant. How much will this cost? Thanks – B. Graves

B. Graves – The cost for removing your primary tooth and replacing it with a dental implant will include several services. Diagnostic studies (x-rays) will be needed for the tooth. The studies will show the canine tooth position and help determine the best way to remove it. The diagnostics studies will also ensure that your dental implant is properly placed and won’t impinge nerves or puncture your sinuses. Surgery to remove the primary canine tooth is also needed.

After the canine is removed, a dental implant can be placed. After the implant heals, it needs to have a dental crown secured to it to serve as the crown of the tooth, which shows when you smile.

Depending on where you live in the country, a single dental implant can cost from $3000 to $5000. Choose a few skilled implant dentists in your area with whom you can have a consultation to get an idea of the cost where you live. After you receive x-rays, you will receive a more accurate estimate of the cost of replacing your tooth with an implant.

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

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