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Monthly Archives

March 2015

Mar 24

Do all hybrid dentures require bone grafting?

By Dentures

I am thinking about hybrid dentures but the added cost of bone grafting is putting it out of reach for my budget. Do I have to get bone grafting or are there some hybrid dentures that don’t require it? Thanks Joan

Joan – Hybrid dentures are fastened to a metal base mounted on dental implants that are surgically implanted in your jawbone. Bone grafting—for hybrid dentures or any dental implant procedure—is only needed when you have insufficient jawbone density to support implants. If you receive hybrid dentures, it does not mean that you automatically need bone grafting.

Your implant-retained dentures won’t shift or move. They will feel like you have your own natural teeth. Your speech and chewing efficiency will be significantly improved over complete removable dentures. You will be able to remove the hybrid dentures to clean them.

An experienced implant dentist will first determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. Your jawbone density will be measured to determine if it can support the dentures, or if bone grafting is needed to build up the jawbone. If you have sufficient jawbone to support the implant, no grafting will be necessary.

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

Mar 20

Can more implants be added to All on 4?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants

I like the All on 4 idea, but I am wondering if I can add 2 to 4 more implants so that it would be really All on 6 or All on 8? Thanks Donovan

Donovan – All-on-4 implants are an affordable way to secure upper and lower restorations with four highly angled implants. Four is the minimum number of implants used, but you can choose more.

Six to eight implants per arch will give your new smile even more stability. They will also increase the area in which jawbone shrinkage is prevented. The additional implants can be placed right away, or you can choose to wait and have them added later.

This procedure is not for everyone. It must be performed with care and precision to avoid implant mistakes. Speak with a board-certified prosthodontist to find out if All-on-4 implants are right for your case, and to discuss your interest in increasing the number of implants that are placed.

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

Mar 17

Should I switch pediatric dentists?

By Pediatric Dentist

If my daughter cries every time we go to the pediatric dentist, how do I know if the dentist makes her uncomfortable, or if she is afraid of the dentist period? Should I switch dentists? – Thanks Sy

Sy – If your daughter is old enough to understand and respond, you can consider questioning her to ask what she does or does not like about going to the dentist’s office. You can also ask her what makes her cry or what makes her afraid at the dentist’s office.

If your daughter is too young to have this conversation, speak with the pediatric dentist about your concerns. Are you able to go into the treatment room with your daughter? Sometimes this makes children more comfortable.

You can consider having a consultation with another pediatric dentist and taking your daughter with you. Ask questions about what is done to help children relax during their appointments. If your daughter seems more comfortable with the new dentist, you can consider switching, or at least scheduling one appointment with the new dentist to see how your daughter reacts. Don’t be quick to switch dentists until it is clearer what is making your daughter uncomfortable.

This post is sponsored by Naperville Dental Specialists.

Mar 15

Should I get a second opinion from Clear Choice for dental implants?

By Blog

My dentist sent me to an endodontist for 3 missing teeth. I usually get 3 opinions for anything this major and I realize that implants will cost me thousands of dollars. Clear Choice is nearby. I am wondering if I should include them for one of my opinions. thx Jayne

Jayne – You may choose to go to ClearChoice for a second opinion. Just realize that your visit will be a little more time-consuming than at smaller practices, and ClearChoice costs will likely be much higher.

ClearChoice has a sales pitch that prospective patients need to listen to. In addition to watching a video, you will speak with a sales person before speaking with a dentist. The heavy marketing that ClearChoice does increases their overhead costs. Those costs are passed on to the patient. If you choose to see this provider, be prepared to not allow the high-pressure tactics cause you to sign an agreement for implants before you are ready to do so—before getting your third opinion.

We suggest that you include experienced, board-certified implant dentists for your second and third opinions. These dentists have seen hundreds of cases, and can efficiently let you know what is required for your particular case. You will also find that your care is much more personalized, and you won’t be pressured to make a decision right away.

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

Mar 10

4 new crowns and my bite is off. How are crowns adjusted?

By Dental Crowns, General Dentistry

I got 4 new crowns last month on bottom left and right molars. My bite is off and I told my dentist that before she cemented the crowns. I have gone back to the office twice and there is very little difference. It’s too high. What really needs to be done to adjust my bite? Thanks. Patrick

Patrick – After receiving porcelain crowns, it is important that your bite is correctly adjusted. A bite that is too high can cause tooth, jaw, and facial pain and jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ). It can even damage teeth and require root canal treatment.

Your dentist may have you bite down on adjustment paper. Crowns that are too high have more contact with opposing teeth, and tooth imprints on the paper often show where adjustment is needed. Additionally, the crowns and the opposing teeth will be examined, and an occlusal (the way teeth come in contact with opposing teeth) measurement instrument may be used. Certain areas of the biting surface of the crowns may need to be reduced, or the crowns may need to be remade.

You can consider visiting an experienced cosmetic dentist or a prosthodontist for a second opinion. These dentists frequently and effectively place dental crowns. He or she will examine your bite and crowns to determine the cause of the problem and what needs to be done to correct it.

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

Mar 06

Discount dental implants won’t heal and I have an incision opening

By Dental Implants

I got dental discount implants 5 weeks ago. 2 weeks ago I started feeling some discomfort so called the implant surgeon. He said there is probably an opening in the incision line. I have to go back next Tuesday. Is this something that will keep happening and my won’t heal? Omar E.

Omar –

An incision in the gums is made to access the jawbone. After that, an opening is made in the bone to insert the dental implant. Each edge of the gum tissue is sutured, or sewn, together.

Sometimes the incision opens. There are several reasons this can occur, and a few are listed below:

  • Stress on gum tissue – A large area of bone was exposed and a large amount of gum tissue pulled away from it. There was insufficient blood supply to the gum tissue, which can prevent proper healing, or cause the gum tissue to die.
  • Excess bone grafting material – When too much grafting material is used, the sutures can be pulled too tightly around the implant. The gum tissue’s blood supply is cut off, the gums won’t heal, and the suture will open.
  • Medical history – At times, patients with a history of diabetes experience problems with healing in the surgical site.

When you return to your implant surgeon, he or she will examine the surgical site and explain why the incision opened. You will also receive information on what will be done to correct the situation. In part, the resolution depends on the stability of the dental implant.

After you find out how your implant surgeon will correct the problem, you have the option of seeking a second opinion from an experienced implant dentist. We recommend that you find a board-certified prosthodontist. Ask both dentists about the chances of the problem recurring. Compare the responses you receive from each dentist to make an informed decision about your treatment.

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

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