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Monthly Archives

November 2015

Nov 28

Is it okay to switch our son to a hard-bristle toothbrush?

By Pediatric Dentist

I’m asking because he doesn’t want to brush his teeth. We have 4 kids and it’s hard to monitor everyone’s brushing habits for 2 solid minutes. Our 6 yr old can handle a toothbrush well but he hates brushing his teeth. Well, I think the real problem is that he would much rather be doing something else so he brushes quickly and I am not sure that he is really getting his teeth clean. I know that soft toothbrushes are recommended for kids but I am wondering if it’s okay to switch him to a hard tooth brush for a good scrubbing job for the short time that he is willing to brush his teeth. Is it okay to make the switch? Thanks. Lavon

Lavon – The best toothbrushes for children have soft bristles, with rounded ends and fit well into their hands. Soft bristles won’t harm the gums. It is also important to help your son floss between his teeth daily. Only flossing can remove plaque-causing debris that gets trapped between the teeth and gums.

No doubt you are a busy mom. Although it’s difficult to supervise your child for two-minutes of tooth brushing, try to think of ways to get it done. Is there a task you have to perform for other children that can be done in the bathroom while your son brushes his teeth? Will setting a timer help? Or perhaps rewarding your son, creating a game, playing music, or finding another way to make brushing his teeth fun and rewarding will help. Is there another adult or teenager at home that can assist you with ensuring that your son thoroughly brushes his teeth?

Remember that a hard-bristle toothbrush can cause more harm than good on growing teeth, and really would require additional supervision to ensure it’s being done gently. We recommend that you stick with the soft toothbrush for your son, regularly speak with him about the importance of brushing his teeth well, and discuss the problems with his teeth that can result if he doesn’t. Try showing him some yucky pictures of teeth that were not properly flossed and brushed. Select pictures that are not overly gross for his age. You can also ask your son’s pediatric dentist for suggestions, or ask other parents what works for them.

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

Nov 24

3 implants failed. How do I know if my dentist used cheap implants?

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I received 4 dental implants in March of this year. Everything seems to be going okay in June. I noticed some swelling and pain in 3 of them. I scheduled several appointments with my dentist who explained it away by saying sometimes the healing takes longer for some patients than others. This month the implants are starting to get loose and my dentist decided that they are going to fail. Before things got worse, he recommended that they all be removed. The explanation I was given was that for some reason my body is rejecting the implants. I am not sure that there is a basis for this explanation. How do I know if my body is really rejecting the implants? Could it be that cheap implants were used? How can I tell? Thank you. – Andrius

Andrius- You won’t be able to tell if substandard implant fixtures were used. Nor can you determine if your body is rejecting the implants. You need a second opinion—and perhaps a third opinion—from a skilled, experienced implant dentist.

You should request copies of your dental records, including diagnostic studies. The dentist(s) from whom you receive a second or third opinion will use the information, in addition to an exam of your fixtures and the implant sites, to determine why your implants have failed. If necessary, new 3-D x-rays will be taken.

The implant placement, implant fixtures, or your body’s reaction to the implants may be a cause of the failure. Lack of bone density, improper maintenance, smoking, and periodontal (gum) disease can also cause failure. But to be certain of the reason for your case, investigation is needed.

Don’t delay getting the second or third opinions. An infection will worsen until it is treated. If you are still eligible to receive dental implants, after the failed fixtures are removed, there will be a healing period before they can be replaced.

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

 

Nov 20

Looking for a BYOI dentist for implants

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implants

On and off for the past 2 months I have been looking for a BYOI dentist who will install dental implants that I will purchase. I don’t want to do anything crazy like go to Mexico for implants but I am an avid bargain hunter so I am confident that I can find them at a good cost. That has to knock off some of the markup cost for implants that a dentist has. In my google searches I haven’t been able to tell which dentists allow BYOI. Is there a particular way I should search to find one? How much more will I save with this method? What brands of implants does Dr. LaVacca recommend I purchase? Can you provide mid and high end implant brands please? Sorry for all of the questions but I really need implants and I am trying to get them as economically as possible. Thanks. Christopher L.

Christopher – You won’t be able to find an implant dentist who allows patients to bring their own implants. There are far too many risks involved.

A reputable dental implant distributor provides implants to skilled professionals. Patients lack the training and experience required to determine if they are receiving quality dental implants—or the brand of implants you intended to buy. If you bought dental implants, a dentist placed them, and later it was found that the implants are faulty, the dentist would be partially responsible. The implants would need to be removed and replaced with quality implants from the dentist.

Your goal is to receive dental implants and stay within your budget. There are ways, other than purchasing questionable implant s, to reach that goal. The work can be done in phases—depending on how many implants you need—you can receive one or two at a time, pay for them, and plan to receive more implants in the future. Also, payment plans and financing will be available through the dentist.

Schedule consultations with two or three skilled implant dentists to discuss your options for implants, and to find out how they can be made affordable for you.

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

Nov 16

Can you get nanodiamonds with that root canal treatment?

By General Dentistry, Root Canal Treatment

What do diamonds have to do with root canal treatments? More precisely, what do nanodiamonds—byproducts of diamond mining and refining—have to do with this dental procedure?

Yearly, about 15 million root canal treatments are performed in the U.S. alone. During the procedure, infected tooth pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned out and filled. At times, bacteria remain in tips of the root. Bacteria can linger, and a tooth can get infected again. This requires a second root canal treatment.

Gutta percha is the material used to fill a tooth after the infection has been cleaned out. But it’s limited in fighting infection and any remaining bacteria. Researchers from the UCLA School of Dentistry have found that adding nanodiamonds to gutta percha reinforces the filler material. Antibiotic-enhanced nanodiamonds strengthen the filler material and prevent bacterial growth.

What does nanodiamond-enhanced gutta percha mean for patients with root canal treatments?

  • Stronger filler material makes a weak, damaged tooth stronger.
  • Antibiotic-enhanced filler material fights bacteria and reduces the risks for needing future root canal treatments in the same tooth.
  • These combined advantages make it much more likely that a damaged tooth can be permanently saved.

Can you ask your dentist for this innovation in root canal treatment? Not yet. Researchers will spend the next two years refining the process. After that, clinical trials will begin at UCLA. Meanwhile, do what you can to avoid the need for a root canal treatment.

  • If you play sports, wear a mouth guard to protect your mouth and teeth from trauma, which can lead to a root canal treatment.
  • Remove bacteria from your teeth and gums by flossing daily and brushing your teeth twice a day.
  • Limit sugary snacks, food, and drinks, which promote tooth decay.
  • Go easy on your teeth. Only use them to smile and eat. Don’t bite hard or sharp objects, or use your teeth to take off bottle caps or open metal containers.
  • Keep your regularly scheduled appointments for dental cleanings and exams. Early detection is a key to preventing dental issues that require aggressive treatment.

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

Nov 12

Clear Choice rep says I don’t need a second opinion

By Blog

I spent almost 2 hours at Clear Choice last week watching videos, talking to sales people and talking to a Clear Choice doctors. They didn’t keep me there that long, I just had a lot of questions. I was really surprised at the way they took time with me like I was the only person there, and they really had several clients. They were attentive to everyone. When I had all of my questions answered, I felt a little pressure to schedule an appointment to get the implants. Before I went to Clear Choice, I was determined to have consultations with 2 other implant dentists. In fact I have the appointments scheduled already. It was interesting that when I mentioned the 2nd opinion that the whole thing got a little sour. I was told by a rep that a second opinion isn’t necessary. Those were not the words used but the message was clear to me that they had everything I need for implants and there is no need to look any further. I did not schedule the appointment with them and I am keeping my other two consultations. I haven’t made any decision yet. I am just wondering what to expect when I go to the next implant dentist. Will I be pressured again? It’s just a consultation. Is there some unwritten rule of expectations after a consultation that I don’t know about? Thank you. Lloyd

Lloyd – You are correct. A consultation does not require a commitment from the patient. The purpose is to provide you with information about your treatment options, allow you to ask questions, and assist in determining which treatment—and which provider for the treatment—you want.

The majority of dental professionals recognize a patient’s right to get a second opinion—or even to change providers in the middle of treatment. It’s your right.

Our recommendation is that you ensure your consultations are with experienced dental implant providers. Ask about their experience, as well as how many implant procedures, similar to your case, the surgeon has performed. After care and follow-up appointments are necessary and important to the success of your dental implants, so observe how you are treated during your consultation. Your comfort with the office environment and staff should be included in your decision on a provider for your implants.

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

 

Nov 08

1 of my all on 4 implants came out

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I got all on 4 implants in late September. Last week, 1 of them came out completely. Right away I went to the surgeon that put the implants in. Now he says that my jawbone needs some grafting and I have to wait until the original implant spot heals. Does this sound right or can he just put the implant back in and sew it down until it heals? – Uwe

Uwe – Dr. LaVacca needs to examine your implant and jawbone before a second opinion can be provided. Although the All-On-4 procedure was used to anchor your dentures, it is possible that the implant that came out was incorrectly placed.

The size and length of the implants used can determine how stable they are. If implants are too short, or if they are not strong enough, they can dislodge.

Since jawbone grafting is being recommended, it may be that your jawbone needed to be built up before you received implants. If bone grafting is needed, then a healing period at the original implant site is needed.

All-On-4 Implants Second Opinion

In order to receive a satisfactory and accurate answer to your question, we recommend that you get a second—and if necessary, a third—opinion from experienced implant surgeons or prosthodontists. Just as with the All-On-4 placement, your medical history will be reviewed. The implants and jawbone will be examined, and diagnostic studies will be used to help determine what caused the implant to dislodge.

If you have current, post-operative diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI), bring a copy with you. An implant specialist from whom you receive a second opinion may decide that a new imaging studies are needed.

When an implant fails, the resolution isn’t as simple as immediately replacing it. The cause of failure needs to be determined first to prevent the problem from recurring.

Carefully weigh the options presented to you from each of the specialists you visit for a second opinion, before you choose a provider to correct the issue.

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

 

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