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June 2016

If my All on 4 implants are healed, can I smoke every now and then?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I got All on 4 implants in January 2015. Before I got the implants my surgeon told me that I had to quit smoking, so I did quit. I wanted to implants to heal correctly and I just found out 2 weeks ago that they are completely healed and everything is fine. I have actually enjoyed the benefits of not smoking. I feel healthier and my skin looks better. Part of my smoking though, was for social reasons. I still hang out with the same guys. After a few rounds of golf we get a few drinks and smoke cigars. I have been tempted to smoke a few times lately. Now that the implants are healed can I smoke every now and then with minimal risk? Thanks. David C.

David – Any smoking, whether it’s long- or short-term, can increase the risk of dental implant failure—even if the implants have already healed.

Smoking poses a risk for dental implants becauseit can cause gum irritation and inflammation. The inflammation promotes periodontal, or gum, disease. If these problems occur around the dental implants, it can cause an infection and implant failure.

Blood flow is also restricted when you smoke. Sufficient blood flow is needed for healthy gums and jawbone. Healthy gums and jawbone are essential for the longevity of All-On-4 dental implants.

It is possible that you can smoke during social occasions and maintain healthy gums, but is it worth the risk? There is no way of determining when or how your gums will be affected by smoking. Smoking socially increases the risk of completely returning to the habit.

We advise that you remain a non-smoker. Your oral health and the longevity of your dental implants will only benefit from it.

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

Prosthodontist or another dentist for a broken implant?

By Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

 

I didn’t know about a prosthodontist until I found your website on my Google search for failed dental implants. I think you may be able to advise me on my situation: My dentist sent me to a oral surgeon to get a implant. The surgeon did a beautiful job on the bone grafting and implant. I went back to my dentist in October to get the crown. Something just didn’t feel write when he was putting it on. Anyway the implant hurts and it is loose. So of course I didn’t go back to my dentist, I went to another one to take a look at it and he said yes it is loose and he can refer me to an endodontist to fix it. Hmm. Then I am going to have to go back to my dentist to get a crown on it which is how this started in the first place. I didn’t have any trouble until my dentist put the crown on. What should I do? – Helena

Helena– Find a dentist who is trained in implantology, such as a prosthodontist. You may need to have bone grafted to ensure the implant is stable, but the problem can be corrected.

Check the credentials of the dentist to see if he or she has extensive training specific to dental implants. You can check for credentials from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists or the American Board of Oral Implantology. Ask questions and express your concerns about the placement of your crown.

An advantage of receiving dental implants from a prosthodontist is that he or she completes every place of the process. Diagnostic studies, planning, surgery, and crown placement are all completed by the same specialists. Prosthodontists have extensive experience in implant placement and can often provide more predictable outcomes.

Schedule consultations with two or three implant dentists, and include a prosthodontist as a second or third opinion. We know this situation has been a disappointment for you, and we wish you the best on your future treatment.

 

Is it safe to get affordable dental implants from a dental school?

By Dental Implants

I have been to Clear Choice and 4 implant dentists trying to get the most affordable dental implants I can without compromising on quality. I know implants can fail because I’ve had 2 that failed already. I have divorced myself from the previous dentist and am back in the hunt for a competent dentist and surgeon. It has been 4 years since I had my implant failure and I have been hesitant to jump back in too soon. Just in the past 4 years I have seen a rise in the cost and I am starting to get worried that I might have to get a bridge instead of implants. I was talking about the issue with a friend and he suggested a dental school. To me, it sounds like a bunch of rookies trying to get it right and I am the guinea pig. Is a dental school really a safe place to go to get implants I can afford? Thanks Vince.

 

Vince,

Many people who want affordable dental implants consider a dental school. Dental schools are highly regulated. Each student’s work is monitored and reviewed by an instructor. So it may seem like the perfect place to receive quality implants for less.

There is limited on the success rate of dental implants performed by dental students. A study conducted at Oregon Health and Science University – Advanced Education Program in Periodontics shows a 95.8 success rate for dental students. Periodontists are specialists, so these students are spending an extra two years of study that includes training in implantology. The study on implant success rate did not indicate the year of post-graduate study or training for the dental students in the survey. Some patients specifically request the most advanced students, but there is no guarantee the request will be granted.

There is plenty of data on experienced implant dentists. It may be helpful to know what highly skilled implant dentists have a 98% success rate. If you choose to receive the service from a dental school, keep in mind that the success rate isn’t as great.

An additional thought is that since you have a history of dental implant failure, you can benefit from the expertise of a skilled implant dentist or prosthodontist. He or she will thoroughly review your dental history and records to make every attempt to identify the previous cause of failure and avoid it.

Speak with skilled dentist about payment plans and financing to help make implants affordable for you. Be certain not to compromise quality for cost.

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

How often do pediatric dentists take x-rays?

By Pediatric Dentist, X-rays

Is it normal practice to give kids x-rays with every 6 month checkup? Whenever I take my kids to the pediatric dentist the x-rays are done. Our insurance only pays for yearly x-rays, but the dentist does it twice a year. I am not really used to this. We’ve had this dentist 2 years and no previous dentist did x-rays twice a year. Of course I asked about it and I was told that it’s their normal practice. The radiation exposure on my kids makes me nervous. I have three kids under the age of 8 and I think they are too young for frequent unnecessary x-rays. I want to call ahead before the next dental cleaning to ask the office to waive the x-rays. I don’t want it to be an issue when I arrive. I am just wondering if this office is an exception to the usual yearly x-ray rate. If so maybe I need to switch to a new dentist. – Xaria W.

Xaria- The most common practice is for x-rays to be completed yearly. Some pediatric dentists increase the rate to every six months—particularly with children you are cavity prone. X-rays can assist with early detection of tooth decay. Early detection can help prevent the need for a filling, or only a small filling may be needed, as opposed to deep decay that requires a dental crown. Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to tell you if it’s their practice for all patients, or if there is a specific reason that your children’s x-rays are being done more frequently.

Digital dental x-rays emit low levels of radiation. The level is equivalent to receiving rays from the sun after standing outside for a few minutes. Today’s x-rays have 80% less exposure to radiation than traditional film x-rays. Although the exposure level is low, patients are protected with a lead apron.

Insurance companies provide benefits for adequate preventive care, including x-rays. If more frequent care is needed, patients pay out of pocket. If your children need more frequent x-rays, but your insurance plan won’t cover the additional diagnostic studies, we recommend that you put your children’s oral health first.

If you call in advance as planned, you can find out why more frequent x-rays are being recommended. If you are skeptical about the reason given, you can opt to receive a second opinion from another pediatric dentist.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Anthony LaVacca for Innovative Pediatric Dentistry in Naperville.

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Is this quote Chicago Clear Choice really how much implants cost?

By Blog

I am in need of some serious dental work. I just retired after 30 years at my company. I have limited dental insurance and I need dental implants. I went to Clear Choice dental and they quoted me $30,000-$40,000 to do dental implants. I can’t do that with my budget. I picked Clear Choice because it is obviously a large practice. I like the feel of having multiple doctors in a practice in case something goes wrong or my doctor isn’t available. At least there is someone else that can pick up where my doctor left off. I guess I want to know is if that price from Clear Choice is really what the implants are going for and if I can get them for less. – Alan

Alan – Your case needs to be examined by a skilled implant dentist to get an accurate second opinion on the recommendation and estimated cost you received from Chicago Clear Choice.

There are so many factors that affect the cost of implants. Your bone density, the type of implants used, the number of implants you need, the implant crowns, the implant surgery—all contribute to the cost of your dental implants. And other factors can affect the cost.

You will be able to find an implant dentist who will address your concerns and let you know your treatment options. Most dental insurance plans provide very little benefits, if any at all, for dental implants. Many implant dentists offer no-interest financing or payment plans, which can make treatment more affordable for you.

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

Do her dental implants need to be redone?

By Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

My wife had 6 dental implants done in the Philippines. We stayed for 3 days for a follow up appt. to make sure everything looked good. When we got back to the states, after just 5 weeks 2 upper implants and two lower implants are very loose. 4 out of 6 doesn’t sound like good odds to us. She is afraid to eat anything other than soft foods because she is afraid that they may come completely loose and she chokes on them. The implant dentist said that she had enough jawbone density for the implants. We don’t understand why this is happening. I hate to see her suffer like this. Neither of us want to go back to the Philippines even though the doctor there is willing so see her and fix whatever is wrong. Of course he is the one that caused the problem so do we really want to return? What do you suggest? Do her dental implants need to be redone?Thank you very much. Ted R.

Ted – Your wife’s experience is very unfortunate. It does underscore the importance of finding a highly-skilled and trained implant dentist who uses high-quality implant fixtures.

When dental implants are loose, it is possible that cheap implant fixtures were used. A cheap implant fixture can cost $3 to $5, but a quality fixture that has been thoroughly tested costs $300 to $500.

There are hundreds of companies that make dental implants, but only six of them produce implants that meet the high standards of the American Dental Association and the Food and Drug Administration. Cheap implant fixtures are more likely to results in implant mistakes or failure, resulting in implants that loosen and cause infection.

Another possibility is that the dental implants for your wife were improperly placed. Extensive diagnostic studies and careful planning are required to properly place implants.

We suggest that choose a skilled implant dentist or prosthodontist in the U.S. to examine your wife’s dental implants. He or she will recommend the appropriate treatment to correct the situation. Look for implant dentists who are associated with the American Board of Oral Implantology or the International Congress of Oral Implantology. If your second opinon doesn’t thoroughly address the issue may even be helpful to get a third opinion

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

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