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Dr. Anthony LaVacca

Jun 05

Will dentures flush down the toilet?

By Dentures

Will dentures flush down the toilet? I’m serious. That’s all these dentures are worth and I don’t want to see them again. I need to start all over. The denture center ripped me off. My gums hurt but the dentures are too loose. Does that make any sense? I just don’t want to cause any plumbing problems when I flush them. I want to be sure they will go straight to the sewer. To say I’m furious is an understatement. I only wear them when I have to leave the house and I’ve been staying in more than usual because of the frustration. Can I flush them straight down the toilet or do I have to go out and find a sewage drain to thrown them in? Malcom

Malcom – Your frustration is clear and understandable. But it’s not safe for your plumbing system to flush your dentures down the toilet. They would cause you even more trouble and money, and make you angrier. Before you throw your dentures out, we have a few questions you should consider.

  • How old are your dentures? – If they are new, don’t throw them out. They might need to be relined or remade. New oral appliances should have a warranty. If your dentures are more than five years old, depending on the quality, it might be time to replace them.
  • Did you purchase budget or high-quality dentures? – Were your dentures unusually inexpensive? If so, poor quality oral appliances don’t last long. If you received high-quality dentures, perhaps the bite is off, they need to be relined, or they should be remade.
  • What adjustments have been made to give them a better fit? – Have you taken the dentures back to the dental center? If not, ask for them to be examined, and describe the issues you are having. If they are still under warranty, they should be corrected with little or no cost to you.
  • When did you first start wearing dentures? – Depending on how long you’ve been wearing them, you might have experienced jawbone shrinkage. Bone shrinkage naturally occurs after many years of missing all of your teeth and wearing dentures. If that’s the case, it won’t be long before new dentures loosen. Implant overdentures will provide more stability and give you a better fit.

Before You Toss Your Dentures

Throwing your dentures away will leave you without a way to eat and speak correctly. Ensure you at least receive a temporary solution before you get rid of them altogether. Visit an experienced prosthodontist or implant dentist for an accurate assessment of what needs to be done to ensure you receive dentures that look natural and function well.

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

May 30

Three Things You Should Know about Dry Mouth

By Oral Health

Dry mouth (xerostomia) has several causes. If your mouth is consistently dry, the symptoms can be annoying or startling. In addition to having a dry mouth, you might experience the following signs and symptoms:

Dry Mouth Signs and Symptoms

  • Bad breath
  • Burning sensation in the mouth
  • Choking
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty talking
  • Gasping for air
  • Sensitivity to acidic or spicy foods
  • Swollen glands

Oral Examination

Depending on the results of your examination, along with your symptoms, two different tests can be performed.

Saliva production test

Your dentist can provide an oral examination to determine your saliva production. You will be asked to spit into a cup over 5 to 15 minutes. Or a suction device will be used to extract saliva from your mouth.  If your saliva production is below average, another test might be scheduled.

Salivary gland function scan

The medical term for the scan is parotid gland scintigraphy. The scan is performed in a hospital imaging department or an out-patient facility. What’s involved?

  • You will receive an injection of low-level radioactive tracer.
  • You’ll sit in front of a gamma scintillation camera, which will detect the progression of the radioactive marker in your glands and take pictures of the glands.
  •  After 45 minutes, you’ll be given a lemon drop or something similarly sour that will cause your salivary glands to empty.
  • After your glands empty, more images will be taken.

The scan will find the cause of decreased saliva production, including these possibilities:

  • Inflammation
  • A tumor
  • A cyst
  • An infection
  • A blocked salivary duct
  • Sjögren’s syndrome

Other Causes of Dry Mouth

In addition to the causes listed above, dry mouth can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Breathing through your mouth
  • Cancer treatment – particularly head or neck radiation therapy
  • Certain medications prescribed for:
    • Acid reflux or stomach acid
    • Acne
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Asthma
    • Convulsions
    • Depression
    • High blood pressure
    • Muscle cramps
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Sleep disorder
  • Dehydration
  • Diabetes
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hypertension
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Smoking

Are You Experiencing Dry Mouth?

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of dry mouth, schedule an appointment with your dentist for an exam and the first stage of testing. Your dentist and medical doctor will work together to find the cause and appropriate treatment.

 

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

May 19
diamond-Lil-Wayne-teeth

Are Lil Wayne’s teeth dental implants or a grill?

By Dental Implants

Are Lil Wayne’s teeth dental implants or a grill? Have you seen the itsy bitsy teeny weeny diamonds on his teeth? Who is right? Me or my brother?  I say it’s a grill and my brother thinks it’s his real teeth. I figured an expert can look at pictures of those teeth and be able to tell what they really are. I think Rhianna wrote that song about shine bright like a diamond after having dreams about Lil Wayne’s teeth. LOL. But seriously. Me and my brother have a bet. Can you tell the truth about his teeth and how many carats of diamonds are on them? Terrance

Terrance – There are lots of questions about how Lil Wayne could get diamonds on his natural teeth. Many people think they have to be dental implants or a grill.

What Lil Wayne Has Said about His Teeth

In a 2010 interview, Jimmy Kimmel brought up the subject. Lil Wayne’s response was, “No, it’s not a grill because c…come out…Imma die with these. These are my teeth…” After Jimmy asked if the teeth could be switched out, Lil Wayne responded, “I can go to the dentist and switch them out, but it’s surgery.”
Check out the interview in the video below:

The rapper’s response provides clues:

  • If surgery is involved, his teeth might really be diamond-embedded dental implants.
  • His natural teeth could have been altered to embed diamonds in them.
  • If his teeth really aren’t removable, he might not be wearing a grill, unless of course, the grill was bonded on.

The dentist who provided Lil Wayne with the diamond-studded smile used to have several pages on his website dedicated to the rapper. Although the pages have been removed from the dentist’s website, they can still be accessed through Wayback machine. The pages confirm the dentist’s involvement, but they don’t reveal the actual work that was done. It’s illegal to reveal a patient’s medical or dental history.

Lil Wayne himself might not know the details of the procedure, but he does acknowledge that permanent dental work was completed to bling out his smile. Although we haven’t seen his teeth face-to-face, the photos look as if he might have a permanent grill or a dental bridge. The star says that surgery would be required to change his teeth.

Consider these facts that seem to point more toward a grill than dental implants:

  • Replacing crowns on dental implants doesn’t require surgery, but the rapper said surgery would be needed to remove the bling.
  • There is supporting evidence from a 2010 online news article that featured the dentist who created the flashy smile. The article first refers to the dentist’s services including dental implants, and later it states, “Requests for diamond grill work are more rare.” Hmm. Why the reference to diamond grill work? We can’t be sure, but it makes us wonder.

The verdict is still out on whether the rapper has dental implants or a grill. Although we don’t have information on how many carats of diamonds are on his teeth, he reportedly paid $150,000 for the sparkle.

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

May 15

Pediatric dentist doesn’t know how to fix my son’s teeth with bonding

By Pediatric Dentist

I took my son to the pediatric dentist after he chipped 3 of his top front teeth while playing basketball. He is 14 yrs old. Caps aren’t necessary and there was no internal damage to his teeth. The dentist basically said, “No problem. I can make it look like his teeth were never chipped.” She was so confident that I didn’t ask any questions about how much bonding experience she has or anything. Last week my son got the bonding. When the dentist was finished, I thought it was a joke. It looks like she didn’t even try to match the bonding with my son’s teeth and it’s lumpy. I wanted to cry for my son, but I was trying to be strong for him. Truthfully, it’s the hottest mess I’ve ever seen. I can’t ask her to do it over because I don’t trust her.  How do we get the bonding off? I would rather see my son with chipped teeth than globs of bonding that look like gravel on his teeth. Thanks. Tabitha

Tabitha – Your son’s experience is unfortunate. Chipped teeth can be traumatic enough, but when a pediatric dentist tries to restore them, and it goes bad, it can make the situation worse.

You won’t be able to remove the bonding. If you try to, it can damage your son’s teeth even further. We recommend that you find a pediatric dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry, or find a cosmetic dentist who accepts teenagers as patients.

A cosmetic dentist has a variety of composite colors and tools to ensure the restoration is seamless. That’s something you won’t find in the vast majority of pediatric dental offices. The good news is that chairside bonding can be completed in a single appointment. After you find a trained cosmetic dentist, your son can leave the office with a restored smile and more confidence.

Schedule consultations with two cosmetic dentists first. It will help you select the right dentist to remove the bumpy bonding and conceal your son’s chipped teeth.

You can kindly explain to your son’s pediatric dentist that it’s important to you and your son for the restoration to be invisible. A reasonable pediatric dentist will understand.

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

May 09

My dentist isn’t offering more affordable dental implants if they have to be redone

By Affordable Dental Implants

Shouldn’t I be offered more affordable dental implants if they have to be redone? I first got implants in July of last year. They didn’t heal right so my dentist said she has to do them over and I was quoted full price for the new set. This is three dental implants that I have to pay for all over again. I asked my dentist about it and she explained that the same things have to be done all over again that were done in the first place and on top of it all, she has to remove the old implants and she isn’t charging for that. This is beginning to sounds suspicious to me. Should I really have to pay for the implants to be redone? I’m not sure what went wrong anyway. Every time my dentist tries to explain it, it sounds like a bunch of garbage. I’m starting not to trust her. Thanks. Annette

Annette – The usual healing period for dental implants is 6-12 months after surgery. You’re still within the normal healing period, so if your dentist is saying your implants need to be redone, it’s your right as a patient to be told why. We understand that you’ve already spent a lot of money for the procedure and would want affordable dental implants, but don’t agree to having them replaced yet.

The cause of dental implant failure needs to be determined to prevent the same issue after you have them replaced. If your dentist is at fault, not only should you receive more affordable dental implants, you shouldn’t have to pay at all to have them replaced. But be cautious about having your current dentist do the work.

Before You Ask for More Affordable Dental Implants

Before you ask your dentist to replace your dental implants for a lower fee, we suggest the following:

  • Ask your dentist why your dental implants need to be replaced. Listen carefully to her explanation, and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.
  • Before you have the implants redone, get a second opinion from an experienced implant surgeon or prosthodontist. It’s unclear what went wrong, so please schedule an appointment for an examination and diagnostic studies to help determine the real issue.
  • We recommend that you not move forward with replacing the dental implants without knowing what went wrong and how the problem can be avoided in the future.

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

 

Apr 30

Is surgery usually recommended for gum disease?

By Gum Disease, Oral Health

I have 4 crowns that I got in 2002. My gums are inflamed around all of the crowns. The inflammation became noticeable in January. My dentist has tried antibacterial liquid. She asked me to start flossing 2 times a day. The gums around my natural teeth are fine. It’s just the teeth that have crowns that are presenting the problem. My dentist is suggesting gum surgery to trim my gum tissue. She says it might not work but if there is a problem with the way the crowns fit, trimming my gums will help. I’m wondering why after 15 years there would be a problem with the way my gums fit. For some reason, after examining my teeth and gums my dentist is confident that I don’t have gum disease. That’s somewhat of a relief but I am wondering what’s going on. If she isn’t sure that gum surgery will work, why is she recommending it? Is this normal procedure? Thanks. Norm

Norm – Gum inflammation that is around teeth with crowns, but not around your natural teeth, can result from several issues.

Some possible causes are listed below, but in each case, the reaction would be immediate. It wouldn’t take 15 years to surface:

  • The area around the crowns wasn’t thoroughly cleaned and left free of cement.
  • The crowns don’t fit correctly.
  • The crowns fit too deeply below the gumline.

Other possibilities that are not necessarily immediate include:

  • Metal sensitivity to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
  • Periodontal (gum disease) that can be related to your oral health or your general health.

If you have gum disease, the treatment includes regular, deep cleanings to remove plaque and bacteria from the pockets between your teeth and gums. Gum surgery is not the first resort. If your dentist doesn’t understand how to address the problem, you should be referred to a periodontist—a specialist in gum tissue.

Your dentist hasn’t referred you to a periodontist, so it’s probably best to find one on your own. You can look for online reviews or call other dentists’ office to ask which periodontists they use for their own patients. Don’t allow your dentist’s lack of understanding to delay you from getting help.

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

Apr 27

Will All-On-4 Implants Conflict with My Metal Allergies?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

I have metal allergies and I’m wondering how I would react with All on 4 dental implants. Since 2001 I’ve worn dentures and I’ve started noticing some bone shrinkage and difficulty keeping my dentures in. I went to an implant dentist who recommended All on 4. Whenever any dental treatment is recommended to me, I ask about the metal. I’m told that titanium is used for the implant fixtures. The implant dentist quickly said that it won’t be any problem but I’m not sure that he understands metal allergies. My ears, neck, and wrists easily break out from jewelry. I switched to cotton cord jewelry and I only wear sterling silver post earrings. I’m going to get a second opinion, I think. Before I schedule anything, I’m wondering if you know anything about dental implants and how they work for people with metal allergies. I can’t move forward with a maybe it will be okay. Thank you. Madeleine

Madeleine – If you have a metal allergy, it usually presents in a reaction like hives or anaphylactic shock. Your description of breaking out only in places where you’re wearing jewelry is a localized reacation—not throughout your body—so it’s considered a metal sensitivity. It’s unlikely that All-On-4 implants will present a problem.

Nickel is the most common metal that causes sensitivities. The fact that you can tolerate sterling silver suggests that your sensitivity is mainly to nickel. You might have other metal sensitivities that you’ve been tested for or are aware of.

So what should you consider?

  • Visit an allergist to be tested for metal allergists.
  • Ask your implant dentist about the composition of the All-On-4 implant fixtures that will be used in your case. It makes a difference whether the fixtures are all titanium or titanium alloy.
  • It might help to get a second opinion from an experienced implant dentist. Find a prosthodontist or implant surgeon who has successfully placed at least hundreds of implants.

Most manufacturers list the composition of implant fixtures on the packaging. An implant dentist who uses high-quality fixtures will have no problem identifying the composition of the fixtures for you.

Ensure you’re comfortable with the response you get regarding your metal concerns before you get All-On-4 or any other type of implants and before you select a provider.

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

Apr 23

Can a prosthodontist find out why CEREC crowns messed up my bite?

By Prosthodontist

I have been to 3 CEREC dentists and nobody can figure out why my bite has been off since I got the crowns. Would a prosthodontist do anything differently or should I just get new crowns? These crowns are 5 months old. The first dentist who placed the crowns talked a good game before I got the crowns but after I pressed him about why my bite is off and why my teeth hurt, he admitted that he has only been during CEREC for 7 months. He lied to me before I got the crowns. When I asked him about his first claim to have been doing for CEREC for years, he said that I must have understood. He has been doing crowns for 7 years but CEREC crowns for 7 months. This was no misunderstanding. My wife was with me when we discussed getting these crowns and she remembers the dentist saying 7 years for CEREC. I quit that dentist and have been to 2 other dentists to figure out what’s going on with my bite. I thought this was standard procedure to place crowns and get the bite right but evidently not. My good friend’s wife is a dental hygienist and she suggested that I see a prosthodontist. Is this really going to make a difference? What will done differently? Thanks. Blake

Blake – Most likely, the CEREC dentists you visited are general dentists. A prosthodontist is a specialist with two years of post-graduate training in tooth restoration. Prosthodontists receive extensive education in occlusion, or the way your teeth fit together when you bite down. You will receive a thorough examination of your crowns and natural teeth to determine why your bite is off.

Crown construction – Your prosthodontist will ensure that impressions of your teeth were properly taken to ensure the crowns were properly sized.

Natural tooth structure – Each natural tooth is tapered to allow the crown to fit securely over it. If your teeth weren’t tapered enough, the crowns can sit to high.

Internal condition of teeth – When your bite is off from crowns, it stresses and puts pressure on your natural teeth. The pressure can cause damage to tooth nerves or pulp—the living tissue inside your teeth.

After your visits to three different dentists without a resolution, it’s time to see a prosthodontist. If there is a board-certified dentist in your area, his or her expertise will benefit your case. A board-certified specialist has completed rigorous testing and submitted patient cases that prove his or her skill.

Don’t delay getting a second opinion. Prolonged pressure on your teeth from an improper bite can create even more problems.

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

Apr 19

My affordable dental implant is crooked. Shouldn’t it be redone?

By Affordable Dental Implants

I got an affordable dental implant and it’s crooked. This implant wasn’t cheap but it was more affordable than implants from most of the other dentists I contacted. I didn’t go with the cheapest one because I was afraid that it wouldn’t really be any good. So the surgery was done in February but the implant is crooked. I didn’t notice myself that the implant is crooked but I started feeling pain in the tooth in front of it. It was more like a toothache. I went to my dentist and he did an x-ray. He said it looks like his partner put the implant in at a slight tilt. I’m not sure why my dentist didn’t notice it because he put the crown on himself. Anyway I’m still having pain. So far, nothing has been done yet. My dentist says he needs to talk with his partner. I’m not sure what a discussion would be about. If the thing is tilted and the tooth in front of it hurts, the only thing that makes sense to me is that it needs to be taken out and put in the right space. It’s not an affordable dental implant anymore because it has cost me a lot of time and money taking off work and going back and forth to the dentist, and it’s not even fixed yet. Shouldn’t it be redone? Thanks Reilly

Reilly – You’re right. Your affordable dental implant needs to be removed and replaced. Insufficient training in implantology can result in improper placement.

You should choose your implant surgeon carefully. There is a multi-step process for a successful outcome.

Three-dimensional x-rays – The diagnostic studies will help to determine if the issue was a misjudgment of where the implant should be placed or if there is inadequate jawbone density to support the implant. Lack of jawbone density will cause the implant to shift.

Surgical removal of the implant – Your implant needs to be carefully removed to prevent nerve damage or damage to nearby teeth.

Implant replacement – The extraction site will need to heal. You might require bone grafting to support the implant. If you need bone grafting, it will need to heal and bond to your natural bone before the replacing the implant fixture. Your new dental implant will need to be placed with precision.

We suggest that you schedule a consultation with board-certified prosthodontist. Prosthodontists are specialists in tooth restoration and replacement. You can receive an accurate diagnosis and learn about your treatment options. Affordable dental implants don’t have to be problematic. But you must carefully choose the right provider.

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

Apr 11
pediatric-dentist-xray-child-blog

Should the pediatric dentist do x-rays on a 4 year old?

By Pediatric Dentist

Starting at age 2 I take all of my kids to the pediatric dentist. X-rays are not something that any of my older children got when they were so young. But my youngest daughter is now 4 years old. Over the past 2 dental checkups, she has had 4 cavities. On her last appointment, our pediatric dentist took x-rays. I know she is concerned about the cavities, but why can’t she just fill the teeth without the x-rays. Naturally, I’m concerned about the radiation on a young child. Is it normal to do x-rays on young kids? I’m not really sure why my daughter is getting cavities. I don’t give my kids sugar at all and I make sure all of their teeth are brushed and flossed every day. I’m just concerned. What’s your take on the x-rays? Simone

Simone – Your concern about your children’s oral health and overall health is completely understandable. Your daughter’s pediatric dentist likely took x-rays for good reasons.

Reasons a Pediatric Dentist Might Take X-rays

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) doesn’t have set guidelines on age for dental x-rays. The Guideline on Prescribing Dental Radiographs for Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Persons with Special Health Care Needs states that diagnostic studies should be based on each patient’s needs, not on age alone.

The AAPD has recommendations for when dental x-rays for a child patient might be needed, regardless of age. The recommendations are based on certain conditions, some of which are listed below:

  • A history of dental caries, or cavities – Posterior bitewing x-rays every 6 to 12 months if the teeth can’t be examined visually or with a probe.
  • Tooth pain or trauma
  • Family history of unusual dental issues
  • Periodontal (gum) disease
  • Loose teeth
  • Unexplained bleeding or sensitivity
  • Unusual characteristics of teeth, including abnormal eruption, growth/development, color, or other unusual factors
  • Erosion
  • Swelling

Some Interesting Facts

  • There is minimal radiation exposure with dental x-rays.
  • Every year, we are exposed to natural background radiation from air, wind, water, the ground, and other environmental factors. Millisievert (mSv) is the measurement used for radiation exposure.
  • The mSv of natural background radiation is greater than the exposure from dental x-rays.
  • Visit the Image Gently website for a comparison chart of natural background radiation and dental x-rays.

Safety First

Although dental x-rays are safe, extra care is taken with radiographs for children. For example:

  • X-rays are not given as a routine, but only when necessary.
  • Patients are protected with a thyroid shield and an apron to minimize exposure.
  • Exposure parameters are set as slow as possible.
  • X-ray exposure time is shortened because children have smaller teeth than adults.

Speak with your children’s pediatric dentist for additional information on why x-rays are needed for your daughter. Learn about the safety precautions that are taken to minimize your daughter’s exposure. Cooperate with the dentist to help identify underlying causes of the recurring cavities to help limit future cavities and improve your daughter’s oral health.

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

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