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Dr. Anthony LaVacca

Aug 27

Getting kids back on track for a new school year? Don’t forget about their teeth.

By Pediatric Dentist

Getting kids back on track for school? Don’t forget about their teeth.

Backpacks, notebooks, writing instruments, clothing, you name it. There is a long list of things that are needed to help children get back in the swing of things and in the learning mode for school. As you prepare for, or help them adjust to, a new school year, don’t forget about their teeth. What do we mean?

During summer, when kids are on vacation, visiting relatives, home with a sitter, or off to summer camp, their good oral hygiene habits may slip a bit. Now is the time to get them back on track.

Children need to floss between their teeth daily and brush their teeth twice daily. Sounds like a bit much? Did you know that failure to floss regularly can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria between the teeth that, if left untreated, can cause gum disease?

Also, be sure to schedule regular dental cleaning and exams for your children. If your child’s pediatric dentist recommends sealants for deep groves or pits in the teeth, take the recommendation seriously. Most cavities in children’s teeth are found in places that could have been protected by sealants. The process is easy and painless. In minutes, the sealant is painted on the applicable teeth, dried, and your child will be good to go.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, instead of doing an Internet search on an unreliable website, look for official pediatric dentistry websites. And don’t hesitate to contact your dentist’s office.

 

This post is sponsored by Naperville Dental Specialists, the office of Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Aug 23

Dental implants have been nothing but trouble

By Dental Implants

Since the day I got them, my dental implants have been nothing but trouble and I want all of them out. When they started itching I was told that it was part of the healing process. When my gums started swelling 3 months after the surgery, I was told that was part of the healing process. Now I have an infection. These are implants I got in Feb. of this year. Is this part of the healing process too? I can’t count the times I have been back and forth to the oral surgeon with no reasonable answers. What are my options if I just ask him to take them out? Girard

Girard – Your frustration is understandable. The incidents that you describe are of concern. Before you ask the oral surgeon to remove your dental implants, we suggest that you get a second opinion from a long-time prosthodontist with a stellar record of successful implant placement.

In addition to an examination of your implants, gum, and jawbone, diagnostic studies will be needed to determine what went wrong and how. Whether it was the implant fixtures, the placement of the implants, or some other factor, finding out the real issue will help to resolve it correctly.

It will take time to resolve, and removing the implants may be the best option. But even if removal is required, choose your provider carefully. A second opinion will help you do just that. If you feel more comfortable doing so, ask for a consultation with the prosthodontist before the actual exam.

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

 

Aug 19

I don’t think my Invisalign is working

By Invisalign

I’ve had my Invisalign for about 5 weeks. I keep looking at my teeth but they look like they are in the same position as when I started. I don’t think it’s working. Will I be able to get a refund? Thanks Kylie

Kylie – Based on the timeframe you’ve provided, you will soon be switching to your third set of Invisalign aligners. This is too soon to see noticeable results when you look at your smile in the mirror.

Most patients see noticeable results in two to three months. With an average treatment time of a year or more, you are at the beginning stages of treatment. So don’t worry. As the months go by, you will notice the improvement in the alignment of your teeth.

Keep your appointments for checkups and any adjustments needed to your aligners. It will help you attain successful treatment.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Anthony LaVacca of Naperville Dental Specialists.

Aug 15

How affordably can I get an implant for the tooth next to my front tooth?

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I have a tooth missing next to my left front tooth. I want an implant for it and I saw 2 local dentists who gave me a price of around $3000 for the implant and crown. Should I keep looking around and asking dentists for price quotes? How affordably can I get an implant for the tooth next to my front tooth? Thanks. Coleman

Coleman – The cost that you were quoted by both dentists is reasonable. The cost can be slightly lower or higher, depending on where you live in the country.

When you receive comparable estimates for dental implants, the primary concern over affordability should be the skill and experience of the implant dentist. Ask questions about the dentist’s training, experience, and how many successful implant cases he or she has completed.

Understandably, each patient has a budget to consider, but quality, successful dental implants help keep future costs down. Additional costs occur when implants are improperly placed or when implant fixtures are not of the highest quality. Be sure to factor these important issues into your final decision for the provider of your dental implants.

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

Aug 11

What will a prosthodontist charge for incomplete dental implants?

By Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I got a horrible infection from dental implants that were being placed 2 years ago. The whole process of getting everything under control took over a year. I never got the implants. So now I need the surgery done again but I am going to a completely different dentist. I gave up trying to get reimbursed for the work that wasn’t completed. I am just moving forward. I am wondering how much a prosthodontist will charge me to complete the dental implants. Thanks. Joan C.

Joan – An experienced prosthodontist will need to examine your implant sites and do diagnostic studies to determine what needs to be done to complete the procedure.

The extent of the work left and anything that may need to be corrected will factor into the cost. Schedule an appointment for a consultation with a few prosthodontists to discuss your options. Keep in mind that cost can only be determined after an examination and digital x-rays.

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

Jul 22

Why would a dentist recommend all on 4 if I can afford single implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants

I am one of the people who is fortunate enough to have enough savings for single implants. It is a blessing from God that I don’t take for granted. The dentist I saw prefers to do all on 4 instead of single implants. I even suggested doing 8 implants instead of 4 but she keeps referring back to all on 4. I am not understanding why this is happening. Can you give me a clue? Thanks. Violet

Violet – We cannot be certain as to why All-on-4 dental implants are being recommended for your case. It is possible that you lack enough jawbone density for individual implants. The All-on-4 procedure eliminates the need for bone grafting to build up your jawbone.

In any case, you should be given options and explanations of the pros and cons for each of them. A second opinion from a skilled implant dentist may help you to understand why your dentist recommends All-on-4. Or you may learn that individual implants are a good option for you.

If you can receive them, individual implants will provide the most natural-looking and natural-feeling results. You will feel as if you have all of your natural teeth again. The final decision is yours, but a second opinion—and a third opinion, if necessary—can give you the information you need to make a confident decision about your treatment.

 

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

Jul 18

Pediatric dentist wants sealants on my daughter’s primary teeth

By General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentist

I took my daughter to a new pediatric dentist, and she is recommending sealants on all of the molar teeth. May daughter is 6 years old, so these are primary teeth. Is this really necessary? Thanks.Aubrey

 

Aubrey – A pediatric dentist’s recommendation for dental sealants is to protect the teeth—even if they are your daughter’s primary teeth. Primary teeth reserve the position for permanent teeth and help guide them to the proper position.

An examination likely reveals that your daughter’s molar teeth are susceptible to cavities, if the hasn’t already had a history of cavities. Sealants are a proactive step to prevent cavities. The sealant will be painted onto the molar teeth. It will harden and bond to the teeth to protect them from acids and bacteria that promote decay.

Sealants are also beneficial for adults who have deep pits and crevices in their molar teeth, and help guard against decay.

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

Jul 14

Should my dental implants itch?

By Dental Implants

If I’ve had dental implants for 8 months should they still be itching? They don’t all itch, but 2 out of the 5 itch pretty bad. Thanks. Ron

 Ron – Swelling, pain, and itching at the implant site is normal as your dental implants heal. Itching is part of the healing process.

If you’ve had your implants for eight months, itching should not be an issue. There may be some irritation or an allergic reaction that is causing the itching. The only way to identify the cause of the problem is to have the implants examined by your implant surgeon.

Don’t delay the examination. If the problem is due to sensitivity to the implants, prompt attention can prevent the problem from getting worse.

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

 

Jul 10

Can she use sewing thread instead of floss?

By General Dentistry

My sister is a seamstress and has more sewing thread than she can every use. She finally decided that she is going to floss her teeth regularly, so somehow she got the idea that she can use the thread instead of buying floss. I told her that floss is inexpensive and it is made for the teeth. Is it okay to use sewing thread instead of floss? – T.C.

T.C. – Sewing thread is designed made for sewing fabric, and floss is specifically designed to clean between our teeth. Sewing thread is not sterile, nor is it meant for use in the mouth.

Sewing thread can get break, get stuck between teeth, and be harsh on gums. Floss glides alongside the teeth and between teeth and gums to remove trapped food particles. Clean floss should be used daily and thrown way after use. Used floss is not as effective and can reintroduce bacteria in your mouth.

If your sister is still insists that it is okay to use sewing thread instead of floss, you can suggest that she speaks with her dental hygienist or her dentist about the issue.

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

Jun 29

What’s the best age to have my wisdom teeth removed?

By General Dentistry, Wisdom Teeth

What’s the best age to have my wisdom teeth removed? I want them out before they start causing me problems. – Mauricio

Mauricio – Your wisdom teeth may not need to be extracted if they completely erupt, are pain free, cavity free, and free of disease.

When your jawbone is too small and there isn’t enough room for wisdom teeth to erupt completely, the teeth will be impacted. An impacted tooth can cause infection in other teeth, and it can cause other teeth to shift and become misaligned.

If it becomes difficult to clean between your teeth, food and debris can get trapped. The resulting bacteria can lead to gum disease.

Wisdom teeth that are impacted, painful, have cavities or are promoting gum disease, or that are harmful to adjacent teeth, should be surgically removed to prevent further damage.

During your regular dental cleanings and examinations, your dentist will examine your wisdom teeth to determine if they are healthy, or if they need to be removed. Let your dentist know if any of your wisdom teeth become painful.

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

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