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Dr. Anthony LaVacca

Jun 21

My crown is loose

By Dental Crowns, Prosthodontist

My crown has been loose since the day I got it in early May. My dentist has checked it twice and says nothing is wrong with it. It just needs to settle in. How long is the adjustment period? I asked him that question but didn’t get a straight answer. Thanks Jonathan.

Jonathan – If your crown is loose, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to check your bite, the crown, and the tooth to which the crown is bonded.

At no point should a sound dental crown be loose. There is no adjustment period for a loose crown. If you leave the issue untreated, it can put stress on the crown, the tooth beneath it, and the teeth that come in contact with the crowned tooth when you chew.

You can consider getting a second opinion from an experienced prosthodontist. An examination will be needed to identify the problem and the most effective way to treat it.

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

Jun 17

Can grinding my teeth really make them break if I don’t wear a night guard?

By General Dentistry, TMJ

My dental cleaning appointment was yesterday. When the dentist examined my teeth he told me that I am putting too much stress on them, probably from grinding my teeth at might. He also said that I need a night guard and that if I keep putting it off my teeth will break. Is this true? – Randy

Randy – A night guard absorbs the pressure on your teeth that comes from grinding and clenching them. It protects your teeth from fracture. Fractured teeth are weakened teeth, so if the grinding and clenching continue, you can wear away your teeth and cause them to crack.

Headaches, toothaches, and neck pain are often improved with a custom-fitted night guard. A custom fit from your dentist provides the protection needed based on your bite (the way your teeth fit together). A store-bough night guard won’t give you the same results.

The jaw joints are also protected with a night guard, which helps the muscles relax while you sleep. If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, they will improve. Your dentist’s comments are based on an examination of your teeth and the damage that is already being done to them. Heed the advice and protect your teeth and your oral health.

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

Jun 13

Will dental implants be cheaper if I buy my own supplies on ebay?

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implants

There are pages of inexpensive dental implant supplies on ebay. I am wondering if I can buy my own implant supplies and take them to a dentist who will install the implants for me. It’s like buying my own parts and paying for labor. It has to be cheaper than paying the markup costs at the dentist. Is this doable? – Russ

Russ – The cost of dental implants is an understandable concern. But quality is an even greater concern. A conscientious implant dentist will acquire all of the items needed to provide you with quality dental implants. This protocol erases the unknown results of a patient’s own purchases.

The quality, origin, and suitability of items you purchase on your own are questionable. Any variation can cause implant mistakes, infection, and failure.

We strongly recommend that you schedule consultations with three or four implant dentists. Ask questions about what each dentist does to ensure that you receive quality, successful dental implants. Also ensure that you understand your options for implants, the cost of dental implants from each provider, as well as the financial arrangements available to help make them affordable for you.

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

May 31

Internal Tooth Bleaching

By Teeth Whitening

When there is traumatic injury to a tooth, the pulp in the tooth can be damaged, and internal stains result.

A porcelain veneer may be used to conceal the darkened tooth and blend it with your natural teeth. But if the tooth is not causing discomfort or pain, it may be possible to bleach it internally. A barrier is placed in the tooth to prevent the bleaching gel from leaking out or creating sensitivity.

At times, internal bleaching is done before receiving a porcelain crown or porcelain veneer. The bleaching prevents the discoloration in the natural tooth from showing through in the restoration.

Have your tooth examined by an experienced prosthodontist to determine the best option for reviving the color in your tooth.

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

May 30

How do I know if my dental implant is infected?

By Dental Implants

I got 5 dental implants August 2014. There is pain in one of them and the gum looks a little swollen. Could there be food stuck that I can’t floss out? How do I know if the implant is infected? Thanks. Thomas

 

Thomas – Food that is trapped between your gums and the implant can lead to bacteria growth and infection. Also, if the dental implant crown doesn’t fit properly, it can irritate gum tissue and lead to infection. Low-quality implant fixtures and fixtures that aren’t properly placed can lead to infection. It is best to have the implant examined by your dentist.

Some of the signs of implant infection are:

  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Persistent or increasing pain at the implant site
  • Loosening implants

Remember that you have the option of seeking a second opinion on the problem with the implant to determine the cause of the issue and the best way to treat it.

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

May 28

6 year old keeps biting the pediatric dentist

By Pediatric Dentist

This has been happening for the last few appointments. Every time I take my son to the pediatric dentist, when the dentist tries to examine my son’s teeth, he bites the dentist. The dentist has been saying it’s okay because my son isn’t hurting him, but last week he bit the dentist hard. Why might this be happening and what can I do about it? – Lanaya

Lanaya – We suggest that you start by asking your son why he is biting his pediatric dentist. The response you receive can help you determine how to handle the issue.

If your son isn’t volunteering information, you can ask him questions to help determine the reason for biting. Is your son afraid? Did the dentist say or do something to make your son nervous? Does your son think it’s funny or a game?

You can also speak with your dentist about the issue and ask for suggestions on making the dental experience more positive for your son and his dentist.

This post is sponsored by the Naperville pediatric dentists at Naperville Dental Specialists.

May 27

If I can’t afford a luxury car how can I afford all on 4?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants

If I can’t afford a luxury car, how can I all of a sudden afford All-On-4 implants? I would need upper and lower implants and now I am finding out how much it really costs. Where I live it is over $60k. I saw 3 different implant dentist and their story about what I need done and how much it will cost is pretty much the same. There is no way ever I could go into debt that much. I feel helpless. Can I get this done cheaper elsewhere? This is really making the quality of my life difficult. – Elon W.

Elon– If you visited three different implants dentists and were quoted comparable rates, you were given a reasonable quote for All-On-4 implants, based on where you live in the country. If you find a dentist who will do the procedure for considerably less, be concerned about the quality of the implants and the quality of the procedure.

There are other options. Find an experienced implant dentist to discuss them with you. If All-On-4 implants are not within your budget, you may be a candidate for implant-supported dentures with as few as two dental implants.

You can speak with the same dentists with whom you discussed the All-On-4 implants, or you can find other qualified implant dentists and explore your options.

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

May 14

Relatively new dentures and I keep biting my tongue

By Dentures, Prosthodontist

In November last year I got new dentures, top and bottom. Only since I’ve had them have I been regularly biting my tongue. It only happens when I eat. Of course I told my dentist about the problem but she insists that I am chewing carelessly or in a hurry. I don’t chew carelessly or in a hurry, but since she accused me of doing so I have been extra careful. I am still biting my tongue, and I have noticed that it is always on the right side of my mouth. Something is wrong, but I am not sure what. Am I going to need new dentures? Thanks. Ira

 

Ira – When a person repeatedly bites his or her tongue while eating, it is usually due to the way the top and bottom teeth fit together.

Your dentures need to be checked for alignment to ensure the teeth fit together properly. You can ask your dentist if this has been done. But you can also seek a second opinion from an experienced prosthodontist. A prosthodontist has two years of post-graduate training in the replacement and restoration of teeth.

Only after an examination will the prosthodontist know if you need new dentures, or if your current dentures can be properly adjusted. Without the assistance of dentist who is skilled in the proper alignment of the prosthesis, you are likely to continue biting your tongue.

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

Apr 29

What can be done to fix my slanted teeth?

By Orthodontics

My teeth are badly slanted. It really looks like dominos lined up parallel but falling backwards. They look flared out if that describes it any better. I am 27 yrs old now and worried that the older I get the worse they will look. What can be done to fix them? McKoy

McKoy – When teeth are flared, it is most often due to lack of space in the arch. Younger patients can benefit from an expander to assist in proper growth of the arch.

For adults, an orthodontist may recommend braces extractions, or other corrective surgery. Each patient’s case is different. We recommend that you select a few orthodontists with whom you can schedule consultations, learn about your options, and compare them. An examination and diagnostic studies will eventually be required to determine which treatment options are best for your case and the results you can expect from each of them.

 

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

Apr 28

My bite is off and my prosthodontist says I need all new crowns

By Porcelain Crown, Prosthodontist

My top front teeth have porcelain crowns over them. It has been about 5 years since I got them and now my bite is off. My prosthodontist says I need new crowns. All of them need to be replaced. Is this really the solution? I called my insurance company, and they will provide some coverage for the new crowns, but is this really necessary? Thanks. Jakki

Jakki – Your jaw, bite, and crowns need to be examined to answer your question as to whether replacing your crowns is the answer to your bite problem. We recommend that you get a second and third opinion before you agree to any dental treatment that addresses the bite issue.

Are you grinding your teeth? Are you experiencing headaches or neck pain? These issues often go along with a misaligned bite, but they don’t always occur.

In addition to consulting with additional prosthodontists, you may consider visiting an orthodontist. The combination of dental professionals will help determine the cause of your bite issue and the best treatment for it—if it needs to be treated at all. The additional opinions will help you make an informed decision about your oral health.

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

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