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All Posts By

Dr. Anthony LaVacca

Oct 15

Metal free dental implants for sensitive patients?

By Dental Implants

I tend to have metal allergies. I am not certain about titanium but I need to find a way to get tested to see if I am sensitive. My dentist is recommending 3 dental implants but before I consider them as an option I need to know what to do if I am sensitive to titanium. Are there metal free implants? Carlton

Carlton – Yes, there are metal-free alternatives to standard titanium implants. Zirconia dental implants are ceramic, made of zirconium oxide. The material is biocompatible and can be successfully placed without rejection by patients with metal sensitivities.

A zirconia implant is about 20% more expensive than a titanium implant. Not all implant dentists use or prefer zirconia dental implants. If you are interested in a metal-free alternative to titanium dental implants, we suggest that you speak with an experienced prosthodontist to discuss the pros and cons, as well as your options.

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

Oct 11

Nervous about my dentist referring me to a prosthodontist to fix my teeth from bulimia

By Bulimia and Teeth, Implant Dentistry, Prosthodontist

I have mixed feelings about being referred to another dentist for my teeth. I have a lot of trust in my dentist but this time she doesn’t trust herself, at least not with my teeth. I have been struggling with bulimia for 7 years or so. I finally found the right counselor to help me but it’s a little late for my teeth. My dentist said that she prefers that I see a specialist so she is referring me to a prosthodontist. My discomfort is in having to explain myself and my story all over again. Is this really necessary, or should I try to find a way to get my dentist to do the work herself? Thank. C.T.

Dear C.T. – We sympathize with your concern over having to discuss your health concerns with a new dental provider. That is a difficult step to take.

You mentioned that you trust your dentist. At this point, you may consider trusting her judgment that she is not the best dentist to give you the best results for restoring your smile. A prosthodontist specializes in restoring and replacing teeth, and many have received additional training to produce beautiful results. Many prosthodontists have experience with patients whose teeth are damaged due to eating disorders. Sometimes a case can be more difficult than a general dentist is comfortable handling. Your dentist likely took that into consideration when referring you to this particular prosthodontist—he or she has likely treated many cases similar to yours. This factor also helps the specialist to be sensitive to your concerns.

To increase your comfort level with the prosthodontist, in advance of dental treatment, schedule a consultation with him or her. Get to know the specialist, ask questions about the kind of cases he or she has handled, and try to be frank about your concerns. Taking time to get to know the dentist before treatment begins may help to increase your confidence in the specialist. If you find that you are not comfortable with the specialist, speak with your dentist about it, and if necessary, ask for another referral.

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

Oct 07

Drinking lots of water but my mouth is still dry.

By General Dentistry

I probably drink almost a gallon of water a day but my mouth is still dry. What could be the problem? Thanks. Turner

Turner – Dry mouth is a result of decreased saliva flow, which has several possible causes. Certain medication, antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, and certain medical disorders can reduce saliva production.

Saliva flow is important to control of the level of acidity in your mouth and to help prevent tooth decay. It’s good that you are drinking plenty of water, but if your mouth is still dry, you can start with a visit to your dentist. Your dentist will perform an examination and review your medical history.

Depending on the cause of the reduced saliva flow in your mouth, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse designed to increase saliva production or another treatment. You may need to be referred to a medical doctor for further examination. An examination with a dentist is your first step for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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

Oct 03

Options for loose dentures

By Dentures

My dentures aren’t that old and they are loose already. This was one of my biggest fears when I found out that I needed dentures. Will relining be enough? If not, what are my options? Vicky

Vicky – Your dentures need to be examined to determine the best way to improve the fit. Your dentist will assess the situation and determine if relining will give you a better fit, or if the dentures need to be remade.

You didn’t mention how long you’ve had dentures, but generally after years of wear, they need to be relined. If you have only recently received dentures, it’s unlikely that you’ve experienced enough jawbone loss to cause them to be loose. Inferior denture base material can cause dentures to prematurely loosen.

Relining your dentures may at least be a temporary option for giving you a better fit. It is possible that your dentures can be adapted to accommodate dental implants. Dental implants are surgically implanted in your jawbone and will stabilize your dentures and give you a better fit.

You can consider getting a second opinion from a prosthodontist—a dentist who specializes in the aesthetic replacement and restoration of teeth.

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

Sep 26

My dentist won’t do implant supported bridge even though it’s cheaper than single implants

By Dental Bridge, Dental Implants

I have had a lot of success with my current dentist which is why I have stayed with the practice, even when he moved, since 2004. Now I am at the point where I need several teeth replaced. He is insisting on individual implants which are not even an option for me. He is talking about financing and payment plans. Doesn’t matter, I can’t afford it! What I can afford is an implant supported bridge and he seems totally against it. I have repeatedly asked him why it won’t work, but I haven’t received a reasonable answer. I need to have the teeth replaced. Is it really possible that only individual implants will work? – Ted W.

Ted – We won’t speculate as to why your dentist is telling you that only single implants will work. We recommend that you visit an experienced prosthodontist for an examination and a review of your x-rays.

An implant-supported bridge will replace multiple teeth and help preserve jawbone. And as you know, it is less expensive than individual implants. Whether or not it will work in your case requires a personal visit.

When you received a second opinion, you can wait to hear your options from the dentist. If an implant-supported bridge is not among the options, you can ask why it will not work.

Whenever a single treatment is recommended and you are not presented with another option, you can ask about or options or seek a second opinion.

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

Sep 23

Is All-on-4 safe or do I have to worry about failed implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

My teeth and gums have been problematic for most of my life. I am at the point where I am finally giving in to dentures. I have too many teeth missing or that need to be extracted. I don’t want a bunch of partial dentures in my mouth. Since I have to get dentures I want them to be stable. I have friends with dentures and I have seen laughter turn into embarrassment when the dentures fall out. I can’t go there. My dentist and I have talked several times about dentures and implants. This topic was worth a second opinion to me. My dentist seemed to be somewhat put off about me getting a second opinion but it is my mouth, and I feel that she is too young to wear dentures to understand. The second opinion came with a surprise for me. That dentist recommended All-on-4 which I had heard of but not considered. When my dentist heard me mention All-on-4, she kept saying, “Don’t do it. They don’t work.” Now I feel like I need a third opinion. If All-on-4 doesn’t work why does it exist, and why would a dentist recommend it for me? Thank you for your help. Gina

Gina – Much of the success of dental implants, including All-On-4, depends on diligent planning for placement, the quality of the implants, and the skill of the implant dentist. Implant dentists, who are skilled in the use of the All-On-4 technique, have great success with this procedure.

The comments from your dentist indicate that she is familiar with All-On-4, but she doesn’t use it. The dentist who recommended All-On-4 for your case likely has successfully completed many cases with the procedure. But that’s a question you want to ask any implant dentist who is recommending any particular treatment for you—how many cases has he or she successfully completed? Why is the particular treatment being recommended for you, and what are your options?

If you decide to receive a third opinion, it will likely help put you at ease. We suggest that you visit a prosthodontist or other skilled implant dentist who uses multiple techniques, including All-On-4. You should be informed of more than one option for stabilizing your dentures.

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

Sep 12

Why do I keep getting canker sores?

By General Dentistry

I keep getting canker sores? It almost seems like before one goes away, I get another. What is causing this and is there something I can take or rinse my mouth with to prevent them? Thanks. Jerome

Jerome – There are many things that can cause canker sores. You really need to visit a dentist to have your sores and mouth examined, but some of the causes are listed below.

  • Sodium lauryl sulfate – you may be sensitive to this ingredient, which is commonly found in mouthwash and toothpaste
  • Sensitivity to food, including highly acidic food, and chocolate, strawberries, coffee, nuts, and eggs
  • A vitamin or mineral deficiency – vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid) or iron
  • An injury to your mouth from dental work, aggressive tooth brushing, a sports accident, or biting your cheek
  • Emotional stress
  • Hormonal changes
  • Immune disorder, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, or other conditions

In addition to an examination, a dentist will review your history of canker sores, and your medical history to determine what is causing them. You will also receive appropriate treatment, which may be a mouth rinse, topical paste, oral medication, or whatever is appropriate for your case. Call a dentist to schedule an appointment for an examination.

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

Sep 09

Need dental implant to replace a baby canine tooth

By Dental Implants

I have a baby canine tooth because the permanent adult tooth never came in. I need to have it replaced with a dental implant. How much will this cost? Thanks – B. Graves

B. Graves – The cost for removing your primary tooth and replacing it with a dental implant will include several services. Diagnostic studies (x-rays) will be needed for the tooth. The studies will show the canine tooth position and help determine the best way to remove it. The diagnostics studies will also ensure that your dental implant is properly placed and won’t impinge nerves or puncture your sinuses. Surgery to remove the primary canine tooth is also needed.

After the canine is removed, a dental implant can be placed. After the implant heals, it needs to have a dental crown secured to it to serve as the crown of the tooth, which shows when you smile.

Depending on where you live in the country, a single dental implant can cost from $3000 to $5000. Choose a few skilled implant dentists in your area with whom you can have a consultation to get an idea of the cost where you live. After you receive x-rays, you will receive a more accurate estimate of the cost of replacing your tooth with an implant.

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

Aug 29

I keep getting blood in my mouth

By General Dentistry

Just randomly, I keep getting a significant amount of blood in my mouth. It doesn’t seem to happen with any particular event. It has happened when I am awake, asleep, in the morning, at night, eating or not, standing or sitting. I rinse my mouth then it seems to go away. It doesn’t happen every day, but it just happened a few minutes ago. What is going on? Is this an emergency? – Pam

Pam – When your mouth is bleeding, it’s usually coming from your teeth or gums. Gum disease can cause your gums to become inflamed, and they will bleed. If you bite your cheek and the wound is deep, it can cause continual bleeding, and stitches may be required.

Bleeding can also come from your tongue, cheek, or floor of the mouth. The cause of the sudden bleeding can vary, but it may be due to a bleeding disorder, or even a broken vessel in your mouth. Ongoing bleeding can cause your blood count to drop, and when the bleeding is in your mouth, it can be difficult to tell on your own how much blood you are losing.

Please make an appointment with your dentist immediately. If you don’t have a regular dentist, call an emergency dentist who will see you right away.

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

Aug 29

Is this prosthodontist right that energy drinks are ruining my teeth?

By Prosthodontist

My dentist referred me to a prosthodontist for 4 caps on my teeth. My dentist is uncomfortable placing them himself. He has done other caps for me but he wanted a prosthodontist to look at my teeth. After I a lot of questions from the prosthodontist about what is causing damage to my teeth, I told her that I drink a lot of energy drinks. I work nights and I work out as soon as I get off from work. The energy drinks help me keep up with my crazy schedule. The prosthodontist said that energy drinks are ruining my teeth. I just wanted to verify this with someone else because the energy drinks I use have artificial sweetener not natural sugar. Thanks. Drew

Drew – Although many energy drinks don’t contain natural sugar, they do contain large amounts of citric acid. Citric acid that remains on your teeth can damage your tooth enamel and lead to cavities and tooth decay.

A study published in a 2012 journal of General Dentistry shows that energy drinks contain twice as much citric acid as sports drinks. Your prosthodontist is right about the effects of energy drinks on your teeth. We recommend that you limit your consumption of energy drinks. When you do drink them, immediately after, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. If that’s not possible, chew sugar-free gum to increase the saliva flow in your mouth and neutralize the acid.

Although prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth, they prefer that you maintain good oral health to preserve your teeth. Excessive use of energy drinks is a hindrance to maintaining good oral health.

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

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