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All Posts By

Dr. Anthony LaVacca

Sep 24

Do I need to see a dentist?

By Damaged Tooth

I rollerblade on Monday nights and last month I collided with another blader. The impact was on my face and although I was wearing a mouthguard it still jammed my mouth pretty good. I guess I’m lucky that I didn’t lose a tooth. Anyway I was just looking in the mirror and notice what looks like a hairline crack in my tooth. It doesn’t hurt consistently-only every now and then. Do I need to see a dentist? – Matthew

Matthew – We are sorry to hear about your accident. If you see a hairline crack in your tooth and are experiencing pain from time to time, you should get it checked by a dentist.

Treatment for a cracked tooth varies depending on the size and length of the crack. A simple crack may need to be concealed with dental bonding. If the pulp of the tooth is affected, a root canal treatment may be needed. If the root of the tooth is damaged, it may need to be removed.

An untreated crack may progressively get worse. Make an appointment with your dentist right away.

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

Sep 12

Do I need dental implants before braces?

By Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I my molars are severely damaged due to an embarrassing habit that I had for 10 years but have now quit. I am now 38 year old. I also need braces but can I get them if my molars are extracted or do I need dental implants in before braces can be placed? – Scott R.

Scott – If you need braces, they should be placed, and your teeth should be straightened before you receive dental implants. Dental implants don’t move. So having implants in place before braces would have a negative effect on the alignment of your teeth. The implants may interfere with the correct positioning of your natural teeth.

But your molars may not need to be removed. Have your teeth examined by an experienced prosthodontist. It is possible that your molar teeth can be saved and protected with dental crowns. The prosthodontist’s goal is to preserve and restore your teeth. He or she will let you know your treatment options and the order in which each treatment should be done to give you a beautiful smile.

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

Aug 30

Dentist appointment..cavity?

By Dental Fillings

i am going to the dentist next week and i think i have a cavity. my tooth hurts when cold water or soda hits it. really  bad with ice cream. so if they see that i have a cavity will they fix it that day or will i have to make an  appointment and come back another day? – macie

Macie – If your appointment with your dentist next week is not specifically to have a cavity filled, it is unlikely that you will have the cavity filled that day.

Time has to be scheduled to allow proper filling of the cavity. Before the cavity is filled, your dentist will have to remove the decay and clean the tooth.

If you receive white composite filling, care needs to be taken to ensure the area around the tooth is kept dry. And in advance of placing the composite, your dentist has to select composite that matches the color of your tooth.

One applied to your tooth, the composite has to be spread evenly and hardened. Your dentist will test your bite to ensure the composite was applied evenly. Rough spots will be smoothed.

Time must be scheduled to ensure that you get a filling that will last.

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

Aug 30

General dentist or prosthdontist needed?

By Prosthodontist

What type of dentist does these things (bone graft for a hole in the gum due to bone loss, a dental implant, and crowns that look real)? Is my general dentist okay for this (I haven’t seen him in over a year since he told me I needed the work) or do I need a prosthodontist? – Naomi

Naomi – If your general dentist is also an implant dentist with skill in bone grafting, and if he is a cosmetic dentist, he can complete the work for you. Otherwise, he will have to refer you to a specialist.

A prosthodontist has post-graduate training specific to aesthetically restoring and replacing teeth. A prosthodontist can complete the graft, implant, and crown.

Whomever you chose for dental implants, be sure to check his or website or contact the office for details about the dentist’s experience and credentials.

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

Aug 29

Best way to get affordable dental implants?

By Dental Implants

I trying to find the best affordable way to get affordable implant dentures. I’ve called a few dentists office for pricing, but they all say that they can’t give me a quote. they need to see me and do an exam but I really don’t have time to run from office to office. so how can i get affordable implants? – barb

Barb – Wait until you have time to have consultations with a few implant dentists. Your teeth and gums need to be examined, your medical history has to be review, and you need diagnostic studies to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Every case is not the same. Some patients require bone grafting. And there are options for securing your dentures. The cost varies according to the patient’s oral health, preferences, and options.

Find a credentialed implant dentist who offers financing or payment plans. He or she can make the implants affordable for you without sacrificing quality.

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

Aug 27

Keeping breath fresh with dentures

By Dentures

My 72 year old mother needs dentures but this is my question not hers. I know so many people with dentures who have strong breath. The odor is unpleasant and in some cases, it’s offensive. It this unavoidable or what can we do to keep her breath fresh? – Amy

Amy – Dentures should be cleaned every day—just as natural teeth should be. Debris from food can get trapped in dentures, bacteria can grow, and cause dentures and breath to smell.

A denture brush and denture cleaning solution will keep the dentures clean and white. Your mother can also gently brush her gums and tongue with toothpaste. Rinsing her mouth with mouthwash will help move debris, germs, and keep her breath fresh.

If it’s within your mother’s budget, consider have her dentures secured with dental implants. Implants will stabilize her dentures and make them look and feel more like her own teeth.

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

Aug 16

Can I be with my child for her pediatric dentist appointment?

By Pediatric Dentist

My daughter needs to see a pediatric dentist. I had a consultation and liked everything about the dentist until she told me can’t go in the treatment room with child. Is this customary for pediatric dentists? My daughter is only 3years old. This is her first dental visit. I am not going to leave her alone with strangers. Don’t I have a right to be in the treatment room? – Danielle

Danielle – Your concern is understandable. As a parent, you should be able to go into the treatment room with your child. If the dentist you found refuses to allow you in the room, consider finding another pediatric dentist who welcomes parents in during dental procedures for their children.

If you accompany your daughter during the dental procedure—particularly for her first dental visit—both you and she will be more comfortable during treatment, and the dental visit is likely to be more productive.

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

Jul 29

How to ask dentist if he would repair a failed dental implant from another dentist?

By Dental Implant Mistakes

I have a failed dental implant from my dentist and I don’t feel comfortable going back for him to fix it. I don’t trust him now. How do I ask another dentist if he or she would repair it? – Nick

Nick – A skilled implant dentist is used to providing second opinions and correcting failed implants. You won’t have to worry about how to explain your situation. You will find the dentist to be very understanding.

This time, check the credentials and experience of a new implant dentist before you make your final selection. You might consider having a consultation with the new implant dentist. He or she can examine your implant and discuss your options.

See Dr. LaVacca’s web page on dental implant failure and how it can be avoided.

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

Jul 26

A mini implant for a molar tooth, or a conventional implant?

By Mini Implants

I’m having trouble facing my fear of a huge, regular-size implant that is not easily removable. The mini doesn’t seem so scary to me. Could they place a mini in a lower molar? – JoAnn

JoAnn – Mini implants are used to support dentures. They are not strong enough to support a single tooth. A mini implant would not withstand the pressure biting and chewing force of a molar tooth.

You do need a standard implant for your molar tooth. Find a credentialed implant dentist. Discuss your concerns with him or her, and the implant dentist will explain the procedure to you and the care that will be taken to ensure you receive a quality implant fixture that is properly placed. An implant that is properly placed is permanent and does not to be removed.

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

Jul 16

Can dental implants be removed?

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

If I get dental implants and I am not satisfied with them, can I have them removed? – Carlotta

Carlotta – When dental implants are properly placed by a credentialed implant dentist, they will look and feel like your natural teeth. You will be completely satisfied with them as the best form of tooth replacement. Implant placement is not inexpensive, so you want to ensure that you find an excellent implant dentist to place it.

If a patient has received implants from a dentist who didn’t plan implant placement properly or who uses cheap implant fixtures, dental implant failure can occur. And you would not be satisfied with the results.

If the implants fail, they must be removed, and they need to be completely redone. If you have received dental implants that you’re not satisfied with, have them examined by a skilled, credentialed implant dentist.

If you are considering dental implants, find a few experienced implants dentists and have consultations with them before you make your final decision about who will place the implants.

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

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