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Dr. Anthony LaVacca

Jun 04

Does stomach acid damage porcelain crowns?

By Bulimia, Implant Dentistry, Porcelain Crown

I’m bulimic and I know that the acid from vomiting damages tooth enamel. Does continued vomiting damage porcelain crowns? A.

A. – Porcelain crowns are much more durable than your natural teeth and can withstand repeated exposure to stomach acid. In addition to damaging your natural teeth, repeated vomiting can damage your throat, esophagus, and lower jaw. Stomach acid from gastrointestinal reflux disease can cause similar damage.

Thoroughly rinse your mouth to neutralize the acid. If possible, professional assistance should be sought to help decrease the episodes of vomiting or to stop them completely. Your dentist will be very understanding in helping you minimize the damage to your teeth.

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

Jun 04

Can I get mini implants for 7 missing teeth?

By Dental Implants, Mini Implants

Hi. I have 7 missing teeth and 3 of them are back teeth. I really want dental implants, but I cannot afford them. I am wondering if mini implants are an option for me. – Thanks. Gloria

Gloria – Mini implants are more affordable than standard dental implants, but they are not as strong. Mini implants do well in stabilizing dentures, but even when used for that purpose, they don’t secure dentures as well as standard-sized implants.

Over time, mini implants are unable to withstand the day-to-day biting force and chewing that they would be subject to for individual teeth.

If you haven’t done so already, consider speaking with an implant dentist about dental implants. The dentist will likely offer financing or payment plans to make the implants more affordable. As an alternative to dental implants, a dentist who is also skilled in cosmetic dentistry can provide you with a natural-looking dental bridge.

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

 

 

 

 

May 30

Is diet soda bad for your teeth?

By Tooth Decay

I’ve always been a big soda drinker, but now that I have teenagers, I want to set a good example for them. My soda drinking has resulted in several cavities, and I don’t want my girls to follow my example. Instead of going cold turkey off of the soda, I am wondering if 0 sugar diet soda is a good alternative for my teeth. Thanks. Beth E.

Beth – Instead of sugar, diet soda contains sugar substitutes, such as saccharine, mannitol, or sorbitiol. All of these substitutes break down into acid, which erodes tooth enamel and promotes tooth decay.

In addition to sugar in soda, the acid in soda makes your enamel more prone to erosion, and it leads to tooth decay. Advanced decay may require more than just a dental filling; a dental crown may be needed to protect the tooth. But soda is not the only acid-containing beverage; energy drinks, fruit juice, and lemonade are all acidic.

If you must drink soda, limit your intake of it. Sipping on soda throughout the day causes more teeth erosion than drinking the soda at once. After drinking soda, rinse your mouth to neutralize the soda. Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking soda is not recommended, because the enamel has been weakened from the acid and sugar in the soda. Brushing your teeth will weaken the enamel more.

Ensure your children get regular dental checkups and cleanings.

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

May 28

Dentures and face collapsing?

By Dentures, Facial Collapse

I have been searching the internet for how to reduce dramatic facial changes when bone loss occurs due to having all of your teeth missing and wearing dentures. Most of the articles I’ve read are by dentists or on dental websites and they are offering dental implants. Most people simply cannot afford dental implants.

How does the face look after the denture years of having all your teeth missing? How can facial collapse be avoided with a regular denture? – Vince

Vince – The photos below show how the face looks after years of having all of your teeth missing. Facial collapse is progressive; it generally occurs in ten to twenty years of having all of your teeth missing.

You have found so many articles pointing to dental implants to resolve facial collapse, because that is the way to prevent it. When all of your teeth are missing, your body resorbs the jawbone. Just as the presence of natural teeth preserves the jawbone, so does the presence of dental implants.

Even if you wear dentures, securing them with as few as two dental implants helps prevent jawbone shrinkage. Implants support dentures, instead of dentures resting on your jawbone and accelerating the bone loss. Without implant overdentures, your jawbone will continue to shrink.

Most implant dentists accept various forms of payment and offer payment plans to make securing your dentures with implants more affordable.

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

 

May 20

How long does it take for Invisalign to straighten your teeth?

By Invisalign

How long does it usually take for Invisalign braces to completely straighten your teeth? – Jasmine

 

Jasmine – Generally, Invisalign straightens your teeth faster than traditional braces. How long it takes to straighten your teeth will have to be determined by your orthodontist.

Your orthodontist will establish a treatment plan for you that determines which teeth need to be moved, and to which position each tooth should move. The more complicated your case, the longer you will need to wear Invisalign aligners.

Have your teeth examined by an orthodontist to determine how long you would need to wear Invisalign.

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

May 17

Can he play sports after dental implant surgery?

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

Hi. My boyfriend is in a baseball league. He wants dental implants, but he doesn’t want to get them at a time when he would have to miss a game. How soon after dental implants can he be active in sports again? Thanks – Dawn

Dawn – For at least several days after the implant procedure, your boyfriend should not participate in any demanding activity, including sports. Physical exertion can cause bleeding around the implant site. The implant surgeon will provide specifics as to when your boyfriend can resume his normal activity. In addition to demanding activity, irritants including alcohol, black tea, and nicotine should be avoided, because they can have a negative effect on the healing process.

In order to prevent dental implant failure, nothing should be allowed to interfere with the healing process. In approximately a week after the healing process, your boyfriend will return to the implant surgeon for a progress check.

The implant dentist will give your boyfriend specifics of the kinds of food, drink, and activities that should be avoided or limited immediately after the surgery and during the healing process.

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

 

May 15

When can I smoke after my dental implants are placed?

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

I am a smoker but I quit for a month before I got dental implants. I got surgery 2 weeks ago and the surgeon told me not to smoke for another 2 for 4 months. Is this right? Thanks – Doug K.

Doug – Smoking, before or after, dental implant placement can affect the success of the implants.

Smoking has a negative effect on the healing process, so during the two to six month period while your bone and the implant fuse together, you should avoid smoking. Smoking can severely limit the healing process.

If your implants don’t heal properly, it can lead to inflammation and infection, or the implants will not stabilize. If you experience implant failure because of smoking, the implants will need to be removed and completely redone.

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

Apr 30

What kind of doctor should I see for TMJ?

By Prosthodontist, TMJ

 

I think I have TMJ. What kind of doctor should I see for it? – Blake

Blake – Dentists often treat TMJ symptoms, but there is no recognized specialty for TMJ disorders.

Find a dentist with extensive TMJ training. Visit his or her website to find out if the dentist has received training specific to the disorder. Prosthodontists are specialists who are highly trained to address jaw joint disorders.

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

Apr 26

My implant loosed and came out

By Dental Implants

I got 5 dental implants in Nov. 2012. 2 weeks ago I noticed that the crown on one of them felt funny when I chewed. I had an appointment last week with the implant dentist this past Monday and he said sure enough the crown was loose. He pulled on it and the whole implant came out. He said I need another implant surgery. I can’t believe after all of trouble I went through to get the implants and then the healing time that is needs to be done over! How could this happen? – Kristie P.

Kristie – If your crown was loose, it would be much easier to correct than a dental implant. A loose implant is a serious mistake, but it does occur.

There are several reasons that implants can loosen. One reason is that the crown may have been placed prematurely—before the bone bonded to the implant. Another possibility is that the implant was not sturdy enough to support the crown. Or, you may have inadequate bone density to support dental implants. An infection will also cause an implant to loosen.

More is involved than simply replacing the implant. The bone that was removed before the implant was placed will need to be replaced, and bone grafting may be required.

Unfortunately, implants mistakes are common. We recommend that you find a credentialed implant dentist to do replace your implant, instead of returning to your original implant dentist. Have the new implant dentist examine the space where you need an implant. He or she will determine what needs to be done to restore it.

 

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

Apr 17

How do you care for dental implants?

By Dental Implants

How do you care for dental implants? I am trying to calculate the expense of caring for the implants after I receive them. – Leslie

Leslie – Treat your dental implants just as you would your natural teeth. They require the same care.

Brush thoroughly, just as you would brush your natural teeth. Floss carefully around the implant to prevent plaque build-up.

Keep your regular six-month dental exam and cleaning visits.

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

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