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May 2012

Bad smell around my veneers

By Porcelain Veneers

I had some porcelain veneers done about six months ago. I LOVE how they look, but I’ve developed a horrible smell around it. Whenever I floss, or rub the gum around the area, it smells like vomit. I have a hard time not getting sick from the smell. Even my boss has mentioned it. My dentist said I’m just not cleaning it well enough, but I’m very faithful with my oral hygiene. I’m using Supersmile Toothpaste, as well as Dr. Katz’s products. I’m brushing and flossing after each meal, but within 20 minutes the smell is back. Is there anything that can be done? I’m desperate.

Mercedes- Orlando, FL

Mercedes,

This is a serious situation. It is important to get it taken care of right away. I would go to a different dentist. Though you like how the porcelain veneers look, something was done incorrectly. I suspect you have overhangs or some other marginal defect under there.  You were fortunate to have a bad smell that warned you of the situation. This will lead to gum disease, or even your teeth coming loose. Get it looked into as soon as possible.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Yellow build up

By Gum Disease

My teeth have a yellow build up on them that I can scrape off. But, whenever I do scrape it off it seems like I’m taking most of my tooth off. What is it and why is there so much?

MaryAnn L from Missouri

MaryAnn,

The build up is called Calculus or Tartar. It actually comes from the minerals in your saliva. As those minerals build up it is called calculus. Once it becomes visible it is called Tartar. Your dental hygienist removes it at each dental appointment. If you have a lot of it and it feels strange once you scrape it off, that is an indication that you haven’t been to the dentist in a while.

It’s tempting to think it isn’t necessary to go, but the build-up of calculus is very damaging and will lead to gum disease if it isn’t regularly removed.

You may also want to visit our page on prevention.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

My dentures keep falling out

By Dentures

I can’t keep my dentures in. I’m in my 18th year of wearing them and they keep falling out. I don’t know if my gums are thinner or if the dentures are widening on me, but I can’t keep them in. I am afraid that one day I won’t be able to wear them anymore. Could this happen? What are my options? Thank you. Rose from Indiana

Rose – You are experiencing facial collapse, which occurs when all of your teeth are missing. The loss of your teeth is a signal to your body that the jawbone that once supported the teeth is no longer needed. So, your body resorbs the bone and uses the minerals from it elsewhere.

As the jawbone shrinkage progresses, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to wear dentures. Bone grafting will be needed to build up your jawbone.

You will then have a few options:

  1. Removable denturesFacial collapse will continue to occur, and you will have to repeat the bone grafting procedure again.
  2. Dental implants – Each of your teeth can be replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants look and feel more like your natural teeth than any other solution. The implants will permanently prevent jawbone shrinkage. The cost is per implant.
  3. Implant overdentures – With several dental implants, your dentures can be secured to the implants. The presence of the implants will slow the progression of the jawbone shrinkage. This option is much less expensive than replacing each tooth with an implant.

This blog is sponsored by the office of Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

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