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March 2014

Do most pediatric dentists have children restrained?

By Pediatric Dentist

Our family dentist relocated out of state. I had a dentist recommended to me that I really like, but she doesn’t accept children as patients. I found a pediatric dentist for my son and I was surprised that they restrained him on the first visit. He didn’t panic but he was very concerned and so was I. I don’t like the idea of having my son unnecessarily restrained. He is not afraid of going to a dental appointment. Is restraining a habit at most pediatric dentists’ offices? Thanks. Shelly

Shelly – Many pediatric dentist offices restrain children as a last resort. If you are not comfortable with having your son restrained, call the offices of several other dentists to find out whether or not they restrain children, and under what circumstances children are restrained.

Another option is to find a dental office that treats both children and adults. Some offices have pediatric dentists available. In other offices, you will find dentists who care for the needs of adults, as well as children.

In either case, schedule consultations with a few dentists to get a feel for the office environment and how you are treated by the staff. Bring your son with you to the consultations. The consultations will help you make a decision on the right dental care for your son.

This post is sponsored by Naperville Dental Associates.

Tooth fractured and pulled after dental implant placement and I’m still in pain

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

After having 2 dental implants placed last November I began to have pain from what seemed like one of the implants. Eventually the pain became severe. I made an appointment with my dentist to take a look at the implant and he said that the pain was coming from the tooth next to the implant. He said that the tooth must have been fractured somehow during the implant placement. He pulled the fractured tooth and said that I should be okay in about 2 weeks. I was really frustrated thinking that now I need a third dental implant. Anyway that was a two months and I am still in pain. Not as much pain, but it is very uncomfortable. I am really dreading going back to this dentist because I am thinking what is going to go wrong next. I know that I can’t stay away from the dentist because of the pain that I feel. I am not sure what to do next. – Regina W.

Regina – We suggest that you make an appointment with an experienced implant dentist to receive a second opinion. It is possible that there is a problem with the implant. It may be pinching a nerve or perhaps it was in some other way incorrectly placed.

At this point, you need an examination and x-ray to determine the cause of your pain. Once the source of the pain is identified, you can decide which implant dentist you would like to resolve the issue.

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

Should my teeth be bleeding after wisdom teeth were pulled?

By Gum Disease

Hi. I got all 4 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. 2 are still bleeding. Is this normal? B.T.

 

B.T. – After wisdom teeth are extracted, there are common symptoms that you will experience, and light bleeding is one of them.

After the teeth are extracted, you can also expect swelling and mild discomfort. A cold compress will help to decrease some of the swelling. The swelling should improve in three or four days.

Your diet should also be modified. Eat soft foods for the first few days after the extraction. Also, avoid sucking through a straw or excessive spitting. The pressure can dislodge blood clots at the extractions sites and cause the areas to bleed more.

You should call your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • the swelling worsens after three days
  • the bleeding increases
  • you have a fever
  • your pain is severe and the pain medication prescribed doesn’t help
  • you have a bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away with salt water rinses
  • there is pus or other fluid coming from the extraction site
  • your mouth feels numb

 

Since you received the extractions yesterday, your symptoms should improve over the weekend.

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

How can I find the best dentures?

By Dentures

I need dentures and I don’t want them to look fake. So many times I see people with dentures and they look generic. What are the best materials for dentures? – Nathan

Nathan – We understand your concern to have natural-looking dentures. But the quality of the denture material is only part of the equation to having dentures that look natural.

The base of a denture is made of acrylic. There are levels of quality in acrylics. Some are stronger than others, retain color better, and resist shrinkage more than others. You should be offered a variety of choices, along with varying costs.

Denture teeth can be acrylic, porcelain, or composite resin. Again, within these materials, there are variations in strength, color, and aesthetics. You should expect to see samples of denture teeth available with variations in color. A dentist should also show you before-and-after photos of his or her patients who have received dentures.

Without the extensive education of a dentist, it is difficult for a patient to assess whether or not a denture base and the denture teeth are appropriate for his or her case. But you can ask questions to address your concerns, and ask to see examples of what you can expect with the dentures you will receive.

We suggest that you have select two or three cosmetic dentists with whom you can have consultations for dentures. You can use this opportunity to ask questions about dentures, the quality of denture materials used, and the steps that are taken to ensure that your dentures will be customized, properly fitted, and natural looking.

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

Should I get a second opinion on Clear Choice implants?

By Blog, Second Opinion

For the past 6 years I have worn a partial denture. It’s uncomfortable, ugly, and I am sick of it. My dentist told me he can get someone to do the implants for me. I also went to Clear Choice to see what they had to say about the implants. They said I have gum disease and they want to pull all of my lower teeth and replace them with implants. I was in shock trying to figure out how we got from two missing teeth to pulling all of the lower ones. With a price tag of $22k it is really outrageous. I am wondering if I have any other options. – Alec

Alec – You are wise to seek another opinion, and if needed, a third opinion, until you are comfortable with your treatment options and the implant surgeon.

You will need verification of the extent of periodontal disease that you may have. If it is progressive, it needs to be treated before you can receive dental implants. Most dentists will make the effort to save your natural teeth. Although dental implants are the most effective treatment for missing teeth, it is preferable to keep your natural teeth.

When you receive a second opinion, you will likely be given multiple options for tooth placement. Be certain to find a skilled implant dentist for your second opinion before you begin treatment.

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

 

What does the denture go over for over dentures?

By Affordable Implant Dentistry

I’m not a dentist person. Really I haven’t been to a dentist’s office in years. When I get my teeth cleaned I go to the dental school about 30 miles away. I have problems with my teeth and the girls there do a great job cleaning the few teeth I have left. I was talking about getting dentures and she mentioned over dentures. Her explanation wasn’t all that great. What does the denture go over for over dentures? Gordon

Gordon – Overdentures are dentures that are supported by dental implants. The dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, and after they heal, the dentures are attached to them.

Overdentures are much more stable than complete removable dentures. You will hear terms such as implant-supported dentures, mini implants, and snap-on dentures. All of these terms are means of securing your dentures to dental implants.

Implants allow you to speak and chew with dentures much more efficiently, and they prevent your jawbone from shrinking. Jawbone shrinkage naturally occurs when all of your teeth are missing. The more implants there are, the more stable the dentures will be. But the stabilization of your dentures can be made affordable by using as few as two mini implants.

If you want to know more about stabilizing your dentures, only select an experienced implant dentist. Do your research. This will help you avoid problems with implant placement, healing, and quality. Many dentists offer a consultation to answer questions before you receive an exam.

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

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