Skip to main content
Monthly Archives

April 2014

Clear Choice costs much higher than other practices

By Blog

I liked everything about Clear Choice except the cost. Although they have an aggressive sales pitch similar to a time share sales pitch, I did like the customer service and the dentist with whom I spoke. When I heard the $22,000 price tag for my dental implants, I decided to see some other implant dentists. It was not surprising to me that the cost was significantly cheaper. I still have to decide who I will let do the work. Denise

Denise – Thank you for your review.

Your review about the Clear Choices sales methods is common. Clear Choice costs are typically significantly higher than other practices. But that is to be expected because they have more personnel and overhead costs than the average practice.

You did well in seeking additional opinions. It is in the best interest of anyone considering dental implants to get two or three opinions before making a final decision.

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

Why are my gums bleeding?

By Gum Disease

My gums have been bleeding on and off for the past 3 months. Now it’s getting really bad and it’s scaring me too. I brush my teeth every day. What could be causing the problem? – Razi

 

Razi – Bleeding gums are most frequently related to inadequate removal of plaque between your teeth and gums. Plaque buildup can cause your gums inflammation, or gingivitis. If the bleeding increases and your gums become infected, you have developed periodontal disease, or gum disease.

But bleeding gums can also be the result of aggressive tooth brushing. Certain medications and certain medical conditions can cause your gums to bleed.

Be certain to regularly floss and brush your teeth to remove plaque and prevent bacterial from growing on your teeth. Schedule a dental appointment to have your teeth and gums examined. If there is a plaque buildup, a deep dental cleaning can remove it and prevent you from developing further problems. Until the issue is completely under control, you may have to receive dental cleanings more often.

If your dentist finds that your bleeding gums are not related caused by a dental issue, he or she will refer you to your primary care doctor.

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

Best way to repair a broken denture without going to the dentist

By Dentures

My dentures keep breaking and obviously my dentist doesn’t know how to fix them because they keep breaking in the same spot. Until I get a new pair, I am going to fix them myself. It can’t be any worse than what she is doing. I am looking online about how to repair them. I know better than to use superglue. So I am looking for a strong seal that is okay for oral use. What’s the best way to repair them? Tom F.

Tom – Your dentures need to be examined by a skilled dentist or prosthodontist to determine why they keep breaking. Until that determination is made, your dentures will likely continue to break.

A dentist may be able to repair the dentures in his or her office, or they may need to be sent to a lab for repair. It is also possible that you need new dentures.

Your attempts to repair your dentures may damage them further, so we recommend that you can a second opinion on the condition on your dentures and have them professionally repaired.

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

Can I get my teeth really white if I brush with baking soda 6x a day?

By Teeth Whitening

What if I brushed my teeth say 6 times a day with baking soda? Would they get really white? I want them super white and if I can find a cheap natural way to do it, I will invest the time of brushing my teeth many times a day. – Meghan

Meghan – If you brush your teeth with baking soda, it can help remove surface stains from your teeth. Many brands of toothpaste now contain baking soda. But if there are stains embedded in your teeth, baking soda won’t break them down—neither will whitening toothpastes.

If you decide to use baking soda for brushing your teeth, keep in mind that if you brush too often or to aggressively, you can wear down the enamel on your teeth, and they will look dull. Also, fluoridated toothpaste helps to break down bacterial and fight cavities. Baking soda does not contain fluoride nor any other cavity-fighting agent.

For a safer, more effective way of whitening your teeth, ask your dentist about what options he or she offers for teeth whitening, and how it can be made affordable for you.

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

Can All on 4 implants be used for upper dentures?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

My bottom denture is the one that’s really giving me lots of problems. They lift up with I talk, when I chew, when I laugh. It is both annoying and embarrassing. My dentures have been relined but it has not helped a bit. My daughter-in-law convinced me to think seriously about dental implants. I am looking at the All on 4 implants. Are they only for lower dentures or can I get them for upper dentures too? I don’t need them right now but I want to know for the future. Marsha

Marsha – The All-on-4 dental implants procedure can be performed on both upper and lower dentures. You should find a skilled implant dentist to receive diagnostic studies and an exam to find out if this treatment is right for you.

If you are a candidate for All-on-4, the implants will be placed and temporary dentures will be attached to them. After your jawbone fuses to the implants, which takes several months, you will receive customized dentures that look completely natural.

Request a consultation with a few implant dentists to discuss your options.

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

 

Our son had cleft palate surgery twice and we see another fistula

By Prosthodontist

Our son was born with cleft palate. The first surgery he had went well but after about 4 months a fistula developed. Then he had a second surgery by the same doctor. Now we see what appears to be a second fistula. We are getting nervous about this. It’s not that we don’t trust the doctor, but will this keep recurring? Thank you. Kimberly

Kimberly,

We understand your concern. In rare cases, a fistula, or opening, will form after surgery has been formed to close the palate, or roof of the mouth.

The opening is a result of inadequate healing of the surgical site. The size and location of the opening are evaluated to determine the best options for treating it.

If a fistula is small, it may be left alone to see if it will heal, or until the child is older. Often a 12-month waiting period is passed before another surgery is performed to close the opening. Large openings will need to be surgically closed. But there may be other options.

You can receive a second opinion for your son from a prosthodontist who is experienced in cleft palate treatment. The second opinion may give you reassurance regarding the current treatment recommendations for your son, or it may give you more information about your options.

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

Close Menu