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Monthly Archives

October 2014

How can I find the right pediatric dentist for my son?

By Pediatric Dentist

I have to take my 3 yr old son to the pediatric dentist for his first appointment in a few months, but I am unable to find one near me that gives them something to kind of put him to sleep rather than strap him down. how can i find the right dentist? thanks. Yazmin

Yazmin – If you have friends or family members with children, you can ask for recommendations on a dentist for your children.

If you are scheduled for a dental appointment soon, you can ask to take your child with you to see the office and watch you have your teeth cleaned. You can explain to your son the need to have a dentist check and clean your teeth to keep them healthy.

Another option is to take your child to visit the office where he will receive the dental cleaning, in advance of the appointment. Your son can take a look at the office and meet a few staff members to get comfortable with the office.

Keep in mind that your son may not need to be secured to the dental chair or sedated for his appointment. If you don’t receive any recommendations for a dentist, you can continue to call pediatric dental offices or the office of a family dentist to find out what they do to help children relax during their appointment. Some offices have music to listen to, TV programs to watch, or other ways of distracting children during the appointment.

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

Do I need a second opinion after Clear Choice?

By Blog

I have an appointment next Wednesday with Clear Choice. I need implants for my dentures. I was at lunch at friends talking about my appointment and two of them almost simultaneously told me to get a second opinion. Clear Choice has an excellent reputation, and I was referred to them by 2 different people. Is a second opinion really needed? Thanks, Jan

Jan – Whenever dental implants are needed, a second opinion is advisable. Depending on the complexity of a patient’s case, sometimes a third opinion is desirable.

Clear Choice promotes All-On-4 dental implants for many of their patients, but it is likely that you have other options that Clear Choice doesn’t present to you.

A skilled implant dentist who offers All-On-4 dental implants, as well as standard implants to secure dentures will give you a clearer view of whether or not All-On-4 or some other procedure will work best for your case.

A second opinion will also give you a comparison of what to expect from another provider for before and after surgery care, and the cost of the dental implants.

Your investment in your smile is worth knowing your options and being sure that you have made the right decision.

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

Metal free dental implants for sensitive patients?

By Dental Implants

I tend to have metal allergies. I am not certain about titanium but I need to find a way to get tested to see if I am sensitive. My dentist is recommending 3 dental implants but before I consider them as an option I need to know what to do if I am sensitive to titanium. Are there metal free implants? Carlton

Carlton – Yes, there are metal-free alternatives to standard titanium implants. Zirconia dental implants are ceramic, made of zirconium oxide. The material is biocompatible and can be successfully placed without rejection by patients with metal sensitivities.

A zirconia implant is about 20% more expensive than a titanium implant. Not all implant dentists use or prefer zirconia dental implants. If you are interested in a metal-free alternative to titanium dental implants, we suggest that you speak with an experienced prosthodontist to discuss the pros and cons, as well as your options.

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

Nervous about my dentist referring me to a prosthodontist to fix my teeth from bulimia

By Bulimia and Teeth, Implant Dentistry, Prosthodontist

I have mixed feelings about being referred to another dentist for my teeth. I have a lot of trust in my dentist but this time she doesn’t trust herself, at least not with my teeth. I have been struggling with bulimia for 7 years or so. I finally found the right counselor to help me but it’s a little late for my teeth. My dentist said that she prefers that I see a specialist so she is referring me to a prosthodontist. My discomfort is in having to explain myself and my story all over again. Is this really necessary, or should I try to find a way to get my dentist to do the work herself? Thank. C.T.

Dear C.T. – We sympathize with your concern over having to discuss your health concerns with a new dental provider. That is a difficult step to take.

You mentioned that you trust your dentist. At this point, you may consider trusting her judgment that she is not the best dentist to give you the best results for restoring your smile. A prosthodontist specializes in restoring and replacing teeth, and many have received additional training to produce beautiful results. Many prosthodontists have experience with patients whose teeth are damaged due to eating disorders. Sometimes a case can be more difficult than a general dentist is comfortable handling. Your dentist likely took that into consideration when referring you to this particular prosthodontist—he or she has likely treated many cases similar to yours. This factor also helps the specialist to be sensitive to your concerns.

To increase your comfort level with the prosthodontist, in advance of dental treatment, schedule a consultation with him or her. Get to know the specialist, ask questions about the kind of cases he or she has handled, and try to be frank about your concerns. Taking time to get to know the dentist before treatment begins may help to increase your confidence in the specialist. If you find that you are not comfortable with the specialist, speak with your dentist about it, and if necessary, ask for another referral.

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

Drinking lots of water but my mouth is still dry.

By General Dentistry

I probably drink almost a gallon of water a day but my mouth is still dry. What could be the problem? Thanks. Turner

Turner – Dry mouth is a result of decreased saliva flow, which has several possible causes. Certain medication, antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, and certain medical disorders can reduce saliva production.

Saliva flow is important to control of the level of acidity in your mouth and to help prevent tooth decay. It’s good that you are drinking plenty of water, but if your mouth is still dry, you can start with a visit to your dentist. Your dentist will perform an examination and review your medical history.

Depending on the cause of the reduced saliva flow in your mouth, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse designed to increase saliva production or another treatment. You may need to be referred to a medical doctor for further examination. An examination with a dentist is your first step for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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

Options for loose dentures

By Dentures

My dentures aren’t that old and they are loose already. This was one of my biggest fears when I found out that I needed dentures. Will relining be enough? If not, what are my options? Vicky

Vicky – Your dentures need to be examined to determine the best way to improve the fit. Your dentist will assess the situation and determine if relining will give you a better fit, or if the dentures need to be remade.

You didn’t mention how long you’ve had dentures, but generally after years of wear, they need to be relined. If you have only recently received dentures, it’s unlikely that you’ve experienced enough jawbone loss to cause them to be loose. Inferior denture base material can cause dentures to prematurely loosen.

Relining your dentures may at least be a temporary option for giving you a better fit. It is possible that your dentures can be adapted to accommodate dental implants. Dental implants are surgically implanted in your jawbone and will stabilize your dentures and give you a better fit.

You can consider getting a second opinion from a prosthodontist—a dentist who specializes in the aesthetic replacement and restoration of teeth.

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

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