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Monthly Archives

July 2017

Jul 31

The brackets on my braces keep loosening

By Braces, Orthodontics No Comments

Hi. My name is Santiago. I am writing because the brackets on my braces keep getting loose. My dentist does fast braces but it isn’t going fast for me. She says it is taking longer because the brackets keep loosening due to bad fluorosis stains on my teeth and it’s making it harder for them to stick. I am worried that my treatment is going to take over a year because the brackets keep slipping. My mom and dad are worried about this, but they are no good with technology to find some answers. Also for some reason they feel like they would hurt the dentist’s feelings if we switch. I am wondering if you can give me some information on what I should tell them to help them think about getting me another dentist. Thanks.

Santiago – Your dentist is correct. It is more difficult to bond brackets to teeth with fluorosis stains. But there is a way to prepare the teeth to accept the bonding and prevent the brackets from slipping.

There are three points for you to remember:

  • In cases of severe fluorosis stains, the time for etching your teeth (roughening the surface) needs to be longer than usual.
  • This isn’t something you should ask your dentist to do, because she might not be sure how to properly do it.
  • You can also ask your parents to look at a June 2017 post on the mynewsmile.com/blog website on fluorosis stains and orthodontic treatment. The information there can help your parents decide if they want to schedule an appointment for you with an orthodontist.

If your brackets are slipping, it can affect the quality of your orthodontic treatment and affect your treatment time. You made a good decision to write us and ask for guidance. We hope you get a good solution, the treatment goes well, and that you’ll like the results.

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

Jul 26

Three tips for finding a new pediatric dentist

By Pediatric Dentist

Since May, I’ve been looking for a new pediatric dentist for my kids. I thought I found the right one, so I scheduled an appointment for my kids in mid-June. They went for their first cleaning appointment, but the kids don’t like the dentist and neither do I. I think that the dentist seems too much in a hurry. She seems like she really doesn’t like kids either. I asked her how many children she has, and she looked at me and said, “Are you kidding? None.” Why would I have been kidding, and why would she respond like that to me as the parent of her patients? It was rude. Based on her response with my children I was wondering if she likes kids at all. It does help me understand her behavior toward her patients, though. Now my search is back on, but I don’t want to keep putting my children through experiences like these. I want to get it right before their next cleaning in December. How can I find the right pediatric dentist for my kids? Thank you. Xenia

Xenia – There are several ways to find reliable information on a pediatric dentist. There is a lot of information online and there are other things you can do to help make your search successful. We have several suggestions:

Patient reviews – You can find candid patient reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Read each review carefully, and look for details provided about the care received. Keep in mind that for each dentist, you can find good and bad reviews, but the negative reviews should be few. Don’t be overly alarmed about a few negative reviews, but pay attention to details given for reasons that a patient or parent isn’t satisfied. Ensure the dentist has plenty of reviews for you to be able to make a good decision.

Recommendations from people you know – If you have friends, family members, or co-workers who have children, ask them about their pediatric dentist. If you know their kids, ask the parent for permission to speak with the kids about their dentist. Ask them what they do or don’t like about their dentist. Sometimes the best recommendations come from referrals.

Request a complimentary visit – It provides an opportunity for you and your kids to see the dentist’s office, meet staff members, and meet at least one dentist in the practice before you schedule exams for your kids. Let the scheduler know you are looking for a new dentist. If an office refuses to schedule a complimentary visit, it’s probably not the best option for you and your kids anyway. A complimentary visit will give you a chance to see how your children respond in the environment and how staff members respond to children.

Best wishes.

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

 

 

 

Jul 25

Two of my affordable dental implants failed

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

When I finally found affordable dental implants I thought I was being blessed. It was December of last year when I received 6 dental implants for my dentures and since that time 2 of them have failed. They have turned out to be the curse of a lifetime. This has been one of the most bitter experiences of my life and I so regret that I ever got them. I had 2 implant consultations and picked my dentist because his implants were more affordable and he talked a good game about quality and all the reasons that I would be just as satisfied with the results as if I had paid $4000-$5000 more from another dentist. I checked his training and qualifications on his website, and I believed him.

After the 2 implants failed, I was told that I needed bone grafting and that the grafts need to heal. Then I could get new implants. I received the grafting last month and had a follow-up appointment. The dentist told me it doesn’t look good. He does all of the work himself. He claims that he has had hundreds of implant problems and has never seen a case like mine. During my last appointment, he suggested that the grafting needs to be done over again. A few days ago I started having chest pains and went to the emergency room. Everything checked out fine. My primary care doctor said it’s probably stress. I’ve never had chest pains in my life. I can’t let stress or this dentist send me off the deep end. I’m very nervous about returning to him but I can’t walk around with faulty grafts either. Is this a common issue with affordable dental implants? Thank you. Ingrid

Ingrid – Affordable dental implants that are placed by a highly qualified implant dentist or prosthodontist are highly successful.

When problems arise the reasons vary. Some of then are listed below:

  • The implant dentist lacks the skill required for proper planning and placement of dental implants.
  • Lack of training in current techniques and best practices can lead to implant failure.
  • Cheap implant fixtures can loosen, break, or cause infection.
  • Lack of jawbone density can prevent proper healing. Jawbone density should be measured before implants are placed.
  • If you smoke, it can restrict your blood vessels and interfere with proper healing.

We recommend that you get two more opinions from experienced prosthodontists. Take a copy of your dental records and x-rays with you. After an examination, you’ll be advised of your treatment options. You can also learn about the condition of the remaining dental implants and whether or not they are stable.

If the implants have failed due to faulty work from your current dentist, request a partial refund.

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

Jul 20

My dental implants hurt when I eat

By Dental Implants No Comments

I was thin enough when I got dental implant dentures. Now I look like Death Sucking on a Lifesaver. It’s horrible and I need help because my diet is very limited. My implants hurt when I eat and I’m losing weight fast. I think I have an incompetent implant dentist who keeps telling me to give it more time. I’ve also lost my appetite because of the stress of wondering about how many more thousands of dollars it’s going to cost me to get the implants replaced. Any pressure on the teeth just sends pains riveting through my mouth. I think chewing on the right side is worse than the left. Although I’m usually a right-side chewer I’ve tried to make the adjustment. Everything about eating is uncomfortable. As I’m mentioning it, I should say that I don’t have pain unless I am eating. I got the implants in March and this is an ongoing problem. My dentist is clueless. If you can give me any idea of what is going wrong so I can tell her what she might look for, I would really appreciate it. Thanks. Joan

Joan,

Pain after dental implants can be caused by several different factors. Pain and swelling during the initial healing phases is normal, but after four months of implant placement, you certainly should be able to eat without pain. And you shouldn’t be losing weight.

Your dentist should definitely be working hard to find the cause of your pain. It’s possible that there is a problem with the construction of the denture or the way your denture teeth fit together. But without an examination from Dr. LaVacca, it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact cause.

What to Do If Your Implant Dentures Hurt When You Eat

If your dentist isn’t addressing the issue, we have several suggestions:

  • Schedule an appointment with at least two, experienced implant dentists. Include a prosthodontist as one choice.
  • Avoid mentioning your dentist’s name, and don’t provide the full story.
  • Talk about your symptoms and when you feel them. Let each dentist know that you’ve experienced pain since you received your dental implants.

An experienced implant dentist or prosthodontist will examine your implants and implant dentures to determine the source of your pain. Additional diagnostics studies might be required, and your bite (the way your denture teeth fit together) will be checked.

It’s possible that rather than a dental implant mistake or failure, your denture teeth need minor adjustment, and you will be able to eat without pain. If the issue is more serious, the dentist who completed the work should accept responsibility and give you a refund or a partial refund to have the issues corrected. Your new implant dentist or prosthodontist will let you know what is needed to have your dental records transferred to his or her office.

This post is sponsored by American Board certified prosthodontist and Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

Jul 14

What Is the Cost to Have My All On 4 Implants Replaced?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants No Comments

I’m wondering how much it would cost to have my all on 4 dental implants replaced. I don’t like the way they look. Would I have to go through the whole thing all over again? Before I decided on all on 4, my dentist talked a lot about how much I would like them better than regular dentures because they look and feel natural. Neither is true. It looks and feels like I have buck teeth. The implants make my lips poke out and they are very uncomfortable. My appearance has actually changed. I really want to find a new dentist or a prosthodontist to take them out and start all over again. How much would this cost? Jeff

Jeff – Dr. LaVacca would need to examine your All-On-4 dental implants, as well as the prosthesis (dentures) secured to them. But your description sounds as if only the denture portion of your implants needs to be adjusted or replaced.

It is possible that the denture teeth used in your All-On-4 implants are slightly longer than your natural teeth. Sometimes this is done to give you a more youthful appearance. Even so, longer teeth shouldn’t be placed in the denture base without your approval.

Cosmetic Dentures for All-On-4 Dental Implants

Cosmetic dentures look completely natural.

  • They are made of high-quality denture material.
  • Care is taken to ensure that the size, shape, and color of the teeth complement your facial features. That’s the difference a prosthodontist can make.
  • A prosthodontist who is trained in cosmetic dentistry is picky about ensuring your smile looks like your own natural teeth.

Although it’s unlikely you need new dental implant fixtures, if they do need to be replaced and you switch to a new dentist, the cost of diagnostic studies, surgery, implant fixtures, and other phases are applicable. But your current dentist should be willing to correct the flaws in your smile without additional cost to you.

Speak with your dentist about your concerns and ask him about the options for correcting your smile. He should willingly work with you to ensure you’re happy with your All-On-4 implants. Don’t compromise. People who are hesitant to smile have reduced self-confidence. It can even affect your social life. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to get the issues properly resolved.

If you want a second opinion, schedule an appointment with a board-certified prosthodontist—a specialist in tooth replacement and restoration.

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

 

 

Jul 12
rednose

Red Nose Day

By Events No Comments

JOIN US MAY 21ST FOR RED NOSE DAY

Donate Now!

rednose
Innovative Orthodontic Centers Naperville Dental Specialists & Innovative Pediatric Centers  are asking you to please help us by JOINING the FUN in our FUNdraising campaign. Help us reach our goal of $1500.00 for children in poverty. Our practices are all about “Growing SmileZ for Life™, so what better Fundraiser to get involved with than Red Nose Day? We are so excited to get involved with such a great movement to help those less fortunate. We’re raising money and making our patients laugh with all kinds of fun and silly antics! Please join us in the next 2 week by coming to the office and donating to a great cause!

Jul 06

Clear Choice vs. a Prosthodontist

By Blog No Comments

From what I’ve read in online Clear Choice reviews it looks like I can get the 4 implants I need in just one day. I checked out their website and it pretty much confirms it. I’m trying to understand why the consultations I got at prosthodontists are different from what Clear Choice can do. On average, the prosthodontists said it would take 3-4 months to complete the work. Why would I choose a prosthodontist instead of Clear Choice if I can get same-day implants? – Mike

Mike – Clear Choice reviews from patients are mixed—positive and negative. You did well to get multiple opinions on your dental implants. Prosthodontists are a good choice for consultations, because unlike other “implant dentists” their post-dental school education qualifies them as specialists in replacing and restoring teeth.

Are Same-Day Implants Unique to Clear Choice?

Is the offer of same-day dental implants only something that Clear Choice can do? Consider the facts:

  • “Same-day” really means that you will receive your implants and temporary restorations (dental crowns) in the same day.
  • Clear Choice is able to advertise same-day implants because all their work is completed at the same facility. It’s very convenient for patients.
  • It should be noted that the phases of same-day implants with Clear Choice are the same phases that a prosthodontist provides in his or her office.
  • Regardless of where you receive dental implants, there will still be a two to five month healing period before permanent crowns are placed. There is no way around the healing period. Your jawbone must fuse to the dental implants for them to heal and be successful.

Feel free to schedule a consultation at Clear Choice and ask questions about the healing process. You’ll find that the requirements are similar to what the prosthodontists explained. Compare your options to make a fully informed decision about your dental implant provider.

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

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