Skip to main content
Monthly Archives

September 2017

Sep 30

Can dental implants fail after 7 years?

By Dental Implants No Comments

Can dental implants fail after 7 years? I received 4 dental implants in 2010, and one of them is loose. There is also a lump just below where the crown meets my gum. I should also say that I feel the slightest wiggle in the implant. This is really bothering me because I like 8 hours away from the dentist who did the implants. As I think of it, I’m not sure that he is in the same location. I have to look it up. Until the last month or so, I’ve almost forgotten that I have dental implants. A little discomfort one evening as I was flossing my teeth gave me the clue. I just wanted to check with you first before I go to a dentist to take a look at it. I don’t want to be told that I need a new implant if it isn’t necessary. Just the thought of the time and monetary commitment is making me nervous. How could I have no problems at all and then 7 years later have a loose implant? – Joseph

Joseph,

Although it is rare, it is possible to have inflammation and infection around an implant that you’ve had for years. Usually an infection occurs within weeks or months of receiving a dental implant.

What Is Peri-Implantitis?

It is infectious disease that causes inflammation of the gum and bone that support an established dental implant.

It’s important to have a highly skilled implant dentist take a look at your implant site. If it’s left unchecked there are several risks:

  • The infection can worsen
  • Your jawbone can get infected or begin to dissolve
  • The implant can completely loosen and need to be replaced

There are several factors that can cause peri-implantitis

  • Smoking – It constricts blood vessels in your gum tissue and can cause inflammation and swelling
  • Loss of bone density – Certain medication, hormonal changes, or medical conditions can cause bone loss and interfere with the stability of dental implants
  • Periodontal disease – Unhealthy gum tissue will pull away from dental implants. Just as tissue that is infected or inflamed can cause natural teeth to loosen, it can also cause dental imnplants to loosen.

 

If your current dentist is aware that you have dental implants, he or she should ensure they are properly cared for and maintained. The issue you described should have been noticed during your dental cleaning and exam.

We recommend that you promptly schedule an appointment with a board-certified prosthodontist. He or she is trained and experienced in tooth preservation and restoration. The sooner you act, the less time and money it will cost to correct the issue.

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

Sep 26

Do I need crowns or veneers if vomiting is making my teeth chip?

By Bulimia and Teeth, Implant Dentistry

For the past 2 years I’ve been vomiting after meals and I’m wondering if it’s affecting my teeth and if I need crowns or veneers to protect them. My doctors can’t figure out why this is happening. I’ve had all kinds of gastrointestinal tests but nothing is showing up. It doesn’t happen every day, but it does happen at least twice a week, and sometimes more often. I’m not bulimic. I was so concerned that this might be caused by an eating disorder that I went to a psychiatrist. I don’t have any issues with my weight or anything that is consciously causing me so much stress that I’m vomiting. Within the past month or so I noticed that my teeth feel sensitive to hot and cold. Also my left canine tooth is chipped. Is this coming from the vomiting? I already don’t know what’s causing my stomach problems and now I have to worry about dental care and the cost of veneers or dental crowns. Can anything stop the damage? Thanks. April

April – We regret to hear about the issues you’re having with your stomach and how your teeth are being affected. It’s good that you are seeking medical care and trying to find the cause of the problem. Vomiting from bulimia does affect the teeth, as well as the esophagus—but so does persistent vomiting for any reason.

In a short amount of time, if your teeth are repeatedly exposed to stomach acid, they can be damaged. Porcelain veneers only cover the front of your teeth and won’t protect them from the acid. Although dental crowns can help, they might not be necessary. Consider the factors.

How Persistent Vomiting Affects Your Teeth

  • Stomach acid wears away tooth enamel.
  • Damaged tooth enamel fails to be a protective layer and barrier from decay.
  • Repeated exposure to acid will wear away your teeth and expose tooth nerves, creating sensitivity.
  • Weak teeth can chip or crack easily, and become thin or translucent.
  • Over-exposure to stomach acid will also affect your gums and promote gum disease.

What You Can Do

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day to control the amount of acid in your mouth.
  • Rinse your mouth with water after vomiting. It’s good to keep a bottle of water with you.
  • Avoid brushing your teeth right after vomiting. If you brush your teeth right after they are exposed to acid, the abrasion will weaken them further.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste or toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for checkups. He or she might recommend prescription-strength fluoride. Your dentist will also monitor the damage to your teeth and determine if any of them need to be protected with dental crowns.
  • Continue to seek medical care and get a second or third opinion. Eventually, you will find the right gastroenterologist or another specialist to help.

Best wishes.

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

Sep 20

Should Front Teeth Be Replaced with Affordable Dental Implants, a Bridge, or Something Else?

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

How do I decide whether to get affordable dental implants, a bridge, or regular dental implants? I was given all three options to replace my top front teeth but I’m having trouble deciding. My dentist said that he would really recommend a bridge because it’s in the middle of being affordable and durable. But I had a bridge before and it didn’t last long and the teeth in it became loose. Plus it never really fit right.

Of course I’m concerned about the cost but I don’t want something cheap that is going to wear out in a few years and need to be replaced. Even though affordable dental implants cost more if that’s the way to go, I just want someone to tell me. Thank you. Siobhan

Siobhan – Whenever teeth need to be replaced, it’s good to think about their position and how much those teeth are involved in the force of biting, tearing, and chewing.

How Affordable Dental Implants Compare to Other Options

  • Dental bridge – Front teeth are directly involved in the chewing process, so they should be able to withstand a lot of force. A dental bridge will eventually weaken or loosen with the force that comes with biting and chewing. It isn’t your best option for front teeth. It’s understandable that the teeth in your dental bridge started to loosen.
  • Affordable dental implants – These are also referred to as mini implants, are used to support a denture. They are not designed to take the impact of biting and chewing with front teeth. Affordable dental implants definitely wouldn’t be a long-term solution for replacing your upper front teeth. Sometimes they are used to replace a lower, front tooth.
  • Traditional dental implants – These fixtures are like natural tooth roots in terms of size and durability. They are the strongest, longest-lasting option. It is possible to replace each tooth with a dental implant or to support a dental bridge with implants. This solution would not need to be replaced in a few years. Depending on your age, traditional implants can last a lifetime.

Schedule a consultation with one or two experienced implant dentists who can explain your options and what you can expect from each of them. Ask each dentist about:

  • His or her training and credentials
  • How many cases like yours he or she has completed
  • Photos of actual patient cases similar to yours

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

Sep 15

Is All-On-4 from a Local Dentist Really Better than Full Implants in Mexico?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants No Comments

I’m wondering if you can give me a little insight on All on 4 implants. Last month I thought I had made up my mind about going to Mexico to get dental implants. I’ve been wearing full dentures for 25 years and I have been frustrated with them since I got them. For the past 5 years I’ve been saving for dental implants. Costs have risen so much that I’ve said just a little more than 50% of the cost to have all of my teeth replaced with implants. I don’t want to wait another 4 to 5 years before I receive implants. I found information about getting implants in different places. Mexico is the closest location. I learned that I can find U.S. trained dentists there and even some dentists who are actually from the U.S.

I told my dentist about my plan and she asked me to reconsider getting implants done here. She told me about All on 4, which isn’t really what I want. Of course my dentist has to refer me to someone else get them, which is probably why she didn’t tell me about it before. I’m just wondering why I would just choose 4 implants when I can get all of my teeth replaced in Mexico for not much more than the 4? Is this just a form of nationalism that dentists here have because they think they are superior? Thanks. Lax

Lax – Your dentist’s concern isn’t a form of nationalism. She wants the best for your oral health. There are many countries that offer dental implants, but Mexico is among the most dangerous choices for dental work. Why the high risk? Consider a few reasons:

  • Quality and sterility requirements are not of the highest standard
  • You will have little or no recourse if something goes wrong
  • The government won’t require the dentist to correct any mistakes
  • Prompt attention is needed if there are implications with your dental implants. Can you return quickly to the country for dental care?

Why All-On-4 Dental Implants Are a Good Alternative

All-On-4 dental implants require skill, precision, and experience to properly place and evenly balance. Although many dentists offer the procedure, only prosthodontists or implant dentists with advanced training can successfully perform this method of stabilizing your dentures. What are the benefits?

  • Your dentures are secured with four dental implants
  • Your appliance will have more stability and feel more like your natural teeth
  • All-On-4 is a safer option than getting your implants from Mexico
  • Although the success rate is high, if you do experience complications, you can quickly see your dentist
  • The implants will still help to control facial sagging

Conduct an online search to find out which specialists in your area provide the All-On-4 procedure. We recommend that you schedule consultations with at least two specialists. Gather the following information:

  • How long the dentist has been treating patients with All-On-4
  • How many procedures he or she has completed
  • What type of training the dentist received
  • Ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s actual patients

Compare your options, costs, and the results each dentist tells you to expect.

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

 

 

 

Sep 11

Why do teeth sealants from a pediatric dentist keep falling out?

By Pediatric Dentist

Can you tell me why teeth sealants from a pediatric dentist would keep falling out? It seems that whenever my son goes to the dentist, either he has a new cavity or a sealant has fallen out and needs to be replaced. At first I thought his dentist was just being thorough, but now I’m getting suspicious as to whether or not he is just looking for ways to make money. Even though we have excellent dental coverage, I do care about wasting money on unnecessary expenses. How long are sealants supposed to last? I don’t want my son to starting hating dental visits because he never has a cavity free or issue free checkup. Thanks. Ana

Ana – Dental sealants are very effective in preventing tooth decay—particularly in teeth with deep crevices. But they should not continually fall out.

When properly placed, sealants can last up to ten years. They should at least last several years, but your dentist should occasionally check them to ensure they are intact.

What Can Cause Sealants to Loosen and Fall Out?

  • Failure to properly clean, dry, or roughen the tooth surface before placing the sealant
  • Inadequate tooth coverage
  • Consistently chewing hard or sticky foods
  • Natural wear over time

Sealants should be placed to last. Take note of the age of the sealants that need to be replaced. If they were placed within the last year, ask your son’s dentist if he can redo the sealants free of charge. You can also ask why the sealants continuously need to be replaced. If you continue to suspect that unnecessary treatment is being recommended, or that you are being overcharged, consider taking your son to a reputable pediatric dentist for a second opinion.

You can ask friends or family members for recommendations of a new pediatric dentist. Also, check the dentist’s online reviews. Remember that you don’t have to commit to keeping the new dentist. You can even request a consultation before scheduling a regular visit for your son.

This post is sponsored by award-winning Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

Sep 05

Can Clear Choice Make Me Delete My Reviews?

By Blog No Comments

I had a very bad experience and left several Clear Choice reviews online. I’m very hesitant to say anything more than this because the testimonials I left were detailed enough that the office identified me and contacted me after. I don’t want it to spread here too. I know it probably sounds like I’m being paranoid, but honestly, these people…

Anyway, my point is that I put some Clear Choice reviews up and told about my bad experience. Within about 24 hours, the office manager at the location I went to contacted me and told me that I needed to them all down. She said I signed some kind of privacy agreement that indicated I would not talk about them online and that by posting those Clear Choice reviews, I would not only be dismissed as a patient from the practice, but I could also be subject to legal action for breaking my contract.

I’m not going back and I’m already established at another office and I love my new dentist. That’s not the problem. However, particularly in light of this phone call, I’m worried that other people will be harmed by the company. I’m also worried I’m going to get sued over this. Do I have to remove my testimonials or are they just using these tactics to hide what they’re doing? Can they get away with that?

Anonymous Poster

 

Dear Anonymous Poster,

Your experience after posting reviews about Clear Choice is enough to make anyone wary about what they post and whom they talk to. It doesn’t sound like something the company routinely does. Yours is the first report of it that we can find online. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, though. But it isn’t showing up in searches, and people are keeping quiet about it.

Can They Make You Remove Your Clear Choice Reviews?

When contracts say you can’t post bad reviews, they’re generally referred to as “non-disparagement clauses.” Not too long ago, Congress actually voted on whether these types of clauses were legally binding. They’re not. In fact, according to research presented by NBC News, people who have left negative testimonials and have been harassed by companies about paying fines because of it have been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. Currently, you’re legally allowed to leave testimonials, regardless of your contract with a company, as long as everything you say is factual.

However, considering that you’re wondering about the legality of things, it’s best that you consult with a lawyer who specializes in consumer affairs. A lawyer will walk you through your available options and help you decide what the best course of action is.

You can also notify the review sites and the Better Business Bureau about your issue. Certain sites, like Yelp, take experiences like yours very seriously. If they find cause for concern, they’ll post a public announcement right on the business’ profile for everyone to see. It’s up to you how far you want to take this, but if you choose to be a whistle blower, odds are that Clear Choice won’t get away with it.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Anthony LaVacca, prosthodontist and Naperville implant dentist.

 

 

Close Menu