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Affordable Implant Dentistry

Apr 15

Will I ever be able to get affordable dental implants?

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

I signed up for a discount dental plan in hopes of eventually getting affordable dental implants because most of my teeth are missing. On my first appointment I completed forms that I thought asked for more information than usual. I was told to wait a few minutes and really in less than 5 minutes the receptionist told me that I qualify for financing. Why were they trying to qualify me for financing before my teeth were even cleaned? After I got the x-ray and cleaning, the dentist came in. He didn’t look at my teeth at all. He told me that I needed several fillings and 4 crowns. Then they gave me this crazy cost of $4000 which I really though sounds excessive even though I don’t know how much crowns cost. I was really shocked and didn’t say much. When I was checking out, the receptionist was trying to schedule me for the fillings and crowns appointments but I told her I would have to call back to schedule. Of course I am not going back to the office at all. If I really need the dental work they say I do, it will be 3 or 4 years before I can even get affordable dental implants. Besides all that, I don’t have enough healthy teeth left to invest in them. I prefer overdentures. Today I got a call from them to schedule my appointment for the dental work. I haven’t been to a dentist in 3 years so I can believe that I might have cavities but is it normal for a dentist to tell you that you need all this work if he hasn’t even looked at your teeth? – Abrielle

Abrielle – Your dental appointment was unusual. In addition to your cleaning and x-rays, your teeth should be thoroughly examined by the dentist before treatment is recommended. The dentist should also be specific about what dental treatment is needed and why. High fees for treatment can make even the most affordable dental implants out of reach.

How You Can Get Affordable Dental Implants

  • You are wise not to return to the office. Consider contacting your dental insurance company to explain the situation and avoid any problems with coverage due to possible duplication of treatment.
  • Find a prosthodontist to examine your teeth and make any treatment recommendations. You may want to visit the office first or request a consultation with the dentist before you receive an exam.
  • Affordable dental implants can be made possible through financing or payment plants.

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

Mar 21

A denture tooth cracked on my affordable dental implants

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

I got affordable dental implants 8 months ago. They have been fine and I have had no problems whatsoever with them until now. The problem is actually with only one of the teeth. So I saw the dentist who did the arch of and she confirmed what I thought. There is a fracture in one of them and it’s making it feel like my bite is off. The dentist asked me how long I had the dental implants. I thought that was very strange because she was the one who did the dentures. Then after another 10 minutes of looking at all my teeth, she suggested that I replace the whole prosthesis “as a precaution.” I have never heard of this. Why would I replace perfectly good dentures that I’ve had no problem with, just in case something happens to them? Am I missing something? What was the purpose of getting affordable dental implants? Also she implied that I am somehow at fault so she is going to charge me for 75% of the cost of replacing the whole arch. – Traci

Traci – No, you are not missing anything. The savings from your affordable dental implants would be consumed by replacing your dentures.

We recommend that you get a second opinion. Have a second dentist—preferably a prosthodontist—examine the fractured tooth. It is possible to replace one or more teeth in a denture without replacing the entire prosthesis. Don’t mention anything to the second-opinion dentist about the recommendation you received from your dentist. If necessary, you can get a third opinion until you are comfortable with the diagnosis, recommended treatment for your affordable dental implants and dentures, and the explanation for both.

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

Feb 13

Bad experience trying to get affordable dental implants

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

I need affordable dental implants, but I’ve had a bad experience with my dentist. Although I won’t get into my life story about my childhood, because of my environment, I went through life without ever going to a dentist until my adulthood. My previous jobs didn’t provide dental insurance. I’m 27 years old and I have a great job with benefits. My teeth and gums are in horrible shape, and I lost 6 teeth already due to advanced gum disease. Dentures are the only way to go. I read enough about how your bone shrinks with dentures, so I also want affordable dental implants.

I unknowingly chose an unsympathetic dentist through my dental plan. There are not a lot of choices in the plan for dentists near my apartment. This dentist asked nothing about my medical or dental history. She just spewed out insult after insult. I didn’t even get to ask her about dentures or the cost. Honestly, I felt so bad that when the hygienist told me the dentist would return shortly I just slipped out of the office. I had to pay up front, so don’t worry, I didn’t walk out without paying. This was the most humiliating experience ever. If this is what I have to go through to get dentures and implants, I’m not sure if I can take it emotionally. What should I do if dentist after dentist keeps insulting me? My teeth are in horrible shape, but shouldn’t I be treated with respect? – Riya

Riya – We are sorry that your dentist was insulting and disrespectful. Her behavior was clearly unprofessional too. Every patient should be treated with dignity and respect. The good news is that you might not need dentures and low-cost implants to secure them at all.

Are Affordable Dental Implants and Dentures Necessary?

Unfortunately, you didn’t have an opportunity to speak with the dentist and discuss your options. Periodontal (gum) disease is treatable. You’ve lost several teeth, but even an advanced cased can be controlled—either through a family dentist or through a specialist, or periodontist. Well-controlled gum disease can prevent the need for dentures and affordable dental implants.

What can you do?

  • We recommend that you visit at least two prosthodontists, or dentists who are specialists in replacing and restoring teeth.
  • Keep in mind that you might need to drive a little farther to find prosthodontists in your plan and get proper care.
  • You can consider scheduling consultations with at least two different specialists. This will give you a chance to meet the dentists and see how they interact with you. A dentist’s first concern should be restoring your oral health. You shouldn’t be scolded or insulted.
  • When you find a specialist who treats you with respect and works to restore your oral health, it’s probably the right dentist for you, and it’s time to switch.

Dentures and affordable dental implants will be the last option a conscientious prosthodontist will offer. There are other ways to replace missing teeth, including a dental bridge or dental implants. You probably need a series of deep dental cleanings to regain your oral health. Every effort will be made to help you keep your natural teeth and restore any that are damaged.

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

 

Dec 16

5 Ways to Get Affordable Dental Implants that Last

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

If you are looking for affordable dental implants, you probably realize how important they are to your long-term oral health.

Deeply Rooted Advantages

  • Surgically implanted – They mimic tooth roots and are placed in your jawbone. They function and feel natural.
  • Stability – You can get maximum stability for a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or dentures.
  • Preserve jawbone – Implants stimulate bone and prevent jawbone shrinkage.
  • Prevent facial collapse – If all of your teeth are missing and your jawbone shrinks, your facial muscles will sag and make you look older. Implants help prevent facial collapse.

How to Get High-Quality, Affordable Dental Implants

There are several ways to make tooth replacement or stabilizing your dentures more affordable.

1. Limit the number

If you need to stabilize your dentures, it can be done with as few as two implants. If it’s within your budget, choose standard fixtures over smaller ones. Just remember that more implants will increase the stability. Most implant dentists recommend four to six fixtures. Some of your options include:

  • Snap-on dentures
  • Bar-retained
  • Ball-retained
  • All-On-4®

2. Limit the size

Although mini implants are not strong enough to replace a single tooth, they can secure dentures. Just two of these smaller fixtures will eliminate the anxiety and embarrassment of dentures slipping around or falling out. The diagram to the right shows how mini and standard fixtures compare.

3. Have the work done in phases

Ask your dentist about options for completing your dental work in phases. Some possibilities are below.

  • Receive your dentures first and have the base fitted for affordable dental implants later.
  • You can also receive implant fixtures in phases—two at a time—until you’ve reached the number you want.
  • If you are replacing individual teeth, get one or two implants at a time.

4. Consider financing

Most dentists offer financing or payment plans. Ask your dentist about in-office plans or low- or no-interest financing through healthcare credit companies. You can even request financing on your own through companies like CareCredit®.

5. Do Your Homework

Whether or not you get quality implants that last is mostly determined by the dentist you choose. Before you select a provider, research a few dentists to learn about their education, continuing education, and credentials. Affordable dental implants are a waste of time without quality planning, placement, and aftercare. Going the cheap route can cause many problems, including:

  • Loose implant fixtures
  • Infection
  • Nerve impairment
  • Pain, numbness, and tingling

Your choice of a provider is crucial to avoiding implant failure. For example, Dr. LaVacca is an American board-certified prosthodontist. In addition to receiving specialty training after dental school, he obtained board certification. He also teaches other dentists about how to obtain the best results with implantology. Find out what he does to ensure you get dental treatment that lasts.

Schedule Consultations for Affordable Dental Implants

We recommend that you schedule consultations with two or three highly experienced dentists to discuss your treatment and payment options. If you’re local to Naperville, Dr. LaVacca welcomes you to schedule one of your consultations with him.

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

Oct 29

Affordable dental implants don’t fit my dentures

By Affordable Implant Dentistry No Comments

I found a dentist for affordable dental implants for my dentures. After 12 years of pop-up dentures I couldn’t take it anymore. The dentist I had been seeing charged $700 more for the implants than my current dentist. I switched to the cheaper dentist but that was a huge mistake. It was August when I receive the affordable dental implants. My dentist snapped my dentures onto the implants but even he admitted he had trouble doing it. I’m very concerned about keeping my mouth and dentures clean, but whenever I take the dentures out I can’t get them back in. Honestly I can’t count how many times I’ve gone back into the dental office just to have my dentures put back on the implants. Even the hygienist can’t get them back on. I’ve noticed my dentist using some sort of tool to wedge between the denture and my jawbone, but of course I don’t have a tool like that at home. Last week I realized that the real issue is that the affordable dental implants just don’t fit my dentures. I’m sure my dentist knows it but doesn’t want to admit it. How do I handle this? K.L.

K.L.,

We are sorry to hear about the difficulty you’re having with your implant dentures. You should be able to snap them on and off to clean them. Your suspicion about the improper fit of your affordable dental implants and your dentures might be correct. Well-planned and well-placed dental implants for dentures don’t result in the problems you describe.

When Affordable Dental Implants and Dentures Don’t Fit Together

  • You can start by scheduling an appointment with your dentist. Speak with him about your concerns with having dentures that won’t snap onto the implants without going into the dental office. It’s really unacceptable.
  • Your dentist should willingly offer to identify the issue and correct it at no charge to you. If your dentist isn’t willing to admit there is a problem—and if he doesn’t offer to correct it—schedule an appointment for a consultation with another implant dentist.
  • It’s possible that a new denture base can be made to snap onto the implants, or new dentures might be needed. It is possible, but less likely, that your dental implants were incorrectly placed.

The issue needs to be corrected to prevent excessive pressure on the dental implants as they are forced on or off. The implant sites can become irritated if they are repeatedly jolted so your dentures fit on them.

Schedule a consultation with a board-certified prosthodontist.

 

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist 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.

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.

Aug 17

Why are dental implants recommended so often when most people can’t afford them?

By Affordable Implant Dentistry

I have 3 missing teeth and the dentist is recommending implants for them. My sister had a dental appointment last week and her dentist recommended dental implants. I know that implants can cost a few thousand dollars. Why do dentists keep recommending them when most people can’t afford them and insurance doesn’t cover them? Thanks. Faye

Faye – Dental implants are frequently recommended because they are the most effective and natural-looking form of tooth replacement. This is because implants have the same structure as a natural tooth. The stem of an implant mimics the root of a tooth, and a crown is secured to it as the biting surface of the tooth.

Another advantage is that the root form of a dental implant is surgically placed in your jawbone, so implants also prevent your jawbone from shrinking. Jawbone shrinkage occurs naturally when all of your teeth are missing.

Although dental implants are more expensive than a dental bridge or a partial denture, implants are permanent. Other forms of tooth replacement can last five to fifteen years, depending on how well they are maintained.

Your dentist can give you options for making treatment affordable for you, whether it’s dental implants or a bridge.

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

Jun 29

Need info on getting dental implants from students

By Affordable Implant Dentistry

I really need dental implants. 5 teeth need to be replaced and I just can see going into debt for thousands of dollars go get it done. I am looking for information on where I can get dental implants from students. Any information you can provide me is very much appreciated. Eddie P

Eddie – We understand your concerns about the cost of dental implants. The success of dental implants depends largely on the skill of the implant dentist and the quality of the implant fixtures.

A skilled implant dentist will first ensure that you are a candidate for dental implants. He or she will also thoroughly check your medical history, and do diagnostic studies of your facial structure, including your sinuses, to ensure that the implants are properly placed. A skilled implant dentist can anticipate any problems that may occur with implant placement, and plan accordingly to avoid them.

If for some reason an infection develops around an implant, or some unanticipated problem occurs, the experienced implant dentist has the skill and experience to work through those problems, correct them, or make the necessary adjustments to help you have a positive outcome.

The things we have mentioned are difficult to find in a student who is still learning.

We advise you to speak with a few credentialed implant dentists about your concerns. Perhaps your work can be done in phases. You can also find out about financial arrangements, including payments plans or no-interest financing to help make quality dental implants affordable for you.

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

May 22

Snap on denture post broke!

By Affordable Implant Dentistry

I am in the process of getting snap on dentures. I think one of the implant post broke. It feels pretty lose around the gum. If it broke will it have to be redone? I just want to know before I go to this dentist because I don’t know him that well. I just need some independent advice. Thank you. – Marlene

Marlene – If one of the implant fixtures broke, it will need to be removed and replaced. The implant dentist may need to reposition the implant so that your jawbone will correctly heal around it.

You have the option of getting a second opinion from an experienced implant dentist. He or she will examine the implant and let you know what needs to be done to replace it.

It may not be true in your case, but sometimes in an effort to save money, cheap implant fixtures are used. If you get a second opinion, you can ask about the quality of the implants that were used to support your dentures. This information will be useful in determining the dentist you choose to replace your implant.

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

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