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Dental Implant Mistakes

Tooth fractured and pulled after dental implant placement and I’m still in pain

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

After having 2 dental implants placed last November I began to have pain from what seemed like one of the implants. Eventually the pain became severe. I made an appointment with my dentist to take a look at the implant and he said that the pain was coming from the tooth next to the implant. He said that the tooth must have been fractured somehow during the implant placement. He pulled the fractured tooth and said that I should be okay in about 2 weeks. I was really frustrated thinking that now I need a third dental implant. Anyway that was a two months and I am still in pain. Not as much pain, but it is very uncomfortable. I am really dreading going back to this dentist because I am thinking what is going to go wrong next. I know that I can’t stay away from the dentist because of the pain that I feel. I am not sure what to do next. – Regina W.

Regina – We suggest that you make an appointment with an experienced implant dentist to receive a second opinion. It is possible that there is a problem with the implant. It may be pinching a nerve or perhaps it was in some other way incorrectly placed.

At this point, you need an examination and x-ray to determine the cause of your pain. Once the source of the pain is identified, you can decide which implant dentist you would like to resolve the issue.

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

My gums swollen over 1 year after dental implant placed

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I got 3 dental implants 1 ½ yrs ago. The healing seems to be fine but now the gum around 1 of them is swollen. I take good care of my real teeth and the implants. I now live 6 hours away from the dentist who placed the implants. I made sure not to relocate before everything was healed. Why is this happening now? Jennifer

Jennifer – Swelling around the implant right after implant surgery is normal. Swelling will peak in approximately 48 hours and will gradually diminish in about one week.

Swelling like yours that occurs over a year after the implant surgery is a reason for concern. It is possible that there is a problem with the implant or you may have an infection.

Your tooth needs to be examined by an experienced implant dentist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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

How to ask dentist if he would repair a failed dental implant from another dentist?

By Dental Implant Mistakes

I have a failed dental implant from my dentist and I don’t feel comfortable going back for him to fix it. I don’t trust him now. How do I ask another dentist if he or she would repair it? – Nick

Nick – A skilled implant dentist is used to providing second opinions and correcting failed implants. You won’t have to worry about how to explain your situation. You will find the dentist to be very understanding.

This time, check the credentials and experience of a new implant dentist before you make your final selection. You might consider having a consultation with the new implant dentist. He or she can examine your implant and discuss your options.

See Dr. LaVacca’s web page on dental implant failure and how it can be avoided.

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

Can dental implants be removed?

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

If I get dental implants and I am not satisfied with them, can I have them removed? – Carlotta

Carlotta – When dental implants are properly placed by a credentialed implant dentist, they will look and feel like your natural teeth. You will be completely satisfied with them as the best form of tooth replacement. Implant placement is not inexpensive, so you want to ensure that you find an excellent implant dentist to place it.

If a patient has received implants from a dentist who didn’t plan implant placement properly or who uses cheap implant fixtures, dental implant failure can occur. And you would not be satisfied with the results.

If the implants fail, they must be removed, and they need to be completely redone. If you have received dental implants that you’re not satisfied with, have them examined by a skilled, credentialed implant dentist.

If you are considering dental implants, find a few experienced implants dentists and have consultations with them before you make your final decision about who will place the implants.

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

Getting dental implants done abroad

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

What’s the best country to get dental implants done abroad? I need 6 dental implants and if I can avoid paying $15-20k for them I’m interested. Do you have any recommendations? – Bill C.

Bill – The cost of dental implants causes many people to consider getting them done outside the U.S. Although we can’t recommend a country from which you can get your implants, we will let you know some things you should consider—even in the U.S.

  • The implant dentist – A skilled, credentialed implant dentist should place the implants. He or she will knows the proper planning required to ensure that your implants are properly place and won’t impinge nerves, damage sinus cavities, or other body structure. The implant dentist will also determine if you have adequate jawbone density or if bone grafting is needed. Consider how you will check the credentials of an implant dentist in another country.
  • Implant fixtures – In an effort to cut costs, cheap implant fixtures are often used. But they can fit poorly, loosen, or cause infection. And your implants will fail and need to be completely redone.
  • Follow-up visits – The implant healing process is two to six months, during which periodic follow-up visits are required to ensure that the implants are healing properly. And when the implants are healed, a permanent tooth restoration, or dental crown, is attached to each one. If you receive the implants abroad, will you stay in that country during the healing process, or will you go back and forth for follow-up visits?

Consider having consultations for dental implants in the U.S. Find out who places the implants and what his or her credentials are. If cost is a concern, speak with the dentist about financing or payment plans. Regardless of where you get your implants placed, ensure you receive quality planning, placement, fixtures, and overall care.

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

Can he play sports after dental implant surgery?

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

Hi. My boyfriend is in a baseball league. He wants dental implants, but he doesn’t want to get them at a time when he would have to miss a game. How soon after dental implants can he be active in sports again? Thanks – Dawn

Dawn – For at least several days after the implant procedure, your boyfriend should not participate in any demanding activity, including sports. Physical exertion can cause bleeding around the implant site. The implant surgeon will provide specifics as to when your boyfriend can resume his normal activity. In addition to demanding activity, irritants including alcohol, black tea, and nicotine should be avoided, because they can have a negative effect on the healing process.

In order to prevent dental implant failure, nothing should be allowed to interfere with the healing process. In approximately a week after the healing process, your boyfriend will return to the implant surgeon for a progress check.

The implant dentist will give your boyfriend specifics of the kinds of food, drink, and activities that should be avoided or limited immediately after the surgery and during the healing process.

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

 

When can I smoke after my dental implants are placed?

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

I am a smoker but I quit for a month before I got dental implants. I got surgery 2 weeks ago and the surgeon told me not to smoke for another 2 for 4 months. Is this right? Thanks – Doug K.

Doug – Smoking, before or after, dental implant placement can affect the success of the implants.

Smoking has a negative effect on the healing process, so during the two to six month period while your bone and the implant fuse together, you should avoid smoking. Smoking can severely limit the healing process.

If your implants don’t heal properly, it can lead to inflammation and infection, or the implants will not stabilize. If you experience implant failure because of smoking, the implants will need to be removed and completely redone.

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

All I have is regrets

By Dental Implant Mistakes

I have to admit that the people there are really nice. In fact when I first visited, I was very impressed with the customer service and the seeming sincerity of the representatives, although at times they were a little too aggressive for my taste. The advertising and fancy printed material really impressed me.

Now that I have the implants, and it’s $30,000 later, I have an infection from one poorly placed implant. I have had temporary teeth break several times. I am a bit frustrated to say the least. My cheek is swollen and I am having trouble speaking.

Everyone I speak to from Clear Choice is very pleasant, but I still have regrets and I am not confident that I will get a resolution there. Every conversation I had before the surgery was very positive. I was not warned about possible implant failure or any other negative aspect of getting dental implants. In hind sight, I should have asked more “what if” questions.

It’s an expensive lesson learned, and I regret it. I haven’t decided what I am going to do yet, but I am really not comfortable returning there to get the problems fixed. – J. from Indiana

 

J. – It is unfortunate to learn about your experience and the discomfort you still are experiencing. Aggressive sales tactics often don’t clearly inform you of the risks involved.

If you decide to get a second opinion, seek it from a credentialed implant dentist. You may be interested in reading about Dr. LaVacca’s second opinions for Clear Choice dental implants.

We also have a Chicago Clear Choice Reviews page for any of our readers who would like to share his or her experience.

I am bleeding near my dental implant. Is this a sign of failure?

By Dental Implant Mistakes

i just had a dental implant and it has been 2 months. While i was brushing there was little bleeding near the implant. Does this mean it failed? Please help me. i am worried. Chad

Chad – Minor bleeding around the implant site is normal the first two or three days after the surgery. If it has been two months since your surgery, contact your implant dentist immediately so that he or she can examine the implant to determine the cause of the bleeding.

Common signs of implant failure are an infection, implants that become loose, numbness, tingling, or pain that are a result of nerve impairment, and discomfort from the puncture of other body cavities—particularly the sinuses.

If you want a second opinion to determine if you have experienced implant failure, find a credentialed implant dentist for it.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Replacing a failed dental implant

By Dental Implant Mistakes, Dental Implants

I had 3 dental implants placed and 1 of them failed. It needs to be removed. Replacing it will require bone grafting. I am not prepared to spend the kind of money that an implant and bone grafting would take. Any suggestions for an alternative? – William T.

William – A fixed dental bridge can replace the tooth (a fixed bridge cannot be taken out of your mouth). It would not require an implant or bone grafting. If you still have a concern with jawbone shrinkage in the location of the missing tooth, you can consider a soft tissue graft or bone grafting.

If you’re interested, review Dr. LaVacca’s has a web page specific to reasons that dental implants fail.

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

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