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Dental Implants

Jun 30

If my All on 4 implants are healed, can I smoke every now and then?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I got All on 4 implants in January 2015. Before I got the implants my surgeon told me that I had to quit smoking, so I did quit. I wanted to implants to heal correctly and I just found out 2 weeks ago that they are completely healed and everything is fine. I have actually enjoyed the benefits of not smoking. I feel healthier and my skin looks better. Part of my smoking though, was for social reasons. I still hang out with the same guys. After a few rounds of golf we get a few drinks and smoke cigars. I have been tempted to smoke a few times lately. Now that the implants are healed can I smoke every now and then with minimal risk? Thanks. David C.

David – Any smoking, whether it’s long- or short-term, can increase the risk of dental implant failure—even if the implants have already healed.

Smoking poses a risk for dental implants becauseit can cause gum irritation and inflammation. The inflammation promotes periodontal, or gum, disease. If these problems occur around the dental implants, it can cause an infection and implant failure.

Blood flow is also restricted when you smoke. Sufficient blood flow is needed for healthy gums and jawbone. Healthy gums and jawbone are essential for the longevity of All-On-4 dental implants.

It is possible that you can smoke during social occasions and maintain healthy gums, but is it worth the risk? There is no way of determining when or how your gums will be affected by smoking. Smoking socially increases the risk of completely returning to the habit.

We advise that you remain a non-smoker. Your oral health and the longevity of your dental implants will only benefit from it.

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

Jun 29

Prosthodontist or another dentist for a broken implant?

By Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

 

I didn’t know about a prosthodontist until I found your website on my Google search for failed dental implants. I think you may be able to advise me on my situation: My dentist sent me to a oral surgeon to get a implant. The surgeon did a beautiful job on the bone grafting and implant. I went back to my dentist in October to get the crown. Something just didn’t feel write when he was putting it on. Anyway the implant hurts and it is loose. So of course I didn’t go back to my dentist, I went to another one to take a look at it and he said yes it is loose and he can refer me to an endodontist to fix it. Hmm. Then I am going to have to go back to my dentist to get a crown on it which is how this started in the first place. I didn’t have any trouble until my dentist put the crown on. What should I do? – Helena

Helena– Find a dentist who is trained in implantology, such as a prosthodontist. You may need to have bone grafted to ensure the implant is stable, but the problem can be corrected.

Check the credentials of the dentist to see if he or she has extensive training specific to dental implants. You can check for credentials from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists or the American Board of Oral Implantology. Ask questions and express your concerns about the placement of your crown.

An advantage of receiving dental implants from a prosthodontist is that he or she completes every place of the process. Diagnostic studies, planning, surgery, and crown placement are all completed by the same specialists. Prosthodontists have extensive experience in implant placement and can often provide more predictable outcomes.

Schedule consultations with two or three implant dentists, and include a prosthodontist as a second or third opinion. We know this situation has been a disappointment for you, and we wish you the best on your future treatment.

 

Jun 27

Is it safe to get affordable dental implants from a dental school?

By Dental Implants

I have been to Clear Choice and 4 implant dentists trying to get the most affordable dental implants I can without compromising on quality. I know implants can fail because I’ve had 2 that failed already. I have divorced myself from the previous dentist and am back in the hunt for a competent dentist and surgeon. It has been 4 years since I had my implant failure and I have been hesitant to jump back in too soon. Just in the past 4 years I have seen a rise in the cost and I am starting to get worried that I might have to get a bridge instead of implants. I was talking about the issue with a friend and he suggested a dental school. To me, it sounds like a bunch of rookies trying to get it right and I am the guinea pig. Is a dental school really a safe place to go to get implants I can afford? Thanks Vince.

 

Vince,

Many people who want affordable dental implants consider a dental school. Dental schools are highly regulated. Each student’s work is monitored and reviewed by an instructor. So it may seem like the perfect place to receive quality implants for less.

There is limited on the success rate of dental implants performed by dental students. A study conducted at Oregon Health and Science University – Advanced Education Program in Periodontics shows a 95.8 success rate for dental students. Periodontists are specialists, so these students are spending an extra two years of study that includes training in implantology. The study on implant success rate did not indicate the year of post-graduate study or training for the dental students in the survey. Some patients specifically request the most advanced students, but there is no guarantee the request will be granted.

There is plenty of data on experienced implant dentists. It may be helpful to know what highly skilled implant dentists have a 98% success rate. If you choose to receive the service from a dental school, keep in mind that the success rate isn’t as great.

An additional thought is that since you have a history of dental implant failure, you can benefit from the expertise of a skilled implant dentist or prosthodontist. He or she will thoroughly review your dental history and records to make every attempt to identify the previous cause of failure and avoid it.

Speak with skilled dentist about payment plans and financing to help make implants affordable for you. Be certain not to compromise quality for cost.

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

Jun 13

Do her dental implants need to be redone?

By Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

My wife had 6 dental implants done in the Philippines. We stayed for 3 days for a follow up appt. to make sure everything looked good. When we got back to the states, after just 5 weeks 2 upper implants and two lower implants are very loose. 4 out of 6 doesn’t sound like good odds to us. She is afraid to eat anything other than soft foods because she is afraid that they may come completely loose and she chokes on them. The implant dentist said that she had enough jawbone density for the implants. We don’t understand why this is happening. I hate to see her suffer like this. Neither of us want to go back to the Philippines even though the doctor there is willing so see her and fix whatever is wrong. Of course he is the one that caused the problem so do we really want to return? What do you suggest? Do her dental implants need to be redone?Thank you very much. Ted R.

Ted – Your wife’s experience is very unfortunate. It does underscore the importance of finding a highly-skilled and trained implant dentist who uses high-quality implant fixtures.

When dental implants are loose, it is possible that cheap implant fixtures were used. A cheap implant fixture can cost $3 to $5, but a quality fixture that has been thoroughly tested costs $300 to $500.

There are hundreds of companies that make dental implants, but only six of them produce implants that meet the high standards of the American Dental Association and the Food and Drug Administration. Cheap implant fixtures are more likely to results in implant mistakes or failure, resulting in implants that loosen and cause infection.

Another possibility is that the dental implants for your wife were improperly placed. Extensive diagnostic studies and careful planning are required to properly place implants.

We suggest that choose a skilled implant dentist or prosthodontist in the U.S. to examine your wife’s dental implants. He or she will recommend the appropriate treatment to correct the situation. Look for implant dentists who are associated with the American Board of Oral Implantology or the International Congress of Oral Implantology. If your second opinon doesn’t thoroughly address the issue may even be helpful to get a third opinion

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

May 14

I think I’m allergic to my dentures

By Dental Implants, Dentures

None of my natural teeth are left so I am wearing complete dentures. I got them in February of this year. Although I didn’t want dentures, dental implants are not an option for me so I had to get what I can afford. I really like the way my dentures look. They are more natural looking than I expected. The problem is that I can’t wear them without my gums itching and getting a rash. I can wear them but when I take them off it is hard to rest because of the irritation and itching. My dentist calls this an adjustment period, but it’s May now. How long does it take to adjust? If this is what I have to look forward to I am going to be miserable. I am beginning to wonder if I am allergic to the dentures. If so shouldn’t my insurance company pay for me to get a different pair of dentures or may dental implants? Also how do I handle this issue with my dentist when he thinks that I just need to adjust to the dentures? Thanks Vernon

 

Vernon,

If you didn’t experience any irritation issue prior to getting dentures, it is likely that there is something associated with wearing the dentures that is causing the problems. It is rare to be allergic to dental acrylic, but a few cases have been reported. Most often, metal in the dentures or the denture adhesive is causing irritation or rash.

Do you use denture adhesive? If so, try wearing your dentures without the adhesive. Your dentures are relatively new, so adhesive should not be needed at this point. If the irritation doesn’t occur and you still feel you need adhesive, try switching brands. Take note of the ingredients in the adhesives and see if there are any components that you may be sensitive to.

If your denture has a metal base or any metal components, it may be triggering an allergic reaction. If you are not using adhesive and you still get irritation and a rash, the denture may be the culprit. You can ask your dentist to switch you to another set of dentures, or you can get tested for metal allergies. Let your allergist know the details and circumstances of your reaction. He or she will have insight on how you should be tested.

Speak to your dental insurance company about the issue. Some benefits may be provided. It may help to have your dentures supported by dental implants, which prevents the dentures from resting on your gumliine. At the same time, your dentures will fit and function better. The implants will also prevent jawbone shrinkage. If needed, get a second opinion from an experienced prosthodontist.

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

Apr 27

What matters most in preventing dental implant failure?

By Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I’ve decided to get dental implants this fall. I need 4 of them so this is really going to be a big expense for me, but I know it will be worth it. I know that a specialist is needed to place the implant and a dentist is needed to the crown on the implant. After reading online about dental implant failure, I am a little confused about which dentist is more important in preventing the implants from going bad. What matters most to get implants that will last? Is it the work of the surgeon or the work dentist who places the crown and the lab that is used? Marvel

Marvel – Good question. As you likely know, the process of receiving successful dental implants starts with careful planning and diagnostic studies. But quality implant fixtures, surgery, and a restoring dental crown are also crucial to the success of implants.

After implant surgery, the jawbone must properly heal and fuse with the dental implant. When it heals, the lab creates the restoration (dental crown) that is secured to the implant. The quality and fit of the dental crown prevents an improper bite. This can affect how long your dental implant will last.

If you receive a well-made implant crown and it’s placed incorrectly by your dentist, the implant may still fail if it wasn’t properly placed during surgery. This emphasizes the importance of finding a skilled implant surgeon and a restoring dentist.

Many people recognize the skill level required for quality dental implants and crowns and choose to find a board-certified prosthodontist. A prosthodontist has advanced training in implant placement and in proper crown creation and placement.

Before you choose a provider, we recommend that you visit several implant dentists. Get information on the credentials of the implant surgeon and the dentist who will be placing the crown. Even if you choose to prosthodontist for your care, verify his or her experience first.

 

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

Mar 30

Is this a realistic cost for All on 4 dental implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I lost most of my teeth in a work accident that made a huge blow to my face. My dentist says I’m lucky that my jawbone didn’t break.  My face was disfigured and I have a long recovery. I have been scouting around for dental implants and quickly realized that I can’t afford to replace all of the missing teeth with implants. So I have to accept the fact that I need dentures. I can get all on 4. I found a place that said they will do all on 4 for 7k which is unbelievably low. I am just wondering why so big of a difference from the 3 other implant places I visited which were 4-5 times that cost. Were the other dentists just trying advantage of me? Thanks. Raj

Raj– The higher costs you received are more realistic for the All-On-4 procedure. Depending on where you live in the country and the specifics of your case, the cost will vary.

Some of the costs involved in proper implant placement are diagnostic studies, quality implant fixtures, implant surgery, and the placement of dentures on the implants. The second quote of $7000 raises a lot of concern. That is the quote that really sounds like an attempt to take advantage of you with inferior dental implants. The low cost will likely result in cheap implant fixtures or some type of shortcut that can result in an infection around the implants and complete implant failure.

If you want another valid opinion, we recommend that you see a skilled, reputable implant dentist who provides quality fixtures. The estimate that you receive should be more or less in the area of your initial quotes, but not significantly less. You can look for dentists with extensive training in implant dentistry, or a prosthodontist who perform every phase of the implant process.

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

Mar 27

Replace ugly tooth with a dental implant

By Dental Implants

I have a tooth that looks horrible. It looks like it belongs in something’s mouth, not in a person’s mouth. The tooth is thin and pointy and the shape and color are even different from my other teeth. The tooth is on the left side but if I smile even slightly wide people notice it. I have heard a few thoughtless people joke about it. I want to do something about it now that I have better dental insurance. Can this tooth be pulled and replaced with a dental implant? Ivy

Ivy – If your tooth is healthy and structurally sound, it doesn’t need to be replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants replace missing teeth or teeth that cannot otherwise be saved, but nothing is as effective as keeping your natural teeth.

A prosthodontist can examine your tooth and let your know the options for improving its appearance and making it blend perfectly with your natural teeth. This is the time to consider if you want to improve your overall smile by having your teeth whitened. If so, your teeth should be whitened before you receive cosmetic dentistry.

If you need a porcelain veneer or porcelain crown to improve the appearance of your unsightly tooth, it can be made to match your whitened smile. In some cases, teeth whitening and reshaping alone can transform the look of your tooth, but if the tooth in question is narrower than your natural teeth, a porcelain crown or a porcelain veneer will probably be recommended.

Schedule a consultation with a few experienced prosthodontists to discuss your options. Ask to see pictures of patients with similar issues whose smile the dentist has transformed.

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

Feb 22

What can I eat after dental implant surgery?

By Dental Implants, Mini Implants

After consultations with 4 different dentists I finally decided that I have to do what is affordable for me. So I am going to get 6 mini implants. I figure that should be pretty good for my dentures and better than what I have now. My dentures pretty much lift every time I cough, sneeze or eat anything that isn’t soft. I haven’t made a final decision yet about which surgeon I am going to let do the implants. I am trying to get as much information as I can about what to expect before and after the surgery. There isn’t much information on after care that I got from the brochures the dentists gave me. Specifically I would like to know if my diet will be restricted after implant surgery. Will I have to be on liquids for a while, or what can I eat? Thanks. Danette

Danette – Immediately after your dental implant surgery, your intake will be mainly in liquid form. Drinks or smoothies that contain vegetable and protein will help you maintain your energy level. Be certain to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Drink directly from the cup and do not use a straw. The sucking action from a straw can dislodge the blood clot and prolong the healing process.

Be sure to eat and drink something nourishing. Too much sugar will drain your energy. After a few days, you can eat soft food. Hot food should be avoided. Soup (not too hot), yogurt, pudding, gelatin, or applesauce will not harm the implant site. Crunchy foods can fall into the implant site and cause discomfort, pain, or bleeding.

Be certain to take in enough protein and liquids each day. It will help you feel better and heal faster.

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

Jan 20

Avoiding dental implant failure

By Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, each year about 500,000 Americans get dental implants. Although no one can guarantee the success of your dental implants, there are some precautions that can be taken to help avoid implant failure. We’ll review four of them. Consider them vital. If an implant fails, it needs to be removed. There will be a healing period before the implant can be replaced. Also, poorly placed implants can damage nerves, sinus and more.

Dental Implant Failure Precautions

CT Scans

There are dentists who perform CT scans on a limited basis, and for some implant cases not at all. But performing them for every implant candidate can help prevent failure. Why? CT scans reveal more and ensure accurate implant placement. Cysts, polyps, nerves, sinuses, bone density, and other structures can be clearly seen with 3-D scans. An incorrectly placed dental implant can result in pain, suffering, and implant failure for the patient.

Dental Implant Fixtures

Top implant dentists use high-quality fixtures. Implant fixtures that have strict quality-control guidelines give you confidence that implants won’t fail because they are cheap or poorly made. Some dentists try to save money by using less expensive implants, but the sacrifice in quality is costly to the patient. Some of the top manufacturers are 3i, Astrotech, BioHorizons, Nobel Biocare, Straumann, and Zimmer.

The Implant Dentist

Implantology is not an officially recognized specialty, so any dentist can take courses and start placing implants. Look for advanced training and credentials. Accreditation, diplomate, or fellowship status reflect extensive training along with scrutiny of the dentist’s implant cases. There are quality implant dentists who do not have these credentials, but when you find one who does, it will help ensure that you get the results you want—quality implants that will last a lifetime.

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

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