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Dental Implants

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 I get mini implants for 7 missing teeth?

By Dental Implants, Mini Implants

Hi. I have 7 missing teeth and 3 of them are back teeth. I really want dental implants, but I cannot afford them. I am wondering if mini implants are an option for me. – Thanks. Gloria

Gloria – Mini implants are more affordable than standard dental implants, but they are not as strong. Mini implants do well in stabilizing dentures, but even when used for that purpose, they don’t secure dentures as well as standard-sized implants.

Over time, mini implants are unable to withstand the day-to-day biting force and chewing that they would be subject to for individual teeth.

If you haven’t done so already, consider speaking with an implant dentist about dental implants. The dentist will likely offer financing or payment plans to make the implants more affordable. As an alternative to dental implants, a dentist who is also skilled in cosmetic dentistry can provide you with a natural-looking dental bridge.

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

My implant loosed and came out

By Dental Implants

I got 5 dental implants in Nov. 2012. 2 weeks ago I noticed that the crown on one of them felt funny when I chewed. I had an appointment last week with the implant dentist this past Monday and he said sure enough the crown was loose. He pulled on it and the whole implant came out. He said I need another implant surgery. I can’t believe after all of trouble I went through to get the implants and then the healing time that is needs to be done over! How could this happen? – Kristie P.

Kristie – If your crown was loose, it would be much easier to correct than a dental implant. A loose implant is a serious mistake, but it does occur.

There are several reasons that implants can loosen. One reason is that the crown may have been placed prematurely—before the bone bonded to the implant. Another possibility is that the implant was not sturdy enough to support the crown. Or, you may have inadequate bone density to support dental implants. An infection will also cause an implant to loosen.

More is involved than simply replacing the implant. The bone that was removed before the implant was placed will need to be replaced, and bone grafting may be required.

Unfortunately, implants mistakes are common. We recommend that you find a credentialed implant dentist to do replace your implant, instead of returning to your original implant dentist. Have the new implant dentist examine the space where you need an implant. He or she will determine what needs to be done to restore it.

 

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

How do you care for dental implants?

By Dental Implants

How do you care for dental implants? I am trying to calculate the expense of caring for the implants after I receive them. – Leslie

Leslie – Treat your dental implants just as you would your natural teeth. They require the same care.

Brush thoroughly, just as you would brush your natural teeth. Floss carefully around the implant to prevent plaque build-up.

Keep your regular six-month dental exam and cleaning visits.

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

What questions should we ask our daughter’s implant dentist?

By Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

My daughter has a condition that she was born with that has prevented her from developing several teeth. She is now 20 years old and getting dental implants. We know this is going to be a very costly procedure, but we want her to have the confidence that comes with having healthy teeth and a good-looking smile. She was teased enough through her teen years. We are seeing two implant specialists and we will decide which one we want to do the procedure. We have a list of questions that we started, but if you can give us some pointers on what to ask, it would be appreciated. – Jan

Jan – Continue to compile your list of questions. Anything that you can think of that is of concern to you should be asked. It is very important that you find a credentialed implant dentist who has extensive experience in successfully placing dental implants.

Three-dimensional diagnostic studies should be performed to ensure that your daughter’s implants are properly placed. Also, quality implant fixtures should be used. So, some questions can be asked to ensure that those measures will be taken. Although the questions below are not a complete list of all the questions you should ask, you may choose to add some of them to your list.

  •  What training have you received?
  • What are your credentials?
  • Are you a board-certified specialist?
  • How long have you been placing dental implants?
  • How many implants a year do you place?
  • What is your implant success rate?
  • What steps do you take to avoid implant failure?
  • How many surgeries are needed?
  • What kind of sedation will be used?
  • What are the risks?
  • Do you have pictures of before and after cases you can show me?
  • What technology do you use to ensure implants are properly placed?
  • What type of implant fixtures do you use?
  • What should we expect after implant surgery?
  • What are our options?
  • What is the cost?
  • What are our payment options?

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

Bone loss from teeth loss early in life and I don’t want a partial

By Bone Grafting, Dental Implants

I have bone loss because of eight missing teeth in my lower jaw. Can I get the bone loss replaced so I can get implants? I don’t want to wear a partial. – Tom F

Tom – Bone loss can be replaced by using bone grafting. Increasing jawbone mass will ensure that dental implants are secure and won’t loosen.

There are different types of bone grafting:

Autogenous – bone is taken from elsewhere in your body (often the chin or lower jaw) and used to supplement the jawbone

Allograft – Synthetic bone is used, or human bone from a reputable bone tissue bank can be used

Xenograft – processed animal bone, from a reputable bone tissue bank, is used

After the bone-grafting procedure, there is a wait of six to twelve months, to allow time for the graft to integrate with your existing bone. The progress of your healing will be periodically checked, and you will receive updates on when you can receive dental implants.

Not only does receiving dental implants, instead of wearing a partial denture, look more pleasing, dental implants prevent further jawbone loss and facial collapse.

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

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I still have my baby teeth

By Dental Implants

My upper canine and incisor permanent teeth on the left side of my mouth never came in. I’m 37 years old, but he teeth are still small like baby teeth. All of my other teeth are fine. Can I get the two teeth pulled and replaced with dental implants? – Greyson C. from PA

Greyson – Your teeth need to be x-rayed and examined before the appropriate treatment can be recommended.

It could be that the teeth that are now in place are the permanent teeth, but they are smaller than normal. In that case, cosmetic work can be done to make them the proper size and look natural.

Another possibility is that your permanent teeth are impacted. It is possible that the baby teeth need to be removed, and a surgical opening needs to be made for the permanent teeth to erupt.

Or, if the teeth are truly your baby teeth, they can be removed and replaced with dental implants. If the bone beneath the teeth is healthy, it is possible that the implant and crown, which would be customized and completed in advance of the surgery, can be placed on the same day.

Have your teeth examined by a credentialed implant dentist. He or she will examine your teeth and discuss your options.

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

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