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Dental Implants

Feb 15

Is 19 a good age for dental implants?

By Dental Implants

I play hockey a lot. I have lost 2 teeth already and I want to get them replaced with dental implants. Is 19 a good age or am I too young? Will the implants last until I am old? – Matt

Matt – At age 19, your growth should be complete. An implant dentist will examine your jawbone to make that determination and let you know if you are a candidate for dental implants. Jawbone growth needs to be complete before you get dental implants. Otherwise, the implant can interfere with the position of your teeth and jawbone that are still growing.

Dental implants are permanent and should last a lifetime. In time, you may need to replace the dental implant crowns, which serve as the upper part of the teeth, which show when you smile.

If you receive dental implants, be diligent in caring for them just as you would your natural teeth, to help them last for many years.

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

Dec 26

Looking for a cheap dental implant for canine tooth

By Affordable Implant Dentistry, Dental Implants

I have a crooked canine tooth on the right side of my mouth. It is also badly shaped and discolored. I am wondering if I can get a cheap dental implant to replace it and still have it look natural.  Erika

Ericka – It is likely that your canine tooth doesn’t need to be replaced with a dental implant. You can have the tooth examined by an experienced prosthodontist. And if you do need a dental implant, you can discuss how a quality implant can be made affordable for you.

The goal will be to preserve your tooth. There are options that may work for you, including reshaping the tooth and whitening it; lightly shaving the tooth and bonding a porcelain veneer to it, which will look completely natural; reducing the size of the tooth and covering it with a porcelain crown to match your natural tooth; or short-term orthodontics and teeth bleaching.

Schedule an appointment to have your tooth examined and to find out your options. Many dentists, like Dr. LaVacca, offer a complimentary consultation.

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

Dec 22

What’s the success rate of dental implants?

By Dental Implants

I want to have 3 missing teeth replaced with dental implants. I read on your website about dental implant failure, but what’s the success rate? They cost so much that I really hope the success rate if very good. Thank you. Kacie

Kacie – The success rate of dental implants is very good—95%. The majority of dental implants still function at their peak performance 20 years after they were originally placed.

A key to success and longevity of your implants is a skilled, experienced, and credentialed implant dentist who plans for quality placement, and who uses quality implant fixtures. Your strict cooperation with instructions before and after implant surgery are also vital to the success of your implants.

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

Dec 20

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.

Nov 30

Dental implants and meth

By Dental Implants, Health Issues and Teeth

Meth has messed up my teeth. I am pretty much addicted to it but I don’t know if I can stop. I am trying to cut back on using it. I have plenty of money to get my teeth straightened out. Will dental implants work for me if I am still using? T.W.

T.W. – Tobacco use, alcoholism, and drug addiction affect the success of dental implants. These habits can contribute to bone loss, which affect the ability of implants to be placed. Bone grafting may be needed. The habits also affect the ability of dental implants to heal and to stabilize.

It is best to have your teeth examined by an implant dentist. He or she will let you know how methamphetamine has affected your oral health, and determine if you are a candidate for dental implants or if another treatment is required to restore your teeth.

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

 

Oct 29

I have oligodontia and missing 9 adult teeth. See a dentist or prosthodontist?

By Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I have oligodontia and am missing 9 adult teeth. When I was a child, my parent could not afford the dental care that I needed. Now that I have my own job and dental insurance I am going to get the work I need done in phases. That’s what I can afford. I don’t have a lot of experience with dentists because as I mentioned, we couldn’t afford dental care when I was young. Is the tooth replacement something that a general dentist can do? I found information about prosthodontists, then I found your website. Thanks. Rob G.

Rob – Prosthodontists have received post-graduate training to specialize in the replacement and restoration of missing teeth. Oligodontia, the term for congenitally missing six or more adult teeth, can be very effectively treated by a specialist who has been trained in tooth restoration. When five or fewer teeth are missing, the condition is referred to as hypodontia.

In addition to missing teeth, people who have this condition often have small teeth, their jawbone may be smaller than normal, and permanent teeth may erupt late. Most general dentists have limited, if any, training in this area.

When hypodontia or oligodontia is detected at an early age, as the parents’ budget permits, planning begins early. Dental implants are placed after jawbone grown is complete, in the late teen years.

The placement of your dental implants requires a thorough examination, careful planning, and possible bone grafting to support dental implants. An experienced prosthodontist will beautifully restore your teeth. The prosthodontist will openly communicate with your general dentist and keep him or her informed of the treatment plan and your progress.

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

Oct 28

Will insurance pay for a tooth implant if I get somebody to knock out my tooth?

By Dental Implants, Insurance

I have a tooth next to my right front tooth that I hate the way it looks. I want an implant to replace the tooth. I am trying to think of a way to get insurance to pay for it so it will be looked at as something I really need and not just for looks. If I pick a fight with one of my homies and get him to knock it out will insurance pay for the implant? J.

J – It is not a good idea to intentionally have a tooth knocked out. You can do much more damage than you want. You can end up causing damage to your face, jaw, or other teeth.

Even when you legitimately lose a tooth, insurance will cover the least expensive forms of tooth replacement—a dental bridge or a partial denture. Some insurance companies provide limited benefits for dental implants.

If you don’t like the appearance of your tooth, a porcelain crown can be made to cover it and give it the appearance that you want. It will look like a natural tooth and people won’t be able to tell the difference.

A prosthodontist who is experienced in cosmetic dentistry can restore your tooth and give you the smile you want with much less pain than you having someone knock it out for you.

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

Sep 12

Do I need dental implants before braces?

By Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I my molars are severely damaged due to an embarrassing habit that I had for 10 years but have now quit. I am now 38 year old. I also need braces but can I get them if my molars are extracted or do I need dental implants in before braces can be placed? – Scott R.

Scott – If you need braces, they should be placed, and your teeth should be straightened before you receive dental implants. Dental implants don’t move. So having implants in place before braces would have a negative effect on the alignment of your teeth. The implants may interfere with the correct positioning of your natural teeth.

But your molars may not need to be removed. Have your teeth examined by an experienced prosthodontist. It is possible that your molar teeth can be saved and protected with dental crowns. The prosthodontist’s goal is to preserve and restore your teeth. He or she will let you know your treatment options and the order in which each treatment should be done to give you a beautiful smile.

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

Aug 29

Best way to get affordable dental implants?

By Dental Implants

I trying to find the best affordable way to get affordable implant dentures. I’ve called a few dentists office for pricing, but they all say that they can’t give me a quote. they need to see me and do an exam but I really don’t have time to run from office to office. so how can i get affordable implants? – barb

Barb – Wait until you have time to have consultations with a few implant dentists. Your teeth and gums need to be examined, your medical history has to be review, and you need diagnostic studies to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Every case is not the same. Some patients require bone grafting. And there are options for securing your dentures. The cost varies according to the patient’s oral health, preferences, and options.

Find a credentialed implant dentist who offers financing or payment plans. He or she can make the implants affordable for you without sacrificing quality.

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

Jul 16

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.

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