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Implant Dentistry

Jan 18

On my 3rd soft denture and it still isn’t helping

By Dentures

I’ve worn dentures since 2002. They fit pretty well in the past considering that they are dentures. About 10 years ago I got my first cosmetic dentures and I really like them. They actually look natural. So I am sold on them. Now the problem is getting dentures to fit and stay fit. I know that my jawbone is shrinking so my dentist switched me over to a soft denture. When I first got it, it felt really good on the sore spots on my bone. It just doesn’t last long. When I am at home and not eating I take my dentures out. If I don’t have to wear them, I don’t. My dentist is always willing to reline them for me but I am frustrated about this. Taking the dentures in and out is annoying. Maybe I just need to change my viewpoint and be glad that I can afford dentures. Before I resign to that, is there another form of lining that may help me get more comfort out of my dentures? Thank you. Agatha

Agatha – Soft-lined dentures are more comfortable, but they typically do not last as long as a hard reline. Those are the only options available for relining the oral appliance.

Your dentist may have had this conversation with you already, but it may be time to consider supporting your dentures with dental implants. The implants will:

  • Prevent the dentures from resting on your jawbone and accelerating shrinkage
  • Improve your chewing efficiency
  • Feel more like your natural teeth
  • Prevent the dentures from slipping around or falling out
  • Stimulate jawbone growth and prevent further shrinkage in the vicinity of the implants.

As few as two implants can be used to stabilize your dentures, but the more implants you receive, the better results you will get. If you can only start with two implants, your dentist can help you plan to receive another set in the future.

If you decide to receive implants be certain to find a highly trained and experienced implant dentist to do the work.

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

Jan 08

How soon after my prosthodontist gives me implants can I use a hookah?

By Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I am planning for implants this summer. I get 5 weeks of vacation and every year I take off those weeks in the summer. So I think this is a good time to for me to get implants. I won’t have to worry about working OT or being offered to go out when I can’t due to implant healing time. I am not a regular smoker but in 2014 I was introduced to the hookah. It’s a social thing that I do with friends that I really enjoy. I find it super relaxing. 2 or 3 times a month I get together with friends and we use the pipes. Now I am interested how long after implants I will have to wait before I can use the pipe again. I saw one prosthodontist already and he told me I shouldn’t use it at all. That’s not the information I need. I just want to know how long I should wait before I can use the hookah. Thank you. Dixon

Dixon – In 2005 The World Health Organization conducted a study on waterpipe (called “hookah” in India) tobacco smoking. Some of the findings are below.

The origin of waterpipes dates back four centuries or more to indigenous peoples of Asia and Africa. Smoke from the hookah delivers addictive nicotine, as well as toxins. These toxins contribute to lung cancer, heart disease, and other diseases.

Waterpipe sessions usually last longer than cigarette smoking sessions. While five to seven minutes may be spent smoking a cigarette, a single hookah session usually lasts twenty to eighty minutes. Also while eight to twelve puffs of a cigarette are taken in a single session, fifty to two hundred puffs are taken during waterpipe smoking. In some cases, it would take one hundred cigarettes to equal the amount of smoke consumed with the pipe.

Clearly, the social nature of this type of smoking often prolongs the exposure to nicotine and other harmful substances.

Hookah Smoking Can Affect Dental Implants

What does this mean for dental implants? Any type of smoking interferes with the healing process of dental implants. Many implant dentists recommend that patients stop smoking one, two, or more months before implant placement. It is recommended that you not smoke during the entire healing process, which lasts for several months. Any prosthodontist or implant dentist will advise you not to smoke while your implants heal.

Even periodic smoking can interfere with the healing process. The suction process of smoking can dislodge clots at the surgical site. Remember that even though hookah smoking involves water, it still exposes you to smoke and toxins. This can result in infection or failure to heal. Additionally, the custom of sharing a hookah can introduce bacteria from someone else’s mouth into yours, creating another opportunity for infection.

If your implants fail, they will need to be removed and replaced. But before they are replaced, the previous implant sites need to heal.

We urge you to do your part in helping the healing process go smoothly. Avoid smoking of any kind before and after your implant surgery.

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

Dec 26

What are my options until I can afford dental implants?

By Affordable Dental Implants, Cosmetic Procedures

I had a 2nd root canals on 2 different teeth on the same day. I think my dentist didn’t know what she was doing so she messed up both teeth and make them weak. 3 weeks after the root canals my teeth, face and eyes started hurting horribly. I was sick to my stomach. I had to go back to the dentist’s office and as soon as she started working on the first tooth, she said it cracked. I asked her to stop working on my teeth and I left the office. My wife made some calls for me and I immediately went to an endodontist who had to extract both teeth and is recommending dental implants. I have 2 missing teeth and certainly was not planning on spending thousands of dollars on dental implants. I am wondering what my options are until I can afford dental implants, because I kind of felt like the endo was just pushing implants. Thanks Gerard.

Gerard – An endodontist specializes in tooth replacement with dental implants, and dental implants are the most effective means of replacing missing teeth. So naturally, the specialist would recommend the healthiest and most effective option for replacing your teeth.

A dental bridge can replace the white portion, or biting surface, of your missing teeth, but since it won’t replace the tooth roots, your jawbone will begin to shrink where teeth are missing.

It is possible that your dental implant placement can be done in two phases. One tooth can be replaced, and after you pay for that implant, work can start on the second implant. The phased treatment can make the implants more affordable.

Another alternative is to consider no-interest financing based on your budget. This allows you to receive both implants with scheduled payments.

Speak with the financial representative at the specialist’s office to learn more about your options. Also, as with any surgery, it’s good to seek a second opinion from another specialist—a prosthodontist or an endodontist—to discuss your options.

Of course, the final choice is yours, and if you definitely not interested in implants at this time, be sure to find an artistic cosmetic dentist or prosthodontist who can provide you with a natural-looking dental bridge.

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

Dec 22

Can all on 4 implants be removed?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

I want to have my dentures locked down and I saw 2 different dentists who recommend all on 4. I saw a 3rd dentist who just recommended regular dental implants. She said that she would secure the dentures with 6 to 8 dental implants and I still don’t need bone grafting. The dentists who recommended all of 4 said the advantage was a faster placement time. It would just about be done and over while I would still be waiting for 6 to 8 implants to heal. I have done some research on both types of implants of implants. I am wondering if I decide to go with all on 4 and I don’t like it, can the implants be removed and can I then switch to the 6 to 8 implants? Thanks Ezra R.

Ezra – Based on your question, we recommend that you ask for more information from each implant specialist to get clarification on the differences between standard dental implants and All-On-4 implants. Ask questions to ensure that you understand the process and healing for each. Ask about the differences in stability for All-On-4 versus standard implants.

An understanding of the differences between the procedures can help you make a decision on which treatment you prefer. When an implant procedure is completely properly, there is no reason for you not to like it.

If you have a skilled implant dentist, regardless of the procedure you decide to receive, your implants should not need to be removed and replaced with a different type of implants. This is a situation that you want to avoid. Replacing dental implants is costly—in time and money. After implants are removed, a healing period is needed before new implants are placed. This scenario can be avoided by finding a skilled implant dentist to help you decide which treatment is best for your case.

 

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

Dec 14

My dentures are too white

By Dentures

I got new dentures in August and when I got them I thought they were too white. My dentist told me that it looked like a big contrast to me because my other dentures were dull. He told me to give it some time and I would get used to it. Well I am still not used to it. People even comment about how white my dentures are, and that’s what they say, ‘dentures’. So not only are they too white they look fake. The whiteness draws attention to the fact that they are dentures. Last week I told my dentist that I still am not pleased. He said that he will think about the options to darken them a bit for me, but he didn’t mention the options. My question is short of giving me new dentures, what can be done? Dorcas T.

Dorcas – After your dentures are fabricated, the color cannot be changed. The appropriate color will need to be determined and the dentures will need to be remade. Remaking the dentures and changing the color won’t change the characteristics of the dentures or make them look natural.

Cosmetic dentures are customized to have a lifelike appearance. The characteristics of the denture teeth look like natural teeth. This is something that only an artistic dentist can accomplish.

So you can ask your dentist to remake your dentures with the color change. You can also consider getting a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist or prosthodontist who is trained in the techniques required to give dentures a lifelike appearance.  A prosthodontist is also skilled in balancing color in dental restorations so the results are neither too dark nor to white.

You can increase the comfort of your dentures and stabilize them with dental implants, which also prevent jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse.

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

Nov 24

3 implants failed. How do I know if my dentist used cheap implants?

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I received four dental implants in March of this year. Everything seemed to be going oka. Then, in June, I noticed some swelling and pain in three of them. I scheduled several appointments with my dentist, who explained it away by saying that sometimes the healing takes longer for some patients than others.

This month, the implants are starting to get loose and my dentist decided that they are going to fail. Before things got worse, he recommended that they all be removed. The explanation I was given was that for some reason my body is rejecting the implants. I am not sure that there is a basis for this explanation.

How do I know if my body is really rejecting the implants? Could it be that cheap implants were used? How can I tell? Thank you. – Andrius

Andrius- You won’t be able to tell if substandard implant fixtures were used. Nor can you determine if your body is rejecting the implants. You need a second opinion—and perhaps a third opinion—from a skilled, experienced implant dentist.

You should request copies of your dental records, including diagnostic studies. The dentist(s) from whom you receive a second or third opinion will use the information, in addition to an exam of your fixtures and the implant sites, to determine why your implants have failed. If necessary, new 3-D x-rays will be taken.

The implant placement, implant fixtures, or your body’s reaction to the implants may be a cause of the failure. Lack of bone density, improper maintenance, smoking, and periodontal (gum) disease can also cause failure. But to be certain of the reason for your case, investigation is needed.

Don’t delay getting the second or third opinions. An infection will worsen until it is treated. If you are still eligible to receive dental implants, after the failed fixtures are removed, there will be a healing period before they can be replaced.

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

 

Nov 20

Looking for a BYOI dentist for implants

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implants

On and off for the past 2 months I have been looking for a BYOI dentist who will install dental implants that I will purchase. I don’t want to do anything crazy like go to Mexico for implants but I am an avid bargain hunter so I am confident that I can find them at a good cost. That has to knock off some of the markup cost for implants that a dentist has. In my google searches I haven’t been able to tell which dentists allow BYOI. Is there a particular way I should search to find one? How much more will I save with this method? What brands of implants does Dr. LaVacca recommend I purchase? Can you provide mid and high end implant brands please? Sorry for all of the questions but I really need implants and I am trying to get them as economically as possible. Thanks. Christopher L.

Christopher – You won’t be able to find an implant dentist who allows patients to bring their own implants. There are far too many risks involved.

A reputable dental implant distributor provides implants to skilled professionals. Patients lack the training and experience required to determine if they are receiving quality dental implants—or the brand of implants you intended to buy. If you bought dental implants, a dentist placed them, and later it was found that the implants are faulty, the dentist would be partially responsible. The implants would need to be removed and replaced with quality implants from the dentist.

Your goal is to receive dental implants and stay within your budget. There are ways, other than purchasing questionable implant s, to reach that goal. The work can be done in phases—depending on how many implants you need—you can receive one or two at a time, pay for them, and plan to receive more implants in the future. Also, payment plans and financing will be available through the dentist.

Schedule consultations with two or three skilled implant dentists to discuss your options for implants, and to find out how they can be made affordable for you.

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

Nov 08

1 of my all on 4 implants came out

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I got all on 4 implants in late September. Last week, 1 of them came out completely. Right away I went to the surgeon that put the implants in. Now he says that my jawbone needs some grafting and I have to wait until the original implant spot heals. Does this sound right or can he just put the implant back in and sew it down until it heals? – Uwe

Uwe – Dr. LaVacca needs to examine your implant and jawbone before a second opinion can be provided. Although the All-On-4 procedure was used to anchor your dentures, it is possible that the implant that came out was incorrectly placed.

The size and length of the implants used can determine how stable they are. If implants are too short, or if they are not strong enough, they can dislodge.

Since jawbone grafting is being recommended, it may be that your jawbone needed to be built up before you received implants. If bone grafting is needed, then a healing period at the original implant site is needed.

All-On-4 Implants Second Opinion

In order to receive a satisfactory and accurate answer to your question, we recommend that you get a second—and if necessary, a third—opinion from experienced implant surgeons or prosthodontists. Just as with the All-On-4 placement, your medical history will be reviewed. The implants and jawbone will be examined, and diagnostic studies will be used to help determine what caused the implant to dislodge.

If you have current, post-operative diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI), bring a copy with you. An implant specialist from whom you receive a second opinion may decide that a new imaging studies are needed.

When an implant fails, the resolution isn’t as simple as immediately replacing it. The cause of failure needs to be determined first to prevent the problem from recurring.

Carefully weigh the options presented to you from each of the specialists you visit for a second opinion, before you choose a provider to correct the issue.

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

 

Oct 23

Can dentures cause depression?

By Dentures

I know the question sounds strange but I think it’s affecting my dad. I live in PA so I see him every 2 to 3 months and I talk to him on FaceTime every week. It’s just that I am noticing that since he’s had dentures, which he hates, that his mood is not good. My brother lives near my dad and he says that he has noticed a change also, but he thinks it’s because of seasonal depression. The problem is that my dad has had the dentures for 2 years. His mood has really changed and it’s more constant than seasonal. Is it possible that his unattractive and poor fitting dentures are causing depression? By the way, he has also lost 15 lbs and he didn’t need to lose any weight at all. Thanks. Brenda L.

Brenda L. – Disappointing medical or dental issues can affect a patient’s mood. Dentures that fit poorly, are unattractive, or are otherwise problematic are disappointing. They often affect patients’ eating habits, self-esteem, and social life.

Can dentures affect your emotional health?

To be clear, it is ongoing dissatisfaction with dentures that can contribute to a person’s emotional or mental health. Even studies show that when a patient has ongoing problems or dissatisfaction with dentures, he or she is at risk for depression. A September 2007 study published in the Journal of Dental Research confirms that, in older adults, there is a significant relationship between denture dissatisfaction and depression.

The study included 1,180 adults, ages 65 to 74 years. Among those who were dissatisfied with their dentures, 8% were moderately depressed, and 2% were severely depressed. The study found that patients with higher levels of depression also had higher levels of dissatisfaction with their dentures.

The findings of the study show that your thoughts about the cause of your father’s depression may be correct. It’s important for the dental issue to be addressed. Find a few experienced cosmetic dentists with whom you and your father can have consultations. You will learn about customized, natural-looking dentures that fit well. You can also ask about how dentures can be stabilized with dental implants, which will prevent them from slipping around or falling out, and will prevent jawbone shrinkage. Your father’s smile will look and feel better.

It’s also a good idea to seek medical help to determine if there are other contributing factors to your father’s depression.

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

Sep 25

Will mini implants be better for me if I have CRPS?

By Affordable Dental Implants, Dental Implants

I was diagnosed with CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) in 2013. I am in my 5th year of dentures and they are really uncomfortable. I want to stabilize them with dental implants, so I am thinking that since I have CRPS that I should do smaller implants. Will it be better if I do mini implants? Thanks. Malcom

Malcom – As you likely know, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) affects the central nervous system. The syndrome is rare (affecting approximately 26 out of every 100,000 people). It causes intense, chronic pain and usually occurs after injury (e.g., a bone break or a sprain), stroke, or heart attack. The pain from CRPS is disproportionate to the pain that is usually felt from the injury or surgery—and it is chronic. In addition to pain, CRPS can cause swelling, redness, sensitivity, and decreased mobility.

Dental implants—whether they are mini implants are standard implants—are surgically implanted. If you suffer from CRPS, you can anticipate pain that is more significant than usual at the implant site, and it can persist for life. In advance of surgery, many specialists recommend a local anesthetic nerve block to prevent the pain from the surgical site from entering the central nervous system.

Although we cannot advise  you as to what to do for your case, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with a pain specialist who is very familiar CRPS to discuss if it is advisable for you to receive dental implants at all, and if you are likely to experience less pain with mini implants.

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

 

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