Skip to main content
Category

Implant Dentistry

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.

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.

 

Nov 21

A tooth fell out of my dentures

By Dentures

I had the most embarrassing moment last night. A tooth fell out of my dentures. My wife and I were out with friends at their anniversary dinner. There were 8 of us in the group. The tooth that fell out has never given me a problem. I check my dentures regularly and the tooth never felt loose. I was eating my dinner and I felt a tooth dislodge. I was afraid that I might swallow it so I had to discreetly deposit the food in my mouth into a napkin. I excused myself and went into the lobby with the napkin to find the tooth in my half chewed food. It was an incisor! I put it in my shirt pocket. I had to return back to our table, but from then on I didn’t smile or laugh hoping no one would notice that I had lost the tooth. Of course my wife starting whispering to me about what was going on. What do I do now? Will I have to get new dentures? – Dennis

 

Dennis – Some dentists can repair dentures themselves. Call your dentist’s office and ask how denture repairs are handled. If your dentist is unable to secure the tooth back into your dentures, you may find a dentist or prosthodontist who can make the repair on site. It’s possible that your dentures will need to be sent to a lab for repair. Depending on your location, it may be a few days before the repaired dentures are returned.

Teeth can fall out of new dentures if the acrylic doesn’t bond correctly to the teeth of the dentures. If your dentures are old, the acrylic can deteriorate and weaken, and the denture teeth can loosen. Dentures last an average of five to seven years. If your dentures are within that span, or older, it may be time to have them replaced.

Oct 30

Received all on four implants and ready to smoke my cigars again.

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

Hello, I am a social cigar smoker. I am one of the committee members for a local cigar club. Our group also attends regional events. On 10/2 I received all on four implants. I quit cigar smoking three weeks before I got the implants.That was the best I could do. I am told that I have to continue without smoking through the healing process. We have another event coming up for the holidays and I want to be a participant not an onlooker. My dentist said that I need to give it more time before I start smoking again. I want an answer independent from my dentist. Is this really necessary? T.D.

T.D. – Smoking will affect the healing process of your All on 4 dental implants. It can even cause the implants to fail completely. During the two to six month healing process for the implants to become fully anchored in the bone, smoking should be avoided. There are several good reasons:

  • Slower healing – Smoking reduces the oxygen supply in your blood and slows the healing process. It will make it more difficult for your jawbone to heal around your implants, which can lead to implant failure.
  • Inflammation – When you smoke during the healing process, the area around the implants can become inflamed and pockets of pus can develop. The inflammation can interfere with the healing process or completely prevent healing.
  • Increased risk of infection – Smoking can increase the risk of infection in the area of the implants. Your body will have difficulty fighting the infection and the implants can fail.
  • Reduced effectiveness of medication – Smoking inhibits the effects of antibiotics prescribed to help fight infection. If an infection is not eliminated, the risk for losing the implants increases.

Refraining from smoking during the healing process is best to ensure that your implants are successful.

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 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 growth 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.

For an even more in-depth look, read: Can My General Dentist Do Implants?

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 a tooth 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 27

Process for getting teeth for All-on-4 implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

Hi. I just want to know a little more about the process for getting the teeth for All-on-4 implants. Do I get teeth the same day as the surgery or do I have to wait? – Marshall

Marshall – After the All-on-4 dental implants are placed, new teeth are attached to them. The teeth will be fitted and adjusted. Your teeth will be stable and functional. Although they won’t be the permanent teeth you will receive, you will be able to leave the dental office with a full smile.

Over the next several months, you will return to your implant dentist or prosthodontist for progress checks. When the implants and your jawbone have fused together, impressions of your mouth are taken to create stronger, beautiful, permanent teeth.

The waiting period for permanent teeth ensures proper healing of your mouth. The temporary, or provisional teeth, place less stress on the implants. The permanent teeth be beautiful, will provide maximum function, and will be made to precisely fit your bite and healed gum tissue.

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist 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.

Close Menu