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Complex Dental Services

Dec 18

What are the risks of untreated cleft palate?

By Cleft Palate, Prosthodontist

There is a child with cleft palate that was adopted by family members, outside of my immediate family. For personal reasons and family sensitivities, I don’t want to give any details about the family dynamics. We don’t live in Illinois. I am doing this research on my own and will relate it to my family at the right time. I would like to know what happens if cleft palate goes untreated. Thanks. J.B.

J.B. –

During pregnancy when the left and right sides of the roof the mouth do not grow together and fuse, an opening or cleft remains. The cleft can affect part, or all, of the roof of the mouth.

There are several difficulties that can arise if a cleft palate is left untreated. Some of them are listed below.

  • Chronic dental problems, including misaligned or malformed teeth
  • Speech problems
  • Ear infections, due to fluid not draining properly from the ears
  • Impaired hearing
  • Speech problems
  • Fluids can enter the nasal cavity while drinking
  • Difficult social interactions – A person with cleft palate can be self-conscious about his or her physical appearance, which can cause him or her to limit social interaction.

Although circumstances vary with each family, we encourage at least a consultation with a board-certified prosthodontist for an examination of individuals with cleft palate. This is an obligation-free opportunity to get the opinion of a skilled specialist and to discuss treatment options.

 

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

Jul 28

How can I prevent facial collapse if I only have regular dentures?

By Facial Collapse

I always do my research, so I’ve been researching dentures because I need them. I keep reading scary stories about how your jawbone and face shrink after you’ve worn dentures for year. I noticed that many of the sites that talk about the shrinkage are from dentists trying to convince you go forget about dental implants and get dentures. I can’t afford dental implants. Can you tell me what it looks like when a person has had dentures for years and what their face looks like? Also what are the ways I can avoid facial collapse when I have regular dentures. Amanda R.

Amanda – After years of wearing dentures, your jawbone shrinks. When there isn’t enough jawbone density to support your facial muscles, your face begins to sag and have a shriveled appearance. The photos to the right of this page show how facial collapse looks.

When teeth are absent, it’s a signal to the body that the jawbone is no longer needed in that space. Jawbone shrinkage occurs when a single tooth is missing, but it usually isn’t noticeable in your face. When all of your teeth are missing, your entire jawbone begins to shrink. The reason that dental implants prevent facial collapse is that they are surgically implanted in your jawbone. The implants have the same effect tooth roots. They provide a signal that the jawbone is needed.

The only way a denture wearer can prevent facial collapse is to support the dentures with dental implants. Two to eight dental implants can be surgically implanted in the jawbone, and dentures are secured to them. Implant supported dentures are a wise investment, not only because they help prevent face collapse, but they also make eating and speaking with dentures a lot easier.

We suggest that you have a consultation with an implant dentist. You can ask questions, discuss your concerns, and find out if implant-supported dentures can be made affordable with you through payment plans or no-interest financing.

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

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    Apr 22

    Why are my gums bleeding?

    By Gum Disease

    My gums have been bleeding on and off for the past 3 months. Now it’s getting really bad and it’s scaring me too. I brush my teeth every day. What could be causing the problem? – Razi

     

    Razi – Bleeding gums are most frequently related to inadequate removal of plaque between your teeth and gums. Plaque buildup can cause your gums inflammation, or gingivitis. If the bleeding increases and your gums become infected, you have developed periodontal disease, or gum disease.

    But bleeding gums can also be the result of aggressive tooth brushing. Certain medications and certain medical conditions can cause your gums to bleed.

    Be certain to regularly floss and brush your teeth to remove plaque and prevent bacterial from growing on your teeth. Schedule a dental appointment to have your teeth and gums examined. If there is a plaque buildup, a deep dental cleaning can remove it and prevent you from developing further problems. Until the issue is completely under control, you may have to receive dental cleanings more often.

    If your dentist finds that your bleeding gums are not related caused by a dental issue, he or she will refer you to your primary care doctor.

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

    Mar 28

    Should my teeth be bleeding after wisdom teeth were pulled?

    By Gum Disease

    Hi. I got all 4 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. 2 are still bleeding. Is this normal? B.T.

     

    B.T. – After wisdom teeth are extracted, there are common symptoms that you will experience, and light bleeding is one of them.

    After the teeth are extracted, you can also expect swelling and mild discomfort. A cold compress will help to decrease some of the swelling. The swelling should improve in three or four days.

    Your diet should also be modified. Eat soft foods for the first few days after the extraction. Also, avoid sucking through a straw or excessive spitting. The pressure can dislodge blood clots at the extractions sites and cause the areas to bleed more.

    You should call your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

    • the swelling worsens after three days
    • the bleeding increases
    • you have a fever
    • your pain is severe and the pain medication prescribed doesn’t help
    • you have a bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away with salt water rinses
    • there is pus or other fluid coming from the extraction site
    • your mouth feels numb

     

    Since you received the extractions yesterday, your symptoms should improve over the weekend.

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

    Dec 23

    What can I do about cavity pain until my dentist’s appt?

    By General Dentistry, Tooth Decay

    I made an appointment with a dentist already for a cavity, but the appt isn’t until next week. The office is closed for the holidays. I feel more sensitivity in the tooth each day and I am afraid that it’s going to get very painful before I can get the tooth treated. What can I do at home? – Zach

    Zach – If your tooth is sensitive, try to limit cold or hot beverages that can increase sensitivity. If you start to experience pain, you can take over-the counter pain medication to relieve the pain.

    It is unlikely that your pain will become extreme, but if it does, you may be able to find an emergency dentist who has on-call personnel who will see you and relieve your pain.

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

    Aug 30

    Dentist appointment..cavity?

    By Dental Fillings

    i am going to the dentist next week and i think i have a cavity. my tooth hurts when cold water or soda hits it. really  bad with ice cream. so if they see that i have a cavity will they fix it that day or will i have to make an  appointment and come back another day? – macie

    Macie – If your appointment with your dentist next week is not specifically to have a cavity filled, it is unlikely that you will have the cavity filled that day.

    Time has to be scheduled to allow proper filling of the cavity. Before the cavity is filled, your dentist will have to remove the decay and clean the tooth.

    If you receive white composite filling, care needs to be taken to ensure the area around the tooth is kept dry. And in advance of placing the composite, your dentist has to select composite that matches the color of your tooth.

    One applied to your tooth, the composite has to be spread evenly and hardened. Your dentist will test your bite to ensure the composite was applied evenly. Rough spots will be smoothed.

    Time must be scheduled to ensure that you get a filling that will last.

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

    Jun 24

    How long do dental fillings last?

    By Dental Fillings

    I have three teeth that need filling. How long do fillings last? Thanks. Micah

    Micah – There have been many studies conducted on dental fillings and how long they last. On average, white composite fillings last five to seven years. Amalgam (also called silver) fillings last about eight years.

    The best filling is not to need one at all. So be diligent about maintaining good oral hygiene at home. Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Limit or avoid sugary snacks. Keep regularly-scheduled dental appointments for exams or cleanings.

    Young children and adults with deep grooves in their teeth, which make teeth more prone to cavities, can receive dental sealants on their teeth. Dental sealants are very thin layers of plastic that cover the biting surfaces of your teeth.

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

    May 30

    Is diet soda bad for your teeth?

    By Tooth Decay

    I’ve always been a big soda drinker, but now that I have teenagers, I want to set a good example for them. My soda drinking has resulted in several cavities, and I don’t want my girls to follow my example. Instead of going cold turkey off of the soda, I am wondering if 0 sugar diet soda is a good alternative for my teeth. Thanks. Beth E.

    Beth – Instead of sugar, diet soda contains sugar substitutes, such as saccharine, mannitol, or sorbitiol. All of these substitutes break down into acid, which erodes tooth enamel and promotes tooth decay.

    In addition to sugar in soda, the acid in soda makes your enamel more prone to erosion, and it leads to tooth decay. Advanced decay may require more than just a dental filling; a dental crown may be needed to protect the tooth. But soda is not the only acid-containing beverage; energy drinks, fruit juice, and lemonade are all acidic.

    If you must drink soda, limit your intake of it. Sipping on soda throughout the day causes more teeth erosion than drinking the soda at once. After drinking soda, rinse your mouth to neutralize the soda. Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking soda is not recommended, because the enamel has been weakened from the acid and sugar in the soda. Brushing your teeth will weaken the enamel more.

    Ensure your children get regular dental checkups and cleanings.

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

    May 28

    Dentures and face collapsing?

    By Dentures, Facial Collapse

    I have been searching the internet for how to reduce dramatic facial changes when bone loss occurs due to having all of your teeth missing and wearing dentures. Most of the articles I’ve read are by dentists or on dental websites and they are offering dental implants. Most people simply cannot afford dental implants.

    How does the face look after the denture years of having all your teeth missing? How can facial collapse be avoided with a regular denture? – Vince

    Vince – The photos below show how the face looks after years of having all of your teeth missing. Facial collapse is progressive; it generally occurs in ten to twenty years of having all of your teeth missing.

    You have found so many articles pointing to dental implants to resolve facial collapse, because that is the way to prevent it. When all of your teeth are missing, your body resorbs the jawbone. Just as the presence of natural teeth preserves the jawbone, so does the presence of dental implants.

    Even if you wear dentures, securing them with as few as two dental implants helps prevent jawbone shrinkage. Implants support dentures, instead of dentures resting on your jawbone and accelerating the bone loss. Without implant overdentures, your jawbone will continue to shrink.

    Most implant dentists accept various forms of payment and offer payment plans to make securing your dentures with implants more affordable.

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

     

    Apr 30

    What kind of doctor should I see for TMJ?

    By Prosthodontist, TMJ

     

    I think I have TMJ. What kind of doctor should I see for it? – Blake

    Blake – Dentists often treat TMJ symptoms, but there is no recognized specialty for TMJ disorders.

    Find a dentist with extensive TMJ training. Visit his or her website to find out if the dentist has received training specific to the disorder. Prosthodontists are specialists who are highly trained to address jaw joint disorders.

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

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