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Monthly Archives

January 2018

Jan 29

Three Reasons Your Prosthodontist Won’t Give You a Mini Implant

By Prosthodontist No Comments

My prosthodontist refuses to give me a mini implant and I’m wondering if I should get a second opinion. I have a broken, abscessed top molar. It was weak already and I regret not getting a crown for it. Last week my dentist referred me to a prosthodontist for the tooth. She agreed with my dentist that  I need to have the tooth extracted and then replaced with an implant. I have already an implant for another tooth, but I don’t like the way it looks. The tooth looks fake. Now that I need another implant that I wasn’t expecting, I’m trying to do it in the most affordable way possible. So I asked the prosthodontist for a mini implant. She said that a mini won’t stand up under the pressure of biting and chewing. Why do other dentists still use them if they are no good? Do you have any advice? Is she just trying to upsell me? Thanks. Tegan

Tegan – Your prosthodontist is correct. Implants come in different sizes and are used for different purposes. A molar tooth needs a standard fixture—not a mini implant. Consider the facts.

Why Your Prosthodontist Won’t Recommend a Mini Implant

Mini implants have specific uses. They are 1/3 the diameter of standard fixtures, so they won’t work for every case of missing teeth, including molars. But they do work well in the following cases:

  • Support dentures – A mini implants are primarily designed to support dentures.
  • Replace smaller teeth and incisors – If you have a small tooth that needs to be replaced—such as an incisor or a small premolar—your prosthodontist would recommend a mini implant. They are not strong enough to support molar teeth. Molar teeth chew, crush, and grind food. A small implant fixture can easily bend or break under the pressure.  A standard dental implant will be needed.
  • Replace narrow teeth – These thin implants can also be used replace narrow teeth when standards implants are too large.

How to Find the Right Prosthodontist for Natural-Looking Results

So you will need a standard implant to replace your molar tooth. If your interest is in a mini implant because you don’t like the way your current implant crown looks, discuss your concerns with your prosthodontist. Ensure you choose a prosthodontist with extensive training in cosmetic dentistry. He or she will match the implant crown to the color, translucency, and look of your natural teeth.

Ask to see before-and-after photos of cases like yours. See if you can distinguish the patient’s implant tooth from his or her natural teeth in the photos. If necessary, get a second or third opinion until you find the right provider to give you the results you want.

This post is sponsored by board-certified implant dentist and international lecturer Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Jan 17

Can a gentle dentist give me sedation or a shot in my gums that I can’t feel?

By Sedation Dentistry

Will I need a shot in my gums? I’m sweating trying to find a gentle dentist or one who does sedation and can fit me in their schedule. There is a bump on my gums at one of my bottom left molar teeth. Yesterday, I sterilized a needle and stuck the bump with it. A bunch of yellow pus came out. It hurts pretty bad and the bump is seeming just to fill up with pus again. It’s been 4 years since I’ve been to a dentist. I have tried to avoid the dentist for this bump on my gums, but I might not have a choice. Will a dentist have to give me a shot in my gum? If I can find a gentle dentist will they be able to make it absolutely pain free?? Thanks. Jon

Jon – The bump on your gums that you described is an abscess that is caused by an infection. The infection will not go away on its own. It needs to be treated by a dentist. Sedation dentistry will help you get the treatment you need

After you are sedated, the dentist will clean the area around your tooth and numb your gum. There is no need to worry, though. A gentle dentist will use topical anesthetic or a hand-held pulsating device to numb your gum and give you a pain-free injection. The injection will relieve your pain and prevent you from feeling pain that may otherwise result from the dental procedure.

If there is an infection in your tooth, a root canal treatment will remove it. After that, the tooth will be protected with a dental crown. It is important that you get help right away to treat the infection and avoid further pain and discomfort.

Find a Gentle Dentist Who Offers Sedation Dentistry

You should speak to a gentle dentist about your anxiety. Sedation dentistry can help you relax during dental visits so you can get the treatment you need.

Nitrous oxide – This is also called laughing gas. During your appointment, you can breathe it in to relax.

Oral conscious sedation – A dentist can give you anti-anxiety medication to take before your appointment. You will be drowsy and relaxed.

Learn more about these options on our sedation dentistry page.

Don’t delay in getting the bump on your gums treated. A gentle dentist can use his or techniques and sedation dentistry make your experience pain free.

This post is sponsored by Naperville Dental Specialists, the office of Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Jan 14

All on 4 implants or overdentures if I smoke?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants No Comments

Can you tell me if All on 4 implants will work better than standard implants if I smoke? Since the implants are put in at an angle I’m wondering if they will stay put better than standard implants. I’m not a chain smoker but I smoke every day. What’s the better option for me? – Thanks. Branton

Branton,

Whether you receive All-On-4 implants or implant overdentures with standard fixtures, your dentist will encourage you to quit smoking before you receive them.

Quit Smoking Before You Receive All-on-4 Dental Implants

Smoking will affect the success of your implants in several ways:

  • Nicotine restricts the blood flow in your mouth.
  • Smoking slows the implant healing process, and it can prevent the implants from healing properly.
  • When you smoke, it increases the risk of periodontal (gum) disease. You need healthy gums for your implants to heal.
  • The purpose of All-on-4 is to receive implants when you have low bone density. Studies show the effects of smoking are more pronounced in areas of low bone density. So All-on-4 will present an even higher risk than standard implant overdentures.

What about Smoking after Surgery?

  • Smoking after surgery increases the risk of inflammation at the surgical site.
  • Increased bleeding at the implant site is more common with smokers.
  • Although implant fixtures stimulate bone growth, increased nicotine hinders bone growth. So you can still experience jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse.
  • If you continue to smoke after surgery, it may cause your All-on-4 implants to fail. If even if a single implant fails, they will all need to be completely redone.

When Should You Stop Smoking?

At a minimum, it is recommended that you stop smoking at least one week prior to surgery and two months after. The recommendation from your implant dentist can differ. If you are unable to break the habit on your own, speak with your medical doctor about getting assistance to quit.

Smoking doesn’t eliminate your ability to get dental implants, but healing can be slower, and there is a greater risk of implant failure. Your investment in your overall health and in All-on-4 dental implants will be worth it.

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

Jan 09

Is the diamond in Drake’s tooth a dental implant?

By Dental Implants No Comments

Is the diamond in Drake’s tooth a dental implant? I recently read he has a pink diamond in one tooth. Or is it possible to insert a diamond in a natural tooth? It looks cool, but I’m wondering if it is safe to do? And if so, what does a dentist charge for something like that? – Ozzie

Ozzie,

Your dental implant question probably refers to a Twitter post between xxx and Drank that’s circulating. Drake’s photo was posted and there’s an awkward smudge on one of his front teeth. One of the comments made on the photo was:

“Lmao all that money and ur teeth still don’t look clean.”

Drake responded with:

“I have a pink diamond in my tooth…I brush with activated charcoal before any club night where I will see baddies know datttttttttttt”

Does Drake Have a Dental Implant for His Diamond Tooth?

Drake hasn’t clarified how he got the diamond in his tooth. We haven’t found any clear photos that show the tooth well. So, we can only guess what it could be. So here are the possibilities:

  • Natural tooth – The tooth with the diamond could be a natural tooth. Dentists are doctors, so their concern is to not harm natural teeth. Most dentists would view drilling into a natural tooth as causing harm, but a diamond in a tooth is considered cosmetic dentistry. So there are some dentists who would yield to the patient’s request.
  • A grill –  A lot of celebrities have grills. This doesn’t appear to be a grill because the diamond is only on a single tooth. If Drake wanted a grill, he would probably have gold added to it for more bling, similar to what Lil Wayne has done.
  • Dental implant or a crown – Unless Drake had a missing tooth, it’s probably not a dental implant. Most likely, he has a dental crown with a diamond in it. Although it’s not common, a dental lab can easily make a crown with a space in it to embed a diamond.

Is it Safe to Put Diamond in Your Teeth?

Safety depends on the dentist and the technique used. If the procedure was done in a dental office, it’s safe. Most dentists would not recommend removing natural tooth structure to embed a diamond in it. But if Drake has a dental crown, having it placed was likely a necessary procedure and bling was added to it. If anyone other than a dentist does the dental work, it’s not safe. Bacteria can collect around the crown and increase the risk of decay. Or permanent damage to the tooth can occur and ultimately result in the loss of the tooth. It isn’t wise to extract a tooth just to get a dental implant with a diamond in it.

How Much Does Something Like This Cost?

Pink diamonds are rare, but their value depends on the intensity of the hue, the clarity, and the number of carats. We can’t see the pink hue in the photos of the diamond in Drake’s tooth, but the diamond is likely graded as “fancy” or “fancy light,” meaning it is less rare and less valuable than one with more intense shading. The stone alone probably cost a few thousand dollars. A crown from a cosmetic dentist who caters to celebrities would also cost a few thousand dollars.

 

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

 

Jan 04

Clear Choice Second Opinions: How Much to Tell the Next Dentist?

By Blog No Comments

I’ve decided to get 2 Clear Choice second opinions. I’m considering having the all-on-4 procedure done and I want to be sure I’m doing the right thing without paying significantly more than I should. All-on-4 requires removing 2 healthy teeth, but the doctor says I’ll probably lose them in the next few years anyway. I don’t know if that’s true or not, nor whether they would be removed prematurely. My questions are: 1) When should I get the Clear Choice second opinions? 2) Is it okay to tell the other dentists I went to Clear Choice? 3) Will I need new x-rays, or can I take mine with me? But doesn’t that tell the other dentists I went to Clear Choice? Many thanks. Patrick

Patrick,

Your questions are good. Normally, when you’re getting a Clear Choice second opinion, the dentist can make an educated guess about what was previously recommended. Clear Choice tends to recommend certain treatment, including All-On-4. Based on your oral health and the number of your remaining health, any dentist who is familiar with the company will likely know what was recommended.

Things to Consider Before Your Clear Choice Second Opinion

Before your second-opinion appointments, consider the factors below to determine what you will say to each dentist and how much information you will provide.

  • Tooth extraction – If you’re questioning whether teeth need to be extracted or not, you may get unbiased feedback by not repeating what a dentist recommended. This is especially true in smaller towns, where one dentist may not want to conflict with another dentist’s recommendation.
  • Treatment plan – If you’re getting the Clear Choice second opinion to confirm whether or not the treatment plan you were given is reasonable, you probably want to bring a copy of the treatment plan with you.
  • Treatment options – If you would like to know your options, it will be beneficial to provide at least some limited information. You can let the dentist know you’ve had consultations, but want to hear his or her recommendations for dental implants. There are always numerous treatment options to explore. In addressing it this way, you’ll likely hear about other solutions in an unbiased way.
  • X-rays – Today’s x-rays are digital and your exposure is low. Some liken it to the equivalent of a day in the sun. It should be safe to retake x-rays. But easiest option is to get copies to take with you, especially if you don’t want the consulting dentists to know you have been to Clear Choice.

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

Jan 03

7 Reasons a Pediatric Dentist Might Recommend Treating Primary Teeth

By Pediatric Dentist

I am writing for a second opinion on what my daughter’s pediatric dentist  recommended. It’s hard to decide if a 5 year old should get all the treatment that is being recommended. She has cavities in 3 of her back molars and the dentist wants to fill them and put sealants over all of her molars. If these are baby teeth, should we really be that concerned?  – Sabreena

Sabreena,

Primary back molars aren’t replaced with permanent teeth until about 12 years of age. Although one of our pediatric dentists would need to examine your daughter’s teeth to give precise treatment recommendations, it sounds as if your daughter’s dentist is genuinely concerned about her oral health.  If you decide to leave your daughter’s cavities untreated, keep in mind the following factors.

Why a Pediatric Dentist Might Recommend Treating Primary Teeth

  • Untreated cavities will continue to spread.
  • If decay takes over her teeth, they can become infected and require treatment from an endodontist, or be lost prematurely.
  • Chewing without back molars will become difficult.
  • Absence of the molars may cause other teeth to shift.
  • Missing primary molars affect how permanent teeth grown in. This can create a need for orthodontic treatment as your daughter matures.
  • Failure to treat the teeth that have cavities can result in more costly dental treatment in the future.
  • Your daughter’s pediatric dentist is likely recommending sealants to protect your daughter’s teeth from bacteria and decay.

What Is Causing the Problem?

In addition to filling the cavities, it is helpful to consider the cause of the cavities. Some possible causes of frequent cavities include:

Nutrition habits

  • Inadequate or improper brushing and flossing
  • Frequent snacking
  • Frequently eating sugary snacks or drinking soda can accelerate tooth decay.

Limiting sugary snacks and drinks can improve oral health.

Medical conditions

If none of these nutrition issues exist, your dentist may more closely examine your daughter’s teeth and determine if a medical issue or any prescription medication your child may be taking is promoting cavities.

Fluoride mouth rinse or prescription fluoride toothpaste will help protect her teeth. Filling the cavities in your daughter’s teeth and protecting her molar teeth with sealants makes good sense. It can preserve your daughter’s teeth, help primary teeth grow correctly, and help her maintain good oral health.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Anthony LaVacca of Naperville Dental Specialists.

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