Archives for May 2020

Should I Reschedule Getting my Porcelain Crowns?

Posted on May 22, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hi there,

Last year, I started the process for getting dental implants. First I had a bone graft, then had the implant surgically placed. Now that I’ve healed up, I can finally get my porcelain crown placed. However, my crown placement appointment is right in the middle of a pandemic! I’m eager to get my crown, but I’m not sure if it counts as “essential”. It’s essential to me, but I can live a little longer without it if necessary. However, a lot of non-essential businesses are reopening, so I’m considering keeping my appointment. Should I keep it, or reschedule it? I’m not sure what to do.

Shayne, from Cleveland, OH

Hi Shayne,

This is a stressful and confusing time for everyone. CDC guidelines advise against any non-essential excursions, but stop short of actually explaining what that means. What is non-essential to some may be essential to others, so to avoid confusion, the CDC kept it vague.

If you were having a toothache or pain, you would go in to see your dentist right away for an emergency. If your jaw has fully healed and you are not in pain, you can probably reschedule your appointment with no issue. However, if you have had to change your eating habits since the surgery and cannot eat without discomfort, you may want to keep it. Dental implants are more than just aesthetic – they are replacements for your natural teeth that your mouth needs in order to function. There is no right or wrong answer here, it really is up to you and what you feel most comfortable doing.

Dental offices, like most businesses, are taking extra precautions during these unpredictable times. You will likely need to wear a mask or face covering to your appointment, and practice social distancing in the waiting room.

One thing you can do is talk to your dentist. He or she will be able to tell you whether you can safely reschedule or if you should still keep your appointment. They know you best, and can help guide you to make the best decision for you. You can also ask about any new guidelines or procedures that have recently been put in place.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio dental implant provider, Dr. Gilberto Tostado, of 5 Star Dental Group.

Should I see a Holistic Dentist or my General Dentist?

Posted on May 15, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hi there,

I have been seeing a lot of dental offices advertising holistic dentistry nowadays, but I’m not sure what that means. Can I get the same services at a holistic dentist as I can at my general dentist? I’m considering a switch but are not sure if it’s right for me. Can you clarify things for me?

Felipe, from Sterling, CO

Hi Felipe,

Holistic dentists are dentists; the only difference between the two are their philosophies. Holistic dentists believe oral health and your overall health are intertwined. When designing treatment plans, a holistic dentist will take your entire medical history into account, and advise dental treatments based on what will benefit both your teeth and your body. General dentists are more focused on their patient’s oral health. They focus more on function than aesthetics, on fixing problems pragmatically, and tend to rely on techniques they know instead of what may be best for the patient. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it really comes down to personal preference.

For example, most holistic dentists have moved towards metal-free dentistry and mercury-free implants. Metal and mercury are approved by the ADA and FDA to be safely used in dental fillings, but because of the prevalence of metal allergies, holistic dentists prefer to use tooth-colored composite for fillings or porcelain for restorations. These not only look more natural but have a low risk of any adverse reactions. Holistic dentists will also give you several options of biocompatible materials that can be used, and take your opinion into account. General dentists tend to choose the materials on your behalf, and may not be able to take your requests into consideration.

When it comes to choosing between a holistic dentist or a general dentist, choose based on which treatment philosophy better aligns with your own. If you want to be involved in the treatment process, a holistic dentist may be for you.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio holistic dentist, Dr. Gilberto Tostado, of 5 Star Dental Group. Please be advised that holistic dentistry is a philosophy of practice and not a certified specialization.

Will My All-On-4 Dental Implants Fail Eventually?

Posted on May 8, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hello there,

About 10 years ago, my dentist recommended getting All-On-4 dental implants done. I was in my 50’s, but interested in a long-lasting smile. It was a rather intense and expensive process, but I was happy with the results in the end. However, I started noticing a bad taste in my mouth, despite no changes to my established brushing, flossing, and mouthwash routines.

When I mentioned this to my dentist, he said there may be an infection in my mouth and ordered X-rays. He was right – one of my implants was infected and I needed antibiotics. However, if the infection comes back, I may need to get surgery all over again.

I thought these implants would last me the rest of my life, so I’m blindsided by having problems only 10 years in. I do not want to pay for the entire procedure again, especially if there’s a risk an implant could fail again. Is it common for All-On-4 implants to fail after 10 years or so? Should I just opt for a set of dentures at my age? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Daniel, from Trenton, New Jersey

Hi Daniel,

All-On-4 dental implants are a type of implant overdenture. Your situation is rare, but unfortunately All-on-4 does not work for everyone. If you have any risk factors, such as previous periodontal disease, chronic health conditions, or are a smoker, the risk of possible failure is higher.

Determining the cause of your implant failure may prove difficult. It likely was not caused by a placement issue during the initial surgery. If it were, the problems would have cropped up in the first few months after surgery. Any of the aforementioned risk factors could have contributed to the implant’s failure. However, if you did not have any risk factors, then the cause of the infection or implant failure will likely remain a mystery.

All-On-4 dental implants, also known as Teeth in a Day, frequently have a very high success rate among patients. Studies have shown that even 10 years after surgery, the implants still hold strong at a 94% success rate, meaning only a handful failed over the course of the decade.

If you cannot determine what caused the implant to fail, it’s understandable that you would be hesitant to get it redone. Also, there is not any data available on how long All-On-4 implants last after being redone. However, you still have options besides dentures; you still have 3 successful implants, so if you were to get the fourth remade, it would likely hold well. The decision is up to you. To help you decide, see a periodontist, cosmetic dentist, or oral surgery specialist for a second opinion.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio implant overdentures and All-On-4 provider, Dr. Gilberto Tostado, of 5 Star Dental Group.