Archives for April 2023

Is There a Special Diet After Dental Implant Surgery?

Posted on April 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I am anticipating getting four dental implants in August. I am excited about replacing my teeth but worried about how I will manage on a restricted diet. I get weak if I don’t eat enough. What can I expect after implant surgery regarding eating? How soon after surgery will I be able to eat a regular meal? Thanks. Jordyn

Jordyn,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental about what you can eat after dental implant surgery. We will explain the timeline and how to ensure you get enough nutrients.

Is There a Special Diet After Dental Implant Surgery?

After dental implant surgery, you will begin a liquid diet for at least the first day or two. Afterward, you can progress to soft foods that require no chewing. Eventually, you can enjoy foods that require minimal chewing while avoiding hard, crunchy, or sticky foods. Your implant dentist or oral surgeon may recommend a longer liquid diet.

Timeline for Eating After Getting Dental Implants

The timeline below shows what your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend. Please follow your dentist’s instructions on what to eat and when.

24 to 48 hours – Maintain a liquid diet. Drink lukewarm to cool liquid but avoid drinking through a straw to prevent dislodging blood clots at the surgical sites.
Day 3 to 14 – Avoid icy cold or steamy hot drinks. Soft foods that require minimal chewing are best.
Day 15 to week 12 – Eat soft foods that require minimal chewing.

What Types of Foods Can You Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw identified

A soft-foods diet protects your dental implants

Below are examples of soft foods that require no chewing and food that require minimal chewing.

Soft foods with no chewing

Jello
Applesauce
Pureed fruit, vegetables, and meats
Smoothies without nuts or seeds
Hummus
Yogurt

Soft foods with minimal chewing

Steamed vegetables
Baked fruit
Eggs
Flaky fish
Bananas
Mashed potatoes
Finely diced meat

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water while avoiding sugary drinks. A restricted diet allows your implants and jawbone to fuse. Taking risks and chewing food can cause implant complications.

Your implant dentist or oral surgeon will give detailed instructions for post-operative care and a smooth recovery.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

How Much Does Silver Fillings Removal Cost?

Posted on April 11, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I have five silver fillings that my previous dentist placed. I’ve had them for 10-15 years but did not get them all at once. I recently relocated to NC and am looking for a new dentist. I want someone to remove the silver fillings and replace them with composite safely. I found five dental offices online and will call them about safe amalgam removal. How much should I expect to pay to remove and replace the fillings? Thank you. Alyson

Alyson,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental in Metairie, Louisiana, about silver fillings removal.

How Much Does Silver Fillings Removal Cost?

The cost of a silver (amalgam) fillings removal and replacement with white fillings depends on several factors, including:

The condition of your tooth
The location of the affected tooth
The filling size
Dental fees where you live in the U.S.
The dentist’s process for removal and replacement

Silver Filling Removal Cost

Dentists vary in their process and cost for removing amalgam fillings. You can expect fees of $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on whether a dentist practices safe amalgam removal. When you call dental offices for pricing, ask how the dentist removes amalgam fillings, which affects the fees.

What Is the Cost of a Composite Filling?

A composite, tooth-colored filling can cost $300 or more. But the cost depends on the condition of the tooth and filling size. Some fillings are so large that a cosmetic dentist may recommend a porcelain overlay, a custom ceramic restoration that covers one or more biting surfaces of a tooth.

What Is the Cost of Safe Amalgam Removal?

Image left of silver amalgam fillings loaded with mercury. Image right: mercury-free composite fillings

Ask a cosmetic dentist about mercury-free fillings

Some dentists who practice safe amalgam removal and replacement with white fillings charge $900 to $2,000 or more per tooth, depending on the tooth’s condition. When you ask questions about a dentist’s fees, specify which teeth are affected and whether the dentist practices safe amalgam removal.

After an exam and x-rays, a dentist can give you a more accurate estimate for replacing your silver fillings. If you have dental insurance, you can send a treatment estimate to the insurance company to project your out-of-pocket costs.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

Why Does One of My Three Dental Crowns Hurt?

Posted on April 4, 2023 by AllSmiles.

One of my upper left molars has been hurting for two months. My dentist thought the tooth might be fractured and covered it with the crown. It hurts even when I chew soft food. When I put pressure on the tooth with my finger, it feels better, but the pain returns when I lift my finger. This is so weird.

My dentist adjusted the crown, but the teeth still hurt. I’ve had other crowns with no problems like this. Is something wrong with my bite? What could be causing my tooth pain? – Thanks. Carlton from Gatlinburg, TN

Carlton

Thank you for your question.

Your description sounds like your bite is still off.

Why Does Your Dental Crown Hurt?

A poorly placed crown can push your teeth out of alignment and cause pain. Pain from decay or infection in your teeth will not improve if you push down on them, so decay or infection is not the problem. Either your gums or the crown is causing your symptoms.

Untreated concerns with dental crowns can lead to TMJ discomfort

If your dentist adjusts your bite correctly, you can clench your teeth and put pressure on them without discomfort. Your dentist might need to adjust other teeth, too. She may be hesitant about adjusting your teeth if she only worked on the tooth that has the crown. Sometimes small shifts in one tooth affect others, and adjusting adjacent teeth is the only way to align your bite correctly.

A misaligned bite can cause problems like these:

TMJ disorder
Headaches
Neck pain
Nighttime teeth grinding
Jaw pain

Get a second opinion if your dentist is unable to correct your bite. You can look for a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.