These days, I don’t have lots of photos of me, mostly because I’m the one taking the pictures! However, when I see myself in a photo, it is usually with the well-rehearsed smile I’ve been using in poses most of my adult life. Yet, when I’m with friends and family, I smile bigger and laugh freely, showing more of my smile than what appears in most images.

When patients who want to enhance the appearance of their smile, several side teeth may be easily visible along with front teeth. But, it’s not just “teeth” that create a smile. In our office, we work with a number of dentists to enhance the patient’s esthetic outcome. Along with the number of teeth, shade and shape, we help to optimize the outcome with gum recontouring.

If you’re considering smile enhancements, take a look at your smile in the mirror. You’ll see what others see by holding a hand mirror up to a wall mirror for a close up view. Check out your smile at several angles and watch your smile as you laugh. Do you have gum recession? Do too much of your gums show when you smile big or laugh?

An attractive smile can improve your appearance AND enhance self-confidence so you find yourself smiling more often! In turn, this projects you to others as an upbeat, positive person! To discuss gum recontouring, call (828) 274-9440for a consultation. During this time, we’ll discuss what will help to create an ideal smile makeover for you.

Let’s say you’ve cracked a tooth below the gum line. It’s too late for a crown and now requires removal. There are several reasons why it’s more advantageous to place a Dental Implant at the time of extraction.

By combining the two procedures, you save treatment time and numbing for a second procedure. This also allows for the implant to be positioned into the same place as the just-removed tooth root, so drilling a slot in the upper or lower jaw is not necessary.

Another benefit is the preservation of the natural contours of the gum tissue. Each tooth is bordered by gum tissue that slightly arches with points that dip in-between each two teeth. Immediate implant placement helps preserve these natural contours. This means you avoid the shrinking of these tissues from delay, which gives a flat look.

Many of today’s implants can have teeth attached immediately. If you find that a tooth will have to be extracted, consider the many advantages of having your implant placed as part of the procedure.

Hormonal changes in a woman’s body can cause a number of symptoms. During menopause, it is not uncommon for women to have more gum sensitivity to hot or cold. Some women say they feel a burning sensation in the mouth, frequently have a dry mouth, or even detect a metallic or salty taste.

Unlike many of the other physical symptoms that menopausal women endure, these bothersome oral sensations are often easily resolved. After an examination, I typically recommend a saliva substitute that is similar to a mouth rinse to increase saliva flow.

Protecting your gums during all phases of your life is important. Never assume that unusual symptoms in your mouth are harmless. Some problems can be warning signs of much more serious issues. If you need an exam, please call (828) 274-9440 at your earliest convenience.

Instead of having one dental professional for optimal oral health, general dentists regularly team with periodontists. General dentists often refer patients to periodontists to treat more problematic periodontal cases, such as severe gum disease or intricate periodontal procedures, such as tissue grafts. Together, they are able to help patients achieve good oral health and maintain this on an ongoing basis. This team approach with your general dentist helps to create a treatment plan that best conforms to your individual needs and goals.

All periodontists must complete an additional two to three years of specialized training in periodontics following four years of undergraduate school and four years of dental school. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (which is the repair of an infected tooth root) or root surface debridement (removal of damaged tissue). While familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, they are also trained in performing cosmetic procedures involving gum tissue.

Periodontists typically spend the majority of their time diagnosing and treating periodontal (gum) disease. However, they perform a wide range of procedures that involve soft tissues of the mouth. For example, they are skilled in cosmetic procedures to help create a beautiful smile, such as crown lengthening and repair of a ‘gummy smile.’ Since periodontists are dental pros when it comes to working with gum tissues, they can place dental implants skillfully without compromising gum tissues surrounding surgical site(s). They also correct gum recession by covering exposed root surfaces to prevent sensitivity to hot and cold as well as for esthetic reasons.

Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Because periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are chronic inflammatory diseases, researchers believe that gum disease can increase inflammation in the body. This can lead to an increased risk for developing more severe health complications, including cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes and other problems. Periodontal disease has been linked to preterm babies, memory loss and stroke as well.