Missing Tooth Roots At The ‘Root’ Of Your Problem

Posted on Mar 28, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

When natural tooth roots are missing, the upper or lower jaw bone that once held them goes through a change. It’s a process known as ‘resorption,’ which describes the shrinking or declining mass of the bone.

Resorption occurs because the bone no longer has the stimulating presence of the tooth root. As the bone declines in height and width, neighboring teeth feel the effects of this bone loss. Adjacent tooth roots become bordered by an insufficient bone structure, causing these areas to become susceptible to a higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth breaks or fractures.

While a crown-&-bridge combination can replace missing teeth, a bridge does not restore stimulation to the jaw bone. Eventually, the decline in bone mass reveals itself when a gap becomes visible between the bridge and the gums.

For those who wear a denture or partial denture to replace missing teeth, the pressure on the gums from these appliances actually accelerates the rate of bone loss. And, for those who sleep in these appliances, the 24/7 rate of pressure speeds up bone loss even more.

Bone loss through resorption is also the cause of facial changes, most of which are aging to one’s appearance. These include deep wrinkles that form around the mouth, the corners of the mouth turning downward even in a smile, a pointed chin, jowls that form from the detachment of facial muscles and a mouth that looks collapsed into the face (known as a ‘granny look’).

Halting bone loss can be done through the placement of Dental Implants. Since they are positioned in the jaw bone, they recreate the stimulation of tooth roots. Additionally, Dental Implants restore biting strength and stability without the fear of embarrassing slips.

Dental Implants are also self-supporting. This means that crowning neighboring teeth to support a bridge or partial is not necessary. With the jaw bone as their foundation, Dental Implants stand strong on their own.

Another bonus of Dental Implants? With proper selection, placement and care, Dental Implants are designed to last a lifetime. This is why it is important to have your implants placed by a skilled, experienced doctor. As a Periodontist, my specialty includes this advanced skill in both diagnosis and treatment.

Whenever possible, save your natural teeth to keep those tooth roots where they belong! However, losing a natural tooth doesn’t mean you need to suffer the long-term repercussions of bone loss.

Ask about Dental Implants to restore a natural look and feel while you protect surrounding teeth and bone structure. Call 828-274-9440. Begin with a consultation, if you prefer.

Rocky Dentures? Why Relines Are Of Little Help.

Posted on Mar 16, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a dental specialist, I am referred most of our patients by other dentists. Being a Periodontist, my advanced training and skills are ideal for people who have any level of periodontal disease as well as those who want or need dental implants.

When it comes to dental implant patients, what I see most often are those who have worn dentures for a number of years who are exhausted with the uncomfortable rubbing and the inability to eat the foods they once enjoyed.

These patients typically tell me that their denture fit snugly when it was first made. Over time, however, they started noticing that the denture would cause sore spots on their gums. It would move when they chewed certain foods, even when they used denture adhesives or pastes.

I’ve heard patients describe how painful it is to have something as small as a strawberry seed or nut particle become trapped under the denture, piercing into their tender gum tissue. Some have shared how they had to eventually switch to a diet of soft foods that dissolved easily so they wouldn’t have to chew. And, many admit that they started declining invitations that included a meal.

What many people don’t realize when they first opt for a denture is what occurs underneath the gum tissue. This is where the problem lies. It’s not that the denture is shrinking or changing shape. It’s your jaw bone. And the pressure placed on the bone from wearing dentures is only making matters worse.

When natural tooth roots are removed, the jaw bone that once held them is no longer fed the stimulants that kept it healthy. After a few years, it will shrink in height. This decline in mass is what causes changes in facial appearance, such as deep wrinkling around the mouth and the formation of jowls. And, it’s what causes the denture to move.

As time goes on, so does the process of bone loss. This means that the ‘ridge’ your denture was designed for flattens. A reline can rebuild the denture to accommodate some of the change. However, as the bone continues to decline, the denture continues to be ill-fitting.

While the pressure of wearing a denture certainly accelerates the rate of bone loss, a number of denture wearers also sleep in their denture. This round-the-clock pressure speeds up the rate of bone loss even more.

Not being able to eat and fear of embarrassment are common complaints of denture wearers. The solution is dental implants. Not only do implants restore the ability to bite and chew comfortably, they halt the bone loss associated with dentures. This is because they recreate the presence of tooth roots in the jaw bone.

When it comes to your smile, words like rocky, wobbly and slippery should never be a part of the description. When people opt for dental implants to replace an unstable denture, they smile, laugh, eat and even sneeze with confidence.

Eating a healthy diet, socializing with friends and family, and feeling confident are not luxuries. They are essential to a healthy, happy life. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule a consultation. During this, I’ll explain the type of implants that may be best for your needs and goals. We can also discuss estimated costs and payment options.

 

Cost Of Dental Implants Based On…

Posted on Feb 22, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

There are many reasons Dental Implants are such a wise choice for people missing one or more teeth. Many see the biggest benefit is the restored ability to bite and chew comfortably and without worry. However, as a Periodontal specialist, I know there are additional benefits that occur beneath the gums that aren’t as obvious to the patient.

Because Dental Implants are held by the jaw bone, they recreate a type of stimulation that helps to preserve the bone’s mass. Without natural tooth roots or the presence of Dental Implants, the bone resorbs, which is a melting away process of sorts.

Resorption is why dentures that fit well when they were first made will begin to move and slip over time. The change in the jaw bone directly affects the fit of a denture that was originally made for the unique contours of the gum ridge. When the jaw experiences a decline in mass, or resorption, this ridge flattens out over time.

There are denture wearers who are completely fine with their denture. They don’t mind having teeth that come out at night and feel they can chew sufficiently. While I want every person to have the tooth replacement option that is aligned to their preferences, it is their comfort ten years from now that is a concern for me. While they may be comfortable with their denture now, being happy with its fit years later is doubtful.

The obstacle with Dental Implants, for most individuals, is the cost of treatment. Here is where I’d like to correct a misconception. The cost for treatment is based largely on the number of Dental Implants needed. However, while you may be missing several teeth or even a full arch (all upper or lower) of teeth, an implant is not needed for each missing tooth.

For example, when several teeth are missing in one area, one implant can often support a bridge of two or more teeth. There is an additional bonus of using a Dental Implant to support the bridge. Unlike a traditional crown-&-bridge that requires crowning adjacent teeth to support the bridge, an implant does not rely on neighboring teeth.

A Dental Implant is held in the jaw bone. This not only provides stability and dependability, an implant helps you protect the integrity of otherwise healthy natural teeth. This is because it is not necessary to have teeth shaved down for crowning merely to lend support for a bridge.

Another example is when is a full arch of teeth is missing. In most cases, several implants (3-6) can be strategically positioned to support an arch of replacement teeth. Often, these are non-removable teeth that are securely ‘fixed’ to the implanted posts.

By placing a conservative (yet sufficient) number of implants, costs are more manageable for most budgets.

A Periodontist has extensive training in assessing the type and number of Dental Implants you’ll need and in placement techniques to provide an optimal outcome. Knowing your care is in specialized hands helps you achieve your goals to eat comfortably and laugh confidently, without fearing implant failure in the future.

Regardless of what you’ve heard in the past about implant cost, I encourage you to have a consultation. Here, we can discuss today’s many implant systems and those that will work best for your needs and goals. I’ll explain the associated costs and have our administrative staff go over payment options. These are structured to help you enjoy the benefits of Dental Implants while making affordable monthly payments.

Call 828-274-9440 for an appointment.

Replacing Teeth – Weighing Your Choices

Posted on Dec 29, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

While today’s dentistry offers a number of excellent methods for replacing teeth, there are advantages and disadvantages to each option. It is my goal to help patients understand why we recommend Dental Implants so they can determine what is best for their needs.

Missing teeth can be replaced with crown-&-bridge combinations, partial or full dentures, or dental implants. Crown-&-bridge is only possible when natural teeth border both sides of the area of missing teeth since crowned, natural teeth are the bridge’s support.

A partial denture does not require teeth on each side for support. However, it does need teeth on one side to provide support for clasps or framework that attach to adjacent, natural teeth.

A full denture replaces a teeth for those who have lost all of their upper and/or lower teeth. These teeth are held by a base that mimics gums, which is contoured to the shape and size of your ridge. The ridge, which is actually the jaw bone covered by gum tissue, is the raised arch that once supported natural tooth roots.

In these options, the absence of natural tooth roots leaves the gum ridge without the stimulation that once kept it healthy. Thus, the bone will eventually begin to shrink in height and mass.

The pressure of wearing dentures or partials accelerates the pace of bone loss. For those who sleep in their denture or partials, the 24/7 pressure speeds up the rate of bone loss even more.

As the bone declines, the fit of the denture or partial changes. Slips become common when eating, often rubbing sore spots on gum tissues. Although a crown-&-bridge will not slip, bone loss will be apparent when an open space develops below the bridge.

Because Dental Implants are placed in the jaw bone, they recreate the stimulation of tooth roots. This halts bone loss and preserves the stability of your bite as well as a healthy facial structure.

Dental Implants are also designed to last your lifetime. With proper care, they will never need removal or replacement. They do not need the support of adjacent teeth and actually help preserve the integrity of other teeth.

The downside? The cost is higher than other tooth replacement options. However, over time, they are a far better investment. With the upfront cost being the ONLY problem associated with Dental Implants, the fact that it is a ‘one and done’ expense (with a lifetime of benefits) really makes them a better choice compared to other tooth replacement options.

If you are missing natural teeth and would like to discuss replacement with Dental Implants, call 828-274-9440 to schedule a consultation. During this time, we’ll discuss how Dental Implants may be the perfect choice!