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.

 

Important To Keep Your Dentist Updated On Your Medications

Posted on Mar 09, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

So what does the prescription you take for high blood pressure have to do with your dental care? And, why should you bother to tell us if you’re taking a supplement for anxiety?

Many medications don’t interact well with other medications, and even some supplements. It is important that your dentist and dental specialist have an up-to-date list of ALL medications you take. Here is why:

Medications such as Heparin or Warfarin help to reduce blood clotting, which lowers your risk for stroke and heart disease. That’s good. However, it is important that your dentist know about these since they can cause bleeding problems during oral surgery or periodontal treatment.

For those who take medications that help to strengthen bones, these have been associated with a rare but serious condition called osteo-necrosis of the jaw. Simply put, it refers to death of the bone. These prescriptions include Fosamax, Actonel, Atelvia, Didronel and Boniva and are taken to help prevent or treat osteoporosis. There are also versions administered by injection, including Boniva IV, Reclast and Prolia.

Osteo-necrosis of the jaw commonly occurs after dental procedures (tooth extraction, implant placement). Over 90 percent of those who have experienced osteo-necrosis are those who have taken the medication in repeated high doses due to cancer or other diseases. However, 10 percent who experienced osteo-necrosis were taking much lower doses, mostly intended to treat osteoporosis. Those who are taking these medications or have taken them within the past year should reveal this to their dentist.

Certain medications also affect the ability to taste, including cardiovascular agents, central nervous system stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, respiratory inhalants and nicotine skin patches.

Some medications can cause the development of oral sores, inflammation or discoloration of gum tissues in the mouth. These oral sores or discolorations may arise from taking medications for blood pressure, oral contraceptives and chemotherapy agents. Keeping your dentist aware that you are taking these drugs helps he or she monitor these areas closely and appropriately. Some spots and discolorations in the mouth can actually be symptoms of oral cancer. When your dentist is aware of the side effects of the medications you take, you can be adequately monitored without being treated for pseudo illnesses.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of a wide variety of medications, including those prescribed and over-the-counter. These include antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, high blood pressure medications, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence,
anti-depressants and many others. Drying causes the soft tissues in the mouth to become inflamed and makes you more susceptible to infection. When saliva flow is depleted, your risk for tooth decay and gum disease increases.

Supplements that may seem unconnected to your oral health can actually effect your care more than you realize. It is important for your dentist to know if you take…
 • Ginkgo biloba or evening primrose – These herbs can reduce your blood’s ability to clot, possibly leading to excessive bleeding during and/or after a dental procedure.
 • St. John’s Wort – This herb, which is often taken to reduce anxiety, can interfere with the metabolism of other medications, including sedatives, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone and Decadron. When combined with St. John’s Wort, these drugs can be less effective. On the other hand, narcotics such as codeine, Vicodin and oxycodone can become more potent when taken with St. John’s Wort. This can lead to sleepiness, lethargy and dizziness.
• Valerian – This herb has mild sedative effects. If your dentist prescribes drugs for anxiety or painkillers containing codeine, the effects of both together are greatly accentuated. This can lead to severe sleepiness, lethargy and dizziness that can last into the next day.
• Calcium and magnesium – When these supplements are combined with certain antibiotics, they can decrease the antibiotics being properly absorbed. This can compromise your ability to fight off infection.

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health. Always keep your dental care givers updated on your health status and the medications (and supplements) you take.

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.