Stand Out This Holiday Season With A Terrific Smile!

Posted on Sep 19, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As we near the beginning of the holiday season, when group gatherings are at the year’s peak, rethink the money you’ll spend on that sparkly new dress or designer shoes. Research shows that the first thing people notice about others is their SMILE! If you truly want to sparkle and stand out in a positive way, give your smile a close look in the mirror.

Is your smile a brown tint or has it yellowed?
Does your smile look healthy and clean?
Is your breath fresh? Does your mouth ‘taste’ clean?
Are missing teeth on the sides obvious when you smile?

A healthy smile projects positively on the one who shares it. Be sure your at-home oral hygiene routine includes twice-daily brushing and flossing each night. In the morning, use a tongue-scrapper to remove bacteria embedded in the tongue. And, keep those 6-month cleaning appointments that remove plaque build-up.

A good cleaning can also help to remove surface stains from teeth. Whitening your teeth may be needed for deep stains. Most general dentists offer affordable whitening systems that creates dramatic, long-lasting results quickly, safely and comfortably. This can also help to camouflage flaws such as chipped or crooked teeth.

Missing teeth can be replaced with Dental Implants, which is a ‘lifetime’ replacement method and exceptional investment in your smile’s appearance AND health. Because implants do not reply on adjacent teeth for support (as in Crown-&-Bridge combinations), neighboring teeth are held in proper position and you’ll avoid having them shaved down for crowns to support a bridge.

Rethink your party clothes, jewelry or accessories this year. Stand out beautifully with your smile! That’s the terrific ‘sparkle’ they’ll remember!

Get your smile healthy and holiday-ready! Call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation to discuss a terrific smile for this holiday – and beyond!

Don’t Let Tooth Loss Equal Bone Loss

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

What we DON’T know CAN harm us. As a periodontal specialist, I wish every American was aware of what happens in their mouth when they lose teeth. By understanding the ‘domino effect’ created by tooth loss, I believe the oral – and overall – health of the U.S. population would significantly improve.

When natural teeth are lost, some adults still believe that the sufficient replacement of teeth is through a denture or partial. Although this does, indeed, replace teeth, these are not ideal solutions.

When a tooth is lost, surrounding natural teeth shift out of proper position if the tooth is not replaced. However, using a denture or partial to replace teeth puts pressure on the gum-covered ‘ridge’ that once held natural teeth. This pressure accelerates the rate at which the underlying jaw bone shrinks.

Without natural tooth roots in the bone, the jaw bone begins to shrink, losing height and thinning over time. This not only puts the jaw at risk for fractures and breaks, it can lead to changes in one’s facial appearance. Bone loss causes deep wrinkling around the mouth with corners of the mouth that turn downward, even in a smile. The chin takes on a more pointed look and the mouth tends to sink into the face, creating what is known as a ‘granny look.’

Bone loss can be halted with the placement of Dental Implants. One type of implant is suitable even when severe bone loss has occurred. For those missing all of their upper or lower teeth, the All-On-4 Implant system is affordable, placed in a simple procedure, and can have teeth attached immediately.

Few things in life deserve more than the benefits of a healthy smile. We rely on it to bite, chew, speak, and express ourselves. It is the beginning of the digestive process and the “window to our bodies.” Consider your options for replacing teeth so you can enjoy a healthy, worry-free smile. And remember, bone loss will not stop on its own. The sooner you put a halt to the process, the more options you’ll have.

Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation to discuss tooth replacement through Dental Implants. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tooth Replacment That LASTS!

Posted on Sep 04, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Replacing a tooth (or teeth) is very important, even more than for the sake of appearance. Each tooth in your mouth holds neighboring teeth in proper position, including those on each side along with the one above or below. Without it, other teeth begin to shift. This can alter your bite alignment and lead to a long list of problems, including chipped or cracked teeth, greater susceptibility for cavities and TMJ disorders.

Replacing teeth with today’s exceptional materials, techniques and technology can provide a highly-natural look and feel with exceptional longevity. While Crown-&-Bridge combinations are still good choices, the modern ‘ideal’ in tooth replacement has become Dental Implants, for many reasons.

Unlike Crown-&-Bridge, Dental Implants do not rely on healthy, natural adjacent teeth to be crowned for the mere purpose of supporting a bridge. Implants are positioned into the jaw bone, just as natural tooth roots, giving the same, sturdy foundation as that of natural teeth. Too, one implant can hold several teeth, so you don’t necessarily need an implant for each missing tooth.

The other – and even greater – advantage of Dental Implants is their longevity. Dental Implants are designed to last your lifetime. There are few things that give that much staying power and Dental Implants can truly be permanent teeth when properly maintained.

To learn more about Dental Implants and the type best suited for you, call our friendly staff at (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation. A ‘lasting smile’ can be yours!

Dental Implants & Smoking

Posted on Jun 03, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

We all know that smoking isn’t good for our health, which certainly includes oral health. Smoking complicates the body’s natural ability to heal. It has a drying effect on gum tissues and minimizes blood oxygen, resulting in delayed healing process. Smoking also contributes to a greater potential for bacterial build-up.

To place an implant, both gum tissue and bone are involved in the process. The dental specialist must go through gum tissues to reach the bone, placing each implant at a precise depth and angle. Once the implant is placed, it can take two to six months to become fully anchored by the bone.

For proper healing during this time, a patient needs normal blood circulation to ensure gum recovery and sufficient oxygen levels for the regeneration of bone surrounding the implant. Failures most often occur during this ‘osseo-integration’ phase when the bone is growing around the implant.

In addition, patients can develop a condition known as peri–implantitis. This can cause inflammation around the implant site and pockets of pus that form in gum tissues. Although the potential to develop peri–implantitis exists for any dental implant patient, smokers have a substantially higher risk.

For smokers who develop infections after implant surgery, medications used to combat the infection have a lesser effect because the potency of antibiotics does not work as well on smokers. When infection is not eliminated and works its way into the implant area, your risk for losing the implant is significant.

Because of the greater risk factors, some dental specialists refuse to place dental implants in smokers. With so many negative effects, it is highly advisable to stop smoking prior to implant placement. Just like a hip or knee replacement, implants are not guaranteed because of extenuating circumstances while the healing process is primarily in the hands of the patient.

You can greatly enhance your success rate by quitting smoking at least one week prior to placement and throughout the recovery period. Consider using dental implant treatment to motivate you to become smoke free.

Keep in mind that dental implants enable you to eat a healthy selection of foods while restoring eating comfort and smiling confidence. The many benefits you’ll reap with dental implants are well worth kicking the habit.