Men Over 35 Have More Health Risks

Posted on Mar 17, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

An article in the Journal of Periodontology lists nine risk factors for tooth loss due to periodontal (gum) disease, which is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loos.

Risk factors include:
Being over the age of 35
Being a male
Never getting professional dental care
Never using a toothbrush
Smoking
Having diabetes
Having high blood pressure
Having rheumatoid arthritis

Although age and gender are unchangeable, decisions to not brush your teeth or to smoke, for example, are something you can control.

Why should you worry about gum disease? In addition to causing tooth loss, oral bacteria can enter then bloodstream through tears in diseased tissues in the mouth. Once bloodborne, this bacteria can trigger an inflammatory reaction elsewhere in the body.

The bacteria of gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, memory loss, preterm babies, arthritis, diabetes, and even impotency.

If you aren’t concerned about losing teeth, then these additional health risks should get your attention. Treating gum disease before it becomes severe can be done comfortably and affordably. Payment options are available for those without dental insurance.

Gum disease will only worsen without treatment. Call (828) 274-9440 if you have tender, sore gums that are red in color rather than a healthy pink. You need to be seen promptly.

Dental Implants vs. Partial or Bridge

Posted on Mar 05, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In my specialty, I’ve been taught and trained to do everything possible to help people keep their natural teeth. This is why many dentists refer patients with gum disease to our office. Periodontists are the ‘experts’ on restoring oral wellness and saving as many natural teeth as possible.

In some situations, however, a natural tooth cannot be saved. Or, an individual may already be missing two or more teeth in one area. For many years, their only choices for replacing these teeth would have been a partial or crown-&-bridge combination.

Fortunately, Dental Implants have been developed and perfected as “the next best thing to your natural teeth.” Since my training in periodontics  included the diagnosis and placement of Dental Implants, I’m particularly aware of their superiority.

Although Dental Implants cost more upfront, they are a far better investment for several reasons. Dental Implants do not require the support of existing, natural teeth. Additionally, they recreate the presence of tooth roots in the jaw bone. This helps prevent bone loss that occurs when natural teeth are missing.

The added pressure from anchoring a bridge or partial, can fracture the teeth supporting crowns. When this occurs, a new crown is needed or removal of yet another natural tooth. And, there is more expense and time in treatment for you as well.

Dental Implants are designed to last a lifetime. They help to preserve jaw bone mass and do not require adjacent teeth for support. They also restore biting and chewing stability.

I am very proud of our success rate with implant patients but prouder of those who opted for this “one and done” version of tooth replacement. Smile your best, for a lifetime! Call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation to begin.

Why Save A Tooth That Isn’t Visible In A Smile?

Posted on Feb 12, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The leading cause of tooth loss in the U.S. is Periodontal (gum) Disease. Yet, our general population is largely unaware of this. Although treating gum disease requires less time and expense in its early stages, the expertise of a Periodontist to treat all stages of gum disease can often save teeth for those who even have advanced stages.

As a Periodontal Specialist, our ultimate goal is to restore your mouth to a healthy state, helping you avoid tooth loss and the health risk of inflammation throughout your entire body. While some general dentists may see a tooth as “hopeless,” we are often able to save many teeth from extraction. Why is it so important to save your natural teeth?

There is a domino effect with tooth loss. Once you lose a natural tooth, studies show the next one lost will be an adjacent tooth, and so on. Replacing teeth can be an expensive process, even for denture and partial wearers. While dentures and partials may seem a less-costly method, over time, they can cause devastating health problems. Not only will biting and chewing become more difficult, your overall health declines after tooth loss.

Denture wears tend to take more medications, avoid social gatherings, and have more gastro-intestinal problems than those with their natural teeth. It is estimated that denture wearers die at an age that is ten years younger than those with their own teeth, on average.

Make every effort possible to save your natural teeth. This begins with keeping a healthy mouth and maintaining regular dental cleanings. When a tooth cannot be saved, replacing it with Dental Implants is your wisest investment. Dental Implants are designed to last a lifetime and are the closest thing to your own, natural teeth.

Keep in mind that there is a good reason your dentist doesn’t wear dentures (and never will!). Saving a tooth is worth all you can give it. Before giving in to removal, see a Periodontal Specialist. You may find your tooth is anything but “hopeless.”

Call (828) 274-9440 for more information or to arrange a Consultation appointment.

Bargain Rates On Dental Implants Can Cost You More!

Posted on Jan 14, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

I occasionally see “deals” being advertised on dental implants and cringe since I know things the general public doesn’t. While not always the case, some of these low-priced implants are being placed by practitioners who’ve taken weekend courses. These courses are typically sponsored by the manufacturers or distributors of particular implant types.

What is especially concerning about these “cheap” options is knowing how many things can go wrong, causing the patient to lose all the time and money spent on getting a “good deal.” Because the success of an implant depends largely on the proper selection of implant type, the angle it is positioned into the bone and the depth it is placed, the risk of failure (and thus, need for removal) increases greatly.

As a highly-involved part of my additional years of training in the specialty of periodontics (after four years of dental school) was the study on the intricate aspects of dental implants. Understanding how to select the appropriate type for each individual’s need and precision placement aspects give patients an exceptionally high rate of success.

Dental implants are one of the most successful of all implant-in-bone procedures. With proper selection, placement and ongoing hygiene commitment, dental implants have an extremely high potential to last your lifetime. They are designed to integrate with your jaw bone in a way that the bone grows around it, implant and bone becoming as one.

What is often the case when pursuing these “bargain” implants is the low price often covers placement of the implant only (the portion placed in the bone under the gums). The patient then discovers there are additional costs, including fees for sedation, the operatory suite, follow-up visits, necessary extractions, etc. Too, these fees often do not include the the replacement teeth, a rather necessary part of treatment!

Once you consult with a specialist who is skilled in the proper selection and precision placement of all types of dental implants, you’ll find there is a difference. Ask questions, learn all your options and base your decision on what will provide a satisfying, successful outcome.

Saving money feels good when our goal for making the investment achieves our expectations. When we find we’ve wasted our hard-earned dollars, we feel cheated. However, in the long run, the outcome comes back to a decision we willingly made. After all, no one took the money out of our pocket.

You can get the most for your money when it comes to dental implants and enjoy a healthier, more confident life. Call us for a Consultation: (828) 274-9440.