Understanding Dental Implants

Posted on Oct 17, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Although dental implants are nothing new to the dental field, there is still a bit of confusion as to their makeup. This is likely because dental implants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, each to accommodate specific needs.

For example, some implant systems are designed to support non-removable teeth while others may support teeth that are detachable for cleaning. Some implants support one or several teeth while others are designed for placement in minimum bone mass.

While dental implants have one of the highest of all implant-in-bone success rates (including that of knees and hip joints), having a successful outcome can greatly depend on having the proper implant selected for you. This can occur when you rely on an experienced dental specialist who is trained in the diagnosis and placement of all types.

To help clear up confusion about how implants work, it is important to understand the components. Below is an explanation of what dental implants are and how they work.

•  Dental Implants are actually replacements for tooth roots. The implanted portion is placed in your jaw bone where a tooth root was once held.

•  The ‘implant’ is not the tooth. It will help to hold the tooth (referred to as the ‘restoration’) but its primary function is to serve as the anchor for an attached tooth, or a replacement tooth root. By being placed in the jaw bone, just as a natural tooth root, the implant can support the attached tooth with a firm foundation for optimal stability.

•  The implant becomes anchored in the jaw bone through a process known as ‘osseo-integration.’ The word ‘osseo’ refers to bone, and the integration process is like a rope tied around a tree branch. In time, the branch grows around the rope. Osseo-integration is like this but occurs at a much more rapid pace.

•  Once the implant has become secured by the bone, a post is inserted into the hollow center of the implant. The replacement tooth (or teeth) is attached to this post. You new tooth looks, feels and functions like the natural tooth once positioned there.

• An implant is not always necessary for each missing tooth. In some instances, one implant can hold two or a bridge of teeth. Several strategically-placed implants can also support a full arch of teeth in many cases.

Regardless of the type of implant placed, it is important to remember that implants do occasionally fail. This can be due to clenching or grinding teeth. Smoking complicates and delays the healing process and can also contribute to implant failure. If infection sets in and reaches the implanted portion, the implant may need to be removed so the treatment can resolve the problem.

A major benefit of dental implants is their lifespan. Implants are designed to last your lifetime. Too, dental implants do not decay, will never need a root canal and do not rely on support from neighboring teeth. The best thing, however, is that dental implants restore your ability to eat with stability, chew comfortably, laugh with confidence and speak without worry.

There are many types of implants, each designed to accommodate specific needs. As a Periodontist, I bring extensive and specialized training in the diagnosis and placement of the implant that will work best for you.

Call 828-274-9440 to arrange a consultation. During this time, we’ll discuss the implant types that are best suited for your needs and goals as well as the process and anticipated costs.

Your Smile Is What You Eat

Posted on Oct 11, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

We are in a smile-risky time of year. October brings Halloween and its onslaught of sugar. November is filled with sweet and carbohydrate yummies like pecan pie and stuffing with gravy. December surrounds you with candy canes, sweet gifts from the kitchen and frequent nibbling at social gatherings.

Enjoying this time of year with friends and family is a healthy part of being socially active. However, some of these indulgences can put you at a higher risk for problems they can cause your smile.

Before you pop that piece of fudge into your mouth (even if it is Aunt Betty’s secret recipe!), be aware that some foods have greater potential to damage teeth and increase your risk for gum disease. These include:

• Wine: While wine is said to be good for you, how it is consumed creates a particular problem when it comes to your smile. Anytime you eat or drink, your mouth experiences an acid attack, a normal part of the digestive process. However, this acid is so potent that it can soften tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay. As most people do, sipping wine over a period of time simply draws out this acid bath. Add to that the acidity of wine and your smile gets a one-two punch for a higher risk of decay.

• Citrus & acidic foods and beverages: The acidity in citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc.) can erode tooth enamel, leaving them more susceptible to decay. And, it’s not just tart-tasting fruits that have this risk. Foods with vinegar (pickles, salad dressings, etc.) and tomatoes or tomato-based foods (red pasta sauce, catsup, etc.) have an acidic effect on tooth enamel that heightens the risk of decay.

• Sugar & Carbs: The American population over-indulges in sweets and carbohydrates to an often unhealthy extent. Just look at the obesity rate in the U.S. (nearly 36% of adults) and it’s pretty clear this isn’t occurring from eating green beans and grilled fish. The problem for your smile is how oral bacteria are super-charged by these foods, boosting their ability to reproduce. And, since many of these foods stick to teeth longer, the potential for damage is much higher.

• Caffeine: Caffeine has a drying effect on oral tissues. A dry mouth means less saliva flow, which gives oral bacteria less opportunity to be rinsed from the mouth efficiently. This provides an environment where bacteria can breed and thrive. Caffeinated beverages include coffee, tea, colas, and many energy drinks. While not caffeinated, alcoholic beverages are also drying to oral tissues. Remember, oral bacteria is the source of the majority of problems in the mouth. The next time you feel your mouth is dry and your breath is bad (common companions), it’s because oral bacteria are running rampant.

• Snacking: As mentioned above, every time you eat or drink, an acid attack begins in the mouth. This means that when you sip your soda or nibble on a cookie, an acid attack occurs. When your mouth is experiencing frequent acid attacks during the day, it’s easy to see why the damage can place such high risks to tooth enamel and gum tissues.

Of course, I would never advise you to skip a glass of wine at a fun cocktail party or deny yourself a piece of Aunt Betty’s fudge. However, now that you know the foods that are most harmful to your smile and why, let a little voice in the back of your mind remind you, “Your smile is at risk.” This may help you to alter your choices so you can avoid costly and time-consuming repairs.

As you indulge during the holiday season, here are a few ways to lessen the impact of damaging foods and beverages:

   –  Don’t rush to brush: After eating or drinking, wait 20-30 minutes before brushing. This allows the acid attack in your mouth to subside so abrasion from your tooth brush or tooth paste won’t wear down tooth enamel.

   –  Rinse with water: After a cola or glass of wine, drink some water and let it wash over teeth before swallowing. Even better, swish with water in the bathroom.

   –  Combine sweets with meals: Rather than eat caramel popcorn or a pumpkin pie slice as a snack, indulge in these as dessert following your meal. Since your meal has already created an acid attack in your mouth, these yummies only prolong it a bit rather than trigger a new one.

   –  Brush, floss and have regular dental check-ups: Daily home care coupled with regular dental cleanings and exams are your best ways to prevent problems or to catch small ones before they require major repairs.

This holiday season, use these tips to save the time and money you may have needed for dental repairs. These will help you to maintain a confident, healthy smile that follows you far beyond this special time of year.

Oil Pulling – Beneficial Or Bunk?

Posted on Oct 06, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Occasionally, I am asked about the recent fad of oil pulling. The internet is full of followers of this practice who claim it pulls bacteria and toxins from the body.

Oil pulling is an ancient folk remedy that involves holding a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth for 5-15 minutes. It is swished around during this time and spit out at the end of the oil pulling period.

This action is supposed to draw impurities from the mouth. In most situations, coconut oil is used for this purpose but oils such as sesame, olive and palm may also be used.

Those who adhere to Ayurvedic health practices (an ancient, holistic medicine) claim this balances the body’s doshas, which are the energies that affect one’s physical, physiologic and mental state as well as their susceptibility to disease. However, most who practice oil pulling do so for its so-called oral health benefits.

Oil pulling to improve dental health is said to improve gum problems, remove plaque and whiten teeth. However, claims on the internet are not always reliable and what is in the best interest of your oral health deserves careful scrutiny.

Research has found that oil pulling has not lived up to some claims. For example, one study compared oil pulling to mouthwash as a method to reduce bad breath and oral bacteria. Findings showed that oil pulling was no more effective than mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine, a common ingredient.

While research did not refute that there were some advantages to oil pulling, the American Dental Association (ADA) cites a “lack of science” and does not recommend oil pulling as either a supplement to oral hygiene nor as a replacement for standard oral health treatments.

The ADA is also keeping a watchful eye over claims in research being conducted, citing that some past studies have been inadequate to support claims of oil pulling. They feel that results have been based on too small samplings, not adjusting for demographic variations and failure to incorporate blind testing.

Additionally, the ADA stated, “scientific studies have not provided the necessary clinical evidence to demonstrate that oil pulling reduces the incidence of dental caries, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being.”

The leading concern in the dental profession is that it has prompted some people to rely on oil pulling to fully replace standard oral care practices. Twice daily brushing and daily flossing have proven to be safe and effective methods of achieving and maintaining good dental health. Substituting this routine for oil pulling is an uncertain way to prevent cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.

As a periodontal specialist, I don’t see oil pulling as detrimental when it is an addition to a proper oral hygiene regimen at home. However, I am troubled by unsubstantiated claims that inspire people to alter time-tested methods for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Some people may remember when baking soda was touted as a powerful cleaning substance for brushing teeth. Yet, those who abided by the practice worn down healthy gum tissues and wore away protective tooth enamel. This set them up for easy penetration of oral bacteria that resulted in cavities and gum disease.

While oil pulling likely won’t do harm, it is probably best done in conjunction with a thorough brush-&-floss routine.

Five Easy Steps To Save Time & Money At The Dentist

Posted on Oct 03, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The reason we change the filters in our home’s air vents is to keep our HVAC system operating efficiently and to avoid expensive repairs.

The reason we have our car’s oil changed on a regular basis is to ensure proper operation and to avoid major problems.

The reason we clean and bandage a cut is to prevent an infection from occurring, which could require the involvement of a doctor and prescription medications.

So, doesn’t it make perfect sense to spend just minutes each day to prevent dental problems from occurring that can be costly and time-consuming to repair?

Your oral health goes far beyond a confident smile. Over the years, extensive research has linked the bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease to heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include seeing blood while brushing, frequent bad breath, tender gums, gums that pull away from teeth and gum tissue that darkens from a healthy pink to red.

Oral bacteria can cause major destruction to teeth and gums, including tooth roots beneath the gum line. Once gum disease begins, it will only worsen without treatment. However, avoiding cavities and gum disease is nothing complicated. Quite frankly, it’s easy with a commitment to a thorough at-home regimen and regular dental check-ups.

Steps to help you avoid dental expenses include:

1). Brush twice a day for a minimum of two minutes using a soft bristle tooth brush and tooth paste with fluoride. At the end of brushing, brush your tongue to dislodge oral bacteria that are embedded there.

2).  Flossing can have a tremendous effect on controlling oral bacteria. Our hygienist can help you with your technique or you may wish to purchase an electronic flosser.

3). Drink plenty of water during the day and minimize colas, tea, coffee and energy drinks. These beverages contain high levels of caffeine, which has a drying affect on oral tissues. Also drying is smoking, which contains a lengthy list of toxic chemicals that are readily absorbed by moist gum tissues.

4). When eating citrus or acidic foods (including tomatoes, orange juice, wine and foods with vinegar), remember that these highly-acidic foods will mix with a digestive acid that’s produced in the mouth. This double-whammy of acid can soften tooth enamel for 20 – 30 minutes. Because brushing your teeth right after consuming these foods can wear down tooth enamel, wait 30 minutes after eating to brush. Rather, swish with water or chew sugarless gum during this time.

5). Sugar and carbohydrates give a super-boost to the reproduction of oral bacteria. Try to limit these foods and sugar-laden drinks to protect your smile and your waistline!

In addition to a thorough at-home routine, be committed to your 6-month exams and cleanings. These visits rid your smile of build-up that has occurred since your last appointment and catches problems while they are easy to treat.

Keep your money in your pocket by avoiding cavity repair and treatment for gum disease. Your smile AND your wallet will thank you!

Call 828-274-9440 for an appointment if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above.