When A Dental Implant Fails

Posted on Jan 30, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Occasionally, a patient is referred to me because they have a failing Dental Implant. Implants can fail for a number of reasons, including a patient’s health conditions (osteoporosis, uncontrolled diabetes, use of steroids, heavy smoker, etc.).

Implants can also fail due to improper placement issues. I’ve seen this occur when a bone drill was too hot and destroyed bone tissue, implants that are not fully protected during the healing process, and when a dentist restores the implant too soon.

Other issues that can affect implant failure are incorrect selection of implant types, such as an implant too heavy for the bone mass in which it is placed. I’ve also seen implants fail for things like overuse of adhesive that worked its way into the bone during attachment of the teeth.

Poor oral hygiene at home is another cause of implant failure. After implants are placed, they are designed to last a lifetime, but require proper care. When a patient does not adhere to a strict daily hygiene regimen at home to keep their mouth clean or they resist dental check-ups and cleanings (implant patients are often scheduled more frequently than every 6 months), implant failure is a high risk. This means that the investment the patient has made in secured teeth for chewing comfort and smiling confidence turns into a loss.

Many of these problems can be avoided by seeking the best experience and skills of the specialist to place your dental implants. You should select one with a reputable track record of success who is willing to provide a list of past patients to contact.

Periodontal specialists are specifically trained in the selection and placement of dental implants. This individual can be a key factor in a successful outcome!

For a consultation, call us at (828) 274-9440.

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.

Saving A Tooth Is Worth It!

Posted on Dec 30, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If you lose your hearing, you can regain some level of hearing through the use of hearing aids. However, nothing will ever work as well as the natural ear structure you once had. Even with the most expensive hearing aid options, adults often complain of echos and background noise interferences.

Like your hearing, your natural teeth are essentially irreplaceable. And, while dental implants are the next best thing to the natural teeth you once had, the majority of those with implants could have avoided needing them in the first place with a concentrated team effort between their general dentist and a dental specialist.

Of course, there are times when a tooth cannot be saved. In instances where a tooth with a fracture breaks off below the gum line, it can no longer support a crown. Had the crown been placed on the tooth prior to the break, it would have likely saved the tooth. For patients who find themselves in this position because they delayed this recommendation or felt a crown was too expensive, their dentist can hardly be faulted.

Additionally, some people don’t keep their 6-month dental exams and cleanings, feeling “if nothing hurts, nothing is wrong.” However, these visits are opportunities to catch problems that are avoidable or easily repaired before problems become more complicated and costly. Delaying these visits only positions you at greater risk for “when” rather than “if” bigger problems will arise.

Too many adult teeth are pulled because the patient feels a crown is too expensive. I believe this occurs when an adult hasn’t been educated as to what lies ahead. For example, when you lose a tooth, studies show the next tooth you’ll lose will be an adjacent tooth. As the trend continues, dentures are an eventual fate. Although dentures seem an easy way to deal with tooth loss, few truly understand the repercussions. Denture wearers typically struggle to chew comfortably and efficiently, take more medications, and die ten years younger than those who kept their natural teeth.

Many general dentists send us patients who have varying stages of gum disease (the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss) or for dental implant placement. I see patients from other specialists as well, including orthodontists, oral surgeons, and prosthodontists. The dental professionals who take the time to explain the long-term benefits of saving a tooth, rather than pulling it, are a credit to their profession as well as to their patients.

For patients who don’t want to invest in treatment to achieve healthy teeth and gums, I believe it is because they are unaware as to the years of frustration, discomfort, health risks and ongoing expenses to come. When you save your teeth, you can enjoy the lasting benefits of “the real thing.” Call (828) 274-9440 to learn more.

Give Your Smile A Healthy Foundation To Prevent Problems In The First Place!

Posted on Dec 16, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Imagine contracting a house painter to paint a home infested by termites. Or, even worse, knowing the house has termites and hoping they’ll go away.

Your smile is a reflection on your appearance, hygiene standards, personality, and affects speech, digestion and your ability to enjoy foods – enhancing your life every day in many ways. Yet, the value of a healthy mouth goes even further.

The bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease can become bloodborne through tears in gum tissue. As it travels throughout the body, this inflammatory bacteria can trigger reactions that have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, pre-term babies and even impotency. Gum disease is also the number one reason for adult tooth loss in this country.

The best way to have, and keep, a healthy mouth is to begin with its foundation. If your gums are not healthy, you will experience continual problems that just get worse and worse.

Your six-month dental hygiene visits remove tartar and plaque that has accumulated between visits. However, gums that are tender while your teeth are being cleaned is not necessarily because the hygienist is rough. Tender gums indicate the presence of bacteria. This is when periodontal therapy through a trained periodontal specialist will adequately help you regain a healthy mouth in a way that is appropriate to your individual needs.

For example, if your gum disease is at a specific level in some areas but not others, a Periodontist will customize your treatment accordingly so you don’t receive more (or less) treatment than necessary in any particular area. Your treatment by a Periodontist will restore your oral health for a foundation that is easy to maintain and actually helps you prevent problems in the first place.

A Periodontist has earned a dental doctorate and then continues an additional 3-4 years in school to become an expert in the soft tissues in your mouth, including dental implant placement. Think of it this way: Rather than have a house painter put a fresh coat of paint on termite infested siding, find the right person who can rid you of termites once and for all! Call (828) 274-9440 to learn more.