To achieve a younger-looking appearance, many men and women invest in facial plastic surgery. Since your smile has such a significant effect on your appearance, having an attractive smile can greatly improves appearance and erase many years. This is especially true for people who have missing teeth and wear dentures, partials or a bridge.

When natural tooth roots are missing, bone loss begins. As the jaw shrinks, deep wrinkling occurs around the mouth. The corners of the mouth turn downward, even in a smile. Jowls form as facial muscles detract from the shrinking bone. With severe bone loss, the chin looks more pointed while the mouth seems to collapse into the face. This creates a ‘granny look’ that ages the individual far beyond their actual years.

Dentures and partials tend to ‘fluff up’ the face when in place, camouflaging areas of bone loss. For a true look at the extent of bone loss that has occurred, look in the mirror when your denture or partial is removed.

When Dental Implants are placed, they become a part of you, bonding with existing bone to halt the progression of bone loss. Dental Implants restore a stable foundation for biting, chewing, speaking and laughing. An added benefit is how they give your face a healthy, appealing look!

If you wear dentures or partials and are considering facial rejuvenation, call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation. We’ll explain how Dental Implants can enhance your overall health AND appearance. And, since they are designed to last a lifetime, they make a wise investment that gives your entire body many benefits!

I recently attended the Southern Academy of Periodontics Winter Meeting (held in Charlotte, January 25-26). During this time, I attended clinical lectures that addressed the latest developments in helping patients achieve optimal periodontal health.

Dr. Robert Fazio, a Periodontist and Yale University Instructor, presented the latest on the best use of antibiotics in dentistry. This is of particular interest since inappropriate antibiotic use (typically over-use) has resulted in antibiotic resistant bacteria.  This makes it extremely difficult to treat patients who are periodontally compromised. Dr. Fazio also addressed the latest techniques to treat and prevent periodontitis (gum infections) and infections from dental implants.

Another interesting  program was “Global Diagnosis : A New Vision of Dental Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.” This lecture provided the very best methods for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services for patients referred by their Dentist or another Dental Specialist. By combining our skills and working as a team, we can each provide the best care for patients who need comprehensive care to maintain or replace teeth.

Let’s say you’ve cracked a tooth below the gum line. It’s too late for a crown and now requires removal. There are several reasons why it’s more advantageous to place a Dental Implant at the time of extraction.

By combining the two procedures, you save treatment time and numbing for a second procedure. This also allows for the implant to be positioned into the same place as the just-removed tooth root, so drilling a slot in the upper or lower jaw is not necessary.

Another benefit is the preservation of the natural contours of the gum tissue. Each tooth is bordered by gum tissue that slightly arches with points that dip in-between each two teeth. Immediate implant placement helps preserve these natural contours. This means you avoid the shrinking of these tissues from delay, which gives a flat look.

Many of today’s implants can have teeth attached immediately. If you find that a tooth will have to be extracted, consider the many advantages of having your implant placed as part of the procedure.

When I hear folks talk about how they’ll spend an anticipated tax refund, it’s often about ‘splurges,’ such as a cruise, new furniture, or down payment on a car. I always wonder if these indulgences end up providing as much pleasure as the individual envisioned them providing.

As a Periodontist, I see how the lives of people change as a result of having Dental Implants. For those who have suffered for years with an ill-fitting denture, I can’t think of a wiser use of money. Regaining the ability to chew comfortably and dependably is priceless to them. They savor foods they haven’t been able to enjoy in years, such as corn-on-the-cob, thick steak, and hard pretzels. They can laugh again in social settings without worry. Plus, they tell me they feel more outgoing and smile more.

For those who have a partial or a bridge, replacing these with implanted teeth assures them they have halted bone loss that occurs when natural tooth roots are missing. Dental implants also helps to protect their remaining natural teeth.

Our smile is a precious part of every day. We need stable teeth to eat, speak, smile and enhance our appearance. If you could benefit from Dental Implants (or know someone who can), convert this year’s refund into an everyday pleasure that’ll last a lifetime! Call (828) 254-1944 for a consultation.