After the completion of high school, dentists enter college to receive their undergraduate degree, perhaps in biology, which typically requires four years to achieve. Once this is completed, they enter a university that has a dental school and continue studies in the field of dentistry. This requires another four years for most.

After receiving their Doctorate in Dental Science (or Doctorate in Dental Medicine), those dentists wishing to specialize in a particular area of dentistry continue their education and training. For periodontists, this requires another two to three years of specialized training to focus on all issues pertaining to the health tissues in the mouth, dental implant placement, and esthetic treatment involving gum tissue.

Once specialty training is completed, some periodontists take the board-certification examination. This is offered by the American Board of Periodontology on an annual basis. Board certification in periodontology indicates the specialist has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and demonstrated a comprehensive mastery of all phases of treating periodontal disease and in implant placement. Once Board Certified, he or she must go through a re-certification process every six years.

Although Board Certification is not required for a Periodontal Specialist to treat patients, it is added assurance that the specialist has perfected their skill level to the highest standards.

If you have questions regarding the specialty of Periodontics or Board Certification, feel free to contact us at (828) 274-9440. Or, you may wish to visit the web site of the American Academy of Periodontology at www.perio.org.

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.

With our aging population, about 10% of American adults wear dentures. Although I am a proponent of Dental Implants for their tooth replacement superiority, I realize some people are accepting of the feel and function of dentures.

More commonly, however, patients come to us weary of the frustrations that are typical with wearing dentures and desire the stability of Dental Implants or an implant-secured denture.

Common complaints we hear from denture wearers include:
   • My dentures are uncomfortable.
   • It took a long time to get used to something foreign in my mouth.
   • I had to relearn saying certain words and to chew differently.
   • I don’t feel they look natural.
   • My denture causes me to have bad breath.
   • My dentures have embarrassed me by slipping.
   • I have a fear my dentures will shoot out when I sneeze in public.
   • I feel I look older now that I wear dentures.
   • I have sore gums a lot.
   • I’ve had to give up many things I loved to eat.
   • I can’t taste as well now.
   • Denture creams melt when I drink hot coffee and ruins the taste.
   • Adhesives help some but are expensive.
   • I laugh less with friends to avoid embarrassment.
   • I turn down invitations when there is a meal involved.

If you see your own frustrations with wearing dentures above, call (828) 274-9440 and begin with a consultation. During this time, I’ll discuss options best for your situation and answer your questions in a relaxed, comfortable setting.

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.