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.

The mouth is like a door to the entire body. So, it’s not surprising that occasional symptoms are indications of some common problems, such as:

•Bad Breath: This typically occurs from an overload of bacteria in the mouth.
The bacteria that break down food in your mouth excrete odor-producing materials. If not thoroughly cleansed away, the build-up becomes obvious in your breath odor. What to do? Naturally, brush and floss twice daily and use a tongue scraper to clear embedded bacteria in the tongue. Chew sugarless gum after meals to aid saliva flow, which washes away germs. And, drink plenty of water.

•Canker Sores: These painful mouth sores often occur during times of fatigue or stress.
When your immune system is vulnerable, an added helping of stress can trigger a canker sore. While over-the-counter medications help to numb the pain, swishing with warm, salty water may help just as well. Generally, canker sores last a week to ten days. Ask Dr. Claiborne about medications that will speed healing.

•Very Sensitive Teeth: This often indicates too-rigorous brushing or using a hard bristle toothbrush.
While you want to be thorough when brushing your teeth, overdoing it can damage enamel and gum tissue. When the gum tissue surrounding teeth is damaged, tooth roots become exposed to heat and cold. Use a light hand and toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Damaged enamel and worn gum tissue doesn’t heal itself. During an examination, we can assess if your damage needs to be repaired by gum therapy.

•Sores, Red or White Patches, Etc.: When an unusual oral problem does not go away in 10 days to 2 weeks, make arrangements to be seen promptly!
Some unusual spots or soreness in the mouth may be a sign of oral cancer. Although some are painless, it doesn’t mean they are harmless. Oral cancer is one of the deadliest of all cancers and has the worst survival rate if not caught in earliest stages. Schedule an appointment immediately!

For problem that involves the tissues in the mouth (including the tongue and soft palate), call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation.

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.