Saving Teeth Saves You Much More

Posted on Jul 24, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In cases of severe periodontal (gum) disease, my goal is not just to restore the patient’s mouth to a healthy state, it’s also to save as many natural teeth as possible. Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. However, when caught early and given specialized periodontal treatment, tooth loss is minimal or can be avoided altogether.

Although teeth can be replaced in several ways, nothing is as perfect for your mouth as your natural teeth, especially because of the portion you don’t see. Tooth roots not only give your teeth a way to be anchored in the jaw bone, they keep teeth in position so neighboring teeth hold their position as well.

Tooth roots do one more thing that is immensely important to your oral health. The stimulation that tooth roots provide to the jaw bone help the jaw maintain its mass. Without tooth roots, the bone begins to shrink. This is why long-time denture wearers have a sunken-in mouth, or a ‘granny look.’

As the jaw bone shrinks, changes in facial appearance become obvious. These include deep wrinkles around the mouth, a pointed chin and the formation of jowls. Bone loss also causes the fit of a denture or partial to continually change. This is because the bone ridge that the denture or partial was formed to contour is flattening out.

When a tooth must be removed, the closest way to recreate its stability and natural biting and chewing strength is with Dental Implants. Implants also provide stimulation to the jaw bone to halt bone loss.

Do everything possible to save your natural teeth. If they must be removed, remember that it’s not just the tooth portion above the gums that is important. The part that anchors your teeth is vital to your smile and a healthy bite. Before you decide on a tooth replacement option, discuss Dental Implants during a Consultation appointment by calling (828) 274-9440.

Aging Adults Can (and should) Have Healthy Teeth!

Posted on Jul 14, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As adults age, it’s amazing how well natural teeth are able to hold up considering many years of biting, chewing, crunching and clenching. However, over time this continual wear and tear has an impact on tooth structure.

Many adults who are committed to their six month dental check-ups fail to maintain their oral health adequately at home. Although the lecture on flossing often goes in one ear and out the other, daily flossing has a tremendous effect on the health of teeth. Flossing removes food particles and plaque buildup between the teeth. This reduces bacteria in your mouth and lessens your potential for gum disease and cavities.

Some foods you eat are also a challenge to keeping teeth healthy, especially sugary and starchy foods. These carbohydrates ferment, causing oral bacteria in the mouth to produce acids that erode the enamel of teeth. These foods aren’t just candy and potatoes. They include things like colas and sports drinks.

Frequent snacking is also a problem since it causes acid in the mouth to be elevated over an extended time. Rather than snacking, chewing sugarless gum increases saliva, which cleanses the mouth and neutralizes acidity.

Aging also leaves us with a number of teeth that have been repaired over the years, such as having fillings, crowns or root canals. Although your natural teeth do not get more brittle as we age, those who have cracked or chipped teeth, fillings or root canals are more vulnerable to cracks and fractures since they no longer have their original structural integrity.

Wear and tear can also be caused from years of grinding or clenching teeth. This can wear down the biting surfaces of teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. Your general dentist is trained to spot cracks or fractures that may weaken teeth as well as teeth affected by grinding.

Keeping your natural teeth healthy – all of your life – is important to your overall health and well-being. If you are missing teeth, it’s necessary that each one is replaced. Dental implants are the most ‘natural’ method in today’s tooth replacement options. We’ll be happy to discuss implants with you during a consultation. Please call (828) 274-9440.

Smoking Complicates Dental Implant Procedures

Posted on Jul 10, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Smoking complicates the body’s natural ability to heal. It has a drying effect on gum tissues and minimizes blood oxygen, resulting in a delayed healing process. Smoking also contributes to a greater potential for bacterial build-up.

To place an implant, both gum tissue and bone are involved in the process. The Periodontist goes through gum tissues to reach the bone, placing each implant at a precise depth and angle. Once the implant is placed in the bone, it can take two to six months to become fully anchored.

Proper healing requires normal blood circulation to ensure gum recovery and sufficient oxygen levels for the regeneration of bone surrounding the implant. Failures most often occur during this osseo (bone) integration phase when the bone is growing around the implant.

In addition to smoking’s effects on the rate of tissue and bone recovery, patients can develop a condition known as peri–implantitis. Peri-implantitis leads to inflammation around the implant site and pockets of pus that form in gum tissues. Although a potential to develop peri–implantitis exists for any dental implant patient, smokers have a substantially higher risk.

When smokers develop infections after implant surgery, medications used to combat the infection have a reduced effect. This is because the potency of antibiotics does not work as well on smokers. When infection is not eliminated and works its way into the implant area, the risk for losing the implant is significant.

Because of the greater risk factors, some dental specialists refuse to place dental implants in smokers, especially heavy ‘chain’ smokers. So many negative effects from smoking make it highly advisable to stop smoking prior to implant placement. You can greatly enhance your success rate for dental implants by quitting smoking at least one week prior to your placement procedure and throughout until you are fully recovered.

Keep in mind that dental implants enable you to eat a healthy selection of foods while restoring eating comfort and smiling confidence. The many benefits you’ll reap with dental implants are well worth kicking the habit of smoking. Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a Consultation so we can discuss your potential for a successful outcome.

Aim For Lowest Number When Hygienist Performs ‘Probing’ Of Gums

Posted on Jun 27, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Gum disease affects over 80% of the population at some time in their life. This is why your 6-month dental check-ups include ‘probing’ of the gums.

A periodontal probe is a thin instrument with a blunted end. It has markings that measure ‘pocket depth’ of gums. Using light pressure, the Hygienist places the probe’s tip into the gum tissue between each tooth and at front and back sides. The probe measures the pocket depth in six points around each tooth.

The depth of the periodontal pockets around teeth is the main indicator for the progression of gum disease and level of tissue destruction. Periodontal probing is the main tool used by dentists and periodontists for evaluating the severity of periodontal disease. Probing is also the recommended system in the U.S. to calculate levels of periodontal disease and is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the probing process, you’ll likely hear the Hygienist call out numbers as she probes different points around each tooth. These are recorded in your patient chart. Hearing a ‘one’ or ‘two’ is an indication of healthy gums. Measured depths of ‘three’ and over indicates the presence of gum disease. When gum disease is classified at depths of 3 to 5, mild periodontal disease has begun. Five to 6 indicates moderate periodontitis and over 6 or 7 is severe periodontitis.

These measurements determine the level gum disease present as well as the treatment needed. Anything over a ‘3’ or ‘4’ level typically requires the skills of a Periodontal Specialist for successful treatment.

Periodontal disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Early diagnosis of gum disease can prevent or minimize damage to teeth, supporting bone and connective tissues around teeth. Gum disease in initial stages (when bleeding is noticed while brushing teeth, for example) can often be treated with a thorough dental cleaning and committed at-home oral hygiene routine.

However, many people with periodontal disease delay care, allowing damage to progress. In addition to tooth loss, gum disease bacteria can create inflammatory triggers in the body. The bacteria associated with gum disease has been associated with severe health problems, including heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, memory loss, pre-term babies and more.

If you have delayed or avoided your 6-month dental check-ups, you are missing an important step in maintaining good overall health in addition to a healthy smile. If you find that dental check-ups and cleanings are uncomfortable, mention this to your Hygienist at the beginning of your appointment.

Keep in mind that patients who have 1 or 2 probing measurements don’t complain about discomfort during these visits. Healthy gums aren’t nearly as sensitive as those with bacterial inflammation. Ask your Hygienist how you can achieve a “number one” smile!

Call (828) 274-9440 if you’ve noticed bleeding when brushing, have sore or swollen spots on gum tissue, have persistent bad breath, or have gums that are red rather than a healthy pink. The sooner you receive diagnosis and treatment, the less involved your treatment needs will be.