A Worry-Free Smile Is Closer Than You Think!

Posted on Sep 11, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

I never cease to be amazed at the transformation of people who regain a healthy, confident smile. It’s easy to be excited with them! The benefits they’ll come to realize are much more than an improved smile’s appearance.

A healthy mouth, free from persistent bad breath, plaque, tartar and periodontal problems and disease, is the foundation to a more confident smile. It also helps to lessen the constant dental repairs that many people endure as a result of an unhealthy oral environment.

If you’re frustrated by continual oral problems, overcoming these perceived obstacles may be easier than you realize.
•Cost: Granted, many dental treatments that require extended chair time and advanced skills can be quite the financial commitment. While I’ve never had a patient say their restored smile wasn’t worth every cent, those who forgo treatment due to cost are often missing the big picture. Spending large amounts on trips, cars, boats, etc. may give a temporary feeling of excitement, yet, the daily and longterm physical and psychological benefits of healthy smiles are priceless.
•Financing: When a patient makes the commitment to optimize their oral health or have dental implants, many inquire about financial options. We offer excellent payment plans, some with no down payment and no interest the first year. For those who prefer to pay without financing, our Financial Coordinator is a wiz at helping patients combine insurance and financing. Ask to meet with her after you have your treatment plan — you may be surprised how manageable our payment arrangements can be!
•Fear of discomfort: In this day and age, it’s sad that many adults still have dental fears. Today’s dentistry offers many comfort options and many practices use advanced technology, which optimizes comfort and shortens treatment and healing time. We offer sedation to help patients relax before and throughout treatment, typically erasing memory of the procedure afterward. I’m pleased that most patients who opt for sedation initially soon feel they don’t really need it. This comes from a relationship of trust and our commitment to making comfort a priority at every visit.
•Treatment time: Many procedures can be completed in just a few visits. Our advanced technology also helps lessen treatment time while increasing your level of comfort. Some patients prefer to combine several appointments into one or two long appointments. With the help of Oral Sedation, they are able to remain totally relaxed throughout and enjoy a quick recovery afterward.

Your smile plays a significant role in your appearance and overall health. Having a confident, healthy smile helps you avoid time and expense for repairs in the future. If you have questions, please call (828) 274-9440 to schedule a consultation so we can discuss treatment options. You may be closer to a healthy, worry-free smile than you know!

Path To Become Periodontist Requires Many Years & Many Phases

Posted on Sep 03, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Labor Day always reminds me of how we choose our careers, sometimes knowing it will take years before we can actually “roll up our sleeves” and begin. When I decided to go into Periodontology, I knew it was a commitment of many years of study.

To clarify, a Periodontist is a dentist who continues in education and training, specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems related to the structures that support and surround the teeth.

To become a Periodontist, one must begin by attaining a bachelor’s degree before entering dental school, which typically requires 4 years of college. Once they graduate, they must pass a Dental Admissions Test.

Most dental school programs consist of 4 years in the classroom and laboratory, with the last two involving actual treatment of patients in clinics. Once this is completed and a dental degree attained, a graduate program in periodontics follows. In addition to a dental degree, entrants must first pass the rigorous National Board Exam.

Periodontal training is commonly a 3 year period. This covers how gum and bone diseases develop, as well as how they relate to other systemic diseases. The dentists participate in clinical trials of new therapies while also learning intricate aspects of dental implants and other surgical techniques.

When the educational phases are completed, licensing is required. In the U.S., all those in the dental profession must pass written and practical examinations before they can begin practice.

Once in practice, a Periodontist may begin his/her requirements to become Board Certified by the American Board of Periodontology. A Board Certified Periodontist is “one who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and who is certified by the American Board of Periodontology,” as defined by the ABP.

Board Certification requires: (1) Passing oral and written exams on all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment, including dental implants. (2) Presentation of detailed reports on a broad range of actual treatment. Once certified, Periodontists are required to take significant hours of continuing education on an annual basis and must be re-certified every 3 years to maintain Board Certification.

For those willing to tackle the rigorous educational, clinical and training requirements,  requiring 11+ years after high school, periodontology is, indeed, an interesting and exciting profession as research now relates so much to oral health. But moreso, I am so pleased to see patients go from a mouthful of problems to one with healthy, confident smiles. When it comes down to it, it’s not the ‘gums and supporting structures in the mouth’ that brought me to this profession. It was having the ability to help better the lives of people. That makes it all worth it!

Keeping You Informed & Involved!

Posted on Aug 26, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Recently, I used the term “gingiva” to a patient. When she asked me to explain what I meant, I was slightly caught off guard. It occurred to me that this term has become so common to me that I assume it is a familiar one to my patients. However, that is an unfair assumption. Many terms I use on a regular basis are those I learned in college or dental school and anything but commonplace to others, as they have become to me now.

Below are some terms you may hear us use, along with brief explanations of what they mean. And if you ever hear any term used by my staff or me that you aren’t sure what it is, feel free to ask. We want you to be involved in your oral health in an informed way!

Alveolar Bone – The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth.


Anterior Teeth – The six upper or six lower front teeth.

Bite – Relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion).

Bone Resorption – Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth, which is a common result of periodontal gum disease.

Bruxism – Grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep.

Calculus – Hard residue, commonly known as tarter that forms on teeth due to inadequate plaque control.

Caries – Tooth decay or “cavities.”

Curettage – Removal of diseased tissue from a periodontal pocket.

Cuspid or Canine – The four “eye teeth”.

Fistula – The channel that emanates pus from an infection site, which is a gum boil.

Flap surgery – The lifting of gum tissue to expose and clean underlying tooth and bone structures.

Frenectomy – The removal or reshaping of thin muscle tissue that attaches the upper or lower lips to the gum, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Gingiva – Gum tissue.

Gingivectomy – The surgical removal of gum tissue.

Gingivitis – The inflammation of gum tissue.

Gum Recession – The exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, periodontal disease or surgery.

Halitosis – Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin.

Hyperemia – Increased blood flow that may cause sensitivity to temperature and sweets.


Incisors – The four upper and lower front teeth, excluding the cuspids (canine teeth).

Mandible – The lower jaw.

Maxilla – The upper jaw.

Palate – Hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth.

Plaque – A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth and is composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene.

Prophylaxis – Cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Restoration – The replacement of a portion of a damaged tooth.

Rubber Dam – A soft latex sheet used to isolate one or more teeth from contamination by oral fluids and to keep materials from falling to the back of the throat.

Scaling & Root Planning – The meticulous removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces.

Tartar – A common term for dental calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth and produces a rough surface that attracts plaque.

More Research Needed On Alzheimer’s-Gum Disease Bacteria Link

Posted on Aug 23, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

I’ve been pleased at how many comments I’ve received on the recent blog posted on the study that found a connection between a certain type of bacteria found in Periodontal (gum) Disease and the brains of deceased patients who had Alzheimer’s Disease.

To repeat the basics: Researchers used human brain tissue from 10 recently deceased people with diagnosed Alzheimer’s and 10 people without. The people with and without the disease were matched so the person’s age at death and other factors were similar.

While exciting, critics say the study, which only involved 20 people, was too small of a sampling. It is felt that this rarely produces conclusive results. Yet, as a Periodontal Specialist who has seen major medical breakthroughs to occur with their roots in such small samples, I’m encouraged.

While 4 out of 10 sounds like a small number, it is 40% of those with the particular gum disease bacteria compared to 0% of those without the presence of the bacteria. When viewed in these numbers, the results seem more dramatic.

I look forward to keeping you in the loop on future developments along these lines!