Reshaping Gums Puts The ‘Perfect’ In Your Smile!

Posted on Dec 18, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Having attractive teeth is not the only requirement of a beautiful smile. Your gums effect a smile’s appearance tremendously.

We have addressed procedures for correcting a ‘gummy smile’ previously in our blog. This is when too much gum tissue is visible over the tops of teeth in a full smile. Katie Couric, for example, has a gummy smile.

While a gummy smile can be corrected by removing the excess of gum tissue, crown lengthening is a procedure that adds gum tissue. This is done to even out the gum line in a smile when porcelain veneers or crowns are placed.

Today’s crowns and veneers are beautiful, even reflecting light as natural teeth. When crowns or veneers are placed on teeth most visible in a smile, the arch of gum tissue above each tooth forms a frame. When some teeth have a higher arch than others, it makes the teeth or restoration (crown or veneer) appear long. Although the restorations may be beautiful, this mismatch of gum framing tends to detract from a smile’s appearance.

The best time to have crown lengthening performed is promptly following placement of the final restoration. Once the gums have an even line of ‘arches,’ those veneers or crowns will make your smile even more fabulous!

For more information, call us at (828) 274-9440 and request a Consultation appointment.

 

“Like Getting My Natural Teeth Back”

Posted on Dec 16, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Dental implants are the closest thing to natural teeth available. They recreate a dependable biting strength and chewing stability. You can laugh, kiss and even sneeze without worry. And, there is nothing soaking in a glass at night!

When a patient completes dental implant treatment, I often hear, “I feel like I have my natural teeth again.” What I don’t hear are complaints about the cost. The vast majority enthusiastically say, “This is the best investment I ever made.”

Life with dentures that slip or click, prevent you from eating a healthy diet, and create fear of embarrassment is an unfortunate way to go through each day. When people eat healthy foods and feel socially confident, they tend to live more vibrant lives.

If you’ve thought about dental implants, let’s talk about your options and discuss payment plans. For a consultation, call us at (828) 274-9440 to learn the types that are best suited for your needs and have your questions answered thoroughly.

Dental Insurance Should Not Dictate Your Oral Health Decisions

Posted on Dec 09, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

A few decades ago, dental insurance was rarely part of health care coverages. This may have been because many adults did not deem dental care support as a necessary part of their overall health and well being. With the vast amount of research and studies on how dental wellness contributes to overall health, our population is more educated on its benefits.

Today, many businesses include dental care coverage in their insurance packages. The positive effect of this is it has expanded access to more individuals for regular exams, cleanings and occasional repairs (fillings, crowns, etc.).

What has ‘gone wrong’ with how some perceive dental insurance is their unquestioned acceptance of its limitations. For example, if an individual needs treatment for gum disease to help them save teeth and rid inflammatory bacteria, unless the insurance company deems it ‘necessary,’ it isn’t covered and the patient postpones treatment, which simply enables the disease to progress.

Another example is a cracked tooth. When your dentist recommends crowning a fractured tooth before it can break below the gum line (which will require its removal), if coverage limitations have not been met for the year, some will postpone the procedure. I can’t tell you how many dental implants I’ve placed because a patient said their dental insurance wouldn’t cover the crown until the next year and the tooth broke before those benefits kicked in.

Insurance companies are for-profit firms. It does not behoove them to spend more on your dental health to help you avoid problems in the future. As a matter of fact, most coverages are designed to merely ‘help’ with basic dental needs. Just because your coverages are exhausted for the year or coverage for a procedure your dentist recommends is denied doesn’t mean you should not proceed with proactive measures to protect your dental well-being.

Before you decline a recommended procedure, discuss your coverage with your dentist or his/her financial coordinator. Ask about risks of delaying the procedure or if it can be done in stages to be more in line with your particular coverage. Also, ask about payment options. Many dental offices offer financial plans that are interest-free with no down payment required.

Let your dental health – your terrific smile – be guided by decisions that are in your best interests rather than the bottom line of an insurance company.

 

How Wearing Dentures Causes A Declining Jaw Bone

Posted on Dec 08, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Tooth loss has many frustrations. Dentures contribute to discomfort, reduced confidence, decreased ability to chew and enjoy foods, and a daily inconvenience.  Unfortunately, an underlying occurrence is taking place with even greater impact to one’s life … bone loss.

Bone loss, over time, contributes to deep wrinkling and a sunken-in appearance around the mouth, a ‘witches chin,’ jowls, and a severe reduction in biting strength. When tooth roots are missing from the jaw, the bone begins to shrink. This continues and is even accelerated by the pressure of dentures.

An indication of bone loss is the change in the fit of your denture.  Dentures that once fit securely will eventually loosen due to the change in the bone. As the bone shrinks, the ridge under the denture begins to flatten. Over time, the denture has less of a foundation, decreasing one’s ability to bite and chew comfortably. While the biting strength of natural teeth is 250 pounds, a denture wearer bites with 5 to 6 pounds.

This is among the reasons why so many adults are choosing Dental Implants to replace missing teeth. Dental Implants recreate the presence of tooth roots, halting bone loss and restoring the strength of your bite. There are many types of implants designed to accommodate individual needs. For those who have lost a great deal of bone depth, procedures are available to rebuild the bone or certain implant types can overcome minimal bone base.

Dental Implants are designed to last your lifetime and to bring you as much pleasure and comfort as natural teeth. To discuss your options, call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation. During this time, you’ll learn the implant type(s) best for you and have your questions answered thoroughly.