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Reed King, DDS   Chris Planer, DDS
1011 Tunnel Road Suite #140 Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 299-4455
655 Brevard Road Asheville, NC 28806  (828) 670-9394
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Posts for: August, 2019

3 Ways to Correct Missing Front Teeth

By Asheville Family Dentistry
August 22, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: tooth replacement  
3WaystoCorrectMissingFrontTeeth

Roughly 75% of American adults are missing at least one tooth, mostly from disease, trauma or extraction for other dental reasons. A few missing teeth, though, never erupted in the first place.

It’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes people are born without certain teeth, usually back molars or premolars that may not be as visible. Occasionally, though, it’s the more visible upper lateral incisors positioned on either side of the central incisors (the two front teeth on either side of the midline of the face).

Missing incisors can lead to poor bites and create difficulties for speech development and nutrition. But these highly visible (or in this case, “invisible”) teeth can also detract from an otherwise attractive smile.

There are ways, however to correct a smile with missing lateral incisors. Here are 3 of those ways.

Canine substitution. We can fill the vacancy created by the missing incisors by orthodontically moving the canines (the “eyeteeth,” normally next to them) into the space. Braces can close the gap in a conservative way, while possibly correcting any existing bite problems. Because canines are larger than incisors, its often necessary to re-contour them and restore them with a crown, veneer or bonding material to look more natural.

Fixed bridge. A second way to fill the space is with a dental bridge. A bridge consists of a series of crowns fused together in a row. The middle crowns replace the missing teeth; the end crowns cap the natural teeth on either end of the gap, which establishes support for the bridge. Another variation is a cantilever bridge in which only one natural tooth is capped for support. With either type, though, the capped teeth will be permanently reduced in size to accommodate the crowns.

Dental implants. This popular restoration is also a favorite for correcting missing incisors. Implants provide a life-like and durable replacement for missing teeth, while not requiring any alterations to existing teeth as with a bridge. But they are more expensive than the other options, and they require adequate space between the adjacent teeth for insertion, as well as healthy bone for proper placement and anchorage. This is also an option that must wait until the jaw has fully matured in early adulthood.

If you would like more information on treating congenitally missing teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “When Permanent Teeth Don't Grow: Treatment Options for Congenitally Missing Lateral Incisors.”


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Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"

By Asheville Family Dentistry
August 12, 2019
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: celebrity smiles   cosmetic dentistry  
BaseballsFranciscoLindorShinesasMrSmile

At the first-ever Players Weekend in August 2017, Major League Baseball players wore jerseys with their nicknames on the back. One player — Cleveland Indians shortstop, Francisco Lindor — picked the perfect moniker to express his cheerful, fun-loving nature: “Mr. Smile.” And Lindor gave fans plenty to smile about when he belted a 2-run homer into the stands while wearing his new jersey!

Lindor has explained that he believes smiling is an important part of connecting with fans and teammates alike: “I’ve never been a fan of the guy that makes a great play and then acts like he’s done it 10,000 times — smile, man! We’ve got to enjoy the game.”

We think Lindor is right: Smiling is a great way to generate good will. And it feels great too… as long as you have a smile that’s healthy, and that looks as good as you want it to. But what if you don’t? Here are some things we can do at the dental office to help you enjoy smiling again:

Routine Professional Cleanings & Exams. This is a great place to start on the road toward a healthy, beautiful smile. Even if you are conscientious about brushing and flossing at home, you won’t be able to remove all of the disease-causing dental plaque that can hide beneath the gum line, especially if it has hardened into tartar, but we can do it easily in the office. Then, after a thorough dental exam, we can identify any problems that may be affecting your ability to smile freely, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or cosmetic dental issues.

Cosmetic Dental Treatments. If your oral health is good but your smile is not as bright as you’d like it to be, we can discuss a number of cosmetic dental treatments that can help. These range from conservative procedures such as professional teeth whitening and bonding to more dramatic procedures like porcelain veneers or crowns.

Tooth Replacement. Many people hide their smiles because they are embarrassed by a gap from a missing tooth. That’s a shame, because there are several excellent tooth-replacement options in a variety of price ranges. These include partial and full dentures, bridgework, and dental implants. So don’t let a missing tooth stop you from being Mr. (or Ms.) Smile!

If you’d like more information about oral health or cosmetic dentistry, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Beautiful Smiles by Design” and “The Impact of a Smile Makeover.”


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See Your Dentist if You Have one of these Top 3 Oral Problems

By Asheville Family Dentistry
August 02, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health  
SeeYourDentistifYouHaveoneoftheseTop3OralProblems

For years people tuned in to enjoy one of David Letterman's "Top 10 lists," a frequent gag performed on his show Late Night. Each countdown list poked fun at off-the-wall topics like "Top 10 New York City Science Projects" or "Top 10 Questions People Ask when Shopping for an Umbrella."

Recently, the American Dental Association presented their own kind of list—"America's Top 3 Oral Health Problems"—based on surveys of around 15,000 people across the U.S. But unlike the popular Late Night lists, this one is no laughing matter.

Coming in at #3, 29% of the respondents indicated they had experienced tooth pain at some time in their life. Tooth pain is the body's way of alerting to trouble in the mouth, anything from a decayed tooth to a gum abscess. The best thing to do if you have any persistent oral pain is to see your dentist as soon as possible for a thorough examination. And you should do this even if the pain goes away.

The second most prominent oral problem among people is difficulty biting or chewing, about 31% of those in the surveys. As with tooth pain, the reasons can vary greatly, including cracked, loose or deeply decayed teeth, dentures or jaw joint disorders (TMD). Because dental disease is usually the ultimate culprit, the best way to avoid this is to practice daily brushing and flossing and regular dental visits. And, as with tooth pain, you should see your dentist if you're having symptoms.

At 33% of respondents, the number one oral problem in America is chronic dry mouth. It's a constant inadequate flow of saliva often caused by medications or certain systemic conditions. Because saliva helps protect the mouth against infection, a restricted flow increases your risk of disease. If you notice your mouth is dry all the time, you should talk to your dentist about ways to boost your saliva. If you're taking medications, ask your doctor if they could be causing your symptoms and if you could change to something else.

While any of these Top 3 oral problems can be a stepping stone to more serious dental problems, it doesn't necessarily have to lead to that. You can improve your dental health through daily oral hygiene and regular dental treatment. And it might help you stay off this unpleasant list.

If you would like more information on treating dental disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Top 3 Oral Health Problems.”


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • How Veneers Restored Howie Mandel's Winning Smile
      • November (3)
        • Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
        • Vaping Could Be Just as Harmful to Your Teeth and Gums as Smoking
        • Clean Your Implants Just Like Your Other Teeth
      • October (4)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Why Smoking and Dental Implants Don't Mix
        • It Takes Both You and Your Hygienist to Keep Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful
        • New Minimally Invasive Techniques are Improving Tooth Decay Treatment
      • September (3)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Staining Within a Tooth Requires a Clinical Whitening Approach
        • Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
      • August (3)
        • 3 Ways to Correct Missing Front Teeth
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • See Your Dentist if You Have one of these Top 3 Oral Problems
      • July (3)
        • 5 Tips to Keeping a Healthy Mouth During Your College Years
        • Chronic Biting Habits Can Lead to Loose Teeth
        • J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
      • June (3)
        • A Traditional Bridge Might be the Right Solution for Your Missing Teeth
        • Keep an Eye on Your Family's Fluoride Intake
        • Cleaning Around Implants Crucial to Protecting Them from Loss
      • May (3)
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
        • Taking the Dread Out of Dental Visits
        • Your Teenager not Ready for an Implant? Here's What We Can Do Instead
      • April (3)
        • 4 Dental Care Areas to Keep in Mind for the Senior Adult in Your Life
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Spring Into Better Oral Health
      • March (3)
        • Keep a Lookout for These Soft Tissue Conditions in the Mouth
        • There are Various Ways to Treat Sensitivity - Depending on its Cause
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • February (3)
        • Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
        • Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
        • 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
      • January (3)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
        • Dental Implants Could be Your Best Option to Replace Lost Teeth
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Manage Your Osteoporosis Medication to Avoid Jawbone Problems
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
      • November (3)
        • Bonding with Composite Resins Ideal for Restoring Chipped Teeth
        • Immediate Dentures Provide You With Teeth While Your Gums Heal
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • October (3)
        • Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
        • How to Keep the Cavity Monster Away this Halloween
        • Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
      • September (3)
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • A New School Year, A New Beginning
        • See Your Dentist if You're Having one of These 3 Dental Problems
      • August (3)
        • Avoid Permanent Tooth Alteration with No-Prep Veneers
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Take Years off Your Smile by Treating Age-Related Dental Problems
      • July (3)
        • Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
        • Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • June (3)
        • Limit Acidic Beverages to Protect Your Child's Tooth Enamel from Erosion
        • FAQ: Dental Care During Pregnancy
        • 3 Advantages for Improving Your Smile with Composite Resins
      • May (3)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Teenagers May Need a Temporary Tooth Replacement
        • Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
      • April (4)
        • 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Getting Dental Implants Requires Minor Surgery
        • Having Trouble Flossing? Try Using an Oral Irrigator
      • March (2)
        • Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • February (1)
        • Not Enough Bone Support for an Implant? Here's a Way to Rebuild It
      • January (3)
        • 4 Reasons why Quitting Chewing Tobacco is Good for Your Oral Health
        • Partial Dentures: an Affordable Alternative to More Expensive Restorations
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
        • Have a Loose Tooth? You'll Need This Two-Phase Treatment to Save It
      • November (2)
        • How to Lessen the Effects of Chronic Dry Mouth
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • October (2)
        • Help Your Kids Have a Healthier Halloween
        • The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
      • September (3)
        • Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Find Out for Sure to Get the Right Treatment
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • 4 Situations Where a Crown Could Improve an Existing Tooth
      • August (2)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Regular Flossing not Your Thing? Try an Oral Irrigator
      • July (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Loose Adult Teeth Require Immediate Attention and Treatment
      • June (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • A Mouthguard for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
      • May (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Use Sweetener Substitutes Wisely to Reduce Sugar in Your Diet
      • April (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
      • March (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Local Anesthesia is a Key Part of Pain-Free Dental Work
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • February (3)
        • Gluten Sensitivity can Lead to Dental Problems
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Welcome to Our Blog

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Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 299-4455
655 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-9394

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