Did you know that North Carolina ranks very near the bottom (# 47) in the nation for availability of dental care access? The news is better, however, for those looking for dental care in Raleigh. Wake County is one of eight North Carolina counties with dentist-to-patient ratios that exceed the national average. (Durham and Orange counties are also among the eight.) If you combine June 2009 figures from the North Carolina Dental Board with 2008 census figures for Raleigh, you can extrapolate that for every 1,350 residents, there is one general dentist providing dental care in Raleigh.

The low ranking for the state is a bit surprising, especially since 80% of the students admitted to the UNC School of Dentistry come from North Carolina. The dentistry school is recognized as one of the top in the nation for both education and research. (Unlike medical and law schools, schools of dentistry in the U.S. have no “official” national rankings. But UNC is one the most highly acclaimed schools in the informal rankings that appear from time to time.) It seems like a lot of graduates who were originally residents of NC must be relocating to other states in order for our statewide ranking to be that low.

Tags: Dental Care // Add Comment »

There have been many advances in teeth whitening approaches over the last decade. All of them still require the user (yourself or your dentist) to use the products safely. For example, if you use an over-the-counter product for longer than directed because you’re not happy with the speed or degree of whiteness, you’re asking for trouble. Tooth sensitivity or gum irritation can result. That can even happen if you use the products according to directions. Some people are just more sensitive than others, or the products may not work well with the shape of your mouth or teeth because they’re designed for the “average” person.

By the same token, dentists also need to be especially careful with their specialized and more powerful teeth-whitening treatments. One of the best examples is the use of ultraviolet (UV) light in teeth whitening. UV light is sometimes used to activate, accelerate, or enhance bleaching solutions. And it can be used safely. That means directing the UV light only onto the tooth surface – and not onto surrounding gum tissue. Would you even consider going to the beach and holding your lip down to expose your gums to the sun for a couple of hours (aside from the fact that it might look dumb)? I thought not! You’re already aware of the short-term and long-term damage that UV light exacts on your skin – especially when you’re not protected by sunscreen. That’s why it’s very important for your dentist to protect your gums and other mouth tissue from UV light exposure when using it as a component of your teeth-whitening program.

Tags: Teeth Whitening // Add Comment »

I recently had a new patient share with me her somewhat unusual method for choosing a Raleigh dentist. The ADA actually provides some pretty helpful guidelines for the public [http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tips.asp], but those didn’t seem to be adequate for her – she never even looked at those.

Her criteria?

While she lived in her hometown, she went to the dentist her parents had chosen. That dentist happened to be a UNC School of Dentistry graduate, and also served as a part-time lecturer there. When she moved elsewhere, that dentist referred her to a dentist who practiced in her new location, but also lectured at UNC. He retired early, but sent her to a  young dentist who was a recent UNC School of Dentistry graduate and lecturer. So her dental provider selection criteria was finding a dentist who UNC had summoned back to teach and mentor future dentists.

How did you choose?

I met this person in a business operations context, and never realized I was being sized up as a “qualified” dental provider. I did think her question about whether I ever lectured at UNC was a little odd, but thought nothing of it at the time. Months later, she was knocking at my door to become her new Raleigh dentist. I never cease to be amazed at the criteria people use in choosing their dentists, other than just word of mouth. But I’m always interested in learning why new patients decide to come to RCCD, and how they heard about us.

Tags: Raleigh Dentist // Add Comment »

You may have heard some people refer to a crown as a “cap.” While overly simplified, that is a good basic description of what a crown is. We remove the defective or damaged parts of the tooth and then “cap” it with a replacement that mimics the original tooth structure. However, that description is a gross over-simplification of what actually happens. Let me explain a little more about the process and precision involved in making sure that your crown and underlying tooth structure function as well or possibly better than your original tooth did. Before I start describing the process, let me first assure you that the initial step will be an evaluation of your specific situation to determine the best method of making you comfortable throughout the procedures involved in getting a crown. Some patients take advantage of our sedation dentistry services when getting a crown.

Reduction, Reshaping, and Stabilization

Crowns are used when a tooth has been damaged in a way that makes other forms of repair, such as a filling, impossible or unreliable. Broken teeth, severely cracked teeth, or teeth with underlying inflammation may warrant treatment with a crown. We begin by reducing, reshaping, and otherwise preparing what remains of the tooth to accept the crown (cap).  One guide in determining how to reshape or reduce the tooth is the removal of the damaged or diseased portions of the tooth, so that further damage doesn’t continue to occur underneath the crown once it has been placed.  Teeth with underlying inflammation get a root canal before they have a crown placed over them. A root canal involves removing the tooth’s pulp (the core of the tooth that contains the nerves and runs down through canals into the roots) and replacing it with a rubbery filler.

A second guide in reduction and reshaping is removing enough of the tooth to allow the crown to be thick enough to be strong and durable as well as cosmetically pleasing. Usually, a crown needs to be about a sixteenth of an inch thick, although our measurements in preparing and designing crowns are far more precise than that. A third guide is to create a certain tapered shape that permits the crown to easily but snugly slip over the top of the remaining tooth.  The more of your tooth we can leave, the more stable the finished product will be. Sometimes, we apply special materials to “build-up” what remains of a severely damaged tooth in order to increase the strength and durability of the end result. This overall reduction and health restoration results in the tooth being properly stabilized to receive a crown.

Off to the Lab

Once we have created a stable base to work on, it’s time to begin the “design” of the crown (cap).  We place a putty-like substance into your mouth and create an impression of the prepared base, the surrounding tissue and adjacent teeth. This impression is sent off to the lab where a stone-like mold is created that allows the lab to precisely model a crown to fit into your mouth as naturally as possible.

The lab will return the custom-designed crown to us within one or two weeks. Meanwhile, we select and place a temporary crown over the prepared tooth to protect it and allow you to chew with relative ease until the precisely fitted crown is ready.

Perfecting the Fit

While the lab delivers a precisely crafted crown back to us, we will always perform our own quality checks and minor, but exceedingly precise and important adjustments to the crown. To give you a great fit and appearance, we will:

•    Verify that the overall shape and coloration of the tooth is as close to natural as possible
•    Confirm that there is a precise marginal seal between the prepared tooth base and the inner surface of the crown (This preserves the health of the live tooth base.)
•    Verify and adjust as needed the contacts between the crown and adjacent teeth
•    Check the way your bite fits with the opposing teeth, adjusting as needed to ensure a good balance

Just as with your natural teeth, you need to exercise care to keep the crown intact. Avoid chewing ice and other hard substances like popcorn kernels that could cause the crown to develop cracks. Even with good care, your crown may not last a lifetime. For this reason, many dental insurance companies will permit replacement of crowns – usually after five to eight years, depending on the policy. Our staff can help you verify your benefits should you ever need a replacement.

Tags: Comprehensive Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry // Add Comment »

Believe it or not, it’s not because we like to hear ourselves talk! It’s about trying to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Every member of our staff wants to make you more comfortable during your visit. In fact, our offices – from the reception area to the exam rooms – were also specially designed to help you feel relaxed during your visit.

And yes, we’ll probably start a conversation while you’re in the chair. The main reason is that talking is a distraction.  (That’s why using a cell phone while driving can be hazardous!)  It is our hope that our talking to you will help the time you spend in our office pass quickly. We know it can help because we receive specialized training in dental school that helps us be very sensitive to the patient’s experience and point of view while we’re working.

Part of a dentist’s training is to learn and practice different techniques that can help you relax during routine exams and specific procedures. We’ve been trained well in the science of dentistry, as well as in the art of combining both psychological and pharmacological approaches (sedation dentistry) to keep each unique individual comfortable.

Learning to make you feel comfortable and at ease during your visits is a whole art unto itself, and one that must be learned along with a tremendous body of medicine and science that supports your safe and effective treatment. We sometimes jokingly refer to surgeons and some types of physicians as “lucky” in this regard – because they often put patients completely “out” before performing any procedure on them. That means they don’t have to worry about learning and practicing this special art like dentists do.

There’s also one more strategy behind our striking up a conversation. If you’re relaxed, we also find it may be easier for you to share with us any dental concerns and needs that may have come up since your last visit. Remember, we’re not here to practice our oratory skills. We’re here to help you maintain good oral health and give you a smile you can be proud of. Our goal is to make your experience with us as pleasant as possible. The more we can help you relax while you’re here, the more likely you’ll feel good about coming back and being proactive about maintaining your oral health.

Tags: Comprehensive Dentistry, Health // Add Comment »

In an earlier blog post The Battle Against Bad Breath, I talked primarily about food and poor oral hygiene as the culprits. Someone asked for more detail about bad breath causes and what can be done about it, so I’m providing a more in-depth answer this time, including some causes that must be treated by other medical professionals. Causes of halitosis (the medical term for bad breath) can be:

•    Food – Spicy foods, such as those containing onion and garlic, can’t really be covered up with tooth brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash after the meal. Those measures only help to a degree. That’s because many foods stay in the body for 72 hours or more, are absorbed by other body tissues, and continue to make their presence known on the breath. Believe it or not, garlic rubbed on the soles of your feet can eventually show up on your breath!  Even coffee can often be smelled on the breath days after you drink it.

Even if you avoid the types of food that leave lingering breath odor, foods with little or no odor can also be a major cause of bad breath. Aside from causing tooth decay, any food particles left behind by poor oral hygiene begin decaying and can produce bacteria that cause bad breath odors.  To help ensure that this isn’t your problem, your oral hygiene regimen may need to include brushing not only the teeth, but also the tongue, gums, and roof of your mouth – any place that food and beverage residue can become trapped. Saliva is nature’s way of trying to wash away food particles in the mouth. So, if your mouth tends to be dry for some reason, you may need to be even more attentive to your oral hygiene and food particle removal than most other people.

•    Common oral diseases – I’ve mentioned dry mouth (xerostomia) as one condition that can lead to halitosis. Certain medications, radiation treatments, or even skipping meals can all be causes of a dry mouth condition.

Periodontal (gum) disease is another cause of bad breath. In periodontal disease, plaque – a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth – can build up and cause gum irritation that results in inflammation, receding gums, and even damage to underlying bone tissue. Good oral hygiene, rinsing with anti-bacterial mouthwashes, and regular dental exams and cleanings are the best defenses against periodontal disease.

There are some special dental products, such as CloSYS, that are especially effective at combating the sulfonamides that develop from bacterial growth in the mouth. A reputable comprehensive dentistry provider can help you bring these dental conditions and diseases under control, and also help you decide what dental hygiene products and procedures you can use at home to manage or avoid the disease.

•    ENT infections – Ear, nose, throat, and sinus (ENT) infections, because of their close proximity to the mouth, can be another cause of bad breath. These should generally create only a short-term problem, clearing up when the infection does. However, some conditions, such as sinusitis and bronchitis, can be chronic and result in a persistent problem with bad breath until the condition is alleviated. Talk with your dentist about any problem with bad breath that you are experiencing. By discussing the problem during your regular check-up, you and your dentist may be able to more quickly pinpoint the most likely cause, and you can see a medical professional if an ENT infection seems to be the culprit.

•    Problems with major organs – There’s a natural tendency for all of us to assume that bad breath is caused by something in or in close proximity to the mouth. When we’ve eliminated some of the other causes discussed above, it’s important to consider other causes, such as problems with other body organs. Issues with lungs, liver, stomach, and kidneys can all result in an outgassing of bacteria or other abnormal by-products that are vented from the body on your breath.

A comprehensive dentistry provider is your first line of defense in both identifying and treating oral health issues, and can point you to other medical professionals who may need to be involved. Don’t be afraid to ask if you have a concern – tens of millions of people share this problem. If the source of the problem isn’t obvious to your dentist during a regular check-up, he may ask you to return for a follow-up to further discuss and evaluate the problem. It is only logical to start by assessing the oral health possibilities because dentists receive special training on the potential causes of halitosis.

For more information on comprehensive dentistry or halitosis, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

All information in this blog posting is subject to our Terms of Use.

Tags: Comprehensive Dentistry // Add Comment »

If you were to walk out on the street and ask what the biggest benefit of teeth whitening is, you’d likely find that 8 out of every 10 people would answer whiter, brighter teeth and a beautiful smile. But, what is the true value of that smile? Not in reference to how much one would be willing to pay for a treatment that works. What are the benefits of this treatment that go beyond the color of a patient’s teeth to impact all other aspects of their life.

A New Outlook on Life…

Smiling does a lot more than just move the muscles in our face; it changes the way we see the world and the way the world sees you. Simply by contracting those muscles and showing a beautiful white smile, we instantly feel more attractive. As a result, so does everyone else. This attraction doesn’t just mean to the opposite sex either. When we feel attractive, we give off that confidence and positive energy that automatically draws others towards us. A teeth whitening treatment is one of the easiest ways to improve your teeth so that you are less reserved when it comes to showing them off.

The World Looks a Whole Lot Better…

How many times have you been down, frustrated, or anxious about something only to have someone smile at you? And before you knew it, you were smiling too. When we aren’t afraid to smile, others will smile more at us, and the world will take on a more positive feel for everyone. Because stained enamel often gets in the way of this, a teeth whitening treatment is often the best solution.

You’ll find your emotional state also begins to improve. When the world looks happier, we feel happier and all of the trials and headaches are just a whole lot easier to deal with. You can feel the stress leave your body and all of the negative feelings with it. Try it for yourself and see.

When your smile doesn’t shine as brightly as it should and you are in need of a teeth whitening treatment, you’ll find these benefits don’t come as easily to you. Once you start showing off those pearly whites, however, you’ll notice you feel happier, those around you are happier, problems don’t seem as large, and you might even feel healthier. Never underestimate the power of a great smile that’s used often!

For More Information on Teeth Whitening contact Dr. Robert Williamson Today!

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry // Add Comment »

When asked about the benefits of Invisalign, many people will say straight teeth or a healthy-looking smile. Yes. There is no doubt these are benefits, but the real perks of this treatment go much farther than that. In fact, its effects can run much deeper and last a lifetime.

Self-Esteem

When a patient has a miss-aligned smile, they know it. They see it and spend hours worrying about. They remember it when they smile or laugh. They think about it when meeting someone new. They may become terribly uncomfortable as soon as a camera comes out. When you consider how many times you might encounter these situations in a day, you’ll quickly come to realize that those with a miss-aligned smile worry an awful lot.

Once the Invisalign treatment is complete, they can go through these seemingly simple things without worry. There’s no more trying to hide their smile or staring in the mirror wishing things would be different. They can hold their head up and begin to truly enjoy themselves and feel better about their appearance because of it.

Confidence

Not far behind a lack of self-esteem comes the result of that issue: a lack of confidence. When someone is self-conscious about their teeth, they may often feel inadequate towards others. This single feeling leads to a whole host of missed opportunities and second guesses. It’s a sad fact, but in a society that places outward beauty so high on the scale of importance, it makes up a large portion of our self-worth.

With an Invisalign treatment and straight teeth, these patients see themselves and the world in a whole new light. ‘If only’ becomes a thing of the past, and suddenly they feel like they can ‘compete’ with the rest of the world. They don’t worry whether or not they’ll get the job, if the person they’ve had their eye on will ask them out, or whether they should wear a certain outfit.

Invisalign does more than invisibly straighten teeth. Patients receive a new smile, a new outlook on life, and new opportunities they didn’t know they had. It’s much more than a dental treatment; it’s a life changing experience.

For More Information on Invisalign Contact Dr. Robert Williamson Today!

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry // Add Comment »

Teeth whiteners, Bleaching, dental veneers, braces…There is a reason why millions of people actively seek reputable cosmetic dentists and are willing to invest the time, energy and money it will take to get their teeth looking beautiful.  It all boils down to confidence.

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

When you meet someone for the first time, what is the first thing you typically notice about them?  For some people, it’s the eyes- but for a lot of people, it’s the teeth.  Your teeth are bound to be noticed because when you are speaking to someone or in front of a group, all eyes are on you.

As America trudges along through these slower economic times, this means that more people will be looking for work, making career changes and going on interviews.  Interviews in and of themselves are nerve racking anyway, which is why looking your best is so important.  After all, first impressions leave lasting ones; and the last impression you want to leave with a potential employer is the thought: “I’m not sure whether they were qualified or not for the job because I was so distracted by their teeth!”  Trust me; while it may not necessarily be ethical, it’s happened before.

We put braces on to straighten our teeth.  We sometimes even have teeth extracted so that we can achieve an overall aesthetically pleasing smile that doesn’t look overcrowded and jagged.  And some of us alter our smiles simply because there is a pending medical reason requiring us to do so or because it is somehow negatively impacting the way in which we are able to speak.

Being able to speak clearly is extremely important in today’s society.  If someone cannot understand you because you are not speaking clearly, then ideas become muddled and things get miss-communicated, which can cause problems.  Have you ever noticed there is a correlation of confidence between those who have a beautiful smile versus those who do not?  They exude confidence.  If you feel like your smile could use a boost, talk to your dentist and discuss your options.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

Tags: Uncategorized // Add Comment »

Being told that you need to have a tooth extracted is a sore subject (no pun intended) for many people. This is most often the case when it comes to having your wisdom teeth taken out (as so many of us do). Let’s explore the issue some more though.

What Happens During an Extraction & Why Do I Need to Have One?

Without being too graphic, a tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Usually, whenever you have a cavity or some other type of damage to your tooth that’s the result of decay, the dentist will try to fix it by filling in the cavity or using a crown or doing a root canal. However, sometimes the damage is simply beyond repair which means that the tooth needs to come out. The reason that you cannot simply leave the tooth in is because the already infected tooth can actually spread bacteria to the rest of your mouth as well as to your gums, thus getting into your blood stream and making you sick.

There are also several other reasons that your dentist may suggest a tooth extraction:

• Overcrowding: Sometimes extractions are necessary due to “overcrowding” in your mouth (ie. you have a lot of teeth and a tiny mouth).
• People Getting Braces: Sometimes teeth need to be extracted to make room for teeth that will be shifting.
• People Receiving Radiation Treatment: Any teeth blocking the radiation may need to be removed.
• Wisdom Teeth: At times, wisdom teeth may become impacted under the gums, causing pain to the individual. Additionally, because they are so far back in the mouth, wisdom teeth tend to decay-at which point they must be removed- otherwise you risk gum disease as well as other health-related issues due to bacteria entering your blood stream.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

Tags: Comprehensive Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry // Add Comment »