Savannah Cosmetic Dentist Blog

Overcoming fear of dentistry

By Rod Strickland on May 1, 2012 10:41 AM

I was sitting here thinking of a patient that came in to the office yesterday. This is a patient who first saw us a couple of months ago. She hadn't been to the dentist in over 30 years. Her reasons were like so many others, she had a traumatic experience as a child at her dentist.

I asked her what prompted her to finally come in now after 30 years. Like so many others, it was pain that brought her in. She had broken a back tooth several weeks earlier, and it was now beginning to hurt her.

We took our time at her first consult getting to know her. You see, we believe that it is very important to build up trust not only with patients like her, but all patients.

We want to know what our patient's goals are for their dental health. We want to know what obstacles they see will get in the way of them achieving their goals. For her, it was fear and trust.

By taking time and building trust, we were able to explain to her that she had a lot of problems. Her dental health goals were to get her teeth healthy again and keep her teeth for lifetime. She understood that in order to achieve these goals, a lot of dental work needed to be done.

We explained that due to our experience, we have set up our office to specifically handle complex dental needs. Her treatment, as complex as it was, could be completed in just a few visits. She was only 3 visits away from a new healthy and beautiful smile. She understood, but there was still her FEAR getting in the way. Once I explained to her how sedation dentistry works in our office, she was ready to start!

So, back to yesterday's visit. She brought in the most delicious tray of desserts for our team to share and we all got big hugs from her.

It's days like that that make my job so fun!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Teeth by Tonight

By Rod Strickland on April 25, 2012 6:36 AM

A new term has been floating around the internet lately called "Teeth By Tonight". What does it mean?

When a single tooth or multiple teeth are missing there are various options for replacements. First understand that it is very important to replace the missing tooth or teeth. When teeth that are lost fail to be replaced, the teeth next to the empty space will begin to move, or drift, into the empty space. This causes a shift in the bite, and will set up many future problems. In fact, it will cause many more problems than I have the space to write about in this article. There are typically 3 options for replacing a missing tooth. One option is a "bridge". A bridge can be made when there is a healthy tooth in front of and behind the empty space. Those healthy teeth have to be ground down and a permanent bridge can be set into the space. A second option is what's called a "removable partial". Think of a child's retainer that they would wear after braces, only it has a tooth on it. The third option are dental implants. Implants are usually the best option because they are the most natural and they don't damage the adjacent teeth.

Teeth by tonight is referring to dental implants. Dental implants (titanium root replacements) are a permanent way to replace a tooth that is missing. The procedure is very simple. The implant is placed into the jawbone and historically needs four to six months to heal before the implant is ready. After this healing period a porcelain or gold crown is placed onto the implant, and the patient can chew on it. Implants are a great way to replace a missing tooth. Not only can a single tooth be replaced, but multiple teeth can be replaced. In fact, for people who have dentures, an entire mouth of teeth can be replaced with dental implants.

Dental implants look as good, chew as good, and feel as good are real teeth.

Modern technology with dental implants has allowed the healing period to shorten. This is where Teeth by Tonight comes in. Whereas historically dental implants needed 4-6 months to heal before a tooth could be set onto the implant, with Teeth by Tonight we can in many cases set the tooth onto the implant the SAME DAY that the implant is set into the jawbone. Hence the phrase, Teeth by Tonight!

This is a marvelous advancement in the science of dental implants. If you are interested in finding our more about dental implants, come to see me for a consultation. Give me a call at 912-234-8282 or visit us on the web at www.thedurhamsmile.com

Facelift Dentures

By Rod Strickland on April 7, 2012 9:48 PM

As you may know, I developed the Facelift Denture™ technique and have been teaching this to dentists from all over the US and Canada. This technique is really taking off. When I thought up the name "Facelift Dentures", I googled it and NOTHING..... it's funny now to see that there are pages upon pages of hits now.

Facelift Dentures are a very predictable way to get rid of that "denture look" and have the smile that you once had, or always hoped you had.

I'm pleased to announce that I have created a national website, www.faceliftdentures.com where potential patients can learn more about Facelift Dentures™ and find a certified dentist near them. Of course, we always welcome patients from far and near to come to Savannah and have your new smile created here.

Here is an example of how Facelift Dentures can change someone's appearance.

Click image for full size version.

Check us out on Facebook

By Rod Strickland on April 3, 2012 5:50 AM

Wow, social media is fast becoming a great way to communicate to friends, family, customers and even potential new customers.

I see it all the time, you know, the Facebook symbol.

Click on the link to view our facebook page, and "Like" us. We will occasionally post before and after photos of our patients, and video testimonials.

iPads are cool

By Rod Strickland on March 26, 2012 8:34 PM

This is a short test to see how easy it is for me to add a blog entry from my iPad. These things are really cool and we are finding more and more ways to use them in our office.

Oh, by the way. If you have not friended us on Facebook, please do. We can be found at www.facebook.com/braddurhamdentistry

Also check out and like the Facelift Denture Facebook page at www.facebook.com/faceliftdentures

Thats all, Rod

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Mouth-Body Connection

By Rod Strickland on May 19, 2010 12:16 PM

Most of us do things that are recommended to keep our bodies healthy. Ranging from lower cholesterol diets and exercising to medications and supplements. Unfortunately, many of us don't know how the health of our mouths can be contributing to many undesirable health conditions. A healthy mouth should be free of bleeding of any sort. Bleeding is a sign of infection, which is free flowing through our entire body. Current evidence based studies report that inflammatory effects from periodontal (gum) disease could cause oral bacterial byproducts to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to make proteins such as CRP that inflame arteries. In addition, these effects may cause blood clots that contribute to clogged arteries leading to heart attacks or strokes. Considering that heart disease is the leading cause of death, while stroke is the third, this isn't something that should be taken lightly.

Diabetes, the sixth leading cause of death, is also something that is complicated by periodontal disease. It is nearly impossible to get an individual's blood sugar controlled if there is infection in the oral cavity. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts diabetics at increased risk for diabetic complications.

There are many other serious health issues that have been linked to periodontal disease as well including, pre-term low birth weights and miscarriages, Alzheimer's disease, pancreatic cancer and obesity. All of these conditions are related to the amount of inflammation present in our bodies. Each and every one of us has a different level of health in our mouths, but all of us have the control to achieve the highest level of health.

We offer the latest technology to help get your mouth as healthy as possible. Please call today if you are not scheduled for your continuing dental care so that we can find a plan that is tailored to your specific needs, and hopefully add years to your life.

Neuromuscular Dentures

By Rod Strickland on November 11, 2009 10:13 AM

What are Neuromuscular Dentures?

Before After

I guess the best way to explain what Neuromuscular Dentures are is by explaining what they aren't. So first let me talk about "other" dentures.

These other dentures basically fall into two categories: Economy & Traditional

Economy Dentures are the "made in the same day" type of dentures that you see advertised on TV, newspaper and on the radio. These are very basic dentures. Sometimes I jokingly say "They come in small, medium, and large, and the patient gets the size that fits the closest". Now please don't think that I am against economy dentures... they are a great solution for some people who otherwise wouldn't have any teeth at all. It's just that some people can't live with economy dentures because they either don't fit well enough, or they don't look good enough. The cost of economy dentures usually runs around $1000.
Traditional Dentures are the main type of dentures that are made by most general dentists. They will fit better than economy dentures and they will usually look better than economy dentures. There is huge variation in how good they look and how good they fit, and this is usually due to the experience of the dentist who is making them. Generally, the cost of good traditional dentures is around $4000 - $6000.

So that is an explanation of what Neuromuscular Dentures are NOT. So what are the differences between Neuromuscular Dentures and those listed above. It can be distilled down to two main differences. One, the way the impressions are made and two, the position of the lower jaw.

Let me explain. Most economy dentures are made from a single impression of your gums. Traditional dentures will usually be made from primary and secondary impressions of your gums. However, neuromuscular dentures are made from a three-stage impression protocol. Each impression is more accurate than the last. Why is this important? Because, the more accurate your impressions are, the better fit that your denture will have. Furthermore, while the impression material is hardening a neuromuscular impression will capture your muscles and ligaments as they "flex". A TENS unit is used during your second and third stage of neuromuscular impressions. This TENS unit provides a gentle electrical stimulation to your jaw muscles which causes them to twitch while the impression is hardening. These little muscle twitches cause small indentations into the impression material. So when your final denture is made, it has these "built-in" indentations of where your muscles are. This makes your dentures more stable as those muscles flex during eating, drinking, talking and laughing.

Why is jaw position so important? Close your eyes and think about this for a second. You know when someone takes out their denture... how "sunk in" their face looks when they over-close their jaw and bring their chin too close to their nose? Ok, open your eyes now. When your chin gets too close to your nose, the lower third of your face (between the chin and nose) squishes up. This creates wrinkles, thins the lips, and shortens the face. Proper jaw position will reduce the "sunk in" look, reduce wrinkles, increase the fullness of the lips, bring the face into a more youthful proportion and more. Also, a proper jaw position greatly reduces the chances of getting TMJ problems, migraines and tension headaches.

So a Neuromuscular Denture is one that begins with the most accurate impression possible. Next, proper jaw position is established utilizing Neuromuscular Dental protocols which incorporates the use of a computerized bite analysis. This jaw position is the natural position that your jaw would like to live. Finally a very accurate set of dentures are made so that when you put your dentures into your mouth and bite together, your jaw is in it's relaxed, natural, unstrained position.

It's art and science combined.

If you are interested in finding out more about Neuromuscular Dentures, click here to go to our website.

VersaWave Hard & Soft Tissue Laser

By Rod Strickland on September 28, 2009 4:54 PM

VersaWave Hard & Soft Tissue Laser

Our practice is built on the foundation of excellence. That's why we call ourselves "Beyond Exceptional Dentistry".

We are always striving to provide the best in Cosmetic Dentistry, but sometimes we're limited by the current technology. This is why we are so pleased that HOYA ConBio has developed the VersaWave.

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VersaWave Dental Hard & Soft Tissue Laser

This new laser is the most practical and least invasive laser on the market. It is a huge advancement allowing us to preform many new procedures that once would have required a scapel and stitches.

Examples of procedures that can be preformed with the VersaWave:

Cosmetic Gum Recountouring

Cosmetic Bone Recountouring

Periodontal (gum) Treatments

Small cavities treated without the drill

And many more

Mini Dental Implants

By Rod Strickland on September 8, 2009 12:31 PM

I'd like to take up a bit of cyber-space to talk about a common problem that Denture Wearers have. If you don't know what a Denture is, then go ahead and stop reading, because this doesn't apply to you...

I've seen many patients who just hate their lower denture, and they've been told that there's no other solution to their problem except for denture adhesive.

For some this is true... but many people, they could have Mini Dental Implants placed. These are a breakthrough in the dental field. Read this excerpt from our website:

Do you hate your lower denture?
Is it too loose?
Have you been told that you DON'T have enough bone?

Mini-Implants are a GREAT solution for a loose lower or upper denture. They are only a fraction of the size of a traditional implant. This means that they can be used on people who never could have traditional implants.

Mini-Implants can be used to stabilize a lower or upper denture. Patients love how much better they can talk, chew, laugh... you name it.

It only takes one appointment to get your Mini-Implants. That's right, after your consultation and exam it only takes one appointment. You are numbed using The Wand so that you don't feel any pain. The implants are gently placed, without stitches. Then your existing denture is "retro-fitted" to attach to the new implants. When you leave the office, you will have a much better fitting denture!

Cracked Tooth - The Dangers Within

By Rod Strickland on August 3, 2009 12:33 PM

This is a follow-up to my earlier post regarding the life of a tooth. How many people do you know who've cracked a tooth. Would you believe that most of them could have been prevented?

This is the same tooth on the right and left. The photo on the right looks like just a ordinary tooth with a white filling. The photo on the left shows, after the removal of the filling, the extensive cracks that occurred because the tooth was weak.

Yes, that's right. You see, before a tooth breaks, it generally cracks. Why does it crack? It cracks because the tooth is weak. A tooth becomes weakened after having a large filling placed. A filling doesn't strengthen a tooth, it simply fills up the hole. If the filling is large, then the tooth is weak. The weak tooth can't hold up to the chewing pressure, so eventually it cracks then breaks. Sometimes the crack will go deep into the tooth's nerve. If this happens it will infect the nerve and you'll need a root canal too.

Doesn't all this sound fun? Nope. In my teeth, I do everything I can to keep from getting large fillings. This means GREAT brushing and flossing.... but there's more.

Most adult cavities don't occur in "new" places. They usually occur around old fillings. So in my teeth, I have had all my fillings upgraded from the old silver/mercury type to the new tooth-colored type. My thoughts were to take out the old, BEFORE a cavity got underneath them, and replace them with the newest in high-tech fillings. Then in another 10-20 years I'm going to do the same thing.

I will do whatever it takes to keep from having to drill the existing holes in my teeth any larger. Because when the holes get too large, the teeth will be weakened, and will then eventually crack.

If you have old fillings, chances are they are leaking, and possibly forming a cavity. Lots of our patients come in for a "filling upgrade." If you are interested, check out our web page devoted to this filling upgrade by clicking here.