The first consultation is not a comprehensive examination. Many people want to just get an idea of what their general options are, and if this is the right office for them. At the end of the consult, you’ll have a much better idea of what’s going on in your mouth and a general idea of your options. You’ll have a ballpark idea of what treatment costs as well. For our patients who travel an hour or more to see us, we can consolidate the consult and examination.
X-rays
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral Cancer Screening (did you know that 3% of all cancers are oral cancer? In any cancer, early detection is crucial to successful treatment.)
You work hard. You play hard. So it stands to reason that you might feel a little too busy or tired to keep up with your professional dental cleanings in Asheville – much less brush and floss the way you should at home. Sometimes you fall asleep on the couch at night or rush off to the office without a full two-minute dental routine in the morning. Other times, it just seems like a terrible chore to even think about scheduling a visit with your dentist. And what’s the big deal anyway? Sure, brushing keeps your breath nice and flossing gets rid of the pesky bits of food that become stuck between your teeth. And yes, you do love that fresh and bright feeling you get after a hygiene visit, but is missing a few appointments so terrible?
Fluoride Treatment
Dental Sealants
The best way to prevent caries is to brush and floss regularly. To rebuild the early damage caused by plaque bacteria, we use fluoride, a natural substance that helps to remineralize the tooth structure. Fluoride is added to toothpaste to fight cavities and clean teeth. The most common source of fluoride is in the water we drink. Fluoride is added to most community water supplies and to many bottled and canned beverages. If you are at medium to high risk for caries, your dentist may recommend special high concentration fluoride gels, mouth rinses, or dietary fluoride supplements. Your Asheville dentist may also use professional strength anti-cavity varnish, or sealants–thin, plastic coatings that provide an extra barrier against food and debris.
While some dentists still place silver-mercury amalgam fillings, Dr. Highsmith doesn’t use that material. Dr. Highsmith has not placed an amalgam filling in over twenty-five years! We believe there are better materials to use for repairing teeth.
Resin Composite
A composite resin is a tooth-colored mixture of acrylic resin and ceramic filler particles. Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not strong enough to withstand the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth. Since then, composites have been significantly improved and can be successfully placed for restorations in the back teeth as well. Composites are not only used for restoring decay but are also used for cosmetic improvements, changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
Gold Restorations
Not always. The material is best used in small cavities, especially those that do not go in between the teeth. The material is not as strong as gold or porcelain, so it does not hold up well when it replaces a large portion of the tooth. If you have major damage resulting from a failed amalgam filling or from other dental trauma or infection, we might recommend that you choose a porcelain or gold restoration.
Veneers
Veneers can totally transform a smile! Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that allow your cosmetic dentist to modify the shape and shade of your teeth. Each veneer is placed on your outer tooth surface, on the teeth that show when you smile.
Crowns
Outstanding results are achieved by placing an artificial tooth root into the jaw and finishing with a customized crown designed to mimic the look, color, and feel of surrounding natural teeth.
My parents took me to the dentist every six months as a kid, and it seemed I always had cavities or needed fillings. The filling material used back then was the “black mercury†kind, and with my “toothy†smile, those fillings really showed. In my early twenties, one of my front teeth started turning dark. After a root canal in the tooth, I went to a “prominent†dentist in Asheville to have a final crown placed. The new crown was a very white one (a Chiclet lookalike) with a silver rim that showed at my gumline.
Losing my teeth was one of the most traumatic things that could ever happen to me. I tried dentures with a lower partial. As a matter of fact, I tried three sets of dentures. I’d never been so miserable– couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, just plain miserable.
My patients are much more comfortable when they head home on day one with implants placed and an impression taken. You can be home and nap while our lab works on the temporary teeth to seat the next day. Using the dental laboratory makes your temporary teeth stronger and more durable, a better final product that’s more comfortable for you. And tomorrow, you won’t have to get numbed to set your temporary teeth on the implants.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, you may be concerned about what will be required for treatment. How often do you need to return for advanced cleaning? Will you need surgery? What does that mean as far as recovery time and appearance? Will you need stitches in your gums? Relax. Gum surgery just got easier with Laser dentistry in Asheville.
Bone Grafting
That’s kind of like asking how much a car costs; there’s a big range. We’ll be able to provide an answer after we see your specific situation. Many factors affect how your case is evaluated and planned. (Do you have a lot of bone to hold the implants? Do you need bone grafting first? Where are your sinuses positioned, and what is their size?) Each one makes a difference, and everyone is unique. A three-dimensional CT X-Ray, which takes only 8.7 seconds, will properly assess your individual requirements for long-term success. After your consultation and X-ray, we can figure a specific fee for your case.
Much like Dr. Highsmith, Dr. Jernigan is also an avid learner interested in the artful, cosmetic side of being a dentist in Clyde. She’s spent many extra hours of continuing education and training over the last few years and is now a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. This is where dentists from all over the world come to learn about how new discoveries and changes in both technology and cosmetic dentistry can help dentists like Dr. Highsmith and Dr. Jernigan truly transform a patient’s smile. Dr. Jernigan has completed additional training from the Dawson Dental Academy, Pankey Institute, Spears Education, and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Jernigan has also completed additional training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and has also participated in further training to provide effective Invisalign® orthodontics as well as received certification in laser dentistry.
You’ve dreamed of a professional tooth whitening before. You’ve looked in the mirror a hundred times and imagined what it would be like to dazzle every time you smiled. And now, you have a special event coming up and you just can’t stop dreaming about it. Could teeth whitening in Asheville really be for you?
Cosmetic Dentistry
Have you been looking for a cosmetic dentist near Asheville? You aren’t alone. Just look around. We’d bet many of the people you see want to change their smiles. Some want to correct problems they have had since childhood such as discolored, gapped, or crooked teeth. Others want to fix conditions they’ve developed over time, like cracked or worn-down teeth, to help create a more youthful smile. But no matter what the reason, cosmetic dentistry from Dr. John Highsmith can get you looking, feeling, and smiling like never before!