Blog

The dentists in our dental office are the first in Charleston, NC to receive training in the LANAP laser procedure, which provides excellent treatment for periodontal disease.

At James Island Dental Associates, we are always utilizing the latest in dental treatments and technologies to offer our patients the best and most comfortable options available.

Anytime we can avoid putting our patients through surgery, we will.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums, which causes pain, swelling, potential tooth loss, and infections that can spread to other areas of the body.

Besides swelling, the symptoms of periodontal disease may include:

• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Painful chewing
• Recurrent toothaches
• Loose teeth

Periodontal treatments can be invasive, requiring ...

At James Island Dental Associates, we know how painful and troublesome wisdom teeth can be. Sometimes they only partially erupt, opening your gums to bacteria, food particles, and potential infections. Other times they encroach on other teeth, causing discomfort and swelling.

In our Charleston, SC dental office, we remove wisdom teeth regularly, and our patients are relieved to rid themselves of these bothersome teeth.

The good news is that wisdom teeth are not necessary. They come in long after adult teeth, and people can chew just fine without them.

The Wisdom Teeth Extraction Process

Our dentist will assess your situation to make sure that your wisdom teeth require extraction. If you’re experiencing pain ...

Millions of people around the world snore, and snoring cessation and prevention is definitely something our Charleston, SC dentists treat and regularly manage with excellent results!

Snoring can be a potentially serious problem linked to sleep apnea, which is a condition that causes sleepers to stop breathing for short periods during the night. In our dental office, we diagnose, treat, and refer sleep apnea patients all the time.

Sleep apnea symptoms include:

• Snoring
• Feeling tired the next day
• Daytime irritability
• Trouble concentrating
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Dental issues from possible teeth grinding

Dentists, during an oral exam, can often spot the telltale signs of sleep apnea—irritated throat or worn down teeth—and treat accordingly.

However, just because you snore does not mean ...

At James Island Dental Group, we recommend crowns for a variety of reasons, and our patients are thrilled with the results. 

Here are a few reasons why we might recommend a crown:

• Trauma or decay with extensive damage to teeth
• A tooth treated with a root canal—a crown makes the tooth sturdier
• A cracked tooth
• A tooth that is shorter in proportion to surrounding teeth
• You want cosmetic results fast

A crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over your existing tooth. This ceramic cover looks exactly like your natural tooth, and the crown is durable. You can chew food and indulge in all your favorite healthy snacks.

The Benefits of CEREC Crowns

If you’re like many people, you ...

At James Island Dental Associates, our well-trained staff will ease your child into the new dental atmosphere and make them feel comfortable and relaxed while our dentist gently performs the initial exam.

During this extremely important oral health check, our dentist will pay close attention to your child’s bite and the way their teeth are coming in. Identifying potential issues early is a great way to utilize proactive care. 

Often, our dentist will order a dental cleaning, topical fluoride rinse, or other treatment to give your child a good boost in future cavity prevention and to help strengthen enamel. 

What Happens after the Exam?

From the very first visit, we like to set the ...

You've lost a tooth, and you're thinking about replacing it with a dental implant. You've made an excellent choice for your long-term oral health and well being. Now, here's what you should know about dental implants in Charleston, SC.

The First Phase

When you choose to work with the dental team at James Island Dental Associates, you will receive comprehensive implant dentistry. This continuity of care means that you will be working with our dentists from start to finish without ever having to be referred elsewhere for treatment. This is a comfort for our patients.

The first phase of treatment is placing the implant into your jawbone during a simple surgical procedure. Our ...

Because April is alcohol awareness month, we want to take some time to discuss some of the devastating effects alcohol can have not only your overall health but also your oral health. Did you know that alcohol abuse (more than 21 drinks during the week) is the second largest risk factor for developing oral cancer? And when you combine its effects with tobacco use the risk of developing oral cancer increases exponentially. Here's what you should know.

How Alcohol Affects Your Mouth

When you drink alcohol, it dehydrates your mouth. This can contribute to "dry ...