Dr. Julia Tyson

Dr. Tyson has moved her dental office to a new location.   We are now located at:

450 New Market Blvd.  Suite 2, Boone, NC 28607

Spring is here!  Your house may not be the only thing that deserves some attention this spring.  Come see Dr. Tyson to get those pearly whites shining like new.  We can’t wait to see you.

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College hosted the North Carolina Dental Society’s second-largest Missions of Mercy (MOM) free dental clinic Aug. 13 and 14, providing about $400,000 worth of care to nearly 900 people.

Forty dental chairs filled A-B Tech’s gym holding patients in need of fillings, extractions and other services. “This was the second-largest clinic ever held in North Carolina, and would have been the largest if we had more chairs,” said Dr. Jack Teague, III, an Asheville dentist, A-B Tech Foundation board member and local MOM steering committee chair.

Taylor Reed drove 250 miles from Raleigh to be in line by 6 p.m. the night before the clinic, and slept outside on a concrete sidewalk. “It’s worth whatever I have to go through. I can hardly eat anything,” said Reed, who had four impacted wisdom teeth.

In addition to the state Dental Society and A-B Tech, the clinic was offered in conjunction with the local Dental Society, Eblen Charities, Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, and others. The more than 250 volunteers included dentists, hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, students and community members.

Missions of Mercy are sponsored by the North Carolina Dental Health Fund, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization whose mission is to provide free dental services to those in financial need. The program is a grassroots effort that depends on volunteers, with funding from grants and donations.

“For years, A-B Tech and its Foundation have worked diligently to make our community a better place to live and work. A-B Tech’s willingness to host this event is another example of the concern and commitment the college has for our community,” said Teague.

MOM organizers began offering the two-day clinics in North Carolina in early 2004. Through the end of 2009, more than 75 clinics had been held across North Carolina, with more than $7 million in free dental care provided to more than 22,000 North Carolinians. This clinic was the first held in Asheville.

“Forty dentists signed up for the Asheville event, more than any other MOM. The North Carolina Dental Society is extremely grateful to all those who are involved. It was a wonderful event to help those in need within our area,” Teague said.

SOURCE Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Hello to the folks of the High Country! I know you are as excited as I am about summer after the winter we had! Now that the kids are out of school and travel is not impeded by snow and ice, make sure everyone in your family is up to date on routine and preventative dental care. Enjoy our beautiful mountains and don’t forget the sunscreen!

We get a lot of questions about what type of toothbrush is best. At our office, we offer every patient who gets a cleaning a package with a nice manual toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and any adjunct aids that we feel would help in their particular situation. We also offer for purchase the new Oral-B electric toothbrush, which has a lot of new features compared to the older electric toothbrushes, as a way for our patients to have access to the best tools for maintaining healthy gums and teeth. I have seen major changes in patients who switch to electric toothbrushes, and for that reason, I wholeheartedly endorse electric toothbrushes. However, I also have patients who do a fine job with a manual toothbrush. So in the end, the diligence and thorough effort you put into your home care is more important than the type of brush you are using, but electric brushes represent an excellent way for kids and adults to make sure they are performing the best home care that they can. I am attaching below an article in case you’d like to learn more. It is from a very helpful website, called www.everydayhealth.com.

Choosing a Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric
In the long run, experts say, technique is more important than brush type for good dental health.
By Connie Brichford
Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

manual vs. electric toothbrush

The electric toothbrush has become very popular in recent years and some say it provides superior dental care. But how does it actually stand up to good old-fashioned manual brushing?

“The idea of a toothbrush is to remove plaque and to stimulate the gums,” explains John Ictech-Cassis, DDS, DMD, clinical associate professor at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. “Most toothbrushes will keep the teeth clean if you know how to use them.”

Manual Toothbrushes: A Classic Route to Good Dental Care

“There are many advantages to the manual toothbrush,” says Dr. Ictech-Cassis. “We’ve been using this toothbrush for many years. It has a good track record.” Advantages include:

* Cost and availability. “It’s inexpensive and accessible,” says Ictech-Cassis. “This is the toothbrush that the majority of dentists give away.” Electric toothbrushes may simply be too expensive for many people, so it’s nice to know that you can do a great job brushing with a manual toothbrush.
* Easy to travel with. “It’s easy to take a manual toothbrush with you when you travel. It’s not bulky like an electric toothbrush,” says Ictech-Cassis. You’ll be less likely to let your good dental care habits lapse on vacation with a toothbrush that you can easily bring along, he adds.
* Puts less pressure on teeth and gums. “You can feel [how much pressure you're using] as you grasp the toothbrush,” Ictech-Cassis notes. “This helps you to avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth. With an electrical model you can’t feel that as well.” Placing too much pressure on your teeth can wear away at the tooth enamel, causing pain, sensitivity, and an increased risk of tooth decay.
* Good for kids. Even young children can use manual brushes safely and effectively once they’ve learned how, Ictech-Cassis points out.

Electric Toothbrushes: Recommended in Some Cases

Nevertheless, Ictech-Cassis admits that there are some situations where an electric toothbrush has clear advantages. “We recommend it for people who can’t do a good job with a manual toothbrush,” he says. For older people or people who have less manual dexterity, like those who suffer from arthritis, the electric toothbrush may clean more effectively, says Ictech-Cassis.

How to Choose an Electric Toothbrush

Today, electric toothbrushes are outfitted with a variety of features. Though they make nice additions, pressure sensors that tell you if you’re brushing too hard or timers that indicate when you’ve brushed long enough don’t directly affect how well the toothbrush actually cleans your teeth.

Electric toothbrushes “try to stimulate the gums and teeth with different configurations of the bristles,” Ictech-Cassis says. “Even the most inexpensive electric models will keep your teeth clean, but you may have to move them a little more to reach the difficult areas.”

Although almost any toothbrush can do an effective job, research suggests there is one electronic toothbrush bristle configuration that seems to be better at removing plaque and preventing gum disease. Electric toothbrushes with bristles that rotate together in one direction, and then switch and rotate in the opposite direction — a process known as rotating-oscillating — appear to be more effective than manual brushes and other electric brushes that spin in only one direction. If you do opt for an electronic toothbrush, a model with rotating-oscillating bristles is probably your best bet.

How Often Should You Get a New Toothbrush?

Whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles and be sure to change the bristles on the electric brush when they become worn down. “Bristles are very important,” Ictech-Cassis says. “Brushes need to be replaced every three months or when the bristles are no longer straight and firm. In that condition, they will not clean the teeth as well as they should.”

Unfortunately, we will be closed today due to severe weather conditions. We plan to reopen tomorrow, Thursday, February 11, and follow our normal schedule. If you had an appointment on Wednesday, we will call you to reschedule. Thank you for your understanding, and stay warm!

This winter weather has been a mess.  While some of us have no problem getting to town, others are having difficulty getting out of their driveway.  In the event of bad weather, we may have to close our office unexpectedly.  This means that all patients with a scheduled appointment may not be seen that day.  We want to get you back in as soon as possible if this happens.  Please understand this may delay the ability to be seen immediately.  We are working hard to get all emergencies handled, and see all of our patients with holiday vacation plans.  Thank you for your understanding in this matter.  We look forward to seeing you soon.  Happy New Year!

Andy

This article is copied from www.everydayhealth.com, a useful website that offers a wide range of health information. This website was also featured on Ray’s Weather for its unique calorie counter and weight management tools. I felt that this article described the issue of adult braces in a fairly comprehensive and understandable manner, so I chose to copy it here for you. If you are interested in straightening your teeth, I highly recommend that you consult the orthodontic offices of Dr. Nicole Scheffler and Dr. Michael Mayhew. These Boone orthodontists are not only great clinicians, they are world-renowned for their research and innovation. Their office is right around the corner from ours on Boone Heights Drive, and here’s a link to their website: www.opsmiles.com.

Below is the article about having braces as an adult. Braces do not offer immediate gratification like many areas of dentistry, but it is well worth the commitment. Giving yourself the gift of a straight, beautiful smile is a life-changing investment that will give priceless returns!

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Many adults with crooked teeth think they missed their opportunity for braces during childhood. But dental professionals now readily use braces to help correct dental problems at any age. In fact, adult braces are more popular today than ever before.

When Adult Braces Can Help

Adult braces can be used to correct a variety of dental problems, including:

* Crooked teeth
* Overcrowded teeth
* Bite abnormalities (for example, an overbite or underbite)
* Problems with jaw position
* Jaw joint problems

Without proper treatment for these problems, you may be at higher risk of cavities, gum disease, ear pain, headaches, and chewing and speech problems. For this reason, braces can be an important part of the maintenance of your dental health.

Options for Adult Braces Some people shy away from braces because they want to avoid having a mouth full of metal. Fortunately, there are many teeth-straightening options available today, some of which are nearly invisible. **NOTE: I encourage you to talk to Dr. Scheffler and Dr. Mayhew about what would work best in your situation – many of the clear or “invisible” options only work in certain cases, so make sure that the option you choose will give you best long-term final result.**

Options for adult braces and alternatives to braces include:

* Conventional metal braces. Conventional metal braces involve attaching metal brackets and wires to your teeth. The braces are periodically adjusted in order to apply pressure to your teeth in such a way that they move into proper position. While conventional metal braces are efficient and relatively inexpensive, they are not always the first choice among adults who want braces, since they are so noticeable.
* “Clear” ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are similar to traditional braces, but their brackets are made of tooth-colored porcelain, and so only the connecting wires are visible.
* Lingual braces. These braces are attached to the back of the teeth, facing the tongue. Though you cannot see lingual braces, they can be irritating to the tongue and may be more difficult for your orthodontist to adjust.
* Clear acrylic aligners. Clear acrylic aligners are custom-fitted, removable appliances that are placed over your teeth. The major advantages are that aligners are essentially invisible and are easier to clean than braces because they can be removed during eating. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, and then put on a new pair to further adjust your teeth. These aligners are more costly and often take longer to work than traditional braces, though. Also, some people may still end up briefly requiring regular braces after wearing aligners.

The cost of braces or aligners is generally $5,000 to $6,000, but the price will depend on which type you choose and the severity of your problem. Some medical and dental insurance plans cover at least a portion of orthodontic work, so check with your provider(s) to find out if they can offset any of the cost.

How Long Do You Wear Adult Braces?

Your orthodontist can estimate how long you will need to wear adult braces or aligners. On average, most people need to wear braces for about two years. **NOTE: I wanted to clarify this part of the article. Every patient is different, and treatment time can vary signficantly based on your unique situation and goals. Talk to your orthodontist to find out more.**

While you’re wearing braces, you’ll need to be extra vigilant about your dental hygiene. This will involve monthly visits to your orthodontist, regular dental checkups, and brushing your teeth every time you eat to reduce the risk of getting food caught under your braces. If you opt for clear acrylic aligners, it will be easier to keep your teeth clean, since you can take off the aligners when you eat, brush, and floss.

After your braces have been removed, you will need to wear a retainer (a device that’s fitted to your mouth to help keep your teeth in position) for a period of time to reinforce and preserve the new alignment of your teeth. Some retainers are worn permanently, though most are used for only a short time. Wearing your retainer as recommended is essential for the long-term success of your treatment.

If you are interested in adult braces, discuss your options with an orthodontist. It’s not too late!