Our Top Hygiene Product Recommendations

A common question we receive from our patients is "What products do you recommend for my dental hygiene?" There are thousands of products on the market and it is hard to know what REALLY makes a difference. Our hygienists got together and put together four items that can really make a difference in your oral health.

1) Philips Sonicare Toothbrush :: An electric toothbrush provides a deeper and more efficient clean than a manual. It also automatically notifies you every 30 seconds to move to a different quadrant, and stops when your two minutes is complete.

2) Waterpik :: This product is awesome for your gum health. It removes plaque and provides a deeper clean than your floss can reach. If you have periodontal disease this is extremely beneficial in cleaning your gums.

3) CloSYS Mouthwash :: This is an alcohol-free mouth rinse (NO BURN!) that has special ingredients (Chlorine Dioxide) to help with inflammation in the gums and bad breath. It also has fluoride which protects your enamel from decay. This is great for anyone with dry mouth!

4) Cocofloss :: Specifically designed to remove more plaque than regular floss and designed to compress in even the tightest spaces.

We continue to try new products and stay up-to-date on oral health standards but if you ever have any questions feel free to contact us!

Dental Insurance & The FAQs

There are thousands of dental insurance plans offered either personally or through your work. We are not insurance agents but with years of experience in working with dental insurance companies, we try our best to address the concerns and questions of our patients. We wanted to provide you with answers to some of our most common questions. As always, it is best to consult with your insurance agency for exact answers. As a courtesy to our patients, we do our best to help them navigate their plans and receive the most benefit from them.

1.       Do you take our plan, or are you in-network? We are considered an “out-of-network” provider with all insurance plans; however, we file claims for all our patients. Most insurance plans have an out-of-network benefit. Majority of patients do not see a difference; however, there are some plans that have a fee schedule that is lower than usual and customary to the area. Our fees are set as usual and customary to the area, so if your insurance plan has a fee guide that is lower than ours, you will see the difference in price. We remain out-of-network so that we can continue to provide world-class care to all of our patients and not be dictated by insurance providers.

2.       Why is there a yearly maximum on my plan? Every dental plan has a “yearly maximum”. The most common maximums are $1,000 or $1,500 but some plans have lower or higher maximums. This means that your dental plan will provide a reimbursement of your services up to the yearly maximum. Once they have paid that amount for the benefit period, then everything is out of pocket. This is the opposite of health insurance policies, as health insurance usually covers 100% once you have reached your deductible. We typically say that dental insurance is merely a “reimbursement plan” and not true insurance. Did you know that most insurance yearly maximums have not increased since the 1970s?

3.       Do the yearly maximums apply to myself or family? Each member on the policy has their separate yearly maximums.

4.       Do you take Medicare or Medicaid? Medicare alone does not have a dental benefit. You have to apply for a supplemental policy for any dental reimbursement. Even with the supplemental policies, you will not receive 100% coverage but will get some reimbursement on services. We do not take Medicaid at this time. Most county clinics are Medicaid providers, so make sure to check with your local county clinic if you need Medicaid services.

When you are evaluating a dental plan make sure to read the fine lines! Especially when it comes to waiting periods, missing tooth clauses, and if you have out-of-network coverage. More and more offices are electing to be out-of-network, and you will want to make sure you have out-of-network coverage, or at least know where your closest in-network provider is.

We hope this helps provide some clarification on the world of dental insurance. If you have any questions specific to your policy contact your insurance provider, or your plan’s customer service. We will always help you in trying to maximize your dental benefit.

2022 Best Dentist of Macon County

We wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU for voting us Macon County’s Best Dentist for 2022. Our mission is to provide world-class service, right here at home and regardless of any accolade, we strive to deliver this every day.

Our team consists of top-notch talent, and they all have a genuine care for each of our patients. Dentistry can be daunting to a lot of people, but we work to create an environment where you feel welcomed, secure, and know that your needs will be met.

We have said this before, but we really are blessed to live and work in this community. You are more than a patient, you’re family. Thank you again Franklin and we look forward to serving you with the same integrity in the years to come.

Merry Christmas 2022

Merry Christmas

From Our Family to Yours

As 2022 comes to a close and we reflect on this year, we want to take a moment to THANK YOU for your continued support and trust in our small business.

This year we have expanded professionally and clinically. We welcomed our new dentist, Dr. Ashley Collins, as well as a hygienist, Cori Sellers, RDH, a couple of new Dental Assistants and Front Office Staff. We also expanded our office space to provide greater room to serve our patients. We are intentional on building our team to provide continued quality service to our patients. The character, work-ethic, and clinical expertise of each team member is superb, and we are blessed to have the work family that we do. We hope you feel this as you enter our door for every appointment!

Our office has partaken in several continuing education opportunities this year including expanded functions within implants, medical emergencies, IV sedation, anesthetic delivery, and Invisalign treatment. We are always looking for ways to learn, expand our skillset, and provide more services to our community. We truly believe that our small town deserves specialty care right here at home, and we will continue to do so in the years to come.

Our office is built on service, and it is our mission to utilize our skills and facilities to serve those in our community. We have had the privilege to volunteer in several great ways this year. For the first time this year, our office volunteered at the Good Neighbor Clinic where we provided free dental services to people in need in our community. Several of our staff also volunteered at the Blue Ridge Dental Clinic (BRDC) in Cashiers this year. The BRDC provides high-quality emergency, restorative and preventative dental care to people who cannot otherwise afford these critically needed services. We continued our Adopt-A-Street program and did our part to keep Franklin clean. Our office participated at Halloween in the Park where we distributed hygiene bags, toys, and a little bit of candy 😊 We worked closely with the town to re-paint the Gazebo downtown and had a blast restoring a staple in our town. We will continue to open opportunities where can provide for the dental and personal needs in our area and abroad.

We believe we live in the best community in the world. We are blessed by the people, our patients, and our team. The late Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The greatness of community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Thank you to the members of our community for your outpouring of love and support as we serve you year after year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Your Corbin Dental Family

Dental health and its role in your overall health

When assessing your dental health, do you feel like it is just confined to your mouth? Do the conditions of your teeth affect your heart? Can your dental health really affect your overall health?

Short answer: YES. Your mouth, saliva, gums, and teeth affect the rest of your body. They can give you a glimpse into your overall health, and maybe some underlying conditions you may or may not be aware of.

Your mouth is the entry way to your digestive and respiratory tracts. Most bacteria in your mouth is harmless, but if not cared for with good general oral hygiene, these bacteria could cause disease that affects other areas of your body. In return, certain medications can affect your overall oral health by reducing saliva flow and increasing the risk the of caries and slowly breaking down the enamel surrounding your teeth.

According to the Mayo Clinic, several conditions can be linked to oral health including:

Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.

Cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.

Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

In addition to regular visits with your general practitioner near you, it is just as vital to maintain your visits with your general dentist. In addition to routine cleanings and exams, here are some other ways to help protect your oral health:

• Brush your teeth two times a day, for a full two minutes each time. Soft-bristled and electric toothbrushes are recommended for best practice, along with fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss daily as bacteria like to attach to the flossing surfaces of your teeth. This is a common area for cavities!

• Fluoride mouth rinse daily.

• Maintain a healthy diet and minimize sugar intake and frequent sipping of sugary/acidic drinks.

• Speak with your provider about medications that may cause dry mouth to see if there are any alternatives.

At Corbin Dental, it is our mission to be the best advocate for your overall health. Your concerns are important to us and we will work diligently to get you on a successful track for oral health.

Good Samaritan Clinic

Our office had the privilege of volunteering for the Good Samaritan Clinic earlier this month. Living in a rural area, access to free or subsidized dental care is limited. With Medicaid reimbursements at an all time low, it is nearly impossible for offices to take it on. Medicaid clinics are sometimes a far drive and subsidized or free dental clinics are sparse.

To supply free quality services to our community, the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Franklin partnered with the Good Samaritan Clinic to help provide free services to Franklin. Services included dental, optometry, general physician check-ups, therapy, job fair, food pantry and more. Many local physicians, dentists, employers, and organizations volunteered their time and materials to help for a weekend of giving.

Corbin Dental offered their facility, materials, and staff to see nearly 30 adults in one day. We provided cleanings, x-rays, fillings and extractions. It was a busy day at the office but the appreciate of the patients was worth it all.

At Corbin Dental, our mission is to serve with Integrity, Service, and Excellence. We hope to continue to provide free days in the future, and provide an avenue for our citizens to have access to quality dental care. Thank you to the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Good Samaritan Clinic for letting us partake in the event!

Exciting News! We are growing!

It has been three years since starting Corbin Dental and we are so grateful for each one of you in your support, prayers, and generosity. Our patients are what keep us going, and it has been a fun beginning. 

We have exciting news to share with you. We are expanding! Our mission from the start has been to provide you with world-class care, right here at home. We have been in the position to expand for a couple of years, but we wanted to wait on the right people. It is important that we are intentional on each team member we bring on, as we want to continue to provide you with excellent care. We couldn’t be more pleased with our expansion and our new providers, and we would like to introduce to you Ashley Huff Collins, DMD and Cori Sellers, RDH. 

Dr. Ashley Collins

Joined June 2022

Dr. Collins is a North Carolina native, hailing from Southern Pines. She has known since she was 5-years old that she wanted to be a dentist. As a young child, she received dental treatment that instantly relieved pain and initiated a curiosity and passion for the art and science of dentistry. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from NC State University. During her freshman year, she met her husband, Hobe Collins. Not long after meeting, Hobe brought Ashley to his hometown of Franklin, where she fell in love with the beauty of our quaint, mountain town. Dr. Collins continued her education at NC State and received a Master’s of Physiology degree in 2017 and went out to pursue dental school at East Carolina University School. During dental school, Dr. Collins embodied the school’s mission of serving the underserved by volunteering at the Bernstein Clinic, Missions of Mercy, and the local food bank. She was selected as a J. Bradley Wilson Schweitzer Fellow, and logged over 100 project hours working in ECU’s Oral Medicine Clinic helping educate and treat patients with autoimmune diseases. During her fourth year of dental school, Dr. Collins provided care as a student doctor in rural areas across the state, as well as abroad in Bolivia. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine at ECU this Spring and now resides in Franklin with her husband and fur baby, Banks. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Collins and excited for what she will bring to our patients, our community, and our team!

Cori Sellers, RDH

Joined June 2022

 Cori Sellers, RDH joins our amazing hygiene team, and will work alongside Dr. Collins and Dr. Corbin in treating our patients with their hygiene and periodontal needs. Born in South Florida, her and her family moved to Franklin when she was two. Cori graduated from A-B Tech Community College in Spring 2022, where she obtained her Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Dental Hygiene. Despite being young in her profession she's incredibly passionate about patient care and strives to make patients feel comfortable in the dental chair. Her goal is to not only educate patients about the importance of oral health, but to reassure they are in a safe and confidential environment. Outside of dentistry, she has a passion for athletics and enjoys keeping active as much as possible alongside her fiancé, Eddie. While she still enjoys an occasional getaway to Florida's beautiful gulf coast, the mountains are home to her for many reasons, including the love she has for the small community she grew up in and the people within it.

Help us in welcoming our new providers! Both Ashley and Cori have a long list of people that admire them for their caring nature, hard work ethic, genuine personality, and passion for our profession and this area we call home. We are blessed to have the opportunity to grow, and continue to provide specialized, world-class care in Macon County. Thank you again for your continued support. We love our community!

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal

Disease

When you go to the dentist expecting to just get your teeth cleaned, and you hear the words “periodontal disease”, don’t let it scare you. We see it every day! Did you know that 47% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease? Let us help you understand what it is, how you treat it, and what to expect.

What is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal literally means “around the tooth”, so periodontal disease refers to the infection and inflammation of the gums, ligaments, or bone that surround your teeth, and can vary in severity. As the infection grows, your gums can detach from the teeth, causing mobility, and in worst cases results in loss of teeth. Periodontal disease has also been linked to increased risk and prevalence of heart disease and other medical issues.

What causes Periodontal Disease? There are a lot of causes of periodontal disease but the most common are:

• Poor hygiene – without daily brushing & flossing, and annual visits to your dentist, bacteria can build up underneath the gumlines… making it nearly impossible to remove without the assistance of a licensed hygienist.

• Smoking or chewing tobacco

• Hormonal changes

• Recreational drug use, such as smoking marijuana or vaping

• Obesity

• Dry mouth (caused by certain medications)

• Certain diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Chron’s disease

How can I treat it? If caught in the early stages (gingivitis), it can be treated by more frequent cleanings at your dental office. In some more advanced cases, a procedure called Scaling & Root Planning (SRP) is needed. This is completed by a licensed hygienist, and it is the removal of plaque, bacteria, and tarter (calculus) from underneath the gumline. This sometimes requires local anesthetic for the comfort of the patient and is completed in several visits. The goal of treatment is to prevent further deterioration of your gums and gain attachment, which is a sign of gum health. Once treatment is completed, a dentist will recommend a cleaning schedule that is appropriate – usually every 3-4 months. In very advanced cases, gum surgeries may be required to treat the periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is treatable, and it is up to the patient to be compliant with home care and follow-up after procedures for best outcomes. With dental intervention and excellent hygiene care, it can be controlled and progression can be stopped!

At Corbin Dental, we are passionate about educating our patients on all dental procedures. It is important to understand your dental health! Our staff is always welcome to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for choosing Corbin Dental where we provide world-class care with hometown service.

For more information on the content provided check out:

• https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473

Dental Implants

Overview:

There are a myriad of problems that can arise from missing teeth. Mental health issues from a lowered self-esteem or even nutritional impacts due to difficulty chewing and eating can greatly impact your quality of life. Dental implants are an increasingly popular way to restore your smile and bite back to full function. Corbin Dental is proud to offer this great service to our community, right here at home in Franklin.

What is the process like?

Dental implants are used as replacements for missing teeth. Your dentist places a medical-grade biocompatible titanium implant, which resembles a screw. In some cases, a ceramic implant may be used if the patient has a metal allergy. Following a healing period, the implant is ready to restore any teeth are attached. Implants can be used as a sturdy base for either removable dentures (full or partial) or permanent teeth that are fixed to the implant. The fully restored implant looks and acts like a tooth. 

What are the benefits?

Three of the main benefits of dental implants include: improving nutritional health by allowing you to chew better, improving self-confidence, and preventing long-term irreversible damage to otherwise healthy teeth. 

When you have missing teeth, it can be difficult to chew and digest food properly. it's easy to feel bad about your appearance and not smile as often, which can give off the wrong impression. Dental implants offer the best long-term solution for tooth replacement and provide the same function as the teeth they replace. Dental implants restore your smile and bite and give you back the confidence you may have lost. Missing teeth and traditional dentures can cause irregularities in speech patterns and may cause you to mumble or stutter over your words. Because dental implants are secure in your jaw, you don’t have to worry about stumbling over your words because of slipping or missing teeth. A missing tooth can lead to deterioration of the jawbone and other health issues. Placement of dental implants prevents the shifting of teeth when one is missing. Implants can help you look and feel great and restore your smile and bite with a long-lasting solution.

If you’d like to be confident in your smile again, set up an appointment with Corbin Dental today.

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Wisdom Teeth

Between ages 16 and 21, most adults will develop their third set of molars. These molars are more commonly called wisdom teeth. Some people will have their wisdom teeth grow in and not experience any trouble at all, but for the majority, wisdom teeth can create multiple issues. 

Discomfort from the eruption (breaking through the gums) of wisdom teeth comes because of limited space for the teeth to erupt. In some cases, wisdom teeth are impacted (have yet to break through the gums) and can be stuck beneath the gums and/or jawbone.

There are three types of impaction:

1. Soft tissue impaction: There is limited space available for the wisdom tooth to completely erupt and they are covered by the gums either partially or completely. There can still be a small opening near the wisdom tooth that allows food debris and bacteria to surround the tooth. This can lead to inflammation and ultimately infection.

2. Partial bony impaction: The tooth is partially covered by jaw bone and is unable to erupt on its own due to several factors, including position and limited remaining space in the jaw. This situation can lead to several potential problems and the tooth is likely to never become functional.

3. Complete bony impaction: The tooth is completely embedded in the jaw bone and requires more complex surgery to remove it. The position of the tooth and/or the available space for eruption can cause this type of impaction. The tooth is likely never become functional and very well may cause damage to adjacent teeth or jaw structures.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause symptoms including swollen and tender gums, bleeding gums, jaw pain, swelling or stiffness in the jaw, bad breath, and difficulty opening your mouth. 

Third molars should be evaluated annually from the time the patient is a young adult. 9 out of 10 people have at least one wisdom tooth that can’t break through the gums in an upright position. If left alone, an impacted wisdom tooth can become infected or damage neighboring teeth. It can lead to gum disease, damage to adjacent teeth, development of a cyst, or infection.

It’s best to have wisdom teeth removed before they fully develop. The best window for wisdom teeth to be removed is when the roots are about halfway developed. This can be evaluated by a routine exam and x-ray here at Corbin Dental. As a general rule, healing from surgery is faster and more predictable if wisdom teeth are removed in the young adult years, prior to the age of 25. We offer IV sedation for this procedure to provide comfort during wisdom teeth removal. With Dr. Corbin’s diverse skillset from his unique education and training, we provide several specialty procedures here in Franklin, including wisdom tooth removal and IV sedation. If you have questions or would like a consult to discuss wisdom teeth with your hometown dental professionals, give us a call today at Corbin Dental.

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When To Start Brushing Your Child’s Teeth

Massaging your infant’s gums while teething is not only soothing for the child, but it also begins teaching your child to become familiar with brushing. Wiping a baby's toothless gums with a wet washcloth after feedings can also promote gum health as it removes surface bacteria that can cause inflammation. 

Once your child’s first teeth have come in, use a soft toothbrush, which you can use on both the teeth and the gums. Dr. Matt Corbin with Corbin Dental recommends brushing your child’s teeth twice per day for two minutes with short, circular movements to reach all tooth surfaces.

Knowing when a child is capable of brushing their own teeth effectively can be tricky. Dr. Corbin suggests following the rule of thumb that if a child is capable of tying their own shoes, then they are able to brush their teeth effectively. Until then, parents should do the brushing to make sure all surfaces are reached appropriately. 

Fluoridated toothpaste is one of the best and safest ways we can prevent cavities. Fluoride works to protect teeth by making them stronger and more resistant to cavities and can even help arrest or reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Once those first teeth start coming through the gums, it is safe to begin brushing them using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. At age 3, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and have your child spit after brushing.

For more information about your child’s dental health, call Corbin Dental in Franklin, NC today to schedule an appointment. 

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What are sealants?

Sealants are a fast and easy way of protecting your child’s teeth because they act as barriers to cavity-prone areas. They are applied without having to cut the tooth and are able to cover and seal deep pits and grooves that are more susceptible to cavities. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens with a special dental light.

While brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, toothbrush bristles may not reach all the way into deep grooves to remove food and plaque. Dr. Matt Corbin at Corbin Dental relies on the use of sealants to protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. The sealant alone is not a fix-all and should be used with good oral hygiene as well. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and typically last for many years.

For more information about sealants and other routine care services at Corbin Dental in Franklin, NC, schedule an appointment today. 

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When should you schedule your child’s first dental visit?

Many American children don’t see their family dentist until they are well over 2 years old, which is far later than recommended by professionals. Dr. Matt Corbin supports following The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendation to have your child’s first dentist visit before their first birthday. 

Getting your child to the dentist before their first birthday not only ensures those first teeth are growing in as they should, but it also introduces your child to the dentist to help build their confidence and trust in future appointments. It’s also great to bring small children along with older siblings that are comfortable in the dental chair.

The first dental appointment is also just as important for parents, as they get a chance to talk to the dentist about oral health care for children, nutrition, and fluoride and how it plays into the overall health of your child’s teeth. The risk for tooth decay begins as soon as teeth begin to erupt. Having a dentist examine your child’s teeth early on can help prevent any issues from arising or correcting small problems before they become bigger ones.

Children begin to lose their primary or “baby” teeth around 6 years old, however, they typically don’t lose all of them until 11 or 12 years of age. Failing to properly take care of primary teeth at the early stages can result in overcrowding problems with adult teeth or other functional issues. 

Call Corbin Dental in Franklin, NC today to set up your child’s first dental visit.

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Flossing Your Child’s Teeth

Per guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA), Dr. Matt Corbin at Corbin Dental recommends that you start flossing your child’s primary (baby) teeth as soon as you see there is contact (no space) between them. Toothbrushes can reach all surfaces of teeth if there is adequate space between them, but when that space closes, flossing is the best way to remove plaque from between the teeth.

If not removed effectively, plaque between the teeth can cause cavities to form in this area. Remember, parents will need to floss for young children and supervise older ones. Flossing can be difficult for children to master alone and it is important to establish regular flossing habits if you want to give them optimal oral health by the time that they reach adulthood.

The act of flossing should be performed once each day. The floss should go all the way down the tooth and underneath the gum line. You should form a “C” shape to hug the tooth to make sure you get all the way around the surface of the tooth. 

To learn more about dental health for your child, schedule an appointment at Corbin Dental in Franklin, NC today.

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