Ridge Augmentation

Sometimes in order to place a dental implant, there is first some work that needs to be done to the jawline. When teeth go missing, the jawline can begin to deteriorate. In the case where the ridge is not large enough to successfully hold a dental implant, it will need to be built up with a ridge augmentation. Here at Smiles of Cary, we can perform ridge augmentations for our patients right here in our Cary, NC office.

In order to perform a ridge augmentation, first, your doctor will lift the gums away from the bone. Bone graft material will then be placed into the area where the bone has deteriorated. Afterwards, the incision is closed and allowed to heal. The augmentation will take about twelve months to fully heal. During this time, the bone graft material will not only bond with your jawbone, but it will also promote the growth of even more jawbone. The end result is a strong jawline that is big enough to host a dental implant. Depending on your specific case, a dental implant may be able to be placed during the augmentation procedure or after the twelve-month healing period.

If permanent tooth replacement sounds like the route you would like to go, set up a consultation with us. To learn more about ridge augmentation or dental implants, call Smiles of Cary at (919) 462-3350 or visit our website, www.smilesofcary.com. 

Scaling and Planing Procedure

Gum disease can be painful, it can affect the look of your smile, it can cause the loss of teeth, and it can affect overall health. At Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, we take gum disease seriously. One of the ways we fight gum disease is by performing scaling and planing procedures.

Gum disease can create deep pockets in the gums where bacteria can build up. A scaling and planing procedure removes the bacteria so the area can heal without infection. The scaling portion of this process removes the bacteria that sit below the gum line. A tool is used to scrape the tooth’s root clean of plaque and tartar. This will remove most of the bacteria. Then, the planing portion of the procedure smooths down the tooth’s root, so that any rough patches where bacteria could hide are removed.

Gum disease can lead to disastrous oral health along with increased risks of heart attack and stroke. If you are showing signs of gum disease such as red, bleeding, or painful gums, be sure to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. It becomes more difficult to treat gum disease the longer it goes on.

To learn more about the scaling and planing procedure, do not hesitate to ask us questions. To schedule an appointment with Smiles of Cary in our Cary, NC dental office, call us at (919) 462-3350 or visit our website, www.smilesofcary.com. 

Different Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why a patient may need a tooth extracted. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary will try his best to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. You’re probably most familiar with wisdom teeth extractions, but other reasons for the procedure may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you experience tooth pain of any kind, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.smilesofcary.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call 919-462-3350.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bones supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you suffer from sensitive gums, it’s not too late, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.smilesofcary.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call 919-462-3350.

The Root Canal Procedure

If the cause of your teeth pain is serious decay or infection in the tooth pulp, Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary may recommend a root canal. We understand that the term might be scary for patients to hear, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to describe the procedure in hopes that it puts a candidate at ease.  

The root canal procedure itself requires one or more office visits and can be performed right here in the office. The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Levenson will make an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling. After the empty space is cleaned and shaped, your dentist will fill the root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. There may be some soreness after the procedure, but that is perfectly normal.

If you are experiencing pain in your tooth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.smilesofcary.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call 919-462-3350.

Snap-On Smile

Do you want to makeover your smile without undergoing extensive dental procedures? If you answered yes, then Snap-On Smile might be for you. Snap-On Smile works exactly like it sounds. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile – even if you have chips, gaps, or missing teeth. If you’ve always desired a “Hollywood Smile,” Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary can give you the one you’ve always dreamed of.

For many people, Snap-On Smile can be life changing because it gives the patient confidence to smile. Snap-On Smile’s unique, proprietary formula of hi-tech dental resin makes it very thin yet extremely strong. Additionally, you can eat and drink with your Snap-On Smile. It’s easy to care for and can be a temporary or permanent cosmetic solution. On your first visit with us, you will pick the shade and style of your smile.  We will then take an impression of your teeth so the Snap-On Smile can be properly fitted. In about three weeks, you will return for your final fitting and you will leave the office with a brand new smile.

If you are missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.smilesofcary.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call 919-462-3350.

Arestin for Fighting Gum Disease

Gum disease can create deep pockets in the gums which collect bacteria and perpetuate the condition. When scaling and root planing, here at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, we like to use Arestin. Arestin is an antibiotic applied right to the source of the gum disease.

Hard-to-reach bacteria deep down by the tooth’s root can become stuck and continue the cycle of gum disease. A scaling and root planing is performed to remove the hardened tartar from the tooth and the tooth root. We then smooth down the surface of the tooth’s root so that bacteria cannot hide in it. We then add Arestin, an antibiotic made of microspheres. We place Arestin into the gum pocket to help kill any leftover bacteria. The tiny microspheres are not visible to the naked eye, and they dissolve on their own. This means there is no need to go back to the dentist to have them taken out, like antibiotic fibers of the past. In addition, they are time-released, so they keep working long after they are applied.

If you are having a periodontic procedure done to fight gum disease, ask us about Arestin. To schedule an appointment at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call our office at (919) 462-3350 or visit our website, www.smilesofcary.com.