Dr. Barnes is a specialist in Periodontics and Dental Implantology. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Barnes graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in 1990. He then received his specialty training in Periodontics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1992.

We strive to make your visits with us as comfortable and pleasant as possible by creating a warm and caring environment. We strongly believe that our patients comfort is an important part of quality dental care. We are here to listen to your questions and concerns and to help provide solutions leading to your better health. Please dont hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions regarding your care.

Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum (periodontal) disease than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected by periodontal disease at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums which gradually destroys the support of your natural teeth. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions.

When left untreated, periodontal (gum) disease can inevitably lead to tooth loss. The term periodontal means around the tooth. Therefore, periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

The infection starts when the gums become inflamed due to bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. While this is often the main cause of periodontal disease, other factors can also be attributed to affecting the health of the gums and bone, including smoking or tobacco use, stress, genetics, pregnancy, medications, diabetes and/or poor nutrition.

Good oral hygiene and regular visits with your dentist and periodontist can prevent periodontal disease. Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum and in conjunction with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, can keep your teeth healthy for life.

Gingivitis is perhaps the mildest form of gum disease. While the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, there is very little to no discomfort associated at this stage of the disease. Through a good oral hygiene regimen and treatment from your dentist, the results of gingivitis can be reversed.

Periodontitis is another form of periodontal disease and can be aggressive or chronic. Aggressive periodontitis displays rapid bone destruction and attachment loss in clinically healthy patients. Chronic periodontitis is one of the most common forms of periodontal disease and is frequently seen in adults. The stages progress slowly and can be recognized by pocket formation and possible gum recession.

In certain cases, periodontal surgery may be recommended to treat periodontal disease when non-surgical treatment is ineffective. We may advise procedures such as pocket reduction, soft tissue grafts or bone regeneration to treat periodontal disease. If a tooth has been lost due to periodontal disease, dental implants are always an option for permanent tooth replacement.

When patients lose a tooth or teeth due to trauma or periodontal disease, dental implants are an ideal option for patients with good general oral health. Implants look and feel like your own teeth and can last a lifetime if given the proper care and maintenance.

Dental implants aid in replacing a single tooth, several teeth or even all of your teeth. The implant itself looks like a screw or cylinder and is placed into the jaw. Over the period of 3-6 months, the implant and jawbone bond together to provide an anchor for the crown. An abutment is used as an extension to complete the foundation for the new tooth to be attached.

Sometimes several teeth need to be replaced, and implant-supported bridges are a prime option as opposed to removable partial dentures. The bone is better preserved with implant-supported bridges as they permanently replace your teeth that have been lost.

Replacing all of your teeth is also possible with implant-supported full bridges or implant-supported dentures. Patients are able to preserve their natural bite with implants and achieve more comfort and stability than with conventional dentures.

Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining good dental health, it is especially important when a patient has received a dental implant. Bacteria can attack sensitive areas in the mouth when teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, thus causing gums to swell and jaw bones to gradually recede. Recession of the jawbone will weaken implants and eventually make it necessary for the implant to be removed. Patients are advised to visit their dentist at least twice a year to ensure the health of their teeth and implants. Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care.

Our practice is committed to bringing the safest and highest quality of care to our patients. Our state-of-the-art system enables us to provide greatly improved diagnostic capabilities to our patients while significantly lessening their exposure to radiation by up to 80 percent over film x-rays. We know this will be very important to many.

While traditional film x-rays have been the standard for diagnosing dental problems for the past 90 years, digital x-rays offer substantial benefits over film. Our patients find it is more comfortable than film, and its a real time-saver over the previous technology.