Smith Family Dentistry is a family dentistry for more reasons than onenot only do we serve whole families, with expertise in both child and adult dental care, but we are also a family-run dentistry, with a long history as dentists in Charleston. Three generations of the Smith family have devoted their lives to taking care of peoples teeth, and after all those years of dental care we have still held to the same principles: top rate, comprehensive dental services, at a price you can afford. Whether you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in Charleston, the Smith family can help take care of your teeth with professionalism and efficacy, and in a welcoming environment!
Born in Morgantown, West Virginia and raised in Charleston, Dr. J. Christopher Smith is a third generation dentist, following his father Dr. Richard Duff Smith and his grandfather Dr. Ralph S. Smith. Chris earned his bachelors degree in food science technology from Virginia Tech in 1997 and later completed his dental degree at West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 2001. He has been a long time member of the American Dental Association, Kanawha Valley Dental Society, Academy of Operative Dentistry, Charleston Dental Study Club, International College of Dentists, and the West Virginia Dental Association, of which he is the president.
The oldest major honorary organization for dentists, The American College of Dentists, recently inducted Chris as a fellow, attesting to his outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to dentistry and society.
When he is not being a dentist in Charleston, Chris spends his free time fishing, traveling, playing golf and skiing. Chris wife Sarah is a dental hygienist, and together they have two lovely children.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Dr. Richard Duff Smith is a second generation dentist, son to Dr. Ralph S. Smith and a graduate of Virginia Tech. He completed dental school at the University of Maryland and a masters in anatomy at West Virginia University. He joined his late fathers practice in 1977 and has been a dentist in Charleston ever since. Dr. Smith is a member of the American Dental Association, West Virginia Dental Association, Kanawha Valley Dental Society, International College of Dentists, Academy of Operative Dentistry as well as the American College of Dentists. Dr. Smith and his wife Kathy have three sons, the eldest being Dr. J Christopher Smith. When hes not practicing cosmetic dentistry in Charleston he loves visiting his four delightful grandchildren.
At Smith Family Dentistry, our mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality dental care to the families of Charleston, West Virginia. Much of our work focuses on keeping the teeth healthy and preventing or treating dental decay but we also provide treatment for other related conditions, like dry mouth. Chronic dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is more than just an irritation. It may signify an underlying dental problem. That's why we're here to help you treat it.
We all suffer from a dry mouth occasionally, whether form dehydration, stress, or normal fluctuation in saliva production. But when dry mouth persists, it's called xerostomia, and it's a cause for concern.
Normally, the salivary glands produce saliva to keep the mouth moist. But if those glands stop functioning properly and don't secrete enough saliva, the mouth can feel dry. This is more than just a mild annoyance. Chronic dry mouth can have a variety of repercussions, including:
If your dry mouth is caused by a medication or medical condition, talk with your doctor about ways to manage the side effects. In addition, there are several at-home remedies you can try to get relief from dry mouth:
If you have a missing tooth (or missing teeth), you may feel like a beautiful smile is permanently out of reach. However, when you come to your cosmetic dentist in Charleston, WV, our entire team here at Smith Family Dentistry can help you restore your smile. While there are many different options for tooth replacement, you wont find a more efficient solution. If youre unfamiliar with dental implants, wed like to take the time to explain more about them by answering some of these frequently asked questions.
A dental implant is a small, titanium post thats inserted into a patients jawbone in order to replace the roots of a missing tooth. It requires a minor surgical procedure for it to be placed and after it has properly fused with the jawbone, a lifelike porcelain crown will be attached to it. In many cases, itll take several months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone so until that occurs, youll have to wear a temporary crown on the implant that will be placed on the day of the surgery.
Not only can you get a dental implant to replace a singular tooth, but you can use them to replace multiple teeth and even all of your teeth as well. You wont even need to get a dental implant for each tooth you replace either; as few as two implants can support a removable lower denture while as few as four implants can provide a permanent set of either top or bottom teeth.
Thankfully, most people find it very easy to tolerate dental implant surgery. If you have any discomfort after the operation is over, you can typically manage it by using ice or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers.
While our Charleston, WV dental implants may be more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, they offer the most efficient long-term solution. Theyre much more durable and last many years longer than other tooth replacement options, making them a terrific investment in your future health, comfort, and well-being.
One of the great things about dental implants is that they require the exact same care as the rest of your teeth. While dental implants wont decay, the gum tissues around them can become inflamed or infected. Just make sure to brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, and visit your dentist in Charleston, WV once every six months to keep them in optimal shape. If you properly care for your dental implants, they can last a lifetime!
No, implants cant be rejected because they dont contain living cells or genetically coded material. A dental implants titanium is completely biocompatible and any allergies to it are incredibly rare. However, an implant can fail to integrate with the jawbone if good oral hygiene isnt maintained and an infection develops or if its subjected to strong biting forces too soon. With that being said, a dental implant failing is very rare; implants have shown to succeed in over 95 percent of all cases.