Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, you can, but whether or not the new teeth are attached to the implants on the same day they are placed depends on your bone. Further, attaching the new teeth on day 1 is often not the best choice for the long term health of the implants. 

The All-on-X system is a revolutionary way to replace an entire arch of missing teeth using four to six strategically placed dental implants. It’s efficient, secure, and designed for long-lasting, natural-looking results.

How It Works 

Our Salisbury implant dentist strategically places four implants in your upper or lower jaw, angled for maximum stability. A custom, full-arch prosthetic is then secured to these implants, often on the same day as surgery. That means you can leave your appointment with a complete set of teeth!

Patients love All-on-X because it:

• Looks and feels like natural teeth
• Allows you to eat, speak, and smile confidently
• Can require less bone grafting than traditional methods
• Offers faster healing and shorter treatment timelines

This solution is especially ideal for patients who've struggled with dentures or are facing the loss of multiple teeth. 

What to Expect

Our dentists take a thorough, personalized approach to your care, especially when it comes to life-changing treatments like dental implants or All-on-X. Before moving forward, we’ll carefully evaluate your bone health and oral anatomy to determine if you’re a good candidate for implant-supported restorations.

From there, we’ll walk you through the process so you know exactly what to expect and feel confident in your decision. We also work hand-in-hand with trusted local specialists to ensure every phase of your care is coordinated and seamless.

Get Started Today!

Call us today to learn more or book your consultation. 

Bone grafting is often needed when a patient doesn’t have enough jawbone to support a dental implant. It’s a common part of the dental implant process, especially if it’s been a while since the tooth was lost or if there’s been bone loss due to periodontal disease or trauma.

How It Works

Bone grafting adds or restores bone to areas where it's too thin or soft to hold an implant. At Brown & Fortner Dental Group, we offer straightforward bone grafting procedures, but we do not perform sinus lifts. We focus on areas that can be safely and effectively grafted without needing to lift or manipulate the sinus cavity.

You might need bone grafting if:

• Your tooth has been missing for several months or years
• You’ve had gum disease that caused bone loss
• You’re planning an implant in a site where the bone is naturally thin

Why Bone Grafting?

The grafted bone acts as a scaffold, encouraging new bone growth and creating a stable foundation for your future implant. It may sound complex, but we’ll guide you through the process and make sure you're fully prepared for a successful outcome.

Call Us Today 

Call us today to learn more about bone grafting at our Salisbury, NC, dental office.

We offer tooth-colored fillings at our dental office in Salisbury, NC. Although the American Dental Association deems silver amalgam fillings safe, patients and our doctors alike choose tooth-colored fillings for smile restorations.

Here are three reasons why we love composite fillings:

1. Natural-Looking Appearance — We exclusively use composite (tooth-colored) fillings at Brown & Fortner Dental Group because we believe in combining health, function, and aesthetics. Composite fillings blend seamlessly with your natural tooth color, so you don’t have to worry about visible fillings when you laugh or talk.
2. Safe and More Conservative — They’re also safer and more conservative! Unlike amalgam, which requires removing more healthy tooth structure to place, composite fillings bond directly to the tooth. This also allows us to preserve more of your natural enamel and reduces the risk of cracks or fractures in the future.
3. Metal-Free — Another reason we’ve moved away from amalgam is that composite materials don’t contain metal, which some patients prefer to avoid. We aim to provide care that’s in line with modern best practices and tailored to your long-term health.

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Salisbury, NC

If you need a filling or are interested in replacing an old silver one, we’d be happy to talk you through your options and what to expect.

Are you unhappy with your smile? We offer a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments designed to enhance the look of your teeth while keeping your oral health a top priority. We provide treatments for touch-ups and full smile makeovers in Salisbury, NC.

Cosmetic Treatments We Offer

• Professional Teeth Whitening — Professional teeth whitening includes in-office and take-home options that lighten tooth color and reduce surface stains from factors such as coffee, tea, wine, or aging.
• Porcelain Veneers — Veneers are made from thin porcelain designed to cover the front surfaces of teeth. They can correct discoloration, gaps, chips, or minor misalignments.
• Dental Bonding/Composite Veneers — Dental bonding and composite veneers are a tooth-colored resin we use to reshape or repair small imperfections like chips, cracks, and uneven edges. 
• Tooth-Colored Fillings — These metal-free fillings can restore decayed teeth while maintaining a natural look, perfect for visible areas.
• Smile Makeovers — A smile makeover is a personalized combination of cosmetic and restorative treatments, often including crowns, veneers, and implants.

Start with a Cosmetic Consultation

Your first step is a one-on-one consultation where we’ll discuss your goals, evaluate your current smile, and give you the information you need to make the best choice for your teeth. We’ll show you examples, explain each option, and help you decide what feels right.

Let’s create a smile that reflects your personality and brings joy every time you see it in the mirror. Ready to get started? Give us a call today!

With proper care, a crown or bridge can last 10 to 15 years, sometimes even longer. At Brown & Fortner Dental Group, we use high-quality, lifelike materials to ensure your restoration not only looks great but also holds up to everyday use.

What’s the Typical Lifespan?

Crowns and bridges are designed to be durable, long-term solutions, but like your natural teeth, they still need care to stay strong and beautiful. The exact lifespan depends on factors like:

• Your oral hygiene habits
• How you bite or chew
• Whether you grind your teeth

We’ll always assess your bite before placement to make sure your restoration is set up for success.

How Should I Care for My Crown or Bridge?

Great care starts at home. Here’s how to keep your crown or bridge in top shape:

• Brush and floss daily, just like you would with natural teeth.
• Use a floss threader or water flosser to clean under bridges.
• Avoid chewing ice or hard objects, which can damage restorations.
• Visit us regularly for exams and cleanings. We’ll check the integrity of your restoration each time.

Even though crowns and bridges aren’t natural teeth, they still rely on the health of the surrounding gum and bone. With a little maintenance and regular care, your restoration can keep your smile strong and functional for years to come.

Dental Crowns and Bridges in Salisbury, NC 

Call us today for custom-made dental crowns and bridges at our dental office. 

Dental implants are often considered the gold standard in tooth replacement, and for good reason. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are designed to replace the entire tooth structure, including the root. That means better stability, greater comfort, and improved long-term health for your jawbone and surrounding teeth.

Here’s how they compare:

• Dental Implants — We surgically place titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. They integrate with your jawbone and prevent bone loss and offer unmatched strength. Topped with lifelike crowns, they look and feel just like natural teeth.
• Dental Bridges — A good option when neighboring teeth are healthy enough to support the restoration. However, dental bridges may require the shaping of natural teeth for crowns to fit and hold the bridge in place. Also, bridges don’t protect the underlying bone from deterioration like dental implants do.
• Full Dentures — Full dentures are affordable and removable. They restore function and appearance, but they may slip, require adhesives, and need frequent adjustments. 

Call Us for Dental Implants in Salisbury, NC 

At Brown & Fortner Dental Group, we walk you through every option so you can make a confident choice. Are you looking for a secure, long-lasting, and natural-feeling option? Dental implants may be exactly what you need!

We invite you to book a consultation to determine if a full smile makeover is right for you. 

A full smile makeover is a customized plan to restore the appearance and function of your teeth. A smile makeover can help if you’re dealing with multiple concerns:

• Missing teeth
• Worn enamel
• Discoloration
• Uneven spacing
• Previous dental work

A smile makeover in Salisbury, NC, typically includes a mix of cosmetic and restorative treatments, such as:

• Porcelain veneers
• Crowns or bridges
• Dental implants
• Composite dental bonding
• Professional teeth whitening
• Full-mouth all-on-4® restorations in more complex cases

How It Works

Our dentists start with a detailed consultation and digital imaging, then map out a phased plan tailored to your goals, health, budget, and timeline. Each treatment builds upon the next to create a cohesive, confident smile you’ll be proud to share with the world. There's nothing better than having a healthy, fresh smile you love and feel good about. 

Full smile makeovers are ideal for patients who:

• Have neglected their smile for a while
• Feel self-conscious about how their teeth look
• Want to improve both function and aesthetics at the same time

Full Smile Makeovers in Salisbury, NC 

We’re here to help you love your smile again! Call us today to book your consultation with Dr. Brown or Dr. Fortner at Brown & Fortner Dental Group.

At Brown & Fortner Dental Group, we recommend that most patients visit us every six months for a routine exam and professional cleaning. These regular checkups are key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy and catching potential issues before they become bigger problems.

Why Twice a Year?

Plaque and tartar can build up even with excellent brushing and flossing at home. During your cleaning, our hygienists use specialized tools to remove buildup in hard-to-reach areas, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease. Exams also give Dr. Brown and Dr. Fortner a chance to check for early signs of decay, oral cancer, and other concerns that might not yet be causing symptoms.

Some Patients May Need More Frequent Visits

If you have a history of gum disease, a lot of dental work, or a condition like diabetes that affects oral health, we may recommend coming in every 3–4 months. We’ll let you know what’s best for your oral health.

Preventive Care Pays Off

Routine visits help protect your health and your wallet. Preventive care is more affordable and far less stressful than treating a dental emergency down the road. We're here to make your visits easy, comfortable, and worthwhile.

Call us today to learn more or book your appointment. 

The short answer is: not anymore! Thanks to modern techniques and advanced local anesthesia, root canals today are no more painful than getting a filling.

Why Need a Root Canal? 

A root canal becomes necessary when the inner pulp of your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, usually from:

• Deep decay
• Cracks or fractures
• Trauma

What to Expect 

The procedure involves gently removing the damaged tissue, disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then sealing it to prevent future issues. Most of the time, we’ll also place a crown afterward to restore strength and protect the tooth long-term.

Comfort Is Our Priority 

We make comfort a top priority. We use precise digital imaging to diagnose issues early and take extra time to ensure you feel at ease during every step of the process, and after, too.

You can reach us at (704) 636-1848 or contact us online.

Everyone's smile is unique, so we recommend scheduling an appointment to determine if it's right for you. 

Porcelain veneers are one of the most versatile and transformative cosmetic treatments we offer. They’re thin, custom-made shells that we bond to the front of your teeth to correct issues like: 

• Chips
• Discoloration
• Gaps
• Uneven sizing
• Minor misalignment

What's the Process?

The process starts with a consultation to talk through your goals and evaluate whether veneers are the best choice. If so, we’ll prepare the surface of your teeth, take digital impressions, and work with a dental lab to create veneers that match your desired shape and color. Once they’re ready, we’ll bond them in place and make any final adjustments to ensure a natural, comfortable fit.

Why Veneers?

Veneers are durable, stain-resistant, and can last well over a decade with proper care. They’re ideal for patients who want a dramatic smile transformation without undergoing orthodontics or multiple treatments.

What to Expect 

Keep in mind that because we remove a small amount of enamel, veneers are considered a permanent procedure. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. If you're ready to love your smile every time you look in the mirror, veneers might just be the perfect fit.

Call us today to schedule your appointment.