Dr. C. Elaine Brown completed her undergraduate BS degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She attended UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry to receive her D.D.S. degree with honors in periodontics. Dr. Brown continued her training at UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry to earn her masters and certificate in Periodontics in June 1996 by completing the three-year postgraduate program.

Dr. Brown grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, where her dental practice is located. She is proud to have provided periodontal services to residents of the area since 1996. She values her patients and the unique challenges that each patient presents and enjoys working with patients and their regular dentists to achieve the best results possible for their dental health.

Dr. Brown is a member of the following organizations:

• The American Dental Association
• The American Academy of Periodontology
• The North Carolina Dental Society
• The North Carolina Society of Periodontology
• The Guilford County Dental Society

Dr. Brown is family-oriented and loves spending time with family and friends. Dr. Brown and her husband have been married since 1993. They enjoy playing with their Keeshonden and watching movies. Dr. Brown likes to decorate their home for holidays and special occasions. She also enjoys taking trips to the beach or mountains.

What is Periodontics

Periodontics is a specialized area of dentistry which involves the management and treatment of diseases (and injuries) of the gums, connective tissue and bone surrounding and supporting the teeth.

Along with Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, and Prosthodontics, Periodontics is one of the nine specialties of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Oral Hygiene & Periodontal Care

For further information please visit the following links:

American Academy of Periodontology (www.perio.org)

American Dental Association (www.ADA.org)

Bone Graft Material (www.Lifenet.org)

Arestin- localized anitibiotic therapy (www.ARESTIN.com)

Patient Information

First Appointment

Your regular dentist may have referred you for a limited or comprehensive periodontal exam to evaluate the health of your gums. Our office also provides these exams if you do not have a regular dentist. To make registration more convenient, you can download our new patient information forms from our website, print them, and fill out these forms prior to your appointment. The forms can also be mailed to you if you prefer. Please arrive 10-15 mins prior to your scheduled appointment with your completed forms. Your medical and dental history will be thoroughly reviewed. Please allow 1 hour for a limited exam and 11/2 to 2 hours for a comprehensive exam. Digital x-rays (full-mouth series or individual) may be taken and a detailed evaluation by Dr. Brown is performed with patient comfort as top priority. Treatment is usually not provided at this appointment unless you are in discomfort or have severe infection. A treatment plan review appointment is scheduled 1-2 weeks after this exam. This allows Dr. Brown’s office to properly review with you the findings from the exam, Dr. Brown’s proposed treatment plan, and insurance/finance information.

Patient Information

We are welcoming new patients. Our office hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm with lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Hygiene appointments are available Wednesday-Thursday. Each individual appointment requires specialized time and preparation to offer you the best care available. This time is reserved especially for you and we make every effort to see you at your reserved time. Therefore, it is very important that you arrive on time and keep all of your appointments. In the event that you need to reschedule an appointment with our office, a 48 hours’ notice is required. This is to allow our staff to accommodate other patients. Our office will contact you 2 business days prior to your appointment for confirmation. If we have to leave a message, then we need you to call our office to verbally confirm your appointment.

Insurance

Payment in full is expected at the time of treatment for patients who do not have dental insurance coverage. If you do have dental insurance, we will file your insurance as a courtesy, but we do require that you pay your co-pay at the time of treatment. We will do our best to give you as accurate an estimate on treatment as we can, but please realize that our estimate is based on the information an insurance representative gives us over the telephone. We will be glad to submit a pre-authorization with your insurance carrier; just put in that request with our administrative staff. We do ask that you keep in mind that a pre-authorization can take 30 days to receive back from the insurance company, and it too, is not a guarantee of payment. Any amount unpaid by your insurance is your responsibility.

We are currently in the network with the following insurance companies:

• Delta Dental
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield
• Cigna (most plans but depends on how the policy was contracted)

Forms of Payment

For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Payment can be divided into 2 monthly installments if necessary. We also offer a 6-month no interest or an extended 24-month payment plan with CareCredit if you qualify. The 24-month payment plan is set up on low monthly payments but it does accrue interest. You may apply online by visiting www.carecredit.com or call 1(800)365-8295. Please note this office is not affiliated in any way with CareCredit. We provide you with information about this company only as a courtesy to you.

Services

Your regular dentist will refer you to Dr. Brown’s office when your treatment requires the specialized services that Dr. Brown can provide. To relieve any fears and apprehensions you may have concerning what to expect and the treatment needed, Dr. Brown’s well-qualified and experienced staff will explain in detail your individualized treatment plan, the length of time it will take to complete the treatment, the cost and answer any questions you may have. Dr. Brown and her staff want you to receive the best care possible in a welcoming and comfortable environment.

From the beginning stages of gum disease to cosmetic or more advanced procedures, Dr. Brown offers these non-surgical as well as surgical services.

Oral Sedation

We are pleased to provide options for oral sedation. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation can be used to decrease patient anxiety and increase comfort during our procedures. Please ask about this service if you are interested in learning more.

Non-surgical Services

The early stages of periodontal disease can be successfully treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy. The goal is to create conditions that will allow the tissues in the mouth to heal and become healthy. As a part of this treatment, Dr. Brown offers these services:

• • Comprehensive Exams and Limited Exams
  • Digital X-rays
  • Scaling and Root Planing
  • Localized Antibiotic Therapy
  • Supportive Periodontal Therapy (Dental Cleanings)

Surgical Services

Periodontal disease can progress to a point where the only effective treatment is periodontal surgery. This is minor surgery using local anesthetics that is performed in Dr. Brown’s office.

Deep pocket formation in the tissues surrounding the teeth, bone loss, and teeth roots that are exposed due to gum recession (pulling away from the teeth) are conditions that can be treated with surgical techniques.

Dr. Brown offers the following surgical services:

• • • Osseous Surgery
    • Soft Tissue Grafting
    • Crown Lengthening
    • Anterior Aesthetic Crown Lengthening
    • Gingivectomies
    • Soft Tissue Biopsies
    • Mandibular Tori Reduction
    • Extractions
    • Bone Grafting and Extractions
    • Ridge Augmentation (Bone Grafting)
    • Bone Regeneration
    • Socket Preservation