News

Those in the eastern Carolinas considering undergoing dental implant surgery will have the opportunity to get an up-close, hands-on demonstration of the Yomi robotic dental system, the only FDA-cleared robot-assisted dental surgery system in the country, at Kimbrell’s parking lot on Friday, Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. hosted by Carolina Dental Specialty Center (DSC), the first and only dentistry in eastern North Carolina to use Yomi.

Taking place at 1370 Western Blvd., the open-house event will allow those in attendance to see how Yomi operates and can even use the robotic dental system themselves on a synthetic dental model to better understand the precision and steadiness of the device, allowing for smaller, more accurate incisions and quicker recovery times than traditional surgeries.

Carolina DSC will be giving away a free consultation and x-ray to one lucky attendee following the event, with the winner scheduled to be determined on Sept. 23.

Additionally, those attending the live demonstration will receive a free goodie bag along with chapstick, sunglasses, frisbees, beach balls, koozies and toothbrushes.

As one of the few periodontists in the country using the state-of-the-art, robot-assisted technology, Dr. Jose Arauz, founder of Carolina DSC, has been utilizing Yomi since February of 2020 when his practice first acquired it.

“Ever since we brought Yomi into our office, we’ve had a significant technological advantage over traditional methods of dental implant surgeries,” said Arauz, who has been practicing dentistry in Jacksonville since 2007. “We’re excited to open our doors to the public so they can see for themselves just how effective our robotic dental system is when it comes to minimally invasive procedures.”

To date, Arauz has utilized the Yomi robotic system on 171 dental surgeries — including 250 dental implants installed — that allow his patients to experience less discomfort and faster recovery times compared to traditional dental implant surgeries.

The Yomi system offers precise and accurate physical guidance through haptic robotic technology, which constrains the drill during procedures. This level of automated assistance provides Arauz with complete control and allows for clear visualization of the surgical site.

Carolina Dental Specialty Center, a Jacksonville periodontistry specializing in robotic dental implants, has added a new, advanced method of teeth cleaning known as Guided Biofilm Therapy to its services, saving their patients time and discomfort during routine cleaning procedures while more effectively preventing periodontal and peri-implant diseases. 

In partnership with EMS Dental, the inventor and manufacturer of the Guided Biofilm Therapy procedure, the latest concept in plaque removal allows periodontists at Carolina DSC to remove layers of dental plaque from patients’ teeth and gum pockets using advanced tools and technology, including the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master. 

This technology combines high-pressure airflow with a fine erythritol powder to thoroughly, safely and comfortably remove biofilm, stains and young calculus deposits on natural teeth, gum pockets, restorations, and implants, providing the least-invasive method of teeth cleaning.

“Because of its many health and cosmetic benefits, this procedure is well on its way to becoming the preferred method among dentists for cleaning teeth,” said Dr. Jose Arauz, founder of Carolina DSC. “Our patients are experiencing less discomfort and cleaner teeth thanks to GBT. And what many people don’t realize is that practicing and maintaining  good oral hygiene not only provides health benefits to your teeth and gums, but can improve overall health and wellbeing, too.” 

Dental biofilm is the primary contributor to caries, periodontal and peri-implant infections, which can increase the risk of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease, arthritis or diabetes. According to Arauz, preventing the buildup of biofilm around teeth and gums can improve overall health and wellness.

Additionally, a confident smile and smiling more often helps reduce the body’s response to stress and lowers the heart rate in stressful scenarios, according to the National Institutes of Health. When those who are less confident in their teeth smile less, their body reacts less favorably to stress, causing high blood pressure and other health complications that can lead to a decrease in life longevity.

With the addition of Guided Biofilm Therapy to its repertoire of services, Carolina DSC adds to its list of medically-advanced procedures aimed at reducing discomfort and procedure time for its patients. These procedures include the enlistment of Yomi Robot-Assisted Dental Systems, the first and only robot-assisted dental surgery system to be commercially available in the country.

On Thursday, Dr. Jose Arauz, a Jacksonville periodontist and founder of Carolina Dental Specialty Center, is set to conclude his five-month local outreach program designed to educate Jacksonville dentists on the benefits of robotic dentistry, as well as offer his practice as a resource as it remains one of the few in the country certified to use Yomi — the only FDA-cleared robot-assisted dental surgery system in the U.S.

Referred to as “Lunch and Learns,” Arauz will visit his eighth and final practice in the Jacksonville area since December, where he has been educating local dentists of the benefits that robotic dentistry can have on patients requiring dental implants, including shorter surgeries, quicker recovery times and less pain — setting a new standard for dental implant procedures in eastern North Carolina.

“It’s extremely important that other dentists in the Jacksonville area are aware of the benefits associated with robotic dentistry,” said Arauz, who has been using Yomi for dental implant surgeries for more than two years. “Using robotics for dental implant procedures allows us to perform complete full arch surgeries in about 90 minutes and dual arch surgery in about 2.5 hours. This translates to faster surgery, faster recovery and ultimately less pain for their patients. We want other dentists to know that this capability, while rare, is available to their patients right here in Jacksonville.”

According to Carolina DSC, their practice is the first and only in eastern North Carolina to use Yomi. To date, Arauz has performed procedures using the Yomi robotic system on 147 patients, including 219 dental implants installed.

“Dentistry, like all medical fields, is constantly changing and evolving,” said Dr. Jeff Scott, founder of Crystal Coast Dentistry in Cape Carteret. “Having someone in our area like Dr. Arauz who is staying in step with the latest advancements in medical technology doesn’t just benefit his practice; it helps all dentists in the Jacksonville area who trust him with the health and wellbeing of our patients.”

“[Arauz] is very thorough and has equipment that I’ve never seen before in a periodontist office,” said Fred Beacham, a patient of Carolina DSC who underwent an immediate implant placement using the Yomi robotic system. “Dr. Arauz is the best I’ve had over the past 15 years and I’ve been in a [dentist] chair for quite a few years.”

Utilizing robotics within dental implant surgeries allow patients at Carolina DSC to experience quicker, sometimes same-day procedures, which reduces recovery time and pain. Yomi offers haptic guidance to assist dental surgeons with placing implants, erradicating small, involuntary movements often experienced when performing surgery manually.

Yomi also features collaborative surgical planning tools, allowing for 3-D renderings of the patient’s procedure to be uploaded into Yomi’s software, providing a digital gameplan for the robotic system that allows for accurate and precise implant placement during surgery.

Yomi Robot-Assisted Dental Systems were designed by Neocis, which has partnered with avant-garde dental surgeons across the U.S., including Arauz, to establish robot-assisted dental surgery as the new standard of care for dental implants. Yomi is the first and only robot-assisted dental surgery system to be commercially available in the country.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C.— Carolina Dental Specialty Center, a Jacksonville-based dentistry specializing in periodontics, is celebrating Dental Assistant Recognition Week by decorating their office and attire in purple, the unofficial color of the dentistry profession.

Additionally, Dr. Jose Arauz, founder of Carolina DSC and a board-certified periodontist, is gifting his dental assistants with notepads, keychains and more to commemorate his appreciation for his staff’s diligence.  

“Dental Assistant Recognition Week every year is a well-deserved occasion that I look forward to celebrating every year,” says Arauz. “I cannot thank my staff enough for the hard work, dedication and care each dental assistant in my office shows their patients. I could not ask for a better group of professionals.”

“It is really nice to be appreciated in an office I have only been working with since November,” said Tyler Kiefer, dental assistant with Carolina DSC. “The notebooks and socks will be something I use while performing my daily tasks, they are so cute.”

Held during the first full week of March each year, Dental Assistant Recognition Week was established by the American Dental Assistant Association (ADAA) to recognize dental assistants and the impact they have on the dental industry. 

According to ADAA, the theme for 2022 is “Dental Assistants: Passionate About Our Patients, Dedicated to Our Profession,” and acknowledges the growing importance of dentistry’s role in health care and the responsibilities of dental assistants.

The official symbol of dentistry incoporated the color of lilac in 1897 by the National Association of Dental Faculties, which signifies compassion and inspiration.

Carolina Dental Specialty Center is offering select services free of charge to veterans who schedule an appointment during the month of February. 

According to their promotional flyer, Carolina DSC will provide a free comprehensive exam and x-rays to qualified veterans who are new patients of the practice. While the appointment may take place any time throughout the year, veterans must schedule an appointment between now and Feb. 28 to be eligible for the free services.

“Jacksonville has such a strong military community, and each and every one of them has signed a blank check to this country to protect Americans and our way of life,” says Dr. Jose  Arauz, founder of Carolina DSC and a board-certified periodontist practicing dentistry in Jacksonville for 15 years. “Because they sacrifice so much, we want to give back any way we can and we believe providing them with the first steps to healthy oral hygiene free of charge is a great place to start.” 

Now in its fourth year, Carolina DSC’s “We Love Our Vets” annual promotion has helped 18 veterans obtain free dental services.

Carolina DSC asks that veterans who are interested in utilizing the promotion contact their office at (910) 577-1315 and mention the “We Love Our Vets” campaign to get started. 

Qualified veterans are asked to bring a copy of their DD214 to their consultation visit. 

For more information on Carolina Dental Specialty Center and their “We Love Our Vets” campaign, please visit their website at www.CarolinaDSC.com or call (910) 577-1315.

The Carolina Dental Specialty Center is scheduled to be a sponsor and vendor at the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission’s (JOSC) 2022 Fit4U Fitness & Health Expo presented by Clean Eatz on Saturday, Jan. 15 from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Northside High School located at 365 Commons Drive S.

The Fit4U Fitness and Health Expo, which saw more than 600 attendees at its inaugural event in 2020, provides an atmosphere for people to connect with local businesses, organizations and like-minded individuals who are striving to live healthier. The expo plans to feature raffles, giveaways, a “Fabulous 5K” charity run and more than 35 vendors specializing in health and physical fitness.

“We created this event so people could find out what it means to truly be ‘fit for you,’” said Scott Smith, executive director of JOSC. “Attendees can find tons of resources — everything from healthy eating to martial arts to running shoes and more. The only way to truly take in everything the expo has to offer is to attend it yourself.”

Attendees will be provided a stamp card upon arrival to document their engagement with vendors. Those who visit at least half of the event’s vendors will receive one ticket to enter the raffle, while those who visit every vendor will receive three tickets. The raffles will feature health-conscious prizes, including a running package valued at $65, massage vouchers, Apple AirPods and more.

“We’re so proud to support this event because it gathers so many members of our community to promote good health and overall wellness,” said Dr. Jose Arauz, Jacksonville periodontist and founder of Carolina Dental Specialty Center, a vendor and sponsor of this year’s Fit4U expo. “With the new year upon us, many people have set goals and expectations when it comes to their health, and we want to provide whatever resources and information we can for those interested in improving their oral hygiene.” 

Admission to participate in the Fabulous 5K is $5 with proceeds benefiting JOSC, which plans to use the funds to create new events, as well as foster economic development and quality of life through sports in Jacksonville and Onslow County. 

Those interested in participating in the charity run have until 7:45 a.m. the day of the event to sign up. Runners unable to attend in person can participate virtually by signing up through the JOSC race web site at www.racejosc.com.

Those looking for more information on the Fabulous 5K, prizes or any other information pertaining to the Fit4U Health and Fitness Expo are encouraged to visit www.playjosc.com/fit4u.

Dr. Jose Arauz shares financial planning advice for patients considering dental implant surgery in 2022

As people finalize their list of New Year’s resolutions, some may be considering investing in a new smile for 2022. While that may mean a teeth-whitening session or wearing plastic aligners, others may require dental implants to correct imperfections, which can be costly. With that, Dr. Jose Arauz, a Jacksonville periodontist and founder of the Carolina Dental Specialty Center, is sharing tips to help others financially plan for a new smile through dental implant surgery.

According to the National Institutes of Health, smiling more often helps reduce the body’s response to stress and lowers the heart rate in stressful scenarios. When those who are less confident in their teeth smile less, their body reacts less favorably to stress, causing high blood pressure and other health complications, which can lead to a decrease in life longevity.

Aside from aesthetics, dental implant surgery can help to prevent and eradicate periodontal diseases that can lead to more serious conditions, such as cardio-vascular disease (CVD), diabetes and even preterm births, according to Arauz. 

While choosing to have a healthier and happier smile seems simple, treatment plans like dental implant surgery can be expensive, sometimes costing $30,000 per arch, making it difficult for most to pay by themselves or all at once.

“We understand that not everybody can write a check that will completely cover their dental implant surgery, but that doesn’t mean getting implants is an impossibility,” said Arauz, a board-certified periodontist practicing in Jacksonville for the last 14 years. “There are several financial options that patients can explore to give them the smile they want and regain their confidence.”

Arauz and his clinic recommend patients explore the following financial options when considering dental implant surgery:

• Dental Insurance. Patients exploring dental implant surgery as a treatment option should consult their clinic about who their in-network dental insurance providers are and what the process is for filing with out-of-network insurances. Be sure to request a pre-treatment estimate for services to submit to your insurance company before undergoing any major treatments.
• Dental Loans. Dental loans are a particular type of personal loan meant to pay for medical expenses. Compared to generic personal loans, some dental loans offer lower interest rates, different term lengths or higher borrowing amounts. Dental loans are often unsecured loans, meaning that the policyholder does not have to put up collateral to the lender to get a loan. Credit companies like CareCredit, LendingClub and GreenSky, which are all accepted by Carolina Dental Specialty Center, offer various plans to match individual needs.
• In-House Payment Options. Some practices offer various payment arrangements to help patients pay for their treatments without a third-party financial provider. Because each patient and case is different, those looking to work out a payment schedule should consult with their dental care provider about what payment plans are available for them.

For more information on various treatment plans and payment options, visit our Payments & Benefits page.

via Morgan Starling – The Daily News

A Jacksonville dentist is taking dental surgery to the next level with the first and only robot-assisted dental surgery technology in Eastern North Carolina.

Dr. Jose Arauz of the Carolina Dental Specialty Center, located at 200 Doctors Drive Suite N in Jacksonville, is one of only approximately three North Carolina dentists currently using Yomi, which according to a news release, allows him to operate with a never-before-seen level of accuracy and efficiency.

The release stated that Yomi helps Arauz plan the surgery before, then gives him real-time guidance during procedures. Even though the technology is robotic, Arauz maintains control at all times, as “Yomi augments rather than overrides his expertise.”

“It minimizes the human error, but takes advantage of the human mind in the brilliant aspect,” said Arauz.

Arauz received Yomi in February of 2020, and since then has had 188 implants placed using the robot.

Dr. Arauz’s robot is one of only three in North Carolina, the other two of which are in Raleigh. MORGAN STARLING/THE DAILY NEWS

Arauz said he discovered the robot at an implantology conference in Orlando in 2019, and felt the robot would be the perfect solution to some of his problems.

Prior to the robot, Arauz and his staff would have to use a static guide, which they’d have to put on the teeth and it would remain there. They would have to then send the guide to a lab, which would sometimes take four to six weeks to get back, which would also make treatment more costly.

“From a business standpoint, this is not good because the patients are not happy, the referral doctors that are referring here are not happy because you cannot see them soon enough,” said Arauz.

Additionally, according to Arauz, there is no price increase for patients to have surgery this way, and it also is less costly for the office than working with the dental laboratories.

“It was out of a need for being able to guide for precision and accuracy, but not having to wait four-to-six weeks to really get to take care of patients more efficiently,” said Arauz. “So, that became a resolution for our practice.”

With robotic technology, though, comes some skepticism from patients. However, others are excited for the chance to experience it and even ask for pictures and videos to be taken of them in the process.

The robot’s tracking arm gets connected to the patient’s mouth and has a haptic sensor.

Dr. Arauz shows The Daily News parts of the robot and how it works. MORGAN STARLING/THE DAILY NEWS

“I think that patients are already scared being here because there’s nothing here that doesn’t involve cutting. Normally, everyone will be apprehensive,” said Arauz. “I feel there is a little bit of excitement, and there is a little bit of intimidation as well.”

Arauz said the patient comes for a tooth, not an implant, but the implant is a means to an end and has to happen before the patient can get the tooth, and their goal is to make people feel as comfortable as possible.

“You want to walk into a place and feel comfortable,” said Marketing Director and Event Coordinator Kayla Anderson. “That’s what we aim to do here.”

Despite the success of the robot, Arauz and his staff have encountered malfunctions, as with any technology, but none have been major and all were fixed right away due to what Arauz calls Yomi’s “unbelievably good” customer service.

“They’re always listening to the feedback of the customers, the users, and they are daily working on a series of projects from that list to be able to improve it,” said Arauz.

He said nothing is going to be 100%, but the important part is to be honest about it and address and fix the problem.

As the robot continues to improve and change the way dental surgery is done, Arauz looks forward to continuing to serve the patients of Jacksonville with what he considers some of the best technology.

“I would want the best results for me, my friends, my family,” said Arauz.

For more information, visit our Dental Implant Robotics page!