The hardest dental problems to fix are usually the ones nobody noticed in time. A small cavity, a patch of irritated gum tissue, or an unusual spot on the tongue can all start quietly, which is why a thorough checkup does so much of the heavy lifting in a healthy mouth.
Travis J. Calhoun, DDS, welcomes patients from Spruce Pine and the Toe River Valley who want a careful, prevention-minded approach paired with experienced general and restorative dentistry. Dr. Travis has cared for patients in western North Carolina for more than 30 years, and our fee-for-service office in Asheville is built for unhurried, thorough visits.
Spruce Pine is about an hour northeast of Asheville, depending on the route and the weather. It is one of the longer drives to our office, and we would never pretend otherwise. For patients who make it, the value is a dentist who looks at the full picture and gives straight answers.
Spruce Pine is known well beyond the mountains for the high-purity quartz mined in the surrounding district, a material used in making semiconductors. Closer to home, it is a small town with a downtown perched above the North Toe River and a deep community of artists and craftspeople. It is a place where people value work done carefully, and we hold our dentistry to the same standard.
A single thorough visit can catch issues long before they turn into emergencies. During your exam, Dr. Travis evaluates your teeth, gums, and soft tissues, and our digital x-rays reveal decay between teeth and below the surface. Our oral cancer screenings are part of that same careful look.
Some habits raise the stakes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes more than 40% of adults ages 20 to 64 who smoke cigarettes have untreated cavities, compared with about 20% of adults who never smoked. If you use tobacco in any form, regular checkups give you the best chance of catching changes early.
A little preparation goes a long way when your dentist is an hour away. Bring a current list of medications, your dental insurance information, and a note of anything that has been bothering you, from sensitivity to a sore spot on your gums. The more we know going in, the more we can accomplish during a single appointment.
It also helps to tell us about your schedule when you call. Our team can talk through your needs and help you plan visits in a way that makes sense for the drive. First-time patients can review our new patient information ahead of time to save a few minutes at check-in.
When a trip takes an hour each way, it helps to have one office that can handle most of your needs. Here is a look at the care Spruce Pine patients can expect from our team.
Our two experienced hygienists are a real point of pride for our practice. Routine exams and cleanings with our hygiene team focus closely on gum health, which plays a major role in keeping your natural teeth for life.
When decay or damage does appear, Dr. Travis repairs it conservatively. Treatment may range from a simple filling to a crown or root canal therapy, and our Trios digital scanner replaces traditional impression trays for a more comfortable experience.
A sudden toothache is miserable at any distance. If you are dealing with severe pain or a knocked-out tooth, reach out to our office as soon as possible so our team can advise you on what to do next.
Choosing a dentist outside your county is a real decision, and we work to make it a good one. Here is what you can count on when you visit.
Every one of those qualities comes back to the same idea, which is care you can rely on for the long term.
A lifelong Asheville native trained at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Calhoun has spent over 30 years rebuilding smiles throughout western North Carolina, from a single filling to a full arch restoration.
Dr. Travis knew as a seventh grader he wanted to follow his father into dentistry, and he has spent his career doing just that. After his undergraduate years at the University of Georgia and dental school at UNC Chapel Hill, he returned to Asheville to practice, and you can read Dr. Travis’s full story on our website.
CareCredit financing is available for larger treatment plans, so cost does not have to delay the care you need. When you are ready for a thorough checkup or help with a problem tooth, contact our office to request your appointment.
Questions about payments and financing options? Give us a call at (828) 277-2722.
