The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas

The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas (OSIC) is excited to expand their practice into Asheboro, NC. The practice strives to provide an incredible experience of superior oral surgery care and was founded on the principles of compassionate care, innovative techniques, and overarching love for patients and the community. The staff commonly refer to it as the “OSIC Experience.”

The practice owner, Dr. Christopher L. Durham is a North Carolina native. He was born and raised in Henderson, NC. and obtained both his bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following dental school, he completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, VA. Dr. Durham is Board Certified and a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), American Dental Association, Greensboro Medical Society, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, National Dental Association, and North Carolina Dental Society.

While attending college in Chapel Hill, he met his wife, Alison. They returned “home” to North Carolina in 2011 and settled in the Triad and started their family. They have three children: Channing (10), Emory (8) and Ophelia (6). “We were excited to return south after residency. The Triad area gives us access to many beautiful areas to hike, bike and kayak. We’re also only a few hours from the mountains or the coast,” explained Alison.

Dr. Christopher Durham began working with Dr. Bill Brown in 2011, specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He was made a partner of “Brown & Durham” in 2012 and took over the practice in 2016 when Dr. Brown retired. At that time, the practice was rebranded "The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas." The practice recently celebrated their 16th anniversary. Dr. Christopher Durham has remained committed to the founding principles and to continuing the mission

of providing a superior oral surgery experience.

In 2021, Dr. Marina Bonaventura, a local oral surgeon with an office in Asheboro decided to retire and began looking for just the right person to purchase her practice. She knew Dr. Durham professionally and contacted him because she wanted someone who would take good care of her patients and provide the local community a great option for oral surgery without having to travel to Greensboro if they chose not to. Dr. Durham took over the practice in Asheboro in March and has been busy updating the office and equipment, in addition to seeing patients. All of the office staff that worked with Marina have stayed on and now work for The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas.

With the addition of the Asheboro office and a commitment to provide an optimal experience for patients and referring doctors, Dr. Durham hired Dr. Kristen Kilgore as a part-time practitioner who travels up from Charlotte to work in the Asheboro office several days a month. In addition to Dr. Kilgore, Dr. Darren Cross will be joining the practice full-time in July and will be located in the Asheboro office. They will begin looking for one or two more staff

Dr. Christopher Durham

Dr. Durham reviewing a patient's records

members to round out the team in Asheboro over the next few months.

“Dr. Cross brings 35 years of oral surgery experience to the practice. He has worked in private practice and academics while training oral surgery residents” states Dr. Durham. Dr. Cross received his Dental Degree from Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. He went on to complete his residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Howard University Hospital and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences Antigua School Medicine in St. John, West Indies. Dr. Cross is double board certified and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Many local dentists refer patients to The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas. “Chris is an excellent oral surgeon and I have referred many patients to him over the years. I’m glad to see him expanding his practice here in Asheboro.” Dr. Henry Vruwink.

Oral surgeons are the known experts in Dentoalveolar surgery. Services the office provides includes wisdom teeth extractions, l tooth extractions, facial trauma, bone grafting, oral pathology (cancer of the head, neck, and mouth), phrenrectomy, and dental implants (which can include one tooth or a full mouth restoration).

Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 which is known as the age of wisdom, according to Dr. Durham. The hallmark of wisdom tooth eruption is often pain and crowding. “We see an increase in students in the summer months. When school is out, it's often an ideal time for students who have academic and extracurricular demands during the school year to have their surgery and have extra time to recover,” explains Dr. Durham.

Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth and created to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They are a good long-term solution because they are in your jawbone. Unlike a fixed bridge or removable dentures, dental implants will not affect neighboring healthy teeth or lead to bone loss in the jaw. If properly cared for, dental implants last a lifetime. “Dental Implants and Full Mouth Restorations are life altering procedures” states Dr.

Durham. ‘Implants not only restore a patient’s smile, but increase their self-confidence, decreases bone loss which can accelerates facial aging, improves speech, and eliminates diet restrictions that exist when wearing traditional dentures.”

The team at the Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas will evaluate your individual situation at your initial consultation visit. Implants are a team effort between the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and your restorative dentist. The oral surgeon performs the implant surgery, initial tooth extraction(s) and bone grafting if needed.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are also specially trained to treat injuries to the face. The Doctors at the Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas have privileges at several local hospitals and can provide treatment for facial lacerations; intra oral lacerations; knocked out teeth; fractured facial bones (cheek, nose, or eye socket) due to car accident or injury; and fractured jaws (upper and lower jaw).

The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas also has a strong belief in giving back to the local and global community. The practice volunteers and gives back to local organizations. One that Dr. Durham is most proud of the STEM partnership with Guilford County Schools. Each year they provide four $500 scholarships to STEM high school teachers to use for class projects, supplies, or trips. The students vote for their favorite STEM teacher and are awarded the check in their classroom. “My science and math teachers were very influential in my path to becoming an Oral Surgeon and I thought this was a great way to thank teachers and inspire students to enter STEM fields.” The Oral Surgery Institute has given scholarships to teachers at 30 of the 34 Guilford County High Schools. They will give to the remaining 4 this year with plans to start the list again in 2023.

The practice has also recently supported The Greensboro Children’s Museum, Family Services of the Piedmont, Guilford Green, National Conference for Community and Justice, the United Way of Greater Greensboro, Greensboro Medical Society Foundation, Jack & Jill of America Foundation, Crescent Rotary Club Foundation, and Greensboro Downtown Greenway. Dr. Durham is looking forward to getting the practice involved in Asheboro and Randolph County organizations and being a long-term partner to the Asheboro community. “We have a family zoo membership and have explored several restaurants and shops downtown. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming.”- Dr. Durham

The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas’ Asheboro office is located at 303 Ross Street, just behind Randolph Health. Dr. Durham and the entire team at the Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas are looking forward to getting to know the Asheboro and Randolph County communities. Most patients are referral based, but you can call the office at 336.318.1014 to set up a consultation.

Dr. Chris, Alison, Emory, Ophelia and Channing Durham