Simple Truths about Dental Implants, from Your Mansfield, TX Dentist

Posted August 23, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

Have you considered getting dental implants? If you’ve answered yes, then this article may prove quite beneficial for you. Many patients who would like implants, don’t know much about the procedure or the tooth replacement itself. To help those patients wanting implants, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist shares some facts about dental implants

Dental Implant Facts You Should Know

Tooth loss plagues many Americans. Finding a tooth replacement isn’t uncommon in the U.S. In fact, more than 65% of Americans between the ages of 35 to 44 have at least one missing tooth. Additionally, 25% of Americans over the age of 75 have endured complete tooth loss.
The most natural tooth replacement option. Out of the available tooth replacement options, dental implants appear the most natural. The crown is porcelain made, which mimics natural teeth perfectly. Moreover, the titanium metal implant serves as a replacement tooth root. Together, those components create a restoration that’s practically identical to natural teeth.
Dental implantation is an ancient practice. Back in 600 AD the first bouts of dental implantation began. Oftentimes, cultures removed their natural teeth to replace them with implanted gold teeth to showcase their wealth.
No cavities. With a dental implant there isn’t any need to worry about developing a cavity; the material won’t become infected by oral bacteria. However, your Mansfield, TX says to remember the rest of your healthy teeth. Those remaining teeth can still become susceptible to oral diseases and ailments. Therefore, take care to continue a sound teeth cleaning routine at least twice a day.
Jaw bone and tissue stimulation. An implant is the only known tooth replacement that can stimulate the jaw bone and surrounding tissues. With a restorative method, such as a dental bridge or a partial denture, the pieces simply sit atop anchoring teeth or the gum line. Yet, the implant is anchored within the bone, which allows the hard and soft tissues to regenerate and stay healthy.

Mansfield Dental Associates Can Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants

Dental implants have become a popular tooth replacement for many patients who have endured tooth loss. If you would like more information about having an implant procedure, talk to Dr. Jones. He can explain the benefits and detail what to expect throughout the process. To schedule an appointment with our Mansfield, TX dental practice at (817) 259-1357. Also, visit our website to view services and learn more about our team. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Mansfield, TX Dentist Suggests Some Partial Denture Alternatives

Posted August 16, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

As tooth replacement options go, partial dentures prove quite popular amongst patients with one or just a few missing teeth. Though this solution may seem simple, partials require diligent cleaning and general care.

Your Mansfield, TX dentist, Dr. S. Blair Jones provides alternative solutions to partial dentures to ensure his patients make the correct tooth placement choice.

Before Electing Partial Dentures, Consider These Alternatives

Dental implants. For patients who only have one missing tooth, a dental implant may prove as the most effective method. Partial dentures require nightly removal and a gentle cleaning method. However, a dental implant provides patients with a substitute tooth root and a natural-looking crown, which allows the restoration to go virtually undetected. With a dental implant, you can restore you smile permanently.
Furthermore, should the dentist find that your jaw bone has atrophied slightly, ask about using a mini dental implant (MDI) instead. An MDI is half the size of a traditional dental implant and work better for patients who have suffered with untreated tooth loss for years.
Dental bridges. A partialdenture is essentially a removable dental bridge. Yet, with a bridge patients can feel more secure with their tooth replacement since it’s also a permanent solution. A bridge contains three main components: two anchoring crowns and one or many pontics (false teeth).
For placement, your Mansfield, TX dentist simply bonds the two anchoring crowns to the healthy teeth bordering the missing tooth gap. A bridge is a relatively quick restoration that lasts for many years with proper at-home care. Plus, a bridge is just as affordable as partials.
Crowns. Oftentimes, when a tooth is severely decayed, a patient opts for an extraction rather than a repair for fear of the procedure. While this solution does work, dentists usually prefer to save the tooth whenever possible—keeping the tooth prevents jaw bone atrophy in the future. In such instances, the dentist may suggest a crown.
Should the patient agree, the doctor removes the decay and fills the tooth. As reinforcement method, a crown is placed to restore the tooth’s integrity and strength. The result is perfectly functioning tooth sans the need for an extraction.

Mansfield Dental Associates Offer Patients Tooth Replacement Options

Don’t commit to partial dentures before considering every available option. Dr. Jones wants his patients to have the necessary information to choose the correct tooth replacement method. To schedule an appointment with our Mansfield, TX dental practice at (817) 259-1357. Also, visit our website to view services and learn more about our team. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Some Signs Could Mean a Need for Dentures, Says Mansfield, TX Dentist

Posted August 9, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

Patients who receive tooth replacements like full-blown dentures undergo the many symptoms associated with tooth loss. If the signs have been tended to, patients usually recover. On the other hand, those who choose to carry on sans dental visits, lose their teeth. To avoid future tooth loss, your Mansfield, TX dentist, Dr. S. Blair Jones, talks about the signs that point to a decline in your oral health.

If These Apply to You, Dentures May Appear in Your Future

Skipping the dentist. Going to the dentist is one of the best ways to prevent tooth loss. The dentist not only completes a dental cleaning, he examines your mouth, too. Dr. Jones checks for tooth decay, symptoms of gum disease, even screens for oral cancer. However, those who choose to not visit a dentist may have one of those ailments and never know. Then, the issue only progresses until the disease advances too far. Instead, your Mansfield, TX dentist recommends completing bi-annual checkups for a clean bill of oral health.
Ignored gingivitis. When gums bleed easily, feel tender, and swell, you display signs of gingivitis, which is the earliest form of gum disease. Luckily, gingivitis is incredibly treatable, and if you get to dentist soon enough, he can eradicate its presence. Yet, if you choose to ignore the problem, gingivitis will eventually advance to periodontitis. With periodontitis comes tooth loss, which is where the dentures would come in.
Teeth and bite changes. A telltale sign of tooth loss is a change in the way your teeth fit. If your teeth become loose, your bite changes, or your teeth start to separate away from the gum line, your gums have already lost the ability to retain your teeth. Unless immediate treatment begins, you’re bound to suffer tooth loss.
Missing teeth. For patients who already have a few missing teeth, you’re more susceptible to future tooth loss. A lack of tooth roots weakens the integrity of the jaw from insufficient stimulation to the bone and surrounding tissues. Typically, a dentist recommends a tooth replacement option, such as a partial denture or dental implants.

Consult with Your Mansfield, TX Dentist about Dentures

If you would like more information about dentures, talk to Dr. Jones. He can tell you the reasons why many Americans experience tooth loss and how dentures can help. To schedule an appointment with our Mansfield, TX dental practice at (817) 259-1357. Also, visit our website to view services and learn more about our team. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Caring for Porcelain Veneers: Mansfield, TX Dentist Tells You How

Posted August 2, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

If you’ve recently gotten porcelain veneers, there some aftercare instructions to follow to ensure longevity. In the following blog post, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist, suggest tips for porcelain veneer wearers.

Avoid Staining Your Veneers

Typically, when someone has stains on their teeth from consuming dark colored foods and beverages, they usually resort to teeth whitening products. Oftentimes, a quick bleaching treatment can lift those surface stains, resulting in a beautifully vibrant smile.

Unfortunately, patients with porcelain veneers don’t have the same luxury. When veneers become heavily stained, replacement is the only way to reverse the stains—a repair that can cost over $700 per tooth. That’s why avoiding as many staining foods possible is key to prolonging the life of your veneers. These foods include:

Coffee and tea
Wine
Berries, such as: blueberries, blackberries, and cherries
Sodas
Dark colored sauces, such as: tomato and soy sauce

Your Mansfield, TX dentist also reminds his patients to take into account the use of tobacco products. Smoking and dipping causes veneers to stain, leaving unsightly brown spots throughout your smile; this advice extends to non-veneer wearers, too.

Gentle is the Best Approach

Natural teeth tend to have durable qualities; however, porcelain veneers have more fragility and require gentle, yet, diligent care. In other words, brunt force to your veneers can cause them to crack or break off altogether. When that happens, the entire veneer requires a replacement. To avoid such costly repairs, refrain from biting down on hard objects, such as:

Fingernails
Ice
Bobby pins
Nutshells
Bottle caps

These items don’t bode well for natural teeth either, which means veneers have an even lesser chance of withstanding the impact.

Talk to the Associates at Mansfield Dental about Porcelain Veneers

For more information about porcelain veneers, talk to Dr. Jones. He can formulate a specific care guide for your veneers to ensure your smile stays beautiful for years on end. To schedule an appointment with our Mansfield, TX dental practice at (817) 259-1357. Also, visit our website to view services and learn more about our team. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Mansfield, TX Dentist Classifies the Types of Gum Disease

Posted July 26, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

Gum disease (or periodontitis) isn’t a black and white disease; its development and progression is easily affected by a number of internal factors. Since it’s such a tricky disease to suppress after it reaches a certain point, dentists try to keep patients vigilant of the signs. Furthermore, periodontitis has varying degrees, which sometimes make treatment difficult.

To inform his patients on the different types of gum disease, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Manfield, TX dentist, provides the following blog.

The Different Faces of Periodontitis

Aggressive periodontitis. This type of gum disease is often seen in patients who generally have sound overall health. With aggressive periodontitis, patients tend to endure rapid bone loss and tooth detachment. Oftentimes, aggressive periodontitis stems from a genetic predisposition; although, pregnant woman can also experience aggressive periodontitis. If you have a particular predisposition to periodontitis, take care to visit your Manfield, TX dentist frequently.
Chronic periodontitis. Patients with chronic periodontitis, don’t experience the same rapid progression than those with aggressive periodontitis do. Typically, if you’re suffering from chronic periodontitis, it developed from gingivitis. Though chronic periodontitis still causes tooth and bone loss, the progression occurs at a much more manageable rate. In other words, a dentist can treat this type of periodontitis much more effectively.
Periodontitis as part of systemic disease. A systemic disease is one that affects the organs, such as: the heart, lungs, and pancreas. Patients with heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes have an increased risk of developing periodontitis, also.
Necrotizing periodontal disease. Auto-immune infections like HIV or bodily conditions like malnutrition can cause periodontitis. These ailments tend to leave open sores on the body—and in the mouth—which can become infected. Those oral infections usually cause periodontitis.

Visit Mansfield Dental Associates for Periodontal Treatments

If you display the signs of gum disease, consult with Dr. Jones as soon as you can. The faster treatment begins, the greater likelihood you have of recovering successfully. To schedule an appointment with our Mansfield, TX dental practice at (817) 259-1357. Also, visit our website to view services and learn more about our team. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Mansfield, TX Dentist Weighs In: The Benefits of Dental Mouthguards

Posted July 19, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

Dental mouthguards offer many benefits to users. In fact, one of the best ways to protect your smile during rigorous activities is by using a mouthguard. These also work wonders for patients who suffer with nighttime bruxism (or teeth grinding).

Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist discusses the advantages of dental mouthguards with his patients in the following post.

Advantages to Wearing a Mouthguard

A couple of reasons make dental mouthguards valuable and useful; the first applies to athletes. If you’re an athlete, regardless of age, your teeth have been placed in a vulnerable position. In those situations, they’re more prone to injury and fracture. Additionally, wearing a mouthguard helps prevent bone and tooth root damage. Furthermore, with a mouthguard, your teeth can’t make contact with the soft tissues in your mouth, such as the lips, tongue, and cheeks; this also decreases the possibility of causing damage to those areas.

The second reason why mouthguards have proven beneficial is to prohibit teeth grinders from harming their teeth. Teeth grinding or clenching tends to happen while people sleep. This can cause headaches, jaw pain, and the development of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Should you fall under these categories, your Mansfield, TX dentist strongly urges patients to start using mouthguards.

Types of Dental Mouthguards

Stock mouthguards. This type of dental mouthguard is easy-to-find—at practically any sporting goods store—and ready-to-use right out of the package. The downside to stock mouth pieces is the size, which only comes in small, medium, or large.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards. These mouthguards have a malleable fit. The thermoplastic material that softens in hot water, which is then contoured to your teeth.
Custom-fitted mouthguards. A custom-made mouthguard is the best way to protect your smile. To have one made, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth and sends the model to a lab. Once there, a technician makes the mold from a specialized material and returns it to the dentist for your personal use.

Mansfield Dental Associates Can Prescribe Mouthguards to Patients

For more information on the use of dental mouthguards, consult with Dr. Jones. Your Mansfield, TX dentist can discuss mouthguard options with you and help you find one that can accommodate your needs. To schedule an appointment, call our Mansfield office at (817) 259-1357. You can also schedule appointments through our website, and review the additional services we offer. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Certain Foods Can Improve Your TMD Symptoms, Says Mansfield, TX Dentist

Posted July 12, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

What you eat truly affects your body. For example, people with diets heavy in fried foods and sweets may develop high cholesterol or diabetes. On the other hand, those who have health-conscious habits, tend to lead healthier lifestyles.

When patients have special conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), their eating habits can directly affect the associated symptoms, like the jaw pain they typically experience. To help his patients live more comfortably with TMD, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist suggests foods patients should eat and which ones to avoid.

Eat More of These Foods for Fewer TMD Flare-Ups

By changing some of your eating habits, your TMD and jaw pain can significantly improve. Moreover, fewer flare-ups means your jaw has a chance to relax and heal.

Your Mansfield, TX recommends adding more healthy oils, such as: olive, grape seed, and walnut.
Lessen the amount of red meats you consume. Should you have to have a red meat, choose a leaner variety; lean red meat tends to have essential vitamins like magnesium and zinc.
To help reduce your inflammation and pain, consume more soy proteins. Soybeans and tofu provide excellent sources of these proteins.
Alongside soy, other anti-inflammatory foods include blueberries and strawberries. Plus, these fruits come loaded with antioxidants, which help promote a healthy body.
Drink plenty of vitamin C rich juices, such as orange and grapefruit juices.

Foods to Avoid

Some items can cause more harm than good. Therefore it’s best to limit your intake of the following foods and beverages.

Avoid caffeine since it’s a stimulant. This may agitate you and cause teeth grinding, which worsens any existing jaw pain.
Fried foods and those high in saturated fats increase inflammation in your body. To avoid inflaming your joints, decrease your intake of these foods or cut them out of your diet altogether.
Shy away from foods that would require you to open your mouth widely, such as: large sandwiches, hamburgers, and even apples.

Visit Mansfield Dental Associates for TMJ Treatment

If you think your jaw pain stems from TMD, visit Dr. Jones. Your Mansfield, TX dentist has the expert skill to locate the source of the pain and begin treatment immediately. To schedule an appointment, call our Mansfield office at (817) 259-1357. You can also schedule appointments through our website, and review the additional services we offer. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Mansfield, TX Dentist Reports: Detecting Your Teeth Grinding Habit

Posted July 5, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

Many people who grind their teeth, don’t have any recollection of having such a tendency. Additionally, teeth grinding (or bruxism) can cause facial pain and worn-down teeth. Thankfully, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist has the knowledge and skill to detect the disorder and provide treatment to offer his patients optimum relieve.

Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?

A few telltale signs indicate teeth grinding. Should you notice any of the following issues, consult your Mansfield, TX dentist sooner rather than later.

Persistent headaches, specially in the morning. Since teeth grinding tends to occur while you sleep, consistent morning headaches could point to a bruxism habit.
Eroding teeth could also mean teeth grinding. Over time, the constant gnashing of your teeth causes them to wear down. If you notice that your teeth seem smaller and closer to the gum line, have the doctor examine them.
Popping jaws stem from two causes: teeth grinding or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). In fact, patients who have a habit of grinding their teeth frequently develop TMD from all the added stress to the jaw joints.

Correcting the Problem

Teeth grinding is usually a result of unresolved stress. Typically, the doctor recommends using relaxation techniques when patients begin feeling tense. It’s also important to take breaks throughout the day to massage your jaw joints and move your mouth a bit. Furthermore, doctors often prescribe mouthguards to bruxism patients. This mouth piece is worn while you sleep to prevent you from continuing the nighttime habit.

Once your teeth grinding becomes controlled, the dentist will recommend ways to correct the damage your teeth endured. Dental bonding and porcelain veneers prove the most effective; plus, Dr. Jones can perform both procedures in-house with ease, which results in a brand-new, beautiful smile.

Visit Mansfield Dental Associates for Bruxism Treatment

If you think you’re suffering from teeth grinding, visit Dr. Jones. Your Mansfield, TX dentist has the expert skill to detect the habit and begin treatment immediately. To schedule an appointment, call our Mansfield office at (817) 259-1357. You can also schedule appointments through our website, and review the additional services we offer. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

Mansfield, TX Dentist Shares a Brief History of Dental Fillings

Posted June 28, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

A cavity is one the mildest, most common dental problems a patient can encounter. Even the most vigilant people can still have dental filling or two. However, in our current time, you may not even know who does or doesn’t have a filling. Since dentists now opt for composite resin (tooth colored) fillings, many patients can have healthy teeth without visible silver spots. Composite wasn’t always the go-to substance for fillings, though. In fact, dentists used a number of metal alternatives before finally settling on amalgam (silver fillings) and composite. In the following blog, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist, highlights the transformation of dental fillings.

A Series of Changes Throughout Time

Before the introduction of dental fillings, the best way to relieve a toothache was by removing the tooth altogether. However, in the early 19^th Century, metal fillings quickly become the saving grace for teeth. During this time, tin was the metal used to complete a filling—especially for the Civil War soldiers. It wasn’t until later in the 1850s that aluminum and even asbestos replaced the use of tin.

Once the use of weaker metals was abandoned, dentists began to use lead; this practice ended soon after the discovery of lead poisoning. Around this time, a few experiments with gold took place and the metal was soon used as a replacement.

The Transition to Current Dental Fillings

When a stronger, less malleable material was needed, amalgam became the metal that stuck. This mixture of silver, tin, traces of mercury is still in use today. It offers longevity and durability and the alloy is quite affordable. Yet, some controversy surrounds the use of amalgam since mercury is a known, harmful substance.

Today, some dentists—including your Mansfield, TX dentist—prefer the use of composite resin rather than amalgam when filling cavities. This material is mixture of plastic and powdered glass and it color-matches teeth. Without any harmful materials, the result is a flawless dental repair that goes completely unnoticed by the untrained eye.

Mansfield Dental Associates Offers Resin Fillings

Maintaining sound oral health includes visiting the dentist for regular checkups. Your Mansfield, TX dentist uses composite dental fillings to provide a long-lasting, beautiful repairs. To schedule an appointment, call our Mansfield office at (817) 259-1357. You can also schedule appointments through our website, and review the additional services we offer. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

These Foods Can Help Fight Oral Cancer, Says Mansfield, TX Dentist

Posted June 21, 2013 by Mansfield Dental

Oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect. Visible symptoms within the oral cavity, such as white spots and unhealed sores, often indicate the presence of the disease. Yet, oral cancer is quickly becoming one of deadliest of cancers. The reason for this is simple: a lack of early detection. Since many people tend to ignore the signs, the disease progresses rapidly. At that point, treatment isn’t of much help and patients succumb to the illness. If you notice an abnormality in your mouth, visit the dentist right away.

With this in mind, the development of cancerous cells is often affected by a certain lifestyle. People who eat more cancer-fighting foods tend to lower their risk. As a way to help his patients stay healthy, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist, has formulated a list of cancer-fighting foods; you should consume more of these items on a daily basis.

Incorporate More of These Foods into Your Diet

Avocados. Particularly the Hass variety can prohibit the grown of cancerous cells in the mouth, tongue, and throat. In fact, almost any dark-colored fruits can help ward off cancer.
Carrots. As a great cancer-fighting food, raw carrots make the list. Carrots contain beta carotene, which is an antioxidant thought to boost the body’s immune system. Beta carotene converts into vitamin A once consumed and destroys cancerous cells.
Green tea. Drinking more green tea alongside black, white, and Oolong teas could help you fight cancer. These teas contain strong antioxidants called catechins. Alongside its cancer preventing properties, tea could also impede the onset of Hodgkin’s disease.
Raspberries. These berries have been known for being highly nutritious. They also contain large amounts of antioxidants, as do strawberries and blueberries. Moreover, raspberries have certain compounds that can combat tumors.
Tomatoes. Watermelon and tomatoes alike contain lycopene, which eliminates free radicals and inhibits the development of oral cancer cells. Your Mansfield, TX dentist recommends eating more of these fruits to decrease your cancer risk.

Visit Mansfield Dental Associates for Oral Cancer Screenings

Maintaining sound oral health includes visiting the dentist for oral cancer screenings. Your Mansfield, TX dentist has the expert skill to detect the illness and begin treatment immediately. To schedule an appointment, call our Mansfield office at (817) 259-1357. You can also schedule appointments through our website, and review the additional services we offer. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

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