Learning the Truth About Tooth Extraction

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Ideally, you would retain all of your healthy, natural adult teeth for life; hence the reason they are often called your permanent teeth. Unfortunately, that might not always be an option; accidental impacts, severe dental infections, and more often cause the premature loss of one or more adult teeth. Sometimes, teeth may need to be extracted to prevent it from causing harm to your other teeth, or the soft oral tissues surrounding it. Though many patients may feel a bit apprehensive about tooth extraction, the procedure may prove to be the most beneficial option, depending on the state of your dental health.

When is tooth extraction the preferable option?

In most cases, the preferable dental treatment is the one that allows you to preserve as much of your healthy tooth structure as possible. Though tooth extraction may seem to contradict that notion, the truth is that the procedure is often recommended to protect the rest of your dental health. Common reasons for tooth extraction can include (but are not limited to);

  • A tooth that is too infected for root canal treatment to resolve
  • Wisdom teeth that have become impacted, pushing against and potentially damaging your other teeth
  • A tooth with too much structural damage to save it (particularly a tooth with a cracked or broken root)
  • One or more teeth that have grown loose due to severe gum disease and/or jawbone deterioration

Will I have to replace my tooth after it is extracted?

With the exception of your wisdom teeth, whose removal actually benefits your dental health, most extracted teeth will require replacement. With one or more teeth missing, your smile could suffer subsequent consequences, such as shifting teeth and a deteriorating jawbone. We may recommend replacing your extracted tooth with a dental implant and crown, which mimic the root and crown of your natural tooth to create a lifelike restoration.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call 817-473-6227 . Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Dental Health, Patient Education, Restorative Dentistry

How Good Are You at Brushing Your Teeth?

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Modern advancements in science, medicine, and dentistry have provided an impressive array of means for restoring smiles that need cosmetic or restorative care. Still, the most efficient method of protecting your smile remains the prevention of common dental issues. The cornerstone of prevention is good dental hygiene, and although most of us learned the tenets of good hygiene as children, many patients still slack in certain areas when keeping their teeth clean and healthy. To help you maximize your preventive efforts, we take a look at one of the building block of good hygiene – brushing your teeth – and how you might be able to do so more effectively.

Use the Right Equipment

Unlike washing your hair, or cleaning dirt and grime from your skin, removing plaque and food particles from your teeth does not require elbow grease. On the contrary, the harder you scrub, the more likely you may strip your teeth of their protective outer layer, called enamel. To reduce the risks of enamel damage, be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles (preferably nylon), and with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Approval. Also, using toothpaste with fluoride will help boost the strength of your enamel against plaque and harmful bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay, cavity development, tooth damage, and more.

The Bigger Picture of Good Dental Hygiene

While the few minutes you spend at the bathroom sink every day are critical, your brushing and flossing routine is only one part of a good dental hygiene routine. The plaque that settles on your teeth contains a variety of oral bacteria that can significantly threaten your teeth and gums. Before long, plaque calcifies into tartar, which requires the professional tools and attention of your dentist and hygienist. Every six months (or more often, if necessary), you should attend a dental checkup and cleaning appointment so we can more thoroughly clean your teeth and gums.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call 817-473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Dental Hygiene, General Dentistry, Patient Education

A Brief History of Chocolate!

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The sweet, nearly irresistible taste of chocolate can lead you to believe that it must be bad for your health. To the joy of chocolate lovers everywhere, however, studies have shown that regulated amounts of chocolate can benefit your health, and may even help protect against oral health issues like tooth decay. To celebrate the good news about chocolate, we list a few interesting facts that you may not have known about the well-beloved treat.

The Historic Journey of Chocolate

  • Early use of the cocoa bean, from which chocolate is made, differed from common uses today. The Aztec people traded the beans as currency.
  • The Olmec people, who lived between 1400 and 500 BC, are often credited with the first consumption of cocoa, turning the beans into a tasty drink.
  • After the Spanish conquered the Aztecs during the 16th century, they introduced chocolate to Europe. It soon became a popular drink throughout Europe, but was only available to royalty and the well-connected.
  • The modern milk-chocolate drink was invented by Hans Sloane, a Scottish physician and collector. During a trip to Jamaica, Sloane was introduced to a popular chocolate drink favored by the locals. The concoction made him nauseous, which he rectified by adding milk to the mixture. Upon returning to England, Sloane manufactured his “chocolate milk,” and it was sold in apothecaries as medicine.
  • In 1897, Sloane’s recipe was sold to the Cadbury brothers.
  • In 1937, chocolate became a part of the basic field rations provided to US Army soldiers. The army-issued chocolate did not taste very well, until the 1980s, when a better-tasting and heat-resistant chocolate bar was developed for the army.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call  817-473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Family Dentistry, Nutrition

Learn More About Supportive Dental Implants

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For many patients, dental implants make tooth loss much less of a threat to their oral health than it otherwise would be. Even conventional replacement teeth, like dental bridges and dentures, can only do so much when it comes to restoring your dental health following tooth loss. As the only option for replacing your lost teeth’s roots, dental implants do more than just replace teeth—they restore the vital functions that keep your smile and oral structures healthy.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small, root-like post, usually made from biocompatible titanium, that can be inserted into your jawbone after you’ve lost one or more teeth. After your jawbone has healed, an abutment is placed on top of each post. The abutments protrude above the gum line so we can attach a dental crown, partial, or denture (depending on how many teeth you’ve lost).

What are the long-term benefits of dental implants?

Besides the restored ability to bite and chew, and the restored beauty of your smile, dental implant-supported prosthetics provide a number of unique, long-term benefits. For instance, stabilizing your replacement teeth on implanted anchors means unmatched stability for your new smile. Also, replacing lost teeth roots reestablishes stimulation in your jawbone, which keeps it strong and reduces the risk of further tooth loss

Do dental implants really last for life?

Once an implant is placed in your jawbone, your jawbone begins fusing to the implant’s titanium surface as it heals. Known as osseointegration, this process makes the implant(s) a permanent part of your oral anatomy, meaning they will last for life with the right care and maintenance. Your restoration (i.e., dental crown, partial, or denture) may need replacement after several years of use; however, the new restoration can be secured on the same dental implant posts.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call  817-473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Dental Implants, Missing Teeth, Restorative Dentistry

Why Your Dentures Might Appreciate Dental Implants

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As one of dentistry’s longest-standing restorative appliances, dentures have come a long way in mimicking the natural teeth they are meant to replace. Innovative dental porcelain and other materials help create highly-realistic replacement teeth (pontics), while advanced acrylics provide comfortable, customized bases for the lifelike pontics. Still, even advanced dentures need a little assistance when it comes to fully rebuilding your smile. For instance, only by securing your dentures to a series of dental implants can you ensure that your new smile is as sturdy and reliable as your healthy, natural teeth.

The Limitations of Modern Dentures

Partial and complete dentures are custom-designed to replace several or all of your lost teeth (respectively). Doing so reestablishes your bite’s capacity to process food, enunciate words, and more, but over time, their firm fit can loosen, causing the prosthesis to shift and move around when you speak or eat. Loose dentures are often due largely to a shrinking jawbone, which occurs after losing one or more of your teeth’s roots. Once they become loose, you will have to schedule a visit as soon as possible to have them refitted, or replaced with a better-fitting prosthesis.

Exceeding Expectations with Dental Implant Dentures

Before you receive a denture, we will thoroughly discuss the pros and cons, and whether you might benefit more from a dental implant-supported denture. Because dental implants replace your teeth’s roots and hold your denture in place more securely, they also help reduce the risks of jawbone deterioration and eventually further tooth loss. To find out if you qualify for dental implants, we will perform a thorough consultation and examination to determine your medical history, state of your oral health, and whether or not your gums and jawbone can support the prosthetic roots.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Dental Implants, Patient Education, Restorative Dentistry

Frequently Asked Questions: Root Canal Therapy

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If you have been suffering from a toothache, the news that you need root canal therapy to improve your oral health may not be exactly what you were hoping to hear. What you may not realize, though, is that this information should be music to your ears. Yes, we realize that you may have heard a lot of myths over the course of your life, most of which probably paint root canals in a pretty bad light. However, we can tell you with absolute certainty that this restorative treatment offers a long list of benefits and is not the monster you think it is. Not sure you’re ready to smile just yet? To make sure you feel good about your appointment to protect your smile, we have answered some FAQs about root canals:

Question: Why do I need root canal therapy?

Answer: You need this treatment because your dental pulp is damaged. It may be injured or infected or both. Your dental pulp is the tissue that lines your roots – these are the hollow structures that make up the lowest portion of your tooth. Pulp houses nerves and blood vessels, keeping your tooth alive and healthy. Sadly, the pulp will not heal, so we must remove it. Fortunately, even without dental pulp, your tooth may remain standing in your smile.

Question: Can’t you just remove my tooth?

Answer: We only remove teeth when absolutely necessary. Your tooth actually helps keep your teeth aligned and your jawbone healthy – removing it will result in an open space and the need for costly tooth replacement.

Question: I’m afraid of root canal therapy, though – won’t it hurt?

Answer: No, your treatment will be comfortable. First, we will numb the tooth and the tissue around that tooth so you do not feel any discomfort. Next, we offer sedation dentistry options. If you require additional numbing or are simply too anxious, we can accommodate your needs, so you enjoy your visit.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD RESTORATIVE DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Restorative Dentistry, Root Canals

Reasons to Smile About White Fillings

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Do you need a dental filling to treat your cavity? If so, you may initially feel a sinking sensation in your stomach as you imagine a metal filling and a darkened tooth. Before you make any assumptions about fillings, we have good news. We offer white fillings to repair your tooth. This means you will not have to worry about the beauty of your tooth becoming compromised as the result of treatment. Beyond that, white – or composite – fillings offer a slew of additional benefits. Learn more about them, so you can feel confident about restoring your oral health:

About Composite Fillings

This type of filling is often referred to as a “white filling” or a “tooth-colored filling” because it will match your tooth, unlike a dark metal filling. Instead of metal, we will use a synthetic acrylic-resin material called composite. Just like any other filling, we will numb your tooth and remove the decayed tissue. We will then fill the opening with the composite, dry the material, and then make adjustments if necessary, so you continue to enjoy a comfortable bite.

Benefits of White Fillings

Did you find out you need a composite filling? Lucky for you, they look beautiful because they are not simply “white.” We will actually match the color of the composite to the color of your tooth for a beautiful match. You can also expect the following advantages:

  • Composite does not conduct heat or cold very well, so you will not deal with enhanced temperature-related sensitivity as a result of your filling – this often happens with metal
  • Composite fillings are safe for almost all patients, including young children, pregnant women, and people allergic to metal
  • Your filling will bond to your tooth tissue, which means you can expect it to last

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD RESTORATIVE DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Dental Fillings, Restorative Dentistry

Dental Bonding: A Quick Fix for Long-Term Benefits

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Are you ready to learn more about dental bonding? If you are worried about the appearance of your smile because of small issues like chips, this cosmetic solution may be just what the dentist ordered. Rest assured, we understand that like many patients, you may feel extremely concerned about what will be involved when it comes to improving your smile. If you struggle with minor imperfections, bonding can quickly and effectively address the issues you dislike to help you reach your smile goals. Learn more about how bonding may offer you long-term improvement for the stunning smile you desire.

Think You Need Braces? Perhaps Not

Patients suffering from one or more gaps between their teeth often assume they will need orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles. Fortunately, we can address small spaces with bonding. We will simply fill the opening between your teeth with composite – a synthetic resin material color-matched to your teeth – so your teeth look like they touch.

Disappointed In A Couple Short Teeth? Think Again

You may feel sad about your smile because one tooth or a few teeth are shorter than the rest. Before you assume you are simply stuck with the length of your teeth as it stands, think again. We may add the appearance of tissue to the end of your teeth, so they look longer. The result? An even smile line and a uniform smile.

Assuming You Need Veneers? Consider Bonding

If you suffer from a variety of dental imperfections you may assume immediately that you will need veneers. This can become problematic for patients who simply want a quick fix or who are not ready to make the investment required of veneers. Dental bonding can address many concerns, which means you may find that veneers are not necessary for you just yet. Bonding may improve the following:

  • Small chips that do not affect the health of your teeth
  • It may cover small cracks in your teeth
  • We may camouflage severe staining with bonding

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD GENERAL DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry