JL Dental Blog
Strong, Durable Dental Implants in Arnold, MO
April 22, 2015
Are you one of thousands of Americans who lost a tooth? We all dream of having a perfect, pristine smile that can light up a room, but, due to several factors, thousands of people suffer from a lost tooth every year. Tooth decay, facial trauma, and severe oral injuries lead to tooth loss. These situations are frustrating and painful, but if left untreated, a missing tooth can lead to future oral health problems. So, is it possible to find a tooth replacement that can correct future problems? JL Dental, a stellar practice located in Arnold, MO, offers permanent dental implants.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Your jawbone requires stimulation throughout the day. It receives stimulation via contacts from your teeth. As your teeth chew food, press against each other, etc., they stimulate the jaw, which in turn triggers growth. When a tooth is missing, stimulation is lost, and over time, that section of the jaw can begin to lose density, height, and width. Dental implants, provided by our stellar duo of doctors and our team of expert dental practitioners, are permanently bonded to the jaw, providing stimulation, while also giving a strong, durable replacement tooth to restore function to the mouth.
What is the Procedure Like?
During your initial visit, our team will take impressions of your teeth, particular the problem area, and begin planning the treatment. With a plan finalized, we will surgically insert a biocompatible titanium post in the jawbone. You will undergo a healing period as the jaw naturally accepts the post and grows over it, and the gums heal. After everything has healed properly, we will bring you back into the office to complete the process. We will cement a permanent tooth on the post, bonding it within your mouth. After finishing the bonding process, you can walk out of our building with a complete, full smile.
Restore Your Smile Today
A missing tooth is a burden, but with our dental implants, it no longer needs to cause grief. Our implants look natural and are completely comfortable. If you are ready to restore your smile to pristine form, then contact us today and schedule your appointment with our incredible staff. Our warm, welcoming office is always open for those who live in Arnold, MO, Imperial, Oakville, Barnhart, and the surrounding communities.
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ClearCorrect: Alternative to Braces in Arnold, MO
March 20, 2015
Everyone dreams of having a straight, perfect smile he/she can flash whenever and wherever. Unfortunately, the main option to fix a misaligned set of teeth is the one no one wants to commit to: braces. The metal brackets and unforgiving wiring were the source of jokes throughout school, and upon reaching adulthood, they seem a little childish and ridiculous. So, how do you straighten your teeth without heading to your nearest orthodontist? The answer comes in the form of customizable, clear aligners called ClearCorrect. Lucky for you, Dr. Mearsand his team at JL Dental are specialists with ClearCorrect.
What the Heck is ClearCorrect?
ClearCorrect are essentially clear braces, except they are removable and virtually unnoticeable. How do clear braces work? When you schedule an appointment at our office, we will conduct an oral examination and map out our mouth, teeth, and gums. These records will be sent to a ClearCorrect laboratory along with the information of your treatment plan, so they can create 3D models and mold the braces. The molds are formed into a series of aligners, which are sent back to the dentist. On your next visit, our team will present the series of aligners and give you a detailed plan on your new treatment.So, I Just Wear Them?
Exactly! When you receive the entire series of aligners, the dentist will instruct you in which order to wear them and for how long. You will wear the first set, and after the instructed amount of time has elapsed (usually a few weeks), you will move on to the next set. Luckily, you do not have to wear them constantly, as you can remove them to eat, brush your teeth, etc. The dentist will monitor the progress made with the aligners and ensure a natural shift happens within your mouth.
I Think I Want to Try It.
Are you ready to straighten your teeth and achieve smile perfection? Contact ustoday and schedule a consultation with our experts. Our office and friendly staff is more than happy to serve those in Arnold, MO, Imperial, Oakville, Barnhart, and the other nearby communities.
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Athletes & Cavities: Do Runners Have More Oral Health Problems?
February 10, 2015
It’s a well-known fact that men and women who run on a regular basis tend to be slimmer and physically healthier than their non-athletic counterparts. Running is wonderful for cardiovascular health, and it helps to build lean muscle mass in the legs and back when done properly. But have you ever considered how your regular workout might be affecting your teeth? At JL Dental in Arnold, MO, Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears strive to help each and every one of their patients live healthy, happy lives. Today, we’d like to talk about something we believe all athletes – runners, in particular – should keep in mind to maintain healthy, beautiful smiles.
New Study Reveals Reason for Cavities in Runners
A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports discovered a link between frequent strenuous exercise and an increased incidence of tooth decay and enamel erosion. The German researchers found that the cause for the higher number of dental caries in runners was twofold.
First, athletestend to breathe through their mouths when exercising heavily. This leads to a more arid environment, leaving teeth to fend off attacks by acid-producing bacteria without the protective barrier usually supplied by saliva. Secondly, a diet that is high in carbohydrates – such as those found in energy bars and sports drinks – has been found to contribute to cavities. Fortunately, with proper home hygiene, plenty of water, and regular visits to our office, even the most active athletes can enjoy optimal oral health for life.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
At JL Dental, we understand that cardiovascular exercise is a fundamental component of a healthy lifestyle, and we’d never dream of discouraging our patients from following a doctor-approved fitness regimen. We would, however, like to remind those of our patients who run on a regular basis that their smiles require extra care in order to stay healthy. With general dentistry solutions designed with your health, comfort, and convenience in mind, we can help you keep your mouth safe from decay and disease. Contact us today to schedule your next visit to our Arnold, MO family dental practice, and learn more about how diet and exercise affect your oral health. We are also happy to serve patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Imperial, Oakville, Barnhart, and beyond.
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How Do Dental Implants Work? Strengthen Your Smile with Implant-Retained Dentures
January 7, 2015
If you are missing teeth and are considering implant-retained dentures, you are certainly not alone. In fact, the majority of edentulous patients (those who are missing all of their teeth) would rather smile, eat, and speak more comfortably with dentures that were firmly held in place than worry about the hassles associated with removable false teeth. At JL Dental in Arnold, MO, Dr. Jonathan Mears and Dr. Laura Mears specialize in providing their patients with a full menu of restorative dentistryservices, including implant-retained dentures.
Reclaim Your Smile’s Form & Function
Dental implants have rapidly become the gold standard of tooth replacement options over the past few decades. While other restorative solutions do still provide sufficient biting power and aesthetics for some patients, many others find that nothing quite feels or looks like a natural tooth like dental implants. This is because a dental implant actually replaces your entire tooth’s missing structure, including the sturdy root within the jaw bone. With just a few tiny, biocompatible dental implants, our team can secure an entire arch of replacement teeth to your jaw. Unlike traditional dentures, these implant-retained dentures are firmly attached to your gums and jaw bone, allowing you to eat and speak with complete comfort and confidence.
Another benefit of implant-retained dentures is that they are incredibly lifelike in appearance. You don’t have to worry about slipping or clicking dentures when you speak, smile, or chew. They look and feel just like natural teeth; smiling openly in public and with friends has never felt so good.
Find Out if Dental Implants are Right for You
Even if you have been wearing traditional removable dentures for years, you may still be a good candidate for implant-retained dentures now. Simply give us a call at our office in Arnold, MO and schedule your consultation with Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears. We genuinely can’t wait to show you what an amazing difference dental implants can make in the way you look, eat, smile, and feel on a daily basis. Our state-of-the-art dental practice warmly welcomes patients from throughout Arnold, Barnhart, Oakville, Imperial, and beyond.
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Choose JL Dental For Your Family’s Emergency Dental Care Needs
December 19, 2014
Do you know who to call in case of a dental emergency? Dental injuriescan occur anytime, anywhere, and can include: knocked out teeth, loosened teeth, or fractured teeth. Cuts to soft tissue like your lips, gums, or cheeks are also considered dental emergencies. Oral injuries can become serious and have lasting consequences if left untreated. In fact, getting to a dentist within 30 minutes can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth. That’s why it’s so important to have a go-to dentist for your family’s emergency dental care needs. You can make regular dental checkup appointments with JL Dental to establish a relationship that you can count on in case of a dental emergency. Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears want to help you keep your family safe and pain free. JL Dental is trusted by families throughout Arnold, MO, Oakville, Imperial, Barnhart, and the surrounding communities.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
If someone is in pain, it’s an emergency. Getting quick treatment significantly improves the odds of saving your injured or damaged teeth. Any obvious damage should be treated as soon as possible. Trauma like chips or fractures can damage the living tissue inside the tooth, causing more problems in the future. JL Dental can prevent the damage from getting worse. Also, if you lose a dental filling or crown, you should seek dental attention right away. Any injury to teeth or gums should not be ignored, because nerves or blood vessels could be permanently damaged. There’s also an increased risk of getting an infection. If an infection is not treated, it can spread to other parts of the head and neck and cause serious health concerns, and in extremely rare cases, become life threatening. That’s why it’s so very important to always seek immediate treatmentfor a dental injury.
Arnold Emergency Dental Care Appointments
Getting injured teeth or soft tissues repaired and treated as soon as possible after dental trauma is the best thing to do. Accidents happen, but knowing what to do and who to call when one occurs, can make a big difference for your family. JL Dental always finds a way to make time for emergency patients. If you need to, you can make an immediate emergency dental care appointment with JL Dental. Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears are experienced and compassionate family dentists. JL Dental proudly restores smiles daily throughout Arnold, MO, Oakville, Imperial, Barnhart, and the nearby areas.
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Holiday Teeth Whitening with Opalescence
November 17, 2014
It’s that time of year again. We can begin to imagine big family meals, tons of decorations, loads of shopping, and a long list of things to do. But before you get busy with holiday preparations, you should stop and take a look at your smile. Is it as bright as you would like it to be? If it isn’t, you should make an appointmentfor holiday teeth whitening from JL Dental today. Their fast and convenient professional teeth whiteningsystem is all you need to shine bright this holiday season. Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears are highly qualified and experienced general and cosmetic dentists. They are ready to renew and rejuvenate your teeth for the holiday season. JL Dental proudly restores smiles throughout Arnold, MO, Oakville, Imperial, Barnhart, and the surrounding communities.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?
There are many different teeth whiteningmethods on the market today. But they are not equally effective, and they have many drawbacks. Teeth whitening toothpaste is one such option. These toothpastes claim to whiten your teeth; however, they don’t contain the bleaching agents necessary to do so. In fact, they can only “polish away” shallow surface stains. Another option is over-the-counter teeth whiteninggels, strips, tray, or rinses. Although they do contain the bleaching agents necessary to whiten teeth, they’re just too weak. It can take several weeks of daily use for you to begin to see any significant results. In addition, misinterpreting the directions could lead to gum irritation and even infection. The ineffective and potentially harmful characteristics of these inferior teeth whiteningproducts make professional teeth whitening your best option.
JL Dental uses the Opalescence professional teeth whitening system. This safe and effective system is an easy take-home option with custom teeth whiteningtrays and bleaching agents strong enough to actually whiten your teeth, but gentle enough for sensitive gums. Don’t get stuck with an ineffective teeth whiteningproduct. Make a holiday teeth whitening appointment with JL Dental today. Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears will get you the bright new smile that will dazzle your family and friends this holiday season. JL Dental proudly serves families throughout Arnold, MO, Oakville, Imperial, Barnhart, and the nearby areas.
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You can Live Pain-free with TMJ Therapy from JL Dental in Arnold, MO
October 17, 2014
Do you often wake up with a headache in the morning? Have you even been experiencing migraine headaches? Both may be the result of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, which can cause temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. In Arnold, MO, Drs. Jonathan Mears and Laura Mears of JL Dental practice TMJ therapy to help patients eliminate pain and enjoy comfort.
The temporomandibular joint is located on either side of your head just in front of the ears. TMD occurs when something interferes with the natural motion of this joint, which is hard at work when you chew, talk, and yawn, smile, or laugh out loud. However, if this joint cannot function properly, then the pain that results is no laughing matter.
In some cases, the pain is caused by bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, which exerts unnatural pressure on your teeth. If this is the case, then our dentists may use the NTI-tss splint for TMJ therapy. The NTI-tss separates your lower and upper back teeth and keeps your jaw in its proper position. Thus, teeth grinding and clenching are prevented and the resultant pain is avoided.
Other Symptoms of TMJ
Headaches are not the only sign that you may need TMJ therapy. Other common symptoms include jaw soreness; a popping or clicking sound when you open or close your mouth; facial swelling; an earache without infection; or unexplained tooth sensitivity. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may benefit from a custom-fitted night guard to prevent bruxism. After a thorough assessment of your teeth, bite and jaw—and this may necessitate x-rays—we’ll be able to determine if a night guard is the solution for you. If so, then an impression is made of your teeth in order to fabricate your custom night guard.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you are having any type of jaw, head or facial pain, call the office of JL Dental in Arnold, MO, today. Drs. Jonathan or Laura Mears will carefully analyze your pain and recommend the best TMJ treatment for you. Our office also serves patients in Oakville, Imperial, Barnhart and the surrounding communities.
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Children’s Dentistry at JL Dental in Arnold, MO, Will Make You and Your Child Smile!
September 18, 2014
If only taking care of your children’s teeth were child’s play. Actually, at JL Dental in Arnold, MO, the husband and wife team of Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mearsmakes children’s dentistryseem as enjoyable as, well, child’s play. From that very first visit, through the teen years and on into adulthood, we strive for a friendly relationship that builds a foundation of lifelong oral healthcare.
The ABC’s of Children’s Dentistry
The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” couldn’t be more true than when it comes to caring for your children’s teeth. That’s why JL Dental puts prevention to work in their practice of children’s dentistry. We’d much rather prevent a problem from ever starting than treat a problem later.
With this in mind, Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mearsrecommend that your child start visiting JL Dental around the age of three. At this first visit, we will count their teeth, perform a quick exam and try to make them feel comfortable in a dentist’s office. As they grow and move through the progressive phases of oral development, we we will apply dental sealants to their adult molars in order to prevent decay and use fluoride treatments to strengthen their teeth. Of course, if we do notice a problem at one of their regular six-month check-ups, we will treat that, too.
Children’s Dentistry and Beyond
You may be surprised and happy to know that JL Dental also offers orthodontic treatment in our Arnold, MO, office. We offer both traditional metal braces and ClearCorrect for our orthodontic patients of all ages. After treatment, your child’s smile will be straighter and healthier, and they will have the confidence to face the world!
Call Us Today for Your Child’s Appointment at JL Dental
JL Dental is the one-stop shop in Arnold, MO, for all of your children’s dental needs. Call our office today for an appointment. We happily serve parents and children in Imperial, Oakville, Barnhardt and surrounding communities.
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Oral Cancer Screening: The Important Facts You Need to Know from JL Dental
August 18, 2014
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 42,440 men and women in America will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2014. Of these, only 62.7 percent are expected to survive for more than five years. Research tells us that the successful treatment of oral cancer is contingent upon early detection and diagnosis. At JL Dental in Arnold, MO, Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears provide families with all of the preventive and general dentistry services they need to maintain optimal oral health, including routine oral cancer screening.
Protect Yourself with Oral Cancer Screening
Because oral cancer is such an aggressive disease, early treatment is pivotal to success in fighting it. At your routine general dentistry checkup at JL Dental, our team will thoroughly evaluate the gums and other soft tissues in your mouth, utilizing proven oral cancer screening technology to detect problems that aren’t yet visible to the naked eye. While an oral cancer screening is the only definitive way to spot and diagnose a potentially cancerous lesion, there are some signs that you can keep in mind between your visits to our office. These include:
· White or red patches anywhere in the mouth
· Unexplained bleeding
· A persistent cough or hoarseness
· Numbness or tingling in the mouth or on the lips
· Sores in the mouth that recur or simply do not go away
· Lumps or thickening of the skin of the cheek lining
· A change in the way dentures fit
· Difficulty swallowing
· Soreness when moving the tongue
· Pain in the teeth or jaw bone
· Persistent halitosis (bad breath)
If you notice any of these symptoms or suspect their presence in a loved one, call us as soon as possible to arrange an appointment with our doctors and friendly, experienced staff. We’ll work with you from day one to develop a treatment plan that is customized to meet your individual needs.
Schedule Your Visit Today
Even if you are completely free of these symptoms, oral cancer screening is an integral component of your routine dental checkup. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Jonathan Mears or Dr. Laura Mears, and discover the difference our patient-centered approach and gentle touch can make in your next checkup. Our family-friendly dental practice in Arnold, MO, proudly serves patients from throughout nearby neighborhoods as well, including those located in Barnhart, Oakville, Imperial, and more.
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