What is CEREC? CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEramic REConstruction) is a sophisticated system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations in one patient visit. It’s advanced dental technology, designed to make your life easier. With this system, we can make dental crowns right here in our office, so you don't have to wait for a lab.


The process starts with digital impressions. Many patients don't like the gooey material that impressions are made of, or they find the trays uncomfortable. For CEREC crowns, all we have to do is take some pictures! The crown is designed on the computer, using special software and three-dimensional images of your teeth. 


This design is sent to a milling machine, right here in our office – not to an outside laboratory. The crown is made from a solid block of high quality porcelain material. The digital process is very accurate, for a great fitting, long-lasting restoration. With CEREC, you can get a crown placed, start-to-finish, in just one appointment.


This single visit dentistry approach is convenient for you in several ways. Obviously, it saves you the time of making a second (and sometimes third) office visit, but it also means that you won't have to wear temporary crowns. Many people say that temporaries are uncomfortable, and you have to be especially careful with them. Because they are designed for easy removal, they can come off when you don't want them to. CEREC negates the need for a temporary crown by giving you a great quality, permanent crown in one office visit.


Is CEREC right for everyone, every time? No. While we can make a great looking, great quality crown for any tooth using this machine, there may be some instances when it is necessary to send out impressions to a laboratory. Dr. Jones will help you decide which option is right for you.


Call (770) 464-1900 and schedule your appointment with Dr. Jones today!

As a twenty-something, your mind is on college and social activities. You are just discovering the freedoms of adulthood in a young body that makes you feel invincible. In your thirties you are embarking on a meaningful career path, starting a family, and buying a home. Taking steps to preserve your health for a long, comfortable life probably doesn’t cross your mind too often, but it is important. Decisions made at this stage in have a tremendous impact on the level of healthy you’ll enjoy into your middle age and senior years. Partnering with a mercury safe dentist now pays big dividends later in oral health and whole body wellness. Dr. Don Jones brings biological dentistry to savvy young adults in the state of Georgia. Located in Social Circle, Dr. Jones serves patients from Atlanta to Augusta, and Dalton to Perry.

Mercury free
Mercury is a toxic element. Traditional “silver” amalgam dental fillings contain mercury, placing it within inches of your brain 24/7/365. Mercury free dentistry is the approach of using more biocompatible materials for fillings. These fillings are typically made of a strong composite resin. The technique for placing resin fillings conserves more tooth structure, and the material is strong and durable. It contains no mercury, and as an added benefit, blends beautifully with your natural teeth so you don’t advertise to the world that you have had a cavity. Social Circle Dental, Dr. Jones’ practice, is mercury free - he places no amalgam fillings.


Mercury safe
Mercury safe takes that philosophy of patient care a step further. Dr. Jones has invested in training and equipment for the safest possible removal of amalgam fillings, when a patient requests that or it becomes necessary because of breakage or other dental issues. This technique involves breaking the filling into chunks and carefully removing the pieces, rather than excessive drilling which releases mercury vapor and sprays particles. Other precautions include a special ventilation system to ensure air quality, a filtration unit to keep mercury out of wastewater, masks, and other protections for the patient and dental team.

Mercury free and mercury safe methods are examples of the biological approach Dr. Jones applies to patient care. His work respects the relationship of the mouth (and everything that goes into it) with the rest of your body.


Biological materials and techniques help to maintain your oral health, internal systems, and emotional balance. Biological dentistry alone can't eliminate your risk of cancer, neurological disease, or other ailments that cause discomfort and rob quality of life. However, because of the intimate link between your mouth and the rest of your body, biological dentistry improves your chances of living a longer, healthier life.


It's never too early or too late to start on this path. Call Social Circle Dental today at 770-464-1900 to become Dr. Jones' newest patient.

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Biology is defined as, "the science that deals with all forms of life, including their classification, physiology, chemistry, and interactions." A biological dentist is typically concerned about the effects dental materials, techniques, and procedures can have on the whole body. Patients  from Atlanta to Athens often ask, "Is there a biological dentist near me who provides cosmetic and restorative treatments?" They can find Dr. Jones at his mercury free and mercury safe dental practice near their hometown.

Taking time to prescribe the right diagnosis and treatment


Dr. Jones has operated a mercury free dental practice since 2002 and has the training required to remove and dispose of amalgam fillings safely. As a biological dentist, he recognizes gum disease can lead to other health issues such as heart conditions. He prescribes treatments with your health and wellbeing in mind. He cares about your diet and lifestyle and provides advice so you can look and feel your best, from head to toe.


Do you want to visit a dentist who makes your overall health a top priority? If so, then Dr. Jones may the right choice for you. Schedule a consultation appointment with him by calling 770-464-1900 today.

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Tooth restorations can enhance the beauty of the smile. They can brighten a dull smile or restore missing teeth. However, one of the most important features of tooth restorations is their dental materials. Many patients near Social Circle seek a holistic dentist who uses mercury-free dental materials. They will find well-respected and well-known dentist Dr. Jones in Social Circle at Brookstone Place. 

Composite resin fillings add natural beauty to the smile. There are many metal-free restorations in dentistry today. They include composite resin and porcelain. It is important to understand how each dental material is used and how it adds natural beauty to the smile. Composite resin is a tooth-colored material used for dental fillings. It is safer and more effective than amalgam fillings composed of about half mercury and other metals. Since amalgam can pose danger to patients and the environment, Dr. Jones has chosen to keep it out of his office. He also practices mercury safe dentistry and can remove and safely dispose of amalgam fillings upon request. In doing so, he follows strict protocol set forth by the International Academy of Medicine and Toxicology. 

Porcelain tooth restorations prove to be strong and durable. Another metal-free dental material is porcelain, which is widely used by dentists. The material is strong and durable. Although it is stain resistant, it is important to maintain your oral health to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. A porcelain tooth restoration can last up to a decade when there are excellent oral hygiene habits including brushing at least twice a day, flossing before bedtime, and visiting Dr. Jones at least biannually. Porcelain tooth restorations at Dr. Jones' office include dental crowns and veneers. Dental crowns are placed over weak teeth to protect them. They are used in dental bridges and dental implant treatments. Veneers are wafer-thin shells that cosmetically enhance the smile. They can provide the appearance of straight teeth or fill spaces between teeth. Porcelain tooth restorations blend nicely with the natural teeth. 

Dr. Jones cares about your overall health and wellbeing. He understands you want the safest treatment possible. Dental treatment can have long lasting effects on your overall health and wellbeing so Dr. Jones ensures he uses the safest and most effective dental materials. If you would like to explore dental care with Dr. Jones, call 770-464-1900 to schedule a consultation appointment.

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There are several reasons patients request amalgam filling removal. They range from cosmetic to health reasons. When patients want the silver fillings removed and disposed of safely, they can visit Social Circle Dental. With Dr. Jones, they are in skilled and gentle hands for every step of the procedure. Dr. Jones will explain the reasons patients ask him to remove amalgam fillings. 

Where patients can count on safe dental care
Dr. Jones operates a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice, which means he keeps the potential danger of amalgam out of his office and has the training to remove safely and dispose of amalgam. He has training from the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, which includes following a strict protocol for the safe removal and disposal of amalgam. The removal of an amalgam filling involves taking many measures to protect the patient, dentist, and staff. We wear protective garments and non-latex gloves during the procedure. A rubber dam or a similar material called Isolite is used to isolate the tooth. We administer oxygen through a comfortable nasal mask and utilize a high volume suction vacuum with mercury filters. We use in-office air purifiers to remove mercury particulates from the immediate environment.


Mercury can pose a danger to people as well as the environment. At Social Circle Dental, we take the appropriate precautions to ensure safe and effective amalgam filling removal. Do you want to explore the treatment? If so, call 770-464-1900 today.

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Various dental procedures can restore health, beauty, and function to the smile. Many people will spend the extra time finding a dentist who practices holistic dentistry. Holistic dentists are mindful of the effects dental materials and procedures can have on the whole body. Patients in Covington, GA, and surrounding areas, have been seeing respected holistic and biological dentist Dr. Jones for years. Families often rave about his conservative dental treatments that provide beautiful results. 

What you can expect at Social Circle Dental
You will visit with a highly respected dentist and dental team that provide treatments with your overall health and wellbeing in mind. Dr. Jones decided in 2002 that he would no longer place amalgams. In addition, he provides a mercury free and mercury safe dental office and practices mercury safe dentistry. As a mercury safe dentist, Dr. Jones has training from the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and follows its strict protocol for safely removing and disposing of amalgam. 


Using safe and effective dental materials
We understand you want the safest treatments for your family. Dr. Jones uses biocompatible materials such as composite resin and porcelain. Utilizing these natural-looking materials and CEREC (Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic) technology, Dr. Jones can fabricate inlays, onlays, and crowns in a single appointment. Our dental materials are safe, effective, and can ensure an excellent enhancement for any smile. 

Providing the most conservative treatments
For teeth whitening, we do not provide power-bleaching procedures at our office because the chemicals can irritate the gums. We can transform dull smiles to radiant with an at-home whitening kit. We take impressions of your dental arches and use them to customize whitening trays. The trays are coupled with a gentle bleaching gel so you can gradually whiten your smile in the comfort of your home. 


Dr. Jones has been transforming smiles for over 40 years. Do you want to learn more about why patients choose Social Circle Dental? Dr. Jones will be happy to talk with you during a consultation appointment. Call our team at 770-464-1900 today to schedule your appointment.

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Many people in Social Circle and the surrounding areas desire flawless smiles. However, they want to attain radiant and beautiful smiles using safe and effective dental treatments. They are delighted to learn they can find these treatments at Social Circle Dental. Dr. Jones, a highly respected biological dentist, utilizes safe and effective dental materials. He is mindful of the effect dental materials can have on the whole body, so he uses biocompatible materials for restorations. 
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One of the many cosmetic treatments we offer is veneers, which can be ideal for misshapen, gapped, uneven, worn, or chipped teeth. Veneers can also be a solution for tooth stains from medications such as tetracycline, as these stains do not respond well to tooth whitening. Veneers are wafer-thin shells that are bonded onto the tooth enamel. We use porcelain to create the veneers, which is a strong, durable, stain resistant material. There is minimal tooth preparation to ensure the veneer is not bulky. Porcelain veneers provide many benefits including:
    •    Brightening teeth – You can bid farewell to tooth stains.
    •    Closing gaps between teeth – There will no longer be spaces in your smile.
    •    Restoring chipped or cracked teeth – You can smile with confidence with restored teeth.
    •    Realigning teeth – Veneers can provide the appearance of perfectly straight teeth.
    •    Reshaping teeth – When veneers are placed on misshapen teeth they can blend naturally with the smile.

To explore your candidacy for veneers, we recommend scheduling a consultation appointment with Dr. Jones. He will thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to determine if veneer treatment is right for you.  If you are a candidate for treatment, he will form a plan with you. 


Dr. Jones has been transforming smiles for more than 40 years with treatments such as veneers. He can restore the radiance to your smile. Do you want to have your smile cosmetically enhanced by a well-respected biological dentist? If you do, call our friendly team at 770-464-1900 today to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Jones.

Choosing between the various restorations available for the repair of a damaged tooth can seem overwhelming. There are many options available today for a good reason. We are no longer limited only to silver fillings or gold dental crowns. We have progressed beyond a standard metal crown, even with a porcelain overlay. When facing restoration with a dental crown, you now have options for technology as well as materials.

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In addition to various lab-fabricated crowns, we offer CEREC crowns in our Social Circle, GA practice. These crowns are similar to standard ceramic or porcelain crowns in some ways, but made differently. Primarily, the time frame makes CEREC immediately appealing, but there is more to love about this innovative technology.

There are various benefits to CEREC technology. Most recognized is the fact that CEREC crowns take only a few minutes to make, completing the entire restoration process within just one visit. Life is busy, and having the ability to complete dental treatment faster and with great accuracy saves precious time. Another benefit, which isn't usually considered, but is no less significant, is the fact that CEREC crowns are incredibly strong. Bonded directly to the prepared tooth, a CEREC crown can withstand the pressure of biting force for many years.


Every patient requires treatment based not only on time, but also on budget and specific physical needs. In providing choices for innovative treatment like CEREC, we ensure something for everyone.


Contact us on (770) 464-1900 to learn more about CEREC, or to schedule your next dental visit.

Social Injustices Associated with Amalgam

The use of mercury amalgam has led to many social injustices, including....

No Information

The term “silver fillings” has misled many dental consumers into believing that amalgam is just silver when it is really mostly mercury. Only 11% of Americans are told by their dentists that amalgam fillings are 50% mercury – and Americans making under $50,000/year, racial minorities, and women are even less likely to get enough information about what’s in their dental fillings. Consumers for Dental Choice is leading the charge to expose the “silver fillings” deception. Learn more here.

No Choice

Amalgam is routinely used in people who are given no choice – especially low-income families, soldiers, veterans, American Indians, and others subject to government dental programs through Medicaid/Medicare, the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Indian Health Service. Consumers for Dental Choice is challenging government programs that deny people the choice of mercury-free fillings. Learn more here.

No Coverage

Many dental insurance companies will not fully pay for mercury-free dental fillings. Instead, they give preference to mercury amalgam fillings, which they fully pay for. Consumers for Dental Choice is leading the campaign to reform insurance coverage to include mercury-free fillings. Learn more here. 

Mercury-Free Fillings

Mercury-free filling options Mercury-free dental fillings have been developed and studied for over fifty years. As a result, a wide variety of alternatives to mercury amalgam fillings are available today. The most popular mercury-free fillings include:

• Composite
• Glass Ionomer
• Compomer

Advantages of Mercury-free Fillings

Mercury-free dental fillings offer many advantages:

• Environment-friendly: Composites and glass ionomers are mercury-free, and there is no evidence of environmental toxicity.


• Preserve teeth: The placement of mercury-free fillings allows for less tooth destruction, which preserves more natural tooth structure. Composites fillings can also strengthen and enhance biomechanical properties of the restored tooth. As a result, the tooth itself can survive longer.


• Easier to Repair: Composite fillings are easier to repair than composites – which can save you both tooth structure and money. 


• Durable: Recent studies show that properly placed composite fillings can last just as long as– or even longer than – amalgam fillings.


• Prevent caries: Glass ionomers, used in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), have proven valuable in certain clinical situations where they can be more accessible and less expensive than amalgam (for example, in communities without electricity).


• User-friendly:  All properly trained dentists can place mercury-free fillings in any tooth requiring a filling. If a dentist tells you he or she has to use amalgam because it is too hard to use a mercury-free filling in your tooth, find a more competent dentist!

Increasing Use of Mercury-free Fillings

​Because mercury-free dental restorations are increasingly effective, available, and affordable, a growing number of countries have already made significant progress in phasing down – and even phasing out – amalgam use. The chart below shows the percentage of total fillings that are amalgam versus how many are mercury-free in several countries.

Workplace Hazards Associated with Amalgam

Dental professionals face the hazards of amalgam’s mercury everyday in their workplace, most of them with no protection against mercury exposure....


Workplace Mercury Exposure

Dental professionals – including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental office staff – can be exposed to mercury in their workplace, both directly and indirectly: 

• Direct exposure: Dental professionals can come into direct contact with amalgam’s mercury during the preparation, placement, and removal of amalgam fillings. Accidental mercury spills can also lead to direct exposure.


• Indirect mercury exposure:  Dental professionals can also encounter mercury indirectly in their work environment. Researchers have found high levels of mercury in the air of dental offices that use amalgam. This mercury can also contaminate carpeting and pipes.

Workplace Health Problems

This exposure to mercury in the workplace would explain.... 

• Higher mercury levels in dental professionals: Dental workers have higher levels of mercury in their bodies than the general population.


• More health problems for dental professionals: Dentists report or seek treatment for more health problems – including neurological, neuropsychological, respiratory, cardiac, and kidney disorders – than the general population.


• Reproductive problems for female dental professionals: : Female dental professionals of child-bearing age who are exposed to amalgam in the workplace experience more reproductive problems than unexposed women.