The Benefits of All-Porcelain Crowns

When you experience significant dental decay or simply have a tooth that doesn't look as good as you'd like, a dental crown provides a cosmetic and functional treatment solution. A dental crown is placed over a damaged tooth and is custom-made for your smile. While many think of a crown as being made of metal, our Campbell, CA dentist's office provides all-porcelain crowns for improved cosmetic effect and durability.

Life-Like Cosmetic Restorations
 
Porcelain crowns are made of a luminous material that is designed to look as close to a real tooth as possible. Their advanced aesthetic quality means they are especially good choices for front teeth that require restoration.
 
Crowns can be used to protect and repair a decayed tooth, restore a severely worn-down tooth, covering for a dental implant to replacing a missing tooth, or cosmetically improve a misshapen or severely discolored tooth. When your all-porcelain restoration is complete, it will naturally complement the appearance of the rest of your smile. 
   
Porcelain Crowns vs. Metal-Based Crowns
 
Before porcelain crowns were widely available or made to be as durable as they are today, metal crowns with a tooth-colored covering were the standard treatment choice. While these porcelain-over-metal crowns are durable, they do not offer the cosmetic benefits that porcelain crowns do. The translucency and color-matching possible with all-porcelain crowns make them ideal for matching the qualities of other teeth in your smile.
 
While cosmetic appearance in dental restorations is certainly important, there are many other reasons to choose a porcelain crown. Metal crowns are not sensitive to hot and cold - they can expand and contract with changing temperatures, which can cause discomfort or negatively impact underlying dental enamel.
 
Metal crowns can also cause soft tissue irritation in those allergic to metals commonly used in dental restorations -- these include nickel, chromium and palladium. Porcelain is not associated with causing allergic reactions and is gentle on gum tissue.
 
Learn More about Porcelain Crowns
 
Porcelain crowns can make damaged teeth look as natural as your own. With advancements in materials and fabrication processes, porcelain crowns are as long-lasting and resistant to wear as metal-based restorations.
 
To learn more about options for restoring teeth with all-porcelain crowns, please contact Hughes Dental Group for your consultation.

Traditional Veneers vs. Prep-Less Veneers: Which Will Work Best for You?

Veneers are a popular and effective way to completely transform your smile by covering the fronts of teeth with thin porcelain shells. There are generally two types of veneers – traditional and no-prep veneers. Deciding which will work best for you depends on the current state of your teeth and what issues you’re hoping to fix.

Traditional Veneers vs. Prep-Less Veneer

To apply regular porcelain veneers, teeth must be lightly buffed. This allows the veneer to be placed in a way that looks most natural – preparing teeth by removing a small amount of surface enamel means that the veneers do not add extra thickness to teeth. Teeth that look bulky appear over-treated and can diminish the cosmetic effect of veneer therapy.

Prep-less veneers are ultra-thin – thinner than standard veneers. For this reason, teeth do not need to be buffed or prepared before the veneers can be placed. Because they are not as thick, no-prep veneers can be applied without making teeth look fake.

Which Veneer Therapy is Right for Me?

Veneers are capable of giving you a smile makeover and creating teeth that are bright and even-looking, but one treatment doesn’t work for all patients.  Consider the following dental conditions:

Severe Discoloration -  For enamel that cannot be brightened with teeth bleaching, veneers can give you the white smile you want. However, because prep-less veneers are so thin, they may not be opaque enough to thoroughly correct instances of severely discolored teeth. For these patients, traditional veneers provide best results.

Minor Misalignment – Veneers are sometimes called instant orthodontics because they can change shape of teeth to close gaps. When teeth are prepared and shaped prior to treatment, placing a veneer can even help change the alignment of mildly crowded teeth.

Cracks and Chips – Both no-prep and traditional veneers are capable of masking minor flaws like cracked and chipped teeth.

Un-Balanced Tooth Shape – Veneers can make too-small or oddly shaped teeth look more uniform and natural.  Prep-less veneers work best, in this instance, for patients whose teeth are not already large or bulky. In other cases, traditional veneers deliver best results.

At Hughes Dental Group, we take care to recommend the cosmetic treatment that will deliver the results you want and help address all of your dental concerns. For more information on which kind of veneer therapy is right for you, contact our Campbell, CA cosmetic dentists for your consultation.

Are Dental Implants Worth It?

While dental implants may come with a higher price tag than the initial cost of getting a bridge or partial denture, it’s important to compare this initial investment with the long term care required for other restorations. In addition, patients considering semi-permanent or removable restorations should also examine the overall health implications of tooth restoration alternatives.

Replacing Worn Appliances

Bridges and dentures are replacement teeth that are not completely permanent. While bridges are bonded in place, they are secured to surrounding teeth with dental cement and are prone to breakage and damage over their lifetime. Repairing a broken bridge usually involves replacing the entire unit, which incurs added cost. While bridges may last a while with proper care, they are not life-long restorations and will, at some point, require replacement.

Damaged full dentures can often be repaired by a dental lab, but broken partial dentures would need to be replaced in full in order to ensure comfort and aesthetic. Breaking or damaging part of an implant-supported prosthetic does not mean that both the replacement teeth and the implant need to be repaired, thereby limiting cost for restorative care.

Effect on Oral Health

While bridges and dentures can give patients the appearance of a full and healthy smile, they can sometimes put you at elevated risk for other oral health issues, such as furthered tooth decay, shrinking gum tissue, shifting teeth, or cracked and broken teeth.

Instead, dental implants foster improved oral health through protecting healthy bone volume and not resting on, or negatively affecting, surrounding teeth and tissue.

Longevity of Comfort and Aesthetic

Over time, and as they age, bridges may look less natural – especially if the restoration has a metal base coated in tooth-colored material. Dentures may become loose and fit poorly as gum tissue shrinks, requiring routine readjustment to ensure comfortable fit.

Because implant dentures, bridges, and single crowns are supported by replacement tooth roots, they will feel, look, and act like your own natural teeth. They do not rest on or cause irritation to soft tissue, and because many of our implant restorations are pure porcelain, they will look highly similar to your real teeth.

Dental implants should be considered an investment in your health, wellness, and the appearance of your smile. If you have questions about whether implants will work for you, please call our Campbell implant dentist for more information.

When Do I Need a Dental Crown?

If a dental crown has been recommended as a part of your treatment plan, it’s likely that you have a tooth that has been severely decayed. Dental crowns are used for replacing the entire top part of your tooth – what’s visible above the gum line – to stop the spread of decay, and help you regain a strong bite.  But crowns can be used for a variety of reasons, or can be substituted for other dental restorations in some circumstances.

Crowns Used in Cosmetic Restorations

Dental crowns can be used for more cosmetic purposes as well. Crowns are traditionally made with a metal base coated in a porcelain, tooth-colored finish, but can also be made of pure porcelain or ceramic to more closely mimic the appearance of a natural tooth. If you have teeth that are too-small, or if your natural teeth are gapped and crowded, a cosmetic dentist can place a crown on a tooth to alter its shape and alignment. This method requires buffing-down existing dental enamel, so it’s typically only indicated for a tooth that needs restoration in the event of extensive cosmetic damage, like a large chip or crack.

Alternatives to Dental Crowns

The process for getting a dental crown does involve some preparation. In order to correct instances of decay and damage, the affected tooth is buffed and polished to accept the restoration. When dental enamel is healthy enough, however, more conservative restorations are used to preserve natural tooth structure.

Onlays and inlays can treat moderate decay by filling-in only the damaged parts of teeth, as opposed to the entire top part of a tooth. Onlays and inlays offer enhanced cosmetic benefit as well, if they are created from tooth-colored materials like porcelain.

In the event that a flaw on one of your teeth is small (like a very fine crack or a minor chip), composite dental bonding can sometimes be a viable alternative to a dental crown. Composite resin is built-up directly on teeth to hide any damage or replace broken enamel.

Do I Need a Crown? An Onlay? Or Dental Bonding?

Only your dentist will be able to tell you which restorative treatment will provide the best results for your long-term oral health and wellness. At Hughes Dental Group, we’re proud to offer cosmetic restorations that include porcelain crowns, bonding, and onlays and inlays. Contact our office for more information or if you need help deciding if a dental crown is right for you.

Gum Disease: How does it start and who’s at-risk?

Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissue surrounding and supporting your teeth. As it worsens, it can cause inflammation and attack bone, resulting in bleeding gums, bad breath, tooth decay and even tooth loss.

How Does Gum Disease Form?

Throughout the day, a build-up of bacteria and other materials can take up residence on and between our teeth, which forms a sticky shell of plaque over time. If untreated, plaque can harden to become tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing and instead, must be removed by a dentist.

A build-up of plaque and tartar allows small colonies of bacteria to form in pockets along the base of our teeth, and under the gum. The bacteria erode healthy tissue, and eats away at its surroundings. Gum disease can progress from a manageable condition, to more aggressive infection which can require surgical treatment.

You might be particularly susceptible to gum disease if you fall into one of the following categories:

• Smokers: Smoking is known to irritate the gum tissue, creating the perfect conditions for bacteria to breed and infect gums.
• Hormonal changes: Women going through hormonal changes, including pregnancy, will find their gum tissue softens, which also makes it easier for bacteria to attack.
• Compromised immune system and disease: People who are diagnosed with diabetes, AIDS, cancer and other conditions, do not have the same ability to fight off bacterial infections as healthy people. Also, certain medications for these conditions can reduce the amount of saliva present in the mouth, allowing bacteria to sit longer, if not removed on a regular basis.

While gum disease is common, it can also be effectively treated, or avoided altogether. If you are concerned about the health of your gums, or would like to learn more about how our Campbell, CA dental office treats gum disease, contact our office for your next dental appointment.

What to Expect with Zoom! Teeth Whitening

Getting your smile to look whiter and healthier can be easily achieved with an in-office whitening treatment from Zoom! Unlike hit-and-miss drugstore whitening products, professional whitening from our dental office provides patients with the dramatically brighter results they’re hoping for. If you’re interested in same-day teeth whitening, but aren’t sure what to expect from treatment, consider the following:

During your Teeth Whitening Appointment

To brighten your teeth, our dentists will apply a layer of whitening agent to teeth and then activate the gel with a special light for around 15 minutes. You’ll be provided with eyewear during this phase of treatment. We’ll also use a protective barrier so that the whitening gel does not irritate soft tissue, such as gums or the inside of checks. This application and activation process will be repeated a few times to ensure that your teeth are whitened to the desired shade.

Minimizing any Post Treatment Discomfort

It’s possible for all whitening treatments, even drugstore whitening products, to cause some post-treatment sensitivity. Any discomfort you encounter is temporary and can be alleviated with over-the-counter medication. Patients with especially sensitive teeth may want to consider our at-home whitening with Opalesence, which contains ingredients that help limit sensitivity during and after teeth bleaching.

After Your Same-Day Whitening Treatment

To keep your smile looking fresh, and to avoid staining your teeth immediately after treatment, it’s important to avoid eating and drinking certain things for 48 hours after your teeth have been bleached. Be careful not consume highly pigmented foods and drinks like red wine, tomato sauce, coffee, and dark soft drinks. A good rule of thumb to consider is: if it would stain a white tablecloth, it could stain your teeth as well.

If you have questions about same-day teeth whitening with Zoom! or how you can achieve a brighter smile with any our of whitening therapies, contact Hughes Dental Group for more information.

Tips for Keeping Your Teeth White

We all know that we should be brush twice a day, but if you are among those who want whiter teeth, you’ll have to look beyond a basic healthcare regimen. Keep the following tips in mind when trying to boost the whiteness of your smile:

Kick your Bad Habits

Are you a red wine aficionado? Do you drink cups of tea of coffee each day? Or are you a cigarette smoker? Those drinks and bad habits aren't doing your teeth any favors. Dark foods and beverages, as well as tobacco products, can stain your teeth. Either cut them out completely, or spend some time cleaning your teeth immediately after you’ve finished your coffee, tea, or wine.

Choose More Veggies

Your dietary choices don't just impact your weight and energy levels, they can also impact your teeth. Foods that are fibrous, such as celery, lettuce, and apples, can actually go some way to removing existing stains. Because they are naturally abrasive, they help prevent stain molecules from attaching to teeth enamel.

Find a Whitening Treatment that Works 

Whitening treatments are high on the list of the most popular cosmetic therapies. If you find that your smile needs an extra boost of whitening, there are at-home whitening kits and even whitening treatments that we offer in our Campbell, CA cosmetic dental office that can help.

We use Opalesence® at-home teeth whitening trays that are custom-made just for you. You’ll wear the tray, which holds the whitening solution, for just minutes a day until your smile is the desired shade of white. If you’re interested in same-day teeth whitening, we offer Zoom! whitening. Zoom! only takes an hour to complete – you’ll leave our office the same day with a whiter smile.

Questions about Teeth Whitening?

We’re happy to help you find a way to a brighter smile. Contact our cosmetic dentists to learn more about teeth whitening treatments and at-home care.

Dealing with Fear of Oral Surgery

Many dental patients are particularly fearful of the idea of undergoing oral surgery. If you find yourself in this position, there are several things you can do to help manage this anxiety, such as:

Gain an Understanding of the Procedure

It’s absolutely natural for people to be afraid of things they don’t have any experience with. It can help allay your fears to have a good talk with our office to be sure you do completely understand what will happen during the procedure. Once you know what’s going to happen, you might find that you’re no longer afraid of the surgery.

Practice Relaxation

If you’re still feeling anxious about undergoing oral surgery, it might be helpful to learn a few relaxation techniques that you can use to stay calm during the procedure.

Try consciously slowing down your breathing by inhaling over a count of three, and exhaling over a further 3-count. When you do this, it makes it much harder for your body and mind to begin a panic reaction by breathing rapidly. By consciously breathing slowly and deeply, you help prevent the feeling of panic..

Along with breathing techniques, it can also help to visualize what you’re doing in your mind. For example, try something called square breathing, in which you imagine traveling along the sides of a square with each inhale or exhale.

These techniques will help you relax more easily if you start practicing them for around ten minutes a day, starting a few weeks before your oral surgery appointment.

Learn about Sedation Dentistry

Most surgical procedures require the use of treatment aids that make the procedure more comfortable. If you have questions about what level of anesthetic or sedation will be provided for your treatment, talk to our office.

For some treatments, like tooth extraction or dental implant placement, the procedure is quicker and more comfortable than you might think --- requiring only a localized numbing agent. However, if you are anxious about seeking oral surgery, our office is happy to provide sedation dentistry. Sedation helps you enjoy a state of deep relaxation during treatment; your visit will appear to have passed in only a few minutes.

How Do I Care for My Invisalign® Aligners?

You're on the path to a straighter, healthier smile –  and,while your Invisalign® retainers are doing all the straightening, it's still your job to make sure your aligners are clean each day. If you’re wearing your clear aligners all the time, what can you do to keep them in top shape? And what happens if you don't?

Cleaning Your Aligners Each Day

We're all familiar with how clear Invisalign® aligning trays are. The clear plastic retainers have been customized to closely fit to your teeth, and other people hardly every notice them. In fact, when placed on a table top or counter, it can be hard to find them – that's how clear they are. But if they aren't cared for properly, their transparency will be affected and so will your smile.

A simple solution for keeping aligners clean is frequent brushing and rinsing. Think you might forget? Try this: For each time you brush your teeth, brush your trays too. Invisalign® aligners can be cleaned using special cleaning "crystals" or tablets (ask our office about these).

To clean your aligners, follow these simple steps:

• Rinse aligners with lukewarm or tepid water. Warm, or hot water can cause the retainers to lose their shape and become uncomfortable, or even unwearable.  

• Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and using circular motions, brush all of the surfaces of your aligner. Do not use toothpaste, as the abrasive quality of the paste can affect the invisibility of your aligners. Thoroughly rinse the trays in lukewarm water.

• In case of calcium build-up, soak aligners in a cleaning solution as recommended by our office. Do not soak your retainer in mouthwash, as it can discolor the trays. 

Smoking is strongly discouraged, since it can cause discoloration and staining on aligners, just as it does on teeth. 

Clean Teeth = Clean Aligner Trays

Although the trays are removed to eat and drink, leaving food and debris on your teeth can lead to dental problems, including gum disease. Brushing and flossing each time you eat or drink and before you re-insert your trays prevents debris from being trapped on teeth, causing oral health problems.

If you have any questions about good oral health practices for clear braces, contact our office to speak to one of our friendly dental professionals.

Five Reasons to Love Sedation Dentistry

Few people enjoy going to the dentist, even for routine check-ups, but for many people those routine visits are ordeals that cause a great deal of anxiety. If you’re in this situation—and you’ve been putting off a much-needed dental visit because of it—you might be a good candidate for sedation dentistry.

Sedation is an ideal option for anyone who is nervous or scared about undergoing dental procedures, or who has trouble with any aspect of dental visits. There are several reasons why a dentist might recommend sedation dentistry to a patient, including:

1. If anxiety is keeping you from visiting the dentist at all, even for routine check-ups, sedation dentistry can help you feel more relaxed about going.
   
2. Some people have a strong gag reflex that makes it very difficult for them to comfortably undergo even routine dental treatments. In these cases, sedation dentistry can make the procedure go much more smoothly.
   
3. A dentist might recommend sedation dentistry for a patient who has a low pain threshold or who has very sensitive teeth.
   
4. Sedation dentistry is often recommended for people who find it difficult to sit still for long periods. This is sometimes a reason why dentists recommend sedation dentistry for children.
   
5. If a procedure is long or involved, sedation dentistry is usually preferred by dentists, as it makes the procedure more comfortable for the patient.

If you fit into one of these categories, sedation dentistry provides an effective solution for your dental anxiety. Once you are sedated, you will not feel discomfort and, depending on the sedation method used, your dental visit will appear to have passed in minutes. Most dentists can provide one or two sedation options, including nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and help you pick the treatment that’s right for you.

If you are anxious about getting dental treatment, including routine check-ups, don’t be afraid to ask our office about sedation dentistry.  We’re happy to talk you through your options and help you feel more comfortable about your dental visits.

What to Look for in a Family Dentist

These days, a lot of emphasis is placed on convenience, affordability and speed. Can this product deliver faster than its competitor? Can this service save me time? We are inundated with shortcuts and solutions. But, when it comes to our health, is it right to apply those metrics to our choice of care providers?

When choosing a family dentist,  the advantages of picking the right dental professional offer long-term benefits for all members of your family. Here's why:

Convenience

When you think about convenience, what springs to mind? A one-stop location where you can get everything you need?

Getting comprehensive care without having to deal with multiple providers, or finding a single location that serves your entire family, is important for families with busy schedules. Our family dental office offers multiple dental specialties under a single roof. Our team understands the different conditions affecting teeth at all stages of life; your entire family can be treated at one location.

A Trusting Patient Relationship

A relationship based on trust takes time, and when you have a family dentist, you are given that time. Our family dentists are experienced and educated in treating patients of all ages. Introducing children to our office from a young age helps establish good dental habits, and helps your child become used to coming in to see us for checkups. We get to know your family to better customize treatment plans to match your needs.

Establishing Preventive Care at a Young Age

Family dentists place a lot of emphasis on preventive care. From regular dental visits for cleanings and examinations, to educating patients on the correct tooth brushing techniques, family dentists offer a wealth of information and guidance. We encourage patients to practice at-home care at an early age, which is crucial in the fight against gum disease and tooth decay. We are also able to spot potential problem areas before they develop into something more serious, which saves our family patients from a lot of discomfort and expense.

If you have questions about how a family dentist can provide comprehensive care for all members of your family, contact our office to schedule consultation.

When Do You Need Orthodontics?

Having crooked teeth can affect your confidence, but did you know that it can also affect your oral health? When teeth grow in crooked it’s not just an aesthetic issue; it can actually create much more serious problems. In some cases, the problem of crooked teeth is one that can fix itself over time, but often, orthodontics is the best solution.

Common Dental Issues that Require Orthodontic Treatment

The most common problem for which orthodontic treatment is required is overcrowding of the bottom teeth. This happens if the teeth are too large for the jaw, and it can cause teeth to grow crooked, or too close together. Sometimes a child may grow out of this problem -- as they get older, their jaw grows large enough to comfortably accommodate their teeth. However, if the problem persists into adulthood, it can lead to tooth decay, as overcrowded teeth are more difficult to thoroughly clean.

Another common problem that often requires orthodontic intervention is overbite or under bite. A minor overbite or under bite rarely needs treatment, but if the teeth are seriously misaligned, possible problems include difficulty eating and speaking, and an increased chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth wear and tear. Most experts believe it’s best to treat these problems during childhood, or during the teens.

Cosmetic vs. Corrective Treatment

With each of these dental problems, the question is whether the treatment is truly necessary, or if it’s recommended for cosmetic purposes. Many parents are opting to delay treatment if it’s recommended purely for cosmetic reasons, especially if the problem is only a minor one.

On the other hand, if the problem is severe enough that it’s causing pain, difficulty eating, or other serious issues, then orthodontic treatment should be started as soon as possible.

Do You Need Treatment?

The question of whether you need orthodontic treatment is one that’s best discussed with our office. Any problems relating to tooth alignment or your bite—how your teeth meet and fit together—are problems that might need orthodontic treatment.

In either case, your first step should be to contact our office for more information on getting orthodontic care. For children, the American Academy of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic exam before seven years of age, to make sure their teeth are developing normally.

If you have questions about teeth crowning or bite alignment treatment, contact our office at (408) 915-6424 to speak to a member of our friendly dental team.

Five Benefits of Choosing Lumineers®

Having a set of porcelain veneers fitted to your teeth can make an incredible difference in aesthetic, giving you a bright white and attractive smile. While all porcelain veneers can improve your appearance, some styles of veneers provide offer advantages over others. Lumineers®, for example, are minimal-prep cosmetic treatments that help patients get flawless smiles in only a few dental visits.

Comfortable, Minimal-Prep Treatment 

Lumineers® are laminates, and as such as are much thinner than standard veneers. The process for fitting Lumineers® therefore requires that the dentist buff down only a thin layer of enamel from each tooth to accommodate the veneers. The Lumineers® treatment process is slightly faster and doesn’t require anesthetic or other numbing agents for the sake of patient comfort.

Fewer Problems for People with Sensitive Teeth or Gums

Standard types porcelain veneers cause discomfort to the gum line, but Lumineers® are so thin that they are much less likely to cause similar issues for cosmetic dental patients.

You Get a Naturally Beautiful Smile 

The thinness of Lumineers® provides yet another advantage: they have increased translucency, which means your smile looks more natural than it might with thicker porcelain veneers. Lumineers® are color-matched to blend with any natural teeth, just like traditional veneers, but their high level of translucency ensures that your teeth don’t look obviously treated or fake in any way.

Long-Lasting Treatment

Most porcelain veneers last ten to fifteen years under optimal conditions and with good care. Lumineers® can last up to twenty years if they are cared for properly, with good oral hygiene at home, along with regular dental visits.

If You Change Your Mind, Treatment is Reversible

If, at any time, you decide that Lumineers® don’t help you meet your cosmetic dental goals, they can be removed entirely. Again, this is thanks to the thinness of the veneers and that only minimal amounts of your own tooth structure were altered in preparation for treatment. Unlike most other veneers, Lumineers® can be safely removed at any time, with your natural smile’s structure and integrity in-tact.

Lumineers® help our patients get beautifully restored smiles in just two visits to our cosmetic dental office. If you have questions about getting porcelain veneers, contact our office to schedule your consultation.

The Benefits of Porcelain Cosmetic Dentistry

When searching for cosmetic dental treatments, the outcome must offer resilience, be long-lasting, and natural-looking. The restoration should also function just like a tooth, and provide stability. It's a tall order, but thanks to advancements in cosmetic dentistry, patients have more materials and treatments to choose from – among them, the option to select porcelain restorations as your treatment of choice.

The Benefits of Porcelain Cosmetic Dentistry 

Porcelain is made by heating raw minerals at high temperatures, which produces a strong and highly durable material.

In dentistry, porcelain can be sculpted and custom-designed to closely mimic the look of real dental enamel and functions similarly to a natural tooth. Porcelain is versatile, and can be used in inlays, onlays, crown, veneers, and more. Our cosmetic dentistry patients choose porcelain restorations for any of the following reasons:

• Natural Appearance – Porcelain is opaque and tooth-like in color. It also possesses similar luminosity (or light-reflecting properties) that mimics that of the tooth's enamel. Porcelain can be shaped and colored to resemble the natural tooth to such an extent that it is indistinguishable from neighboring teeth.
• Strength – As a manufactured material, porcelain offers reliable strength and can withstand force, including that of full biting and chewing power 
• Gum Health – Porcelain doesn't aggravate gum tissue, that way that metal amalgam can.
• Versatility – Porcelain can be used for crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays, bridges, and other cosmetic treatments. It offers a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape without compromise. Porcelain is highly stain resistant and provides a long-term solution to dental problems.

If you're looking for a way to get natural-looking cosmetic dentistry, our porcelain dental treatments offer the perfect solution. Contact our office to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and your options for care.

How to Choose an Implant Dentist

Getting dental implants to restore one or more missing teeth can change your life for the better, but picking the right dentist to do the work is an essential first step. Choosing a skilled implant dentist—someone you trust and can feel comfortable with—provides reassurance to feel good about getting dental implants.

Placing and restoring dental implants is a specialized procedure, and it makes good sense, both for your peace of mind and for your oral health, to choose a dentist who has experience to do a great job. Many dentists are capable of placing dental implants; however, not all of them have the skills or technology to ensure ideal placement and best final treatment outcomes.

There are several questions you can ask an implant dentist to find out if they’ll be a good fit for your needs.

• How long has the implant dentist been practicing and how many implant procedures have they performed?
• Can they provide before and after photos of other patients they have treated?
• What technology do they use to improve the implant procedure? Examples digital imaging or guided implant surgery. 
• Do they provide sedation dentistry services, if needed? Sedation can make the implant procedure much for anxious patients. If you’re typically worried or anxious about visiting the dentist, this might be high on your list of priorities.

Finding the exact right position for surgical placement of your dental implant is an important part of the treatment process and helps your implant last for a lifetime – and something that only the right dentist can accomplish.

Hughes Dental Group is home to dental specialists with decades of experience providing quality dental care. We’ve helped many patients in achieving whole new smiles that are both healthy and beautiful. Our dental team is committed to staying up-to-date on all advancements in the field of dentistry to ensure that your implant treatment is successful.

If you have questions about dental implants, or would like to ask any of our implant dentists the above questions, contact our office to schedule your consultation.