Why You Shouldn’t Fear Root Canal Therapy

Most patients immediately feel anxious at the thought of requiring a root canal procedure. Your dental professional might recommend this treatment to address severe tooth decay, injury, trauma, damaged teeth, or an abscess. For many patients, having their discomfort treated is appealing. However, many people put off treatment because they’re afraid of root canals. Although the term may sound alarming, root canal therapy is designed to alleviate pain, not add to it.

Apprehensions about root canal therapy are nothing new. Here are some common questions and concerns that our dental professionals at Hughes Dental Group answer when patients are in need of endodontic treatment.

Why is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?

A tooth’s structure is made up of several layers; the outer protective enamel, the dentin, and the inner soft tissue called the pulp. This internal area contains an entire network of nerves, blood vessels, and the connective tissue that supports a strong and healthy tooth. When the tooth is damaged by an injury, severe decay, or faulty fillings, the interior workings are vulnerable to significant infection. If this is left untreated, it can lead to increased discomfort or an abscess.

What Should I Expect During the Procedure?

First and foremost, a local anesthetic is always used while patients undergo treatment. This makes for a comfortable and calm procedure, even for anxious patients. The ideal purpose of root canal therapy is to remove the source of your pain and to disinfect the affected tooth cavity properly.

Once the harmful bacteria is cleared from pulp chamber and the root canals, medicinal bio-compatible materials are used to fill the canals. A temporary crown is placed, sealing off the area until a newly customized filling can be permanently set, finalizing your root canal therapy. All in all, you can expect to have full dental function and a restored smile.

At Hughes Dental Group, our dental team is dedicated to restoring your smile to its natural health and beauty.

If you or a loved one are in need of root canal therapy, we encourage you to call or visit our Campbell, CA practice today!

Why Flossing Still Matters

Flossing your teeth may not be the most exciting part of your oral health routine, but it is one of the easiest ways to protect your teeth from decay and gum disease.  At Hughes Dental Group, our first priority is your oral health, and we feel it’s important to debunk the myth that flossing is not necessary for your dental health. In fact, flossing your teeth is as important as ever.

Flossing is an Important Part of Maintaining Good Oral Health

Flossing should be part of every oral health routine. Here are just some of the benefits.

Flossing prevents decay between the teeth - Your toothbrush just can’t get to these hard-to-reach spots. A combination of thorough brushing and flossing is your best defense against cavities. Flossing will break up harmful bacteria that can wreak havoc on your oral health.

Flossing slows the staining process - Reduce the amount of yellow plaque between teeth to develop a whiter, brighter smile.

Flossing stops minor cavities from growing - The best defense against cavities is brushing and flossing daily, but did you know that flossing can also stop small cavities in their tracks? By breaking up food particles and daily bacterial growth, enamel wear is slowed and stopped by flossing.

Flossing minimizes the effects of gum disease - Half the population of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease. Flossing your teeth regularly is one of the best methods of prevention. Flossing eliminates food particles between teeth and stimulates the growth of healthy gum tissue.

Flossing Tips

Choose a comfortable floss - Not all floss is created equal. There are many brands to choose from, and it’s important to try a few out until you find a brand that you like. If you buy a floss that you don’t like, you may neglect to floss altogether.

If you don’t like flossing - If you’ve experimented with different brands and you still don’t enjoy flossing, try using floss sticks, interdental brushes, or a Waterpik. All of these clean between your teeth, just like dental floss. The most effective tool is the one you’ll actually use.

Don’t snap the floss against your gums - Gently work your floss up between your teeth and gums, as this will thoroughly clean them.

Be sure to floss the outside of your back molars - It’s surprising how much plaque can build up in these spots. They are often neglected and result in cavity development.

Flossing is an important part of a good dental hygiene routine. If you brush and floss daily, you will prevent dental issues and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. Be sure to schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with our Campbell, California office. Hughes Dental Group is open Monday through Friday and occasional Saturdays for your convenience. 

The Dangers of Sugar Consumption

It’s hard to imagine anyone saying no to sugar, but too much of it harms your oral and bodily health. While it’s ok to have sugar in moderation, too much can create cavities, tooth decay and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

The state of your oral health is linked to the rest of your body, which means that any condition that occurs in your mouth has the potential to travel elsewhere if left untreated. Sugar is known to create many issues that affect the rest of the body.

Why Is Sugar Bad for Teeth?

Plaque and tartar are caused by bacteria that are left on your teeth. Without proper hygiene, bacteria will deteriorate your tooth enamel. In order to thrive, bacteria feed on nutrients that allow it to grow and spread. Bacteria’s favorite food is sugar, which can be found in excess in several of the foods that you eat.

Whether you are eating natural or processed sugar, the substance is detrimental to your teeth. That’s why it’s important for you to brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly to ensure that sugar is not creating any undue harm. Without consistent oral hygiene practices, bacteria will continue to spread, causing cavities, gum disease and other conditions that can seriously affect the health and appearance of your teeth.

How Can You Reduce Your Sugar Intake?

Protecting your teeth starts with being mindful of what you consume. Limiting the number of sugary drinks and candy you eat is one of the steps you can take to creating a healthier smile.

Of course, avoiding sugar altogether is nearly impossible, and you deserve to eat a sweet treat every now and then. When you do, then be sure to rinse your mouth afterward to limit the amount of sugar left on your teeth and therefore reduce bacterial growth in your smile. Additionally, you can opt for sugar-free versions of your favorite foods and drinks, which help preserve your smile.

For children, sugar consumption should be closely monitored by parents as it can cause cavities early on. Rather than feed children processed sugars, improve their diet with veggies and some fruits that keep teeth clean and promote bodily health.

Call to Learn More!

You can get more information about the dangers of sugar consumption during a consultation in our office. Call our team at Hughes Denatl Group to schedule your appointment!

Invisalign® Clear Braces Versus Traditional Orthodontics: Is One Better than the Other?

Not so long ago, braces were the only option available for fixing tooth alignment problems. That’s not the case anymore, thanks to alternatives such as Invisalign® treatment. For patients who need their teeth straightened, the question is, “are braces my best option?” This guide was written to help individuals decide on what is best for their desired needs and goals.

Benefits of Invisalign Clear Aligners

The Invisalign system offers many advantages over traditional orthodontics. A significant benefit being their nearly-undetectable nature, as they are made of clear plastic. For both teens and adults alike, this means there’s no need to feel self-conscious about wearing Invisalign.

The removable aligners also offer convenient dental treatment. Since they can be removed there are no dietary restrictions, and makes cleaning aligners and teeth simple. Keeping up with dental hygiene is easy with Invisalign.

It’s important to note that Invisalign is more a cosmetic treatment than an orthodontic treatment. Invisalign can correct mild to moderate tooth alignment problems, and can usually do so in under a year. However, it’s not a suitable treatment for issues such as severe malocclusion, or for treating malocclusion in children.

Benefits of Traditional Braces 

At first glance, it seems that traditional braces have many disadvantages in comparison to Invisalign. For instance, traditional braces are visible. And since the network of wires isn’t removable, certain kinds of foods are off-limits when you’re wearing braces. However, orthodontic braces are still by far the best treatment option for many teeth alignment problems. This tried-and-true method of treatment has been used for decades to correct these kinds of issues with great success.

Traditional braces are definitely the superior choice when correcting severe malocclusion. In some cases—when molars need correcting—braces are the only effective treatment option. In general, traditional braces are the best option for moderate to severe alignment problems that take more than 18 months to correct. They are also not limited by age, where children, teens, and adults are candidates for orthodontic treatment.

Hughes Dental Group grants Options for Orthodontic Treatment

Even comparing Invisalign clear aligners and braces side-by-side, it’s hard to choose a winner, simply because they’re both excellent options. Invisalign is great for people with mild to moderate alignment issues, while traditional braces are better for people with more extensive alignment problems.
At Hughes Dental Group, we diagnose malocclusion and apply appropriate braces treatment. Contact us today if you have jaw and teeth alignment issues and would like to receive an orthodontic exam.

Are Dental Implants Good Teeth Replacements? – Hughes Dental Group – Campbell, CA

Dental implants are slowly but surely becoming the new standard for teeth replacement. Instead of just replacing teeth above the gums, implant posts are surgically placed into the jaw bone, acting as new tooth roots. This comprehensive method offers extensive benefits to your oral health and the look of your smile. Consider how dental implants may be right for you:

Restoring Your Jaw Strength

Many may not realize how harmful it is to lose teeth. When teeth are extracted or knocked out, the root is separated from the jaw bone. Without the root, the jaw bone stops supporting the area with nutrients, and eventually the site of the missing tooth shrinks. With multiple missing teeth, this jaw bone shrinking – a process called bone resorption – weakens the durability of the jaw. This also affects your facial features, creating a sunken look around the mouth.

Once placed, dental implants reverse this process. Made from titanium, your jaw bone naturally fuses to this resilient material and forms a strong bond. This bond encourages bone tissue to return and rebuilds strength for a more stable bite. In some cases, bone grafts may be necessary to widen jaw bone structure for proper placement, but your oral health will be the better for it. Your jaw bone is the foundation for a healthy and beautiful smile, and restoring it with dental implant treatment supports a natural bite and comfortable function.

You Can Have a Beautiful Smile Again

Implant-supported restorations are attached to implant posts and are the final step in this treatment. They are designed to look like your own teeth and to fit inside your smile naturally. Depending on the number of teeth that need replacement, implant posts support individual crowns, bridges, or dentures. All restorations will never fall out like your typical dentures, and permit normal speaking and eating as you would with normal teeth.

Restore a Full Smile with Hughes Dental Group 

It is the mission of our dental team to restore your smile to full function and provide personal attention to address your dental needs. Contact us to schedule your dental implant consultation, and take the first step to obtaining a full smile.

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.