General Treatment

Hughes Dental Groups offers personal, comfortable dental care to residents in Campbell, California. Our team of “family” dentists works together to provide our patients with a full range of the latest dental services from routine check-ups and fillings to dental veneers and dental implants. We also offer both at-home and in-office tooth whitening to give you the pearly white smile you’ve always wanted. With your convenience in mind, we have also implemented an in-office lab that allows us to fabricate our own crowns and bridges, which not only shortens your time in our office, but allows us to keep our prices competitive.

Below is a list of some of the services and treatments we provide. To learn more about these services, click on the link you’d like to view or contact us for more information.

Silver Fillings	Dentures
Crowns	Partial Dentures
Bonding	X-rays
Veneers	Dental Implants
Inlays & Onlays	Halitosis
Bridges	Tooth Whitening
Invisalign®	Biopsies
Periodontal Treatment	Extractions
Root Canal Treatment

Silver Fillings & White Fillings

The concept of a “filling” is replacing and restoring your tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture with a material. We offer both traditional (metal) fillings and white (composite) fillings to restore your smile and teeth to a more natural look and feel.

Silver

Silver fillings have been used for nearly 100 years to restore decaying teeth. Made up of compounded silver, copper, zinc and tin, the mercury that is present in the amalgam filling has not shown any evidence in the past century that is harmful to patients.

Silver fillings are very durable and offer a more affordable solution for protecting your teeth from further decay. The silver filling will eventually begin to corrode and leak resulting in tooth decay, at which time the filling will need to be replaced.

White (Composite) Fillings

While white (composite) fillings are not as strong as metal fillings, but they do offer patients a more aesthetically pleasing treatment option for preventing further tooth decay. White fillings are made of a resin material that can easily bond to your teeth and can be easily adjusted to closely match the shade of your natural teeth.

Composite fillings are smaller than silver fillings, allowing it to better seal the tooth from any leaks. They too will have to be replaced eventually as a result of normal wear and tear.

White fillings tend to cost approximately 25% more than silver fillings.

Crowns

A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials.

The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:

Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it.
Re-sculpturing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.
Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually takes two weeks).
Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-made crown is being created.
Applying the permanent crown (when received from the lab 2 weeks later) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the permanent one onto the tooth.
After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, the dentist cements it into place.

This process typically involves 2 visits, about 2 weeks apart.

Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns. This helps in the prevention of gum disease. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime.

Aesthetic Bonding

Bonding is a common solution for:

Fixing or repairing chipped or cracked teeth
Reducing unsightly gaps or spaces between teeth
Hiding discoloration or faded areas on the tooth’s surface

Often used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. As the name indicates, composite material, either a plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.

Composite bonding has many advantages:

It is a quick process, which typically lasts less than one hour.
It does not reduce the tooth’s original structure and is relatively inexpensive.
Composite resins come in many different shades and provide better matching of shades to the natural color of your teeth.
Composite bonds, however, are not as durable and long-lasting as veneers and crowns and may need to be re-touched or replaced in the future.

Composite bonds stain more easily and therefore require proper care and regular cleaning. In order to ensure the longest possible duration of the bonding, composites should be brushed and flossed daily. Common staining elements include coffee, tea, tobacco, foods and candy.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent “shells” typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.

Common problems that veneers are used for:

Spaces between the teeth
Broken or chipped teeth
Unsightly, stained or discolored teeth
Permanently stained or discolored teeth
Crooked or misshapen teeth

Veneers are a great aesthetic solution to your smile that may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.

Please contact our office if you have any further questions on veneers.

Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and onlays are a great alternative to traditional metal fillings, primarily because less of the tooth structure needs to be removed. Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations, suitable for treating mild to moderate decay, and can be used to restore a cracked or fractured tooth if the damage is not extensive enough to require a crown.

Generally, inlays are small restorations that fit within the contours of the biting surface of a tooth, while onlays cover a portion or the entire chewing surface.

Inlays and onlays can be made from porcelain, gold or composite resin, but porcelain yields the most natural-looking result. Once fabricated, they are securely bonded to the tooth.

The advantages of inlays and onlays include:

Being more aesthetically pleasing since they can be fabricated from tooth-colored materials. Unlike traditional metal fillings, the inlays and onlays are virtually invisible.
Removing less of the tooth structure to achieve optimal results.
Not causing excessive wear and tear to opposing tooth structures.
Preventing the need for more significant treatment in the future.

The process for placing inlays and onlays generally requires two or more office visits. Initially, once the decay is removed, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth. A temporary restoration is placed until the custom-made inlay or onlay is manufactured in a laboratory.

Following a proper oral hygiene regimen daily ensures the success and longevity of your new restoration. Ask how inlays and onlays can help improve your smile today!

Bridges

When teeth are missing, the remaining ones can change position, drifting into the surrounding space. It often is difficult to clean crooked teeth. This may lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Missing teeth will additionally offset your bite, causing stress on certain teeth, making those teeth susceptible to fractures and other dental problems. A bridge is a dental prosthetic that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. It consists of one or more filler teeth that are attached to two crowns which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.

Clearly Different

The Invisalign® System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign® aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position prescribed by your orthodontist. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign® is right for you. After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign® uses advanced computer technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of finely calibrated aligners -- as few as 12 or as many as 48. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to move gradually -- week-by-week until the final alignment prescribed is attained. Then you'll be smiling like you never have before!

If you want to learn more about Invisalign® and how it works, please visit the Invisalign® Homepage.

To ensure the best possible results, only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign®. Invisalign® is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. Only an orthodontist can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you. To see if Invisalign® can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, contact us to make an appointment.

Periodontal Treatment

Periodontics refers to the gum and bone surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis (gum disease) occurs when the gum tissue gets infected and swollen. Gum disease ranges from mild to severe levels. Periodontitis, which also can range in severity, occurs when both gum and bone are infected, resulting in the loss of bone that supports the teeth. Plaque is the most common element causing periodontal problems. Proper oral hygiene, daily dental care and regular dental checkups will minimize the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Common problems associated with periodontal problems:

“Long” teeth (receding gum lines expose the root portions of your teeth)
Bleeding of the gums while brushing or flossing
Gum pockets (holes in between the teeth in the gum tissue)
Bulbous and very red gum line (discoloration or inflammation of the gum tissue)
Tooth loss or tooth movement

The effects of gum disease can be damaging to your dental health and your overall health in general. Through proper preventive care and oral hygiene, you can avoid problems associated with gum disease.

Please contact our office for a periodontal evaluation and cleaning. Dr. Kashani, our periodontist (gum specialist), is happy to work with you.

Root Canal

Endodontics is a term referred to the area of soft tissue inside the tooth. A root canal is the most common endodontic procedure. During a root canal, the nerves are removed from the root canals of the tooth. The canals are then shaped and filled with material to seal the tooth.

This treatment is necessary when a tooth has become severely infected. It allows a tooth to be saved and remain functional in the mouth.

Patients who need endodontic treatment may have some of the following conditions:

Pain upon biting
Severe sensitivity to hot and cold elements
Significant tooth decay
Chipped or broken tooth
Trauma to the tooth
Swelling or tenderness near the infected tooth

A common misconception is that a root canal is a painful procedure. Actually, root canals are similar to having a cavity filled, producing minimal pain.

Please contact our office for an evaluation if you experience any of the symptoms above. Dr. SanFilippo, our endodontist (root canal specialist) would be happy to work with you.

Dentures

The framework of a complete denture is called the base, usually made of gum-colored acrylic plastic. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of the mouth) while that of the lower is shaped like a horseshoe. The gum and bone tissues of the dental ridge support the denture. The base, which conforms closely to the ridge is held in place with a thin film of saliva. When the upper denture rests over the gums and palate, a seal is created, shich holds the denture in place. Cheek muscles and tongue help hold the lower denture in place.

Conventional Denture

These are placed in the patient's mouth after the teeth are removed and tissues have healed. Healing may take several months. The process of making these may take up to 3 to 4 visits.

Immediate Complete Denture

This type of denture is inserted right after the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Implant-Retained Denture

A complete denture also may be attached to dental implants (titanium fixtures attached directly to the jaw bone), which provide a more secure fit, especially when the patient has lost a lot of bone. Properly healed implants can even help reduce further bone loss.

Your dentist will determine which type of denture is right for you. The good thing about dentures is that they can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth. Full dentures may even restore the look of your smile.

Removable Partial Denture

When teeth are missing, the remaining ones can change position, drifting into the surrounding space. It often is difficult to clean crooked teeth. This may lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Missing multiple teeth will additionally offset your bite, causing stress on certain teeth, making those teeth susceptible to fractures and other dental problems. By supporting your lips and cheeks, a removable partial denture and also improve your speech and prevent your face from sagging.

A removable partial denture replaces missing teeth and can be taken in and out of your mouth. The replacement teeth are attached to pink gum-colored acrylic bases and connected by a metal framework. They may attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps.

X-rays

We offer one of the latest technological advances in dentistry with digital radiography (X-rays). A wireless sensor is placed in the mouth, and a computer generates an image in 30 seconds as opposed to the general 4-6 minute wait time for images taken on dental film. These X-rays can also be enhanced on the computer and enlarged.

Not only are they friendly to the environment, they are much safer than traditional X-rays. Digital radiographs reduce radiation exposure by 90 percent!

Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient’s need to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant’s usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. Our implants are placed by Dr. Kashani, our periodontist. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:

Single Tooth Replacement
Anterior Replacement
Posterior Replacement
Full Upper Replacement

Types of Implants

There are three main types of implants:

The root implant
The plate form implant
The subperiosteal implant

The root implant—by far, the most popular—is the most effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient’s natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient’s original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months.

The plate form implant is ideal in situations where the jawbone is not wide enough to properly support a root implant. The plate form implant is long and thin, unlike the root implant, and anchors into thin jawbones. It is inserted the same way as a root implant. In certain cases, the plate form implant is immediately fitted with the restoration without waiting for the healing process to run its course.

The subperiosteal implant is used when the jawbone has receded to the point where it can no longer support a permanent implant.

Implant as a Treatment Option

If the missing tooth space has no surrounding teeth, the dentist may decide an implant is the most appropriate treatment choice or option.

The treatment plan for a bridge usually requires two trips to your dentist. Specifically, it involves:

Numbing the surrounding teeth with a local anesthetic and cleaning plaque or decay.
Reducing the teeth so that the crowns can be fitted.
Making a mold or impression of the teeth in order to create a customized permanent impression (this generally takes 1-2 weeks).
Fitting the patient with a temporary bridge until the permanent bridge is ready for placement.
Removing the temporary bridge and replacing it with the permanent one.
Adjusting the bridge for the proper bite and fit and permanently bonding it into the mouth.

Post Implant Care

Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining good dental health, it is especially important when a patient has received a dental implant. Bacteria can attack sensitive areas in the mouth when teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, thus causing gums to swell and jaw bones to gradually recede. Recession of the jawbone will weaken implants and eventually make it necessary for the implant to be removed. Patients are advised to visit their dentists at least twice a year to ensure the health of their teeth and implants. Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care.

Halitosis (Bad Breath) Treatment

Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or another dental problem.

Our doctors can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to help fight halitosis. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Tooth Whitening

Your teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene. Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental whitening team. We can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile.

Tooth whitening services are growing in popularity, and it’s one of the most requested services offered by our practice. Everyone sees the growing consumer market focused on whiter teeth. The reality is that over-the-counter, “too good to be true” solutions typically don’t work.

We are trained professionals using industry-approved methods. Our goal is to meet the needs of every patient, and every patient’s needs are different. One of the methods used by our practice is a gentle hydrogen-peroxide gel-activated solution. Our process will whiten your entire smile in one visit. Call us today for a whitening evaluation.

Nothing improves your appearance more than a Bright, White SMILE!

Dental Biopsies

A dental biopsy is basic surgery with the sole purpose of removing a soft tissue or bone from the gums, tooth or jaw to locate the source of abnormalities or lesions that may be a result of an injury or illness.

We perform both incisional and excisional biopsies. An incisional biopsy removes just one piece of the tissue/bone from the lesion to sample, while an excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion. Your doctor will determine which type of biopsy is necessary for your particular case.

Once the biopsy is complete, your doctor is able to determine whether the lesion is benign or cancerous.

Tooth Extractions

A tooth extraction is when the tooth is completely removed from its socket and bone. Tooth extractions are necessary for a variety of reasons from severe tooth decay and injury to severe crowding and tooth infections.

Simple tooth extractions can be performed in our office using a local anesthetic. The tooth is basically pulled out using forceps. Surgical extractions, such as wisdom teeth removal, are more complex requiring an incision in the gum line. Generally, local anesthetic injections or conscious sedation is used during surgical extractions.