Complete and Partial Dentures

Dentures are necessary to keep facial muscles and lips from sagging, and to allow the patient to speak and eat normally. Complete dentures are plates of artificial teeth that are fabricated to replace all of the natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The plate is made out of gum-colored plastic and sits on the gum tissue of the mouth that covers the bone ridge. A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces multiple teeth, but is fabricated to fit around existing natural teeth. A partial denture uses both the soft tissue ridge and remaining natural teeth to secure it in place. It can be attached to the natural teeth with clasps or using crowns with hidden clasps.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is the art of enhancing a smile’s esthetic appearance and restoring teeth to their natural beauty, while at the same time maintaining the health of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry helps to improve a patient’s self-image – by enhancing the patient’s smile, it often has a positive emotional and psychological impact on the person’s life.

There are many dental procedures and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry. They include, but are not limited to:

  •  Teeth whitening to correct stained or yellow teeth.
  •  Dental implants to replace missing teeth.
  •  Porcelain veneers and inlays to fix broken/cracked, mismatched teeth, or correct gaps      between teeth.
  •  Laser dentistry to fix "gummy" smiles.
  •  Use of tooth colored fillings to replace unsightly silver amalgam fillings.
  •  Use of non-metal crowns to replace old crowns that show black lines.

After examining your teeth, Dr. Hubbs can discuss customized cosmetic treatments that will perfect your smile. Make an appointment for a consultation today!

Crowns & Bridges

A crown is a tooth – shaped cover that is placed over a damaged tooth in order to restore the tooth’s shape, size, and strength and improve its appearance. Crowns can also be used to hold dental bridges in place, or cover dental implants or discolored teeth. Crowns are made from various materials - they can be fabricated in metal (I.e. gold alloy or chromium), porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin or ceramics.

A bridge is an artificial tooth or teeth (known as a pontic), which is fused between two porcelain crowns (called abutments). The two porcelain crowns are secured to teeth on each side of the gap, securing the bridge in place. This dental appliance is used to replace one or more missing teeth, when there are natural teeth remaining on either side of the gap.

Do you have missing teeth? Come to Vineyard Hills Dental Care for a consult and see how Dr. Hubbs can restore your smile.

Dental Bonding

Tooth bonding (also referred to as composite bonding) is one of the most affordable ways to cosmetically correct damaged and flawed teeth. Bonding can be used to fill in gaps between the teeth and fix broken, chipped or discolored teeth.

Dr. Hubbs will first remove any decay, old fillings or stains from the tooth. The tooth is then etched using a mild acidic solution, to roughen the enamel surface so that the bonding material will adhere. Dr. Hubbs will then choose a shade of composite material that most closely matches your natural tooth. The composite is applied to the tooth, shaped and hardened (cured) by applying a special light. Dr. Hubbs will then polish the tooth surface. The result is a beautiful, new smile!

Family & General Dentistry

Vineyard Hills Dental Care is dedicated to general and family dentistry. As your primary dental care provider, Dr. Hubbs will be responsible for the general diagnosis, treatment, and management of dental services for everyone in your entire family. He is highly educated and trained on all dental procedures and will consult with you for the best course of treatment for your dental needs.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment that is a great alternative to traditional braces.
Unlike traditional braces, there are no painful and ugly metal wires or bands, and they are virtually invisible. Invisalign® works through the use of a series of clear teeth aligners. These aligners are custom-molded for each patient, to be changed every two weeks. The aligners gradually reposition the teeth little by little until they are perfectly straight.

The obvious advantage of Invisalign® is that they are removable - the patient can remove them to eat, brush and floss. They are convenient and easy to use. Come in for a consult today to see if you are a candidate for Invisalign®!

Laser Dentistry

With all of the advances in dental technology, lasers are now being used for many dental procedures. Soft tissue lasers have many advantages; procedures result in little or no bleeding, stitches are not required, there is minimal discomfort and quicker healing time. Lasers are also ideal for use in gingival sculpting, where Dr. Hubbs reshapes the patient’s ill proportioned gums to give the teeth a longer, more attractive appearance. The procedure is quick, requires only local anesthesia, and the patient can return to normal activities immediately.

Lasers can also be used in:

  •  Tooth decay treatment – The laser targets and removes tooth decay to prepare the       surrounding enamel for the filling. Lasers are also used to cure the filling.
  •  Gum disease treatment - Lasers are used to treat gum disease by reshaping gums to       reduce periodontal pockets and remove bacteria.
  •  Lesion treatment - Lasers are used to target and remove lesions and canker sores in       the mouth.
  •  Teeth Whitening - Lasers are used to increase the efficiency and enhance the       effectiveness of in-office teeth whitening procedures. A bleaching solution is first       applied to the tooth surface, then laser energy is applied which speeds up the       whitening process.

Nitrous Oxide

If you have a fear of dental procedures or suffer strong anxieties, Dr. Hubbs offers nitrous oxide, a sweet-smelling colorless gas made up of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrous oxide is given through a mask that fits snugly over your nose about five minutes before the dental procedure.

Also known as “laughing gas” it is a safe and well established method to deal with dental anxiety and discomfort. It calms and has a comforting effect even though you remain awake, in control, and with the ability to communicate. It also tends to lessen anxiety, increase a patient’s pain threshold, reduce an overactive gag reflex and makes time pass more quickly. It is often used in pediatric dentistry.

Periodontics - Gum Disease

Gum disease is inflammation and infection of the gums and the tissue. It is usually caused by bacterial plaque. If left untreated, bacterial plaque will harden into tartar. Tartar is a rough, porous mineral buildup that is usually yellow or brown in color. Tartar forms at and underneath the gum line, and because it is porous it absorbs stains. Tartar excretes the toxins that cause gum inflammation, resulting in the development of periodontal pockets that hold even more toxins and bacteria. This condition can lead to the loosening of the teeth, or even the teeth falling out. And as the condition worsens, the accumulated toxins and bacteria move deeper into the jaw to destroy the bone that holds the tooth in place.

Signs of gum disease can include:

  •  Red, inflamed gums
  •  Bleeding while brushing or flossing
  •  Receding gums
  •  Loose or separating teeth
  •  Presence pus between the gum and tooth
  •  Chronic halitosis

Periodontics is the treatment of gum disease. Gum disease is reversible if diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. Dr. Hubbs will scale the tooth to remove plaque and calculus, and plane the tooth roots to smooth them. If necessary, Dr. Hubbs may prescribe antibiotics to clear up any infection or inflammation. Advanced cases may require the dentist to surgically trim the gums, remove the hardened plaque build-up, and re-contour the damaged bone.

Porcelain Veneers

A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell placed over the natural tooth surface. Dr. Hubbs will first prepare the tooth by removing half a millimeter of the natural tooth - this allows for the thickness of the veneer. Next Dr. Hubbs will take a mold of the teeth, and the veneers will be fabricated from the mold. Finally, the veneers are permanently bonded or cemented to the natural tooth.

Veneers can be used to cover tooth discoloration and imperfections. Porcelain veneers are also an effective substitution for crowns for the front teeth, as they can aesthetically change the size, color and shape of the teeth. Veneers can be mounted using little or no anesthesia. Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining – including stains from coffee, tea, and cigarettes, and last for years.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the specialty of restorative and reconstructive dentistry, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, implants and veneers. Prosthodontists restore natural teeth or replace missing teeth and oral and facial tissues with natural looking substitutes. Treatments can involve patients with various issues, including jaw and face abnormalities, congenital disorders, and oral/maxillofacial trauma, which all require advanced dental care.

Dr. Hubbs can work with you to help determine a treatment plan.

Root Canal Treatment

The root canal is the hollow space in the center of the tooth. It contains the pulpy nerve tissue that provides the tooth with the ability to feel hot and cold. There may be up to four canals in the human tooth. When the root pulp becomes damaged from cavity decay or fractures, pain results due to the increase in blood flow and cellular activity of the tooth. Bacteria can enter and multiply in the tooth, causing the pulp to die. The tooth must be treated or the pain can get worse, and infection can spread, possibly causing an abscess.

Root canal therapy involves first removing the decayed or dead pulp, and cleaning out the canal. The Dr. Hubbs may re-shape the canal and insert medication to kill bacteria, if necessary. Once Dr. Hubbs has determined that all infection has been cleared, the canal will be filled with gutta percha (a rubber-like material). The tooth then will be permanently sealed with porcelain or a permanent crown. Root canal therapy may take between one to three sessions, depending upon the condition of the tooth.

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is the focus on patient pain and anxiety management. Sedation achieves this while at the same time, allows the patient to respond to physical stimulation and verbal command during dental procedures.

There are three common types of sedation:

1) Inhalation sedation - such as laughing gas, happy gas, nitrous oxide.

2) Oral sedation - pills or liquid taken through the mouth.

3) Intravenous (“IV”) sedation – sedatives administered directly into the blood-stream through the vein.

Sedation dentistry requires that the patient arrive with a companion to drive the patient home after the procedure. Before any dental procedures commence, the patient will become drowsy and relaxed from the sedation, and the patient will be attached to a monitor so that Dr. Hubbs can watch the patient’s vital signs. At the completion of the dental procedures, the patient will be allowed to recover from the effects of the sedation before being allowed to go home with the companion.

Sedation dentistry is ideal for people who have:

  • A high level of fear or anxiety
  • Suffered past traumatic dental experiences
  • Difficulty in getting numb
  • An overactive gag reflex
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Extensive and complex dental problems
  • A fear of needles and shots
  • A strong dislike of the noises, smells and taste associated with dental care
  • TMJ related difficulties where it is uncomfortable to open their mouth for extended     periods

Dr. Hubbs can discuss the type of sedation that is right for you.

Special care for diabetic patients

Coming soon!

Teeth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a process that bleaches the tooth enamel to lighten and remove discoloration and stains. Tooth discoloration can be caused many factors, including: coffee, teas, and colas, tobacco, trauma, tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, excessive fluoride, and nerve degeneration.

Many dentists consider the teeth bleaching process the safest cosmetic procedure available today. Research and clinical studies show that under the supervision of your dentist, whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide is safe for both teeth and gums. These whiteners usually come in a gel form and are applied by the use of a custom-fitted mouth guard, which Dr. Hubbs will make for you, fitting your teeth precisely.

If you are a candidate for tooth whitening, you should consider chair side tooth whitening at Vineyard Hills Dental Care. Sessions generally take from 30 minutes to one hour. The dental office can also provide you with a bleaching kit for home use.

TMJ Treatment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that makes it possible to chew. This joint allows your jaw to open and close, and allows jaw movement forward, backward, and sideways. The TMJ only works properly if the lower jaw and its movements are synchronized.

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a condition caused by strenuous physical activities, stressful situations, overuse of the muscles, and grinding of the teeth. TMD affects jaw muscles, the temporomandibular joint, and nerves where movements become out of synch. These habits wear out the jaw muscles and lead to headache or neck pain. It can also result in sensitive teeth, injured soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort, and headaches. Other symptoms include difficulty opening and closing your mouth, and the jaw locking when talking, yawning or eating.

TMD is treatable. A nighttime mouth guard will help stop teeth grinding. More severe cases can treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, and posture training.
TMD is usually cyclical and may return when you experience stress. Dr. Hubbs can recommend the right therapy for you.

Tooth Colored Fillings

For more natural looking teeth, tooth colored fillings are used to give the appearance unblemished teeth. Today’s composite resins are tooth-colored and are used both as fillings and to repair tooth defects. These tooth-colored materials are difficult to distinguish from natural teeth. Composites are often used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. They can be used on the back teeth as well, depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay. Ask Dr. Hubbs if tooth colored fillings match your needs.

Zoom

Zoom! Teeth Whitening is an in-office bleaching process. Zoom! treatment uses a special light to accelerate the bleaching process. First, a protective plastic coating is painted onto the patient’s gums surrounding the treatment area. This protective coating is allowed to harden, and is used to shield the gums during the bleaching process. A hydrogen peroxide-based whitening gel is then applied to the tooth enamel, and a special light is applied to accelerate the whitening process. This light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and it helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. Whitening results can last anywhere from one to five years.

Come in for a visit at Vineyard Hills Dental Care and see what Zoom! Teeth Whitening can do for you!