Frenectomies
A Frenectomy may be the treatment needed to help give your baby’s tongue and lip the freedom it needs to establish a proper latch and successful feed. We use state-of-the-art laser technology to perform this procedure.
Dentures
Dentures are a custom-made dental appliance that replace your teeth. They also fill out the cheeks and lips, giving you a natural and attractive smile. Dentures are sometimes referred to as a complete denture.
Cavities and Broken Teeth
Fillings and Restoration
Tooth-Colored Restorations are not only more attractive – because they are far less noticeable – but they also make teeth stronger. Modern bonding technologies are allow for a strong and aesthetically pleasing tooth repair.
Dental Sealants
This simple procedure involves the use of a resin “sealant” which is actually painted onto the grooves and biting surfaces of your chewing teeth. The sealant matches your tooth color and looks completely natural.
Missing Teeth
Crowns
Porcelain veneers, crowns and dental implants are some of the proven techniques used to repair even the most severe dental damage.
Dental Implants
With Dental implants, you can be comfortable knowing that you can eat what you want without fear of pain or interference with speech.
Bridges
A bridge is a device which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned.
Experiencing Pain
Tooth Extractions
A tooth extraction is the complete removal of tooth. Some reasons a tooth may need to be extracted are advanced decay, periodontal disease or tooth damage that is beyond repair
Non-Surgical Root Canal
If you believe you’re experiencing the symptoms of tooth infection, schedule an exam with Dr. David Hubert or Dr. Adam Hubert to determine if a non-surgical root canal is recommended to remove the infected pulp, clean the tooth and seal it against further damage or decay.
Maintain your smile
Highest Rated Dental Treatment in Evansville, IN
Dr. David Hubert and Dr. Adam Hubert will help you achieve the smile you’ve dreamed of by maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.
Does my baby need a frenectomy?
Most of the time, frenectomies are performed on babies who are having feeding issues or if there are speech concerns. But sometimes, frenectomies are necessary for adults, too. For example, sometimes a frenum can be so tight that it pulls your gums away from your teeth. A frenectomy frees the band of connective tissue, reducing the risk of gaps, gum recession and other oral health problems.
There are many reasons why you or your child might need a frenectomy. Your healthcare might recommend this procedure to correct a frenum that’s causing:
- A lip-tie, which limits lip movement.
- A tongue-tie, which limits your tongue’s range of motion.
- Diastema (a gap between your teeth), which may be cosmetically displeasing to some people.
- Gum recession, which can lead to gingivitis, cavities and mobility.
- Pain, swelling or tenderness with brushing or oral care.
There are two main types of oral frenectomies:
- Lingual frenectomy: This procedure removes or modifies the band of tissue that connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. Lingual frenectomies are used to correct tongue-ties.
- Labial frenectomy: Sometimes called a maxillary frenectomy, this procedure removes the band of tissue that connects your upper gums to your front teeth. Labial frenectomies are used to correct lip-ties. It’s important to note that labial frenectomies can be performed on the lower lip, too — but upper lip frenectomies are more common.
Before your frenectomy, your healthcare provider will review your health history. They’ll also discuss the need for sedation and options for sedation, which may include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation or IV sedation. Note: Sedation isn’t always necessary for a frenectomy. Your healthcare provider will help determine if it’s right for you or your child.
In infants, the frenulum is removed using scissors. Usually, this is quick and takes a few minutes. In older children and adults, your healthcare provider may numb your tissue around the frenum with local anesthesia. Once you’re comfortable, they’ll remove or modify your frenum using a scalpel or surgical scissors. In some cases, sutures (stitches) may be necessary to close the incision. Typically, the procedure takes 30 minutes or fewer.
Following your frenectomy, your healthcare provider will give you detailed postoperative instructions.
In infants, usually no further care is needed and they can resume feeding immediately.
You may need pain relievers to manage any discomfort and you may need to use antibacterial mouthwash. Your healthcare provider may want to see you in a week or two to monitor healing.
Why Should I Wear Dentures?
Full dentures, to replace all your own teeth, fit snugly over your gums. They will help you to eat comfortably and speak clearly, and will improve your confidence and self-esteem.
Partial dentures replace teeth that are missing, and can sometimes be supported by the teeth you have left. If you have gaps between your teeth, then your other teeth may move to take up some of the space, so you could end up with crooked or tilted teeth. This could affect the way you bite and could damage your other teeth.
Usually dentures can be fitted straight after your teeth have been removed. These are called ‘immediate dentures’. You will need to visit the dental team beforehand for them to take measurements and impressions of your mouth.
With immediate dentures you don’t have to be without teeth while your gums are healing. However, bone and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first six months after your teeth have been taken out. If your gums shrink, your immediate dentures may need relining, adjusting or even replacing. Your dental team will be able to talk to you about this.
Sometimes your dental team may advise you to wait until your gums are healed before having your dentures, as this can sometimes mean a better fit. Healing may take several months.
We will take measurements and impressions of your mouth, then order your dentures from a dental technician.
If you treat your dentures well, they should last several years. However, your dentures will need to be relined or re-made because of normal wear, or a change in the shape of your mouth. Bone and gum ridges can shrink, causing your jaws to meet differently. Loose dentures can cause discomfort, and health problems including sores and infections. A loose or badly fitting denture can also make eating and talking more difficult. It is important to replace worn or badly fitting dentures before they cause problems.
During the first few days, you may wear them for most of the time, including while you are asleep. After your mouth gets used to your dentures, we may advise you to take them out before going to bed. This allows your gums to rest and helps keep your mouth healthy. When you remove your dentures at night, it is best to store them in a small amount of water to stop them warping.
Dentures may break if you drop them. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them.
To clean your dentures, the general rule is: brush and soak every day. Brush your dentures first, to help remove any bits of food. Use a non-abrasive denture cleaner, not toothpaste. Be careful not to scrub too hard as this may cause grooves in the surface.
Make sure you brush all the surfaces of the dentures, including the surface that fits against your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative.
Soak your dentures every day in a denture-cleaning solution. This will help remove any plaque and stubborn stains that are left. It will also help to disinfect your dentures, leaving them feeling fresher. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t keep your dentures in overnight unless there are specific reasons for you to keep them in.
If you notice a build-up of stains or scale, have your denture cleaned by your dental team.
Fillings and restoration
You may need restorative dentistry if you have; cavities/tooth decay, damaged/broken teeth, or missing teeth.
When bacteria eats away your tooth enamel and causes a hole, it’s called a cavity. Smaller cavities are usually repaired with dental fillings.
During this procedure, your dentist removes the decayed portion of your tooth, then fills in the hole with a tooth-colored composite material. This halts the progression of tooth decay and reduces the risk of further damage.
We use dental crowns to repair large cavities or restore broken teeth. Sometimes called a cap, a crown fits over your entire tooth.
In order to place a crown, your dentist must remove some of your natural tooth enamel. So, they’ll alter your tooth (shave part of your tooth down), then place a crown over it.
A dental implant is a small, threaded post that replaces a missing tooth root. Once your dentist adds a crown to your implant, it functions just like a natural tooth.
Your dentist can restore dental implants with crowns, bridges and even dentures. Unlike traditional crowns and bridges, implants don’t require alteration of your natural teeth. Many dentists consider implants to be the golden standard of teeth replacement.
A dental bridge can replace a single missing tooth or a row of missing teeth. A bridge consists of artificial teeth with dental crowns on either side. Your dentist will alter (shave down) your natural teeth on both sides of the gap. Next, they’ll bond the bridge to your natural teeth. The crowns fit over your natural teeth and the artificial teeth span the gap in between them.
Restorative dentistry gives you the best chance at long-lasting oral health. Your dentist can help restore your smile to full function by fixing damaged or decayed teeth. This improves your ability to eat, speak and chew.
When is tooth extraction recommended?
Sometimes other restorative methods — such as dental fillings or dental crowns — aren’t enough. If your tooth has been badly damaged past the point of repair, then removal may be necessary. Your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if you have: Severe tooth decay (cavities), a fractured tooth, an impacted tooth, crowded teeth, severe gum disease, tooth luxation or other dental injuries.
We will assess your affected tooth and surrounding gums. We will also take dental X-rays to check bone levels and determine the extent of damage. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medications, vitamins or supplements you’re taking. Once all information is gathered, treatment and sedation options will be discussed with you in detail.
First, local anesthesia is given to numb your affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Using specialized dental instruments, your dentist will gently loosen your tooth and carefully lift it from its socket. Sometimes, your dentist might need to make incisions in your gums to access your tooth — especially if your tooth is badly decayed or has broken off at the gum line. Once your tooth is removed, the socket is cleaned and disinfected. In some cases, your dentist may also place a dental bone graft, which helps prevent bone loss in your jaw. Finally, stitches may be placed to help promote healing.
When the procedure is complete, your dentist will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site and ask you to close down with firm, steady pressure. This helps slow bleeding so a blood clot can form. (Clotting is a normal aspect of recovery. It promotes healing and reduces the risk of dry sockets.) You’ll take the gauze out once the bleeding has slowed enough. You may continue to have light bleeding throughout the first 24 hours.
It depends on the complexity of your case. However, most people feel back to normal in just a few days. While you’ll be able to return to routine activities within 48 to 72 hours, it usually takes the jawbone several weeks to heal completely. Therefore, if you’re planning on replacing the tooth with a dental implant, you’ll probably need to wait a few months to allow for full recovery.
Avoid hard and crunchy foods for the first few days. Stock your fridge and pantry with soft foods like rice, pasta, eggs, yogurt and applesauce. You’ll also want to avoid drinking through straws, as this can dislodge blood clots and cause dry sockets.
After your extraction, your dentist will give you a detailed list of post-surgical instructions. Here are some general guidelines for a speedy recovery:
- Keep the extraction site clean. Gently rinse the area with an antimicrobial mouthwash two to three times a day. Avoid brushing directly over your extraction site until your dentist tells you it’s safe to do so. Brush and floss all other areas normally.
- Take all medications as directed. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers. It’s important to take all of these medications exactly as directed. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least two days. An elevated heart rate can cause increased post-operative bleeding and discomfort. Skip the gym for the first 48 to 72 hours. Ask your dentist when it’s safe to resume normal routines.
Non-Surgical Root Canal
During a root canal the affected pulp is removed. The tooth will remain functional since the only function of the pulp in a mature tooth is to provide sensations of hot and cold. Once the diseased or damaged pulp is removed, the tooth is cleaned and sealed to protect it from further damage. It is done under local anesthetic and is not as painful as it sounds.
An untreated cavity is commonly the cause of an infected or damaged pulp. Bacteria surrounding the decaying tooth eats through the tooth’s enamel and infect the pulp. Infection of the pulp may also be due to trauma resulting in a chipped or fractured tooth which causes pulp tissues to die. Large fillings and repeated dental procedures also contribute to pulp damage.
In cases of severe infection, an abscess may form and can damage the bone structure surrounding the tooth. When the pulp is in any of these conditions a root canal may be necessary to repair the tooth and save it from extraction.
We will first examine your affected tooth to determine if a root canal is in order. Diagnosis involves an X-ray of the tooth to check for signs of infection and damage to the bone surrounding the teeth. A pulp vitality test may also be done. If there is an infection and it is not chronic, for example there is no abscess present, we may be able to begin the root canal procedure right away.
Non-surgical or conventional root canal therapy is the most common type of root canal done to protect your natural tooth. It is quite like getting a really deep filling done. It is a more detailed procedure than a normal filling as drilling goes farther down to the root of the tooth.
After treating you with local anesthetic, we will drill down to the root canal to remove the diseased pulp, clean, and fill the tooth to prevent further infection or damage.
Where the tooth is badly damaged, e.g., from decay, we may need to reconstruct the natural form of the tooth using metal posts within the canal. A temporary crown will be placed over the tooth and later replaced by a permanent crown. It is placed to restore bite functions and prevent further tooth damage.
Dental Sealants
Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health. In October 2016, the Centers for Disease Control released a report on the importance of sealants for school-aged children, of which only 43% of children ages 6-11 have. According to the CDC, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”
Think of them as raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth—just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm.
Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better. Your first molars appear around age 6, and second molars break through around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start, which helps save time and money in the long run.
It’s a quick and painless process. Your dentist will clean and dry your tooth before placing an acidic gel on your teeth. This gel roughs up your tooth surface so a strong bond will form between your tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, your dentist will rinse off the gel and dry your tooth once again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Your dentist will then use a special blue light to harden the sealant.
Sealants can be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to your tooth. Because some sealants are clear, your dentist can keep an eye on the tooth to make sure the sealant is doing its job.