Dr. Lawrence Hughes, DDS was born and raised in Clintonville. Graduating from The Ohio State College of Dentistry in 1977, he worked at a pediatric dental office for 10 years while growing his practice with Dr. Joseph Massaro. In his spare time he enjoys waterskiing, snow skiing, and time with his wife and two daughters.
Our dental practice is committed to providing superior oral health services to our patients. We foster patient relationships based on mutual trust, excellent customer service, and the best personalized patient care available. Our team is devoted to restoring, enhancing and maintaining your teeth using conservative, state-of-the-art dental procedures.
At our office, we believe preventative dental care and maintenance is vital to your dental health. Through regular scheduled exams we check the overall health of your teeth and gums, perform oral cancer screenings, and perform x-rays to detect problems before they worsen. Routine dental cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments help prevent cavities and dental disease. We review your medical history to assess your overall health and identify any illnesses that may have an impact on your dental health.
We want to ensure the health of our patients and our dental team. Our practice follows safety procedures recommended by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:
Our dental team is comprised of highly trained and skilled professionals who are licensed and certified. At our practice, we are committed to continuing education and learning. We regularly attend training classes, dental lectures, and dental conventions so we can offer the latest dental techniques, procedures, products and equipment to our patients. We are also active members in various dental associations this helps our office keep up with changes and advances in the dental profession.
The goal of our practice is to provide superior dental health care while creating lasting relationships with each individual patient. We appreciate the opportunity to be your dental health care provider, and we look forward to seeing you!
Our Clintonville dental office is devoted to provide the best general and family dentistry services.As your primary dental care provider, we are responsible for the general diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of a wide range of dental conditions, disorders, and diseases that affect the teeth, gums, jaw, and face. We provide the coordination of services related to the oral health needs for patients of all ages so everyone in your entire family can visit our practice in Clintonville.
Finding the Perfect Dentist Selecting the right person to care for your familys dental health takes careful consideration. A good dentist combines clinical expertise with warmth and a genuine concern for patients. Points to consider:
Why do I need to visit every six months if I dont have any problems? Preventive care is less expensive than repairing damage. Certain problems, like gum disease and early signs of decay, offer few warning signs. Regular visits allow us to monitor your oral health and catch any issues before they become big trouble.
How is a filling different from a crown? Made from composite resin, tooth-colored fillings replace decay that only impacts a portion of the tooth. With severe damage, your will likely need a dental crown, which fits securely over the remaining tooth structure and completely covers the tooth.
When should my child first visit the dentist? Although the American Dental Association recommends starting visits when children get teeth, usually at age one, we often find that kids do best around three years old. At this time, the doctor can take a look to make sure everything is on target, and we can start to create positive feelings for your child so that he or she will look forward to visiting the dentist.
I have metal fillings. Should I replace them? At one time, amalgam fillings were the standard for restoring teeth. Now, most dentists prefer composite fillings. These fillings match your natural tooth color, wont leak over time, and dont contain any metal. If your old fillings arent causing you problems, you can choose to leave them in place, but if you want more aesthetic restorations, talk with your doctor about composite fillings as a replacement option.
Dental prevention is just as important for children as it is for adults. Having a child start going to the dentist at an early age and regularly is a very important step in a lifetime of preventative dentistry. A typical program for children contains many steps, both in and out of the dental office.
A healthy smile in a child can be maintained using preventative dentistry. Children with healthy teeth chew their food properly, and learn to talk more clearly and quickly. Preventative dentistry also minimizes future costly and extensive dental treatment for your child.
During your childs visit to the dentist, his or her teeth will be carefully examined and any dental issues diagnosed and treated. If necessary, the dentist will apply fluoride treatment and dental sealants to help protect the teeth from tooth decay. The dentist will also address any orthodontics concerns.
Tooth cleaning, fluoride and polishing are just a few parts of an entire prevention program for children. A pediatric dentist will also provide the application of dental sealants where necessary to protect childrens teeth from decay, custom fit mouth guards to protect the teeth and mouth when playing in sports, and monitor your childs dental development as she or he grows. A pediatric dentist is specifically trained to create a combination of home and office preventative care to make sure a child maintains a healthy, happy smile.
A brilliant, attractive smile conveys confidence and vitality. As we age, our teeth naturally darken. One of the most popular ways to enhance your smile and improve your appearance is teeth whitening. Patients can visit the dentist at lunch and leave with a stunning, white smile.
With teeth whitening, we can bleach the enamel to remove discolorations and stains from teeth. Research and clinical studies show that under the supervision of your dentist, chair-side teeth whitening with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide is safe for both teeth and gums. You can choose from in-office whitening, like Zoom!, for an immediate transformation or take-home kits, which will gradually brighten your smile over a few weeks.
Why Teeth Stain Tooth stains fall into two categories extrinsic and intrinsic stains. The extrinsic, or external, stains only impact the surface of the teeth. Intrinsic stains are present inside the teeth and are harder to remove than extrinsic stains. Usually, extrinsic stains look yellow or brown, while internal stains are typically gray or blue in color.
Taking the First Step During your initial visit, ourdentist will examine your teeth and gums. At that time, the doctor will explain the recommendations and discuss your options. If you choose to begin immediately, you can relax and listen to music while we remove stains and transform your smile from blah to brilliant.
For at-home whitening, we will take molds of your teeth and supply you with custom molds as well as professional grade whitening solution. Simply apply a thin layer of gel to the trays and wear them as directed each day. Most patients notice a difference in 10 to 14 days, and the full impact will appear at the end of the whitening time period.
Does teeth whitening work? Professional teeth whitening can safely and effectively remove surface stains and renew your smile. Products like Zoom! Whitening and BriteSmile can lighten your teeth 10 to 12 shades in no time. Good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and avoidance of products that stain will keep your smile looking fantastic.
What is the difference between professional teeth whitening and the kits I can by from the drug store? Drug store whitening kits dont have the strength that professional grade whitening provides, so many times, patients wont achieve the results they desire. As well, these whitening kits often irritate gums and soft tissue because they arent customized to fit your mouth.
What if teeth whitening wont work? In some cases, especially where deep intrinsic stains exist, teeth whitening may not be the best option. We will review your case and can recommend other alternatives, like porcelain veneers or cosmetic crowns, if teeth whitening doesnt fit your situation.
Is teeth whitening safe? Many dentists consider teeth bleaching the safest cosmetic procedure available today. With careful supervision, you can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades and take years off your appearance.