We can quickly and easily remove those ugly yellow stains and pre-decay areas. We can return your smile so you can feel better and more confident! By using bonding we are able to give people back their white teeth and a more harmonious smile. Come on in for a consult.
Read MoreChipped Teeth
Article from: http://cascadefamily.com/services/chipped-teeth.html
What Causes Teeth to Chip?
There are many factors that can cause a tooth to chip. Cavities and weak enamel undermine the overall strength of a tooth, and a root canal may lead to brittleness. Often, chipped teeth are simply the result of an accident where a chip was broken off by force. Whatever the cause, it is essential to visit a dentist promptly, even if there is no pain. Chipped teeth can be repaired by applying crowns, veneers, or new fillings in some cases. If a tooth is severely fractured, it may need to be replaced with a dental implant, although extraction is comparatively rare.
Fixing Chipped Teeth
To avoid further problems in the future, chipped teeth should be repaired right away. One common form of tooth repair is called tooth reshaping. This is somewhat of an instant fix and is generally best-suited to small chips. In any case, a dentist will take an x-ray to see if there are any additional causes for concern and to make sure that the tooth is strong enough to handle the procedure.
In this process, very small amounts of enamel are removed with a drill or specialized laser, after which abrasive strips are used to shape the sides of the tooth. After this, a veneer or other coating will be applied and shaped to the natural form of the tooth. This is usually an inexpensive process, and is good for repairing small chips and other minor problems. A similar procedure known as bonding can also fix chips and other imperfections.
In the case of very minor damage, enamel shaping may be the best option. If the chip is small enough that 99% of the tooth is still intact, then white dental composite, also used for fillings, can be used to patch up surface damage. This procedure is simple enough that it can often be done without anesthetic.
For very badly chipped teeth, the best solution may be a veneer made of porcelain. Porcelain veneers are permanent hard coverings that a dentist places over one or more teeth which have the effect of repairing chipped teeth and whitening them all at once. In applying porcelain veneers, the dentist will remove a small amount of the tooth’s enamel all around, usually to a depth of about 0.02 inches (0.5 mm).
A cast of the teeth is taken at this point, from which the veneers are made, over the course of a few days or weeks. Temporary veneers are worn in the interim. Once the permanent veneers are ready, they are bonded into place with a special cement which hardens immediately when exposed to a certain wavelength of blue light.
Enamel Erosion- How it Affects Your Teeth
Article from Colgate Enamel Health http://www.colgateenamelhealth.com/enamel-101/enamel-erosion
You are what you eat. Making sure that you eat and drink the right foods and beverages is important to you and your teeth.
If you consume too many acidic foods and beverages, the acid could be wearing away your enamel. A multicenter research study reported that dental erosion is on the increase in the United States, making prevention more important than ever.
What Is Enamel Erosion?
Enamel erosion occurs when the enamel of the teeth, the exterior layer of tissue that covers teeth, is worn away or reduced by a chemical acid process. There are two types of enamel erosion.
Intrinsic Erosion
Caused by gastric acid and acid regurgitation due to medical or psychological issues (e.g. acid reflux anorexia bulimia etc.
Extrinsic Erosion
Occurs when dietary acids (e.g. sugar, diet sodas, fruit drinks, carbonated drinks etc.) contribute to the mouth's being in a very acidic state.
Signs of Enamel Erosion
When the enamel on the teeth wears down, it can cause several things to occur.
- Teeth may become further worn down.
- Teeth become discolored because the enamel has worn away and the dentin is exposed.
- The edges of the front teeth may look transparent.
- Tooth sensitivity can occur when the enamel is worn away both on the lip and tongue surfaces of the teeth. The dentin, the layer of tissue under the enamel, and it is more sensitive to touch, air, biting forces and acid exposure.
What Changes Can Be Made to Improve Your Teeth?
Once a dentist has examined your teeth, you may want to discuss your next steps to reduce enamel erosion in your mouth:
- Determine over what time span you have been suffering from enamel erosion.
- Identify the frequency of acid intake and how the acids are consumed.
- Consult a nutritionist to assist in dietary assessment and reducing acid intake.
- Determine if you suffer from gastric reflux, regurgitation or eating disorders.
- Identify teeth that might need to be replaced by cosmetic restorations and or bonding agents.
Enamel erosion affects all age groups and appears to be related to tooth sensitivity. Acidic foods and drinks may need to be reduced or even eliminated because of the erosion they cause. Desensitizing toothpaste can also be used for pain relief. Sealants or bonding agents may be considered to reduce the progression of enamel erosion. In addition, applying fluoride can help increase resistance to the acid dissolution but it will not remineralize your teeth.
Remember, it is always important to consult your dentist to discuss treatment options for enamel erosion.
References:
- Information obtained on the U.S News Web site at http://health .usnews.com/health/healthday/080312/dental-erosion-on-rise-in-us_pr.
- Smith, BGN, Robb ND. The prevalence of toothwear in 1007 dental patients. J Oral Rehabil 1996, 23:232-239.
Cracked Tooth
Did you crack your tooth? There can be many causes of cracked teeth ranging from trauma to decay undermining the healthy tooth structure. If you have cracked a tooth then what should you do. You should seek out a dentist to have it checked immediately. Sometimes if you wait too long teeth that are cracked that could be easily restored become unrestorable. If you are in the Honolulu area and are looking for a good dentist that is experienced in fixing cracked teeth, then we are exactly what you need. Whether it is something as simple a fixing a tooth through bonding, replacing a fractured veneer, or even making a new crown to protect the tooth, we are able to do all of these treatments in one visit. We pride ourselves on highly esthetic restorations that look just like your tooth did before you cracked it. Call our office centrally located in Honolulu so we can answer any of your questions and take care of that cracked tooth for you.
Promoting Oral Care
Dr Wade Takenishi, donated toothpaste to the AVID program of Jarrett Middle School. As a part of their service learning project, students of the AVID program went to Palolo Elementary to teach first graders oral care.
Oahu Dentist Wade Takenishi Introduces New VELscope Techniques to Screen For Oral Cancer
More than 480,000 new cases of oral and mouth cancers are diagnosed every year, with over 35,500 cases right here in the United States. Oral cancer is a growing concern among dentists and oral surgeons, who are seeing cancerous growths develop in a growing number of people from a diverse variety of lifestyles. Oral cancer kills approximately one person every hour, and without proper detection methods, a person can suffer with oral cancer without ever knowing it. This is why early detection and regular dentists appointments are critical to decreasing oral cancer fatalities.
Wade Takenishi, DDS is Oahu’s leading dental office, providing the most progressive dental services to each and every patient. Now, Dr. Takenishi is excited to introduce the VELscope, a new technology that will help provide thorough, painless oral cancer examinations.
The VELscope emits a safe, high energy light which excited the tissues in the oral cavity just beneath the skin’s surface. As the tissue returns to normal energy levels it re-emits the absorbed light energy in the form of fluorescence light. The VELscope then utilizes a special set of optical fibers that enable the clinician to view the different patterns of the tissue, discerning normal cells from abnormal cells.
Oral cancer is a growing concern but early detection can be the key to avoid serious complications. Visit Wade Takenishi, DDS to screen for abnormalities alongside your next regular check-up. Call Oahu’s leading dental office at (808) 593- 2775 to schedule your next appointment
Wade Takenishi, DDS Explains Benefits of ClearCorrect™ Aligners
Wanting a brighter and straighter smile is a fairly common desire among adults, but most people are unwilling to deal with the wires and brackets that come with traditional braces beyond their teenage years. Fortunately there are modern alternatives to these types of braces that allow adults to inconspicuously correct their smiles.
Family dentist Wade Takenishi, DDS offers ClearCorrect™ for patients who want to conveniently straighten their teeth without the embarrassment of braces. ClearCorrect™ technology utilizes a series of custom and removable clear aligners to straighten teeth over time. Patients begin seeing results immediately, but it generally takes 18 months for the treatment to be completed and teeth to come into perfect alignment.
Along with being discreet, people choose clear aligners for the convenience they provide in daily life. Rather than avoid certain foods that would become stuck in traditional braces, patients who use ClearCorrect™ can simply remove their aligners while eating and drinking! It’s as easy as that.
ClearCorrect™ is also a more affordable option when compared to other systems like Invisalign®, and patients who opt for it can save up to $1,000 in their overall treatment. The price of ClearCorrect™ is comparable to traditional braces, as well.
Patients who are curious to see if they qualify for ClearCorrect™ treatment can speak with Dr. Takenishi about their options. To learn more about the benefits of ClearCorrect™ or to schedule an appointment with Oahu’s top dentists, call (808) 593-2775.
When are my baby's teeth coming in?
Parents are always asking me, "when will their baby's teeth come in?"
Read MoreWade Takenishi, DDS Answers 5 Common Dental Care Questions
As one of Oahu’s best dentists, Wade Takenishi, DDS is a friendly educational resource for families interested in improving their dental health and hygiene. From concerns about daily dental hygiene regimens to the details of intensive periodontal, root planning, scaling, and extraction procedures, Dr. Takenishi is happy to keep patients informed in every aspect of their oral health and answer any questions they may have.
Read MoreDon't Like Flossing?
Our office is now offering the new Sonicare AirFloss.
This new technology:
-Removes plaque between teeth with just a click of a button
-Can clean the entire mouth in 60 seconds
-Easy to use
-Has been shown to effectively help improve interproximal gum health in just two weeks
Have Ill Fitting Dentures?
Many people suffer from ill fitting dentures. This is due to changes in the mouth structure via bone resorption . Dentures remain the same while the mouth continues to go through change.
Some signs of ill fitting dentures are:
- Loose dentures
- Sores from dentures
- Cracked or broken dentures
- Trouble eating
To avoid ill fitting dentures, it is important for patients with dentures to have regular dental visits so that adjustments can be made to their denture.
Some procedures that may be done are:
- Denture reline - resurfacing the inside of the denture for a perfect fit
- Denture rebase - replacing broken or cracked teeth with new teeth
- Fabricating a new denture
Shiny and New
Late last year we remodeled our front office. Thank you to Edward Tang of EST Construction, our patient, who was in charge of the project. We're proud to have a more modern and bright waiting room for our patients which includes a television and artwork from another patient, Jason Enomoto. He captures beautiful water shots. More of his artwork is displayed at Gaku, a restaurant just down the street from our office.
Your Child's First Dental Visit
Our office has designed a process to make their first visit as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Here are some tips that will help your child's visit be a positive experience.
- It's never too early to start brushing your child's teeth. Start as soon as your child's first tooth erupts. Never allow your child to go to sleep after eating or drinking anything WITHOUT BRUSHING OR WIPING DOWN THEIR TEETH FIRST! This is very important to prevent baby bottle tooth decay and make their first visit a GREAT ONE!
- Avoid using the dentist as a threat when scolding your child. For example: Don't do that or the I'll bring you to the dentist
- Refrain from using words that may create unnecessary anxiety. For example: needle, shot, or pain. Tell them, "We are going to see the dentist so he can count your teeth and make sure they healthy!"
The First Visit
A child's first dental visit is usually short and noninvasive. Our goal is to help your child become familiarized with our staff in a friendly, non threatening way. During the exam, Dr Takenishi will check your child's teeth for decay, and assess their bite, gums, oral tissue, and jaw. Dr Takenishi will also go over the basics of oral health care for your child, dental development, and answer any of your questions.
Teeth Whitening Special
Easy to use. Just one visit!!
Have a Gap In Your Smile?
Do you feel self concious about the gap in your smile? We can help you smile with confidence.
End of the Year Reminder - Take Advantage of Your Dental Insurance Benefits
We would like to remind everyone with dental insurance that most dental insurance plans and flex spending accounts will refresh on January first.
Now is the perfect time to call our office to schedule dental cleanings with our hygienist, Sharon, or dental restorations, with Dr Wade Takenishi, before the end of the year. Especially for those who have put off dental work for the end of the year.
Happy Halloween!
We wish you all a safe and fun Halloween! Remember to brush your pearly whites after enjoying all of your treats.
This Month's Special
For the month of September we are offering 50% off of Day White Whitening System.
Have a cracked filling?
Fillings can crack or break for many reasons and can be sensitive, painful, or you may feel nothing at all. It is important to repair a cracked filling because if left untreated, it could lead to a root canal or worse, losing the tooth. Repairing cracked fillings maintain the longevity and strength of the tooth and adjacent teeth. It also reduces the chance of surrounding teeth from also cracking. Often old fillings can be repaired with tooth color/composite fillings that bond and support the tooth or in more severe cases, a crown.
Cracked filling before and after