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8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday |
30 Oki Place Kaunakakai, HI 96748 |
Phone: (808) 553-5038 Fax: (808) 553-5194 |
DENTAL SERVICES
HOURS
Monday – Thursday
7 am to 5 pm
Friday
7 am to 11 am
(808) 553 4511
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Partial Dentures
- Complete Dentures
- Tooth Extractions / Simple Oral Surgery Procedures
- Preventative (Exams, X-rays, Cleanings, Sealants, Patient Education)
- Emergency Care
Fillings
Why do them?
When we do check-up’s on you and see that there’s a cavity (puka) in your tooth, we would like to go ahead and fix it as soon as possible. It may not be sensitive or painful, but if you leave it untreated, it could get bigger and you COULD need a root canal or possibly have it extracted (pulled out).
What do we do?
We do composite (tooth colored) fillings since this is more pleasing to most patients, which can give you a more natural look.
We also do amalgam (silver) fillings. They cost less and sometimes are the preferred treatment depending on the type of cavity. There is no evidence that there is danger from the mercury present in the filling, amalgam fillings are a safe and effective option.
Crowns
Why do them?
The cavity (puka) or a fractured/broken portion of the tooth is too big to place just a filling. We also almost always place a crownafter a root canal. Crowns can also be used to alter the appearance of your teeth: make the tooth appear more straight or close gaps in teeth, for example.
What do we do?
The first part involves preparing the tooth for a crown. We remove a portion of the tooth all the way around it so that a crown can fit over it. An impression (mold) is taken, a temporary crown is placed and the lab makes a crown.
Bridges
Why do them?
This is done when you want to fill a gap in your mouth because of a missing tooth.
The alternative to a bridge is an implant. Implants are generally regarded as the better treatment. Cost is the usual reason bridges are chosen but implants can be a comparable option depending on the case.
More info on implants, go here: http://www.ada.org/2966.aspx
What do we do?
The treatment for a bridge consists of preparing the teeth in front of and behind the space for a crown. An impression (mold) is taken and sent to be made in the lab.
Root canals
Why do them?
When decay (puka) has reached the nerve and blood supply in the middle of the tooth, the nerve becomes irritated and inflamed. This is usually when you start feeling sore/pain. However, soreness/pain is not always present when a root canal is diagnosed.
What do we do?
People usually think of root canals being a painful and miserable procedure, but this is rarely the case. Most patients realize that the process was far easier than they anticipated.
We remove all of the decay and then clean out the canal(s) in the center of the tooth. This space is then filled. Following a root canal, the tooth is prepared for a crown.
Partial Dentures
Why do them?
When you have a few missing teeth and a bridge or implant is not the best option, a partial denture may do the trick by replacing several teeth.
What do we do?
First we need to make sure that all the existing teeth left in your mouth are free of cavities. We may need to make slight changes to your remaining teeth may to help equalize the forces that the denture will have on your teeth and for the denture to sit properly in your mouth.
Impressions (molds) need to be taken and then we will send it off to the lab so that they can create preliminary dentures for us to work from, so we can figure out how you bite and smile, and how your teeth will look (color and shape).
It can take 4-5 appointments for partial dentures to be made.
Complete Dentures
Why do them?
When you have all your teeth missing, we can give you a whole new set of teeth. It will help you grind and chew food, talk and smile!
What do we do?
If teeth had to be extracted (pulled out), it is best to wait 4-6 weeks for complete healing before we start taking impressions (molds) of your mouth.
It is not uncommon for certain people to use denture adhesives (glue) to help keep the denture in, for maximal comfort. We are also able to do immediate dentures, in some cases, where we can replace your teeth the day we pull them out.
Tooth Extraction
Why do them?
In some cases the cavity (puka) is so big that it may be necessary to extract (pull out) the tooth in order to maintain dental health.
What do we do?
We will get you numb, so that you are comfortable and perform the procedure with care. After a few days, the gums should have healed over. But it takes 4-6 weeks for the bone to fill in and heal properly.
Prevention and Gum Care
Preventing decay and gum disease is the best way to avoid needing dental treatment. The way to do this is regular exams, x-rays, and cleanings.
We also place sealants to prevent decay. Sealants are most often placed on children and teenagers although in some cases we will recommend them for adults. A sealant is a protective layer we placed on the chewing surface of your back teeth. This layer protects the natural grooves and pits in your teeth from becoming infected with decay. Gum disease occurs when good oral hygiene (that means brushing and flossing) and cleanings are not done.
For those who play sports, we can make customized mouth guards as well.
Emergencies
Severe Toothache(s)
Clean the painful area using a brush and floss, rinse with warm salt water. Do not place aspirin directly on the gums or tooth as it may cause a burn. If swelling occurs apply a cold compress. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil) maybe taken and contact us as soon as possible.
Lost/Knocked-out (Avulsed) Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, contact us for an emergency appointment, if the person and the tooth is treated within the first half hour, a re-implantation (putting it right back in) can be done with a good outcome. Locate the lost tooth, and holding it only by its crown (do not touch the roots), gently rinse, and do NOT scrub. If possibly, gently place the tooth back in its socket as a means of transport, otherwise a cup of milk, salt water, saliva, or water can be used. You can also tuck the tooth between the cheek and gums, do not allow the tooth to dry out.
There are also "lost tooth transport" kits available over-the-counter in many convenience or drug stores.
Loosened Tooth (Extrusion)
If a tooth is pushed inward or outward, gently reposition it using light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth. Stabilize the tooth with a moist tissue or gauze and make an emergency appointment right away.
Broken/Chipped Tooth
Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep it clean. If possible, locate the tooth fragment, clean and transport it in the same fashion as a knocked-out tooth. Schedule an emergency appointment immediately; it often is possible to reattach the fragment.
Soft Tissue Injury
A soft tissue injury is when the tongue, lips or cheeks are cut or punctured. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure with gauze or a clean cloth. If there is a lot of bleeding or does not stop within 15 minutes, schedule an emergency appointment or proceed to a hospital emergency room as stitches may be necessary. Otherwise, clean the area with warm water using a gauze or clean cloth and apply an ice compress to the bruised/swollen area.
