Are you curious about dental crowns and how they work? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Our Honolulu, HI, world-class cosmetic dentist Dr. Wynn Okuda is happy to sit down with you and discuss the restorative dentistry that they offer. A porcelain crown is a popular option because it offers both restorative and cosmetic benefits and can be used to address a variety of problems. Here’s why porcelain crowns are placed:

Preserve a Damaged Tooth

The goal of our dental team is to provide you with restorative treatments to support and preserve your natural teeth, even when they are damaged. If you come into our Honolulu, HI, office with a broken or cracked tooth, we will often recommend a porcelain crown. This tooth-shaped cap is placed over the tooth to protect it from further fracturing. A crown restores durability and function back into the tooth after an injury.

Strengthen a Weak Tooth

From severe decay to an infected dental pulp, there are many issues that can cause a tooth to weaken. Of course, when this happens it’s important that you turn to a qualified dental professional who can provide you with restorative dentistry that can improve the health and function of your smile. If you have severe decay, an excessively worn tooth, or a tooth that requires a root canal, then a crown is going to be the restoration of choice for rebuilding and strengthening the tooth after treatment.

Improve a Tooth’s Appearance

The porcelain crowns that Dr. Okuda and the team offer are made to look just like a real tooth, so you won’t even notice the difference between your crown and your natural teeth when you smile. We crafted winning restorations including crowns, veneers, and bridges to give you a smile you can feel proud of. We custom design each crown we provide to our patients, ensuring that you get a tooth that’s the perfect size, shape, and color for your unique smile.

“Crown” a Dental Implant

If you need to replace a single missing tooth and you’ve decided to turn to us for implant dentistry, then you might already realize that a dental crown must be placed on top of the metal implant in order to complete the false tooth. This crown is made to mimic the look and size of your natural teeth so that when it’s cemented into place over the metal post, your dental implant will look just like the rest of your smile.

If you think your smile could benefit from a porcelain crown, then call our award-winning dentist Honolulu, HI, Dr. Okuda today to learn more and to schedule a consultation with us at (808) 734-1099.

Porcelain veneers change smiles in many effective ways--color, shape, and size to name a few. Available through Dr. Wynn Okuda in Honolulu, HI, these lifelike laminates offer our healthy patients new smiles that brighten their self-confidence, and veneers last for years. Here are the details.

Just what are porcelain veneers?

They are thin, translucent shells shaped like healthy, attractive teeth. Realistically colored and featuring a brilliant sheen, veneers are custom-crafted from high-grade ceramic or even durable cosmetic resin. After a careful review of your smile needs and preferences, Dr. Okuda will help you choose the material and design perfect for your teeth, gums, and overall facial appearance.

To place porcelain veneers, Dr. Okuda prepares the teeth that will receive veneers. He takes oral impressions to send to the dental lab where a trained ceramist creates each veneer.

When you return to the office in Honolulu, HI, your dentist uses a tooth-colored cement to bond your porcelain veneers in place. Because of precise imaging, impression, and fabrication techniques, your laminates will fit perfectly, look natural, and feel comfortable.

More features and benefits

1. Veneers are natural-looking. No one will be able to tell you to have laminates.

2. Veneers are strong and stain-resistant.

3. Veneers require far less enamel reduction than porcelain crowns.

4. Care is easy. Just brush and floss as you usually do, and see Dr. Okuda twice a year for a check-up and cleaning.

5. Because they are custom-fitted, veneers do not irritate your gums.

6. Veneers cover stains and are in themselves, stain-resistant.

7. Veneers increase your self-confidence because they virtually erase embarrassing flaws.

Get the expert help you deserve

At our Honolulu, HI, office, Dr. Wynn Okuda offers state of the art preventive, restorative, and aesthetic treatments. He is an Accredited Fellow in the AACD and has helped people just like you achieve optimal oral health and smile appearance. Are you ready to find out more about porcelain veneers and our other services? Then, call for a personal consultation at (808) 734-1099.

Give your smile the crowning touch with a long-lasting porcelain crown.

When you hear the word “crown” you may automatically think of a golden object that is placed on the head of royalty; however, this isn’t the kind of crown we’re talking about. A dental crown is a porcelain object that our Honolulu, HI, cosmetic dentist Dr. Wynn Okuda places over a tooth when it is weak or damaged. And no, you don’t have to be royalty in order to benefit from getting a porcelain crown. Here are the top three ways in which this dental restoration could benefit your smile,

A stronger, fully functional tooth

The main purpose of a dental crown is to place this custom restoration over a tooth to not only protect the tooth but also provide a strong, durable outer layer to be able to restore chewing and biting. Crowns are used to rebuild and restrengthen teeth that are severely damaged due to decay, infection or traumatic injury. A crown will restore function back into your smile and prevent further damage.

A more beautiful smile

While porcelain crowns are typically used for restorative purposes it’s also important to note that they offer cosmetic benefits, too. For example, maybe your damaged tooth is also severely discolored or misshapen. These esthetic issues can definitely hurt your appearance and make you feel self-conscious about your smile. The good news is that a crown can be placed over these cosmetically flawed teeth to improve their overall shape, color and size.

A restoration that looks real

We know how important it is to have a restoration that not only restores your tooth but also enhances and improves your appearance. This is where it’s important to find a dentist that you trust. For nearly three decades, our Honolulu, HI, dentist has been crafting and placing thousands of porcelain crowns and other dental restorations. There is a reason Dr. Okuda is one of the Top 70 Dentists in the World! So, rest assured that you will receive a dental crown that looks just like a real tooth and will provide your damaged tooth with the strength and resilience it needs for many years.

If you have questions about getting porcelain crowns from our world-class Honolulu dentist and his team, don’t hesitate to call (808) 734-1099 to schedule a consultation. Whether you are looking for restorative, cosmetic or general dentistry, we offer a full range of services to meet your smile needs.

A dental stain is a discoloration of the surface of a tooth, often caused by drinking coffee or smoking tobacco. These extrinsic stains are removable, but the most effective method of whitening will depend upon the extent of the staining. Dr. Wynn Okuda is a dentist in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry and is happy to discuss teeth bleaching Honolulu and other options for getting rid of dental stains.

Why Professional Teeth Whitening is Better

Although you can use products to whiten your teeth at home, Honolulu dental patients have found that teeth bleaching in the dental office has much better effects than whitening at home. The reason for this is that professional bleaching systems are stronger than home whitening strips and bleaching kits, so they can remove a greater range of stains, making your up to seven shades whiter.

What to Expect from Professional Teeth Bleaching

In-office teeth whitening is not as complicated as you may think. It can take between 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Before commencing your bleaching procedure, your Honolulu dentist will record the current shade of your teeth. Your teeth are then polished to remove any plaque.

In preparation for whitening, Dr. Okuda will pack your mouth with gauze to keep it dry and retractors will prevent your tongue, cheeks, and lips from coming into contact with the bleach solution. A barrier is also placed around your gumline.

The dentist will then coat your teeth with the bleach solution. Usually, the active ingredient is carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Your dentist may use a laser or curing light to activate the peroxide. The solution will remain on your teeth for 30 to 60 minutes.

Once the teeth bleaching Honolulu has reached the desired shade, your dentist will rinse your teeth and apply fluoride to prevent tooth sensitivity. If you have not reached the desired shade, you may have to make additional visits.

If you live in or around Honolulu and would like to find out more about professional teeth bleaching, call Dr. Wynn Okuda at (808) 734-1099.

Keeping your smile bright and white takes a little work. Aging and stains caused by tobacco, foods, and beverages can quickly dull your teeth and make you feel reluctant to smile. If you're ready to improve your stained smile, teeth bleaching offered by your Honolulu, HI, dentist, Dr. Wynn Okuda, provides a simple solution.

How you can boost your smile power

Do you look at old photographs and wish your teeth were still as bright as they were years ago? Aging can take a toll on your teeth, but it's not the only factor that can dull your smile. Stains in your tooth enamel may also be an issue.

Tobacco use and foods and beverages cause many dental stains. Dark pigments found in coffee, tea, cola, red wine, soy sauce, berries, ice pops, and other similar foods are the source of the problem.

When you enjoy a handful of blackberries or drink a cup of tea in the morning, a small percentage of the dark pigments seep into tiny openings in your tooth enamel. As the pigments accumulate over months and years, your smile begins to look dull.

Avoiding foods and beverages that cause stains can prevent your teeth from becoming duller. You may also want to use a straw when you drink sports drinks, coffee, tea, cola or red wine. The straw places beverages behind your teeth, decreasing stains on visible surfaces.

Whitening toothpaste and whitening kits can be effective if used as directed. Unfortunately, over-the-counter whiteners may not be strong enough to lighten your teeth.

Professional teeth bleaching offers impressive results

Professional teeth bleaching agents use a stronger formulation of hydrogen peroxide, a natural chemical that removes stains safely and effectively. In fact, one teeth bleaching session at our Honolulu dental office may lighten your teeth by as much as eight shades.

When you arrive at the office, your teeth will be cleaned to remove plaque and tartar. Once your teeth are clean, your dentist will place retractors in your mouth to keep your cheeks and lips away from your teeth during whitening. He'll also apply a protective gel to your roots and gums.

Brushing the whitening gel on your teeth takes a few minutes at most. After about an hour, the gel will be removed, revealing your new and improved smile.

Renew your smile with teeth bleaching. Call your dentist in Honolulu, HI, Dr. Okuda, at (808) 734-1099 to schedule your appointment.

At my practice, I hear many questions and many misconceptions about a “Veneer” vs. a “Crown”.  The difference between a porcelain veneer and a porcelain crown is simple.. The veneer is bonded to the front and sides of your natural tooth and a crown encompasses the entire tooth.  A Porcelain veneer is the material of choice because it is very conservative and extremely esthetic.  When a veneer is bonded to your natural tooth enamel it is the strongest bond we have in dentistry… a veneer it is a great alternative to the conventional crown which requires the dentist to remove more tooth structure.  A Porcelain Crown is the material of choice when replacing an existing crown, your natural tooth has a number of fillings, or decay related problems.  

A Porcelain crown is the most conservative type of crown we have today and allows the dentist to place a restoration which is bonded to your natural tooth rather than cemented onto your natural tooth such a Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM).  PFM crowns are often considered un-esthetic because they are very opaque in nature, they have a metal core therefore an enormous amount of your own natural tooth structure needs to be removed in order to make enough room for a strong core as well as porcelain.  When done correctly the patient will never know the difference between a crown and a veneer when they are side by side.”

Extensively decayed or cracked teeth can be saved with lifelike porcelain crowns. Made from high-quality, tooth-colored ceramic, porcelain crowns from Dr. Wynn Okuda in Honolulu, HI, cover and protect teeth, allowing you to have a strong, attractive smile indefinitely. Learn here how crowns work.

The dental crown

It's really a jacket or cap custom-made according to your dentist's specific directions and your unique oral impressions. Crowns bite together accurately with the opposite arch of teeth. Dr. Okuda uses them to:

• Finish dental implants, the best tooth replacement available today
• Support and protect teeth which have multiple fillings
• Attach fixed bridgework to adjoining natural teeth
• Repair teeth which have suffered oral injury and are cracked, chipped or discolored
• Normalize the size and shape of teeth which are congenitally malformed (such as peg-shaped lateral incisors) or teeth which have very thin or pitted enamel (a condition called enamel hypoplasia, reports Healthline)

The crown treatment
 
Dr. Okuda in Honolulu, HI, determines if your tooth would benefit from a porcelain crown by examining it and the surrounding gum tissue. He'll also X-ray it to see if the interior pulp is viable and if the roots and surrounding bone are healthy. Some teeth require endodontic therapy--a root canal--to remove inflamed pulp before the tooth can receive its realistic restoration.

If a crown is appropriate, Dr. Okuda will numb the tooth and remove the damaged portions with a high speed drill and other tools. He'll shape and size the tooth so it can accept the crown. He places a temporary cap over the tooth to support it while the permanent one is custom-crafted at the dental lab.

When you return to the office, he'll take off the temporary restoration and use a strong adhesive to bond the new crown over your tooth. Today's crowns fit precisely and blend in exceptionally well with neighboring teeth. Unlike porcelain fused to metal crowns, all-ceramic crowns look very natural, having no dark areas near the gum line to detract from your smile aesthetics.

Making a crown last
Thankfully, crowns do not decay, and they are highly stain-resistant. However, they can chip or become dislodged if you eat very sticky or hard foods, such as candy apples, or if you grind your teeth. In other words, your crown will last longer if you treat it gently and:

• Brush twice a day with a soft brush and non-abrasive toothpaste
• Floss daily
• Get your routine examinations and cleanings with Dr. Okuda

These good oral hygiene habits also prevent periodontal disease at crown margins where plaque and tartar may collect.

Come see us
 
We'll tell you all about porcelain crowns and if one is right for you. Call Dr. Wynn Okuda's dental office in Honolulu, HI, for a free smile consultation with one of the country's most recognized dental experts at (808) 734-1099.

What's the best way to show off a great smile? Have a world-class cosmetic dentist in Honolulu, HI, design and craft one for you. The only Board Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Wynn Okuda remakes smiles which have simple to very complex aesthetic and restorative issues. Hands-on and compassionate, Dr. Okuda and his team can tell you just what you need to look and feel your very best.

Cosmetic dentistry consultation in Honolulu, HI

It starts with a personal conversation with Dr. Okuda in which you tell him what you want to improve. Is it uneven tooth length, stained enamel or gaps from missing teeth? Are your crowns past their useful service time? Do you have a gummy smile? Dr. Okuda will address all these issues and make suggestions which make sense for you.

Dr. Okuda will base his recommendations on findings from your complete oral examination and X-rays. Top priority is your dental health, followed by aesthetic considerations. Whatever your need and preference, Dr. Okuda will carry out the treatments on premises, personally crafting restorations such as crowns, implants and porcelain veneers, ensuring quality, patient satisfaction and a very reasonable timeline.

While not every patient Dr. Okuda treats is a famous celebrity, many are just that. However, celebrity or not, you'll receive red carpet treatment, and your smile will show it.

Offered cosmetic services

Wynn H. Okuda, DMD, Inc. offers an amazing range of cosmetic dental treatments, many of which he has improved upon with great skill and artistry. He aims for natural-looking results which enhance the facial features and improve a patient's self-image, too. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry says that having an attractive smile is a true personal asset, and Dr. Okuda believes that, too.

His offered cosmetic services include:

• Full-mouth rehabilitation, a combination of restorations and aesthetic treatments which optimizes oral health, function and appearance
• Porcelain crowns and veneers to enhance and protect tooth structure
• Professional teeth whitening to remove dental stains safely and quickly
• Composite resin bonding to repair small flaws
• Dental implants to replace missing teeth
• White fillings to restore decay and replace old amalgam fillings

Your best self

Show it off through a great-looking, vibrant smile. Dr. Okuda and his staff would be honored to help you attain it. For your complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultation, please call the office in Honolulu, HI, at (808) 734-1099.

Many people settle for undesirable or average-looking smiles because they think it will take too much time and effort to make their teeth look better. But you can make a significant change in the way your smile looks by simply brightening it with a teeth bleaching appointment with Dr. Wynn Okuda. This treatment requires just one appointment during an extended lunch hour at Dr. Okuda's office in Honolulu, HI.

Have You Tried Other Tooth Whitening Methods?
Many patients who end up going to the dentist for teeth whitening have tried multiple over-the-counter products and methods of getting their teeth whiter. These other methods aren't always very effective, and if they do work they take very long to show a difference. Some patients have gum sensitivity and experience inflammation or irritation due to misuse of store-bought products.

Why Patients Prefer Professional Teeth Bleaching
One reason why patients choose to go to Dr. Okuda's Honolulu, HI dentist office to have their teeth whitened is because it only requires about 60 to 90 minutes. A professional session also provides them with results that they simply can’t get with over-the-counter products. Expect your smile to improve by up to eight shades. After a teeth whitening session, your brighter smile can last for two or more years.

Stop Discoloration and Staining Before It Starts
If you're aware of why your teeth yellowed or stained, you can prevent this from happening in the future. Follow these simple tips for stopping discoloration and staining before it starts:

- Sip your beverages out of a straw instead of drinking directly out of a cup.
- Use a quality fluoride toothpaste that is recommended by your dentist and consider brushing a few times a week with a whitening paste.
- Rinse and lightly brush after eating a colorful meal or darkly pigmented fruits.
- See your dentist for six-month cleanings.

Brighten Your Smile in One Session
A youthful-looking smile can make all the difference, which is why you should consider a teeth whitening session with Dr. Wynn Okuda. Call (808) 734-1099 today to set an appointment at his office in Honolulu, HI.

Bonding, a simple dental treatment that improves the appearance and function of teeth, is one the more common cosmetic dentistry services that dentists provide. Honolulu, HI, dentist Dr. Wynn Okuda discusses the bonding process and explains how it can improve your smile.

Cosmetic bonding offers the ideal way to repair or enhance teeth

Bonding involves using a material called composite resin to repair damaged areas or change the way teeth look. The plastic-based material is soft and flexible when it's applied to your teeth. In fact, it looks and acts very much like putty. Thanks to its flexibility, it can be manipulated into the exact shape needed to fill in chips or cover discolorations.

Composite resin is available in many tooth-colored shades to ensure that your dental work won't be obvious. Exposing the resin to a curing light hardens it and ensures that it's capable of withstanding normal wear and tear. After making a few adjustments, your dentists polishes the tooth to complete the process.

Bonding is a versatile dental treatment

Bonding is an effective treatment for several types of cosmetic issues, including:

• Discolorations: Bonding conceals discolorations that make you feel self-conscious about your smile.
• Gaps: Eliminating slight gaps between teeth is a simple as applying a little bonding material.
• Too-Short Teeth: Have your teeth decreased in length due to your grinding habit? Bonding lengthens teeth shortened by enamel erosion. Because continued grinding may eventually affect the bonded area, we may recommend a nightguard when you visit our Honolulu office.
• Crooked Teeth: Bonding can straighten the edges of crooked teeth. It's a good option if you only have a few crooked teeth, and your bite isn't affected. If all or most of your teeth are crooked, you may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
• Chips, Cracks and Breaks: Bonding is often used to restore teeth damaged by cracks, chips or breaks. In some cases, it may even be possible to reattach the broken portion of your tooth with bonding.

Would you like to find out if bonding is the ideal cosmetic dentistry treatment for your problem? Call Honolulu, HI, dentist Dr. Wynn Okuda at (808) 734-1099 to schedule an appointment.