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.

Veneers are versatile, treating many cosmetic dental issues and can provide a range of results. From subtly tweaking your smile’s small imperfections to completely renewing your look, veneers can help most people who wish to improve the appearance of their smile. But what can veneers do for you? Find out more about dental veneers with Dr. Wynn Okuda at Okuda Cosmetic Dentistry in Honolulu, HI.

What do veneers treat? 
Veneers can treat a myriad of problems. The veneer fits over the surface of the tooth, allowing it to simply cover the tooth’s imperfections. Thanks to this design, dentists can use veneers to treat:

• cracked teeth
• chipped teeth
• discolored or yellowed teeth
• uneven teeth
• slightly misaligned teeth
• slightly under or overcrowded teeth
• too-wide or narrow teeth

How can veneers help me? 
Veneers stand alone on each individual tooth. This means that you can, for example, renew the appearance of a single chipped tooth or use veneers to completely overhaul your smile. A dental laboratory custom-makes each veneer especially for your smile to fit exactly into your existing teeth. In addition to its shape and size, the laboratory can also color-match the veneer to blend seamlessly in with your teeth.

Dental Veneers in Honolulu, HI
While veneers have many benefits which can help in various situations, not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure. The teeth which hold the veneers should be in good dental health and strong enough to provide a sturdy foundation for the veneer. Additionally, patients should understand that veneers require dentists to remove a super-thin layer of enamel from the surface of the teeth, meaning this procedure is permanent. Veneers can last for years before requiring replacement, making at-home oral care crucial to extending the life of your restorations. Brush twice a day and floss at least once in between twice-yearly dental examinations and professional dental cleanings.

For more information on dental veneers, please contact Dr. Wynn Okuda at Okuda Cosmetic Dentistry in Honolulu, HI. Call (808) 734-1099 to schedule your appointment for a veneer consultation with Dr. Okuda today!

Not many people look forward to visiting their dentist, but if your palms sweat and you feel sick to your stomach when you walk through the office door, you probably have dental anxiety. This is a common problem that affects many of Dr. Wynn Okuda's patients in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Okuda wants all of his patients to feel comfortable, so to help calm anxious nerves, he offers the Dental Day Spa Experience.

What is dental anxiety?

If you find yourself feeling stressed, nervous or even scared as a dental appointment approaches, you likely have dental anxiety. You're not alone: a survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists found that 80% of Americans have some measure of dental anxiety, which may keep them from maintaining good dental health. In fact, the same survey determined that people with high levels of dental anxiety are more prone to gum disease and tooth loss.

What causes dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety can be linked to numerous things. Through consultations with patients, your Honolulu dentist has found that many people have had bad experiences in the past with outdated procedures or poor treatment from other dental professionals. Others have a fear of needles or are embarrassed by the condition of their teeth. Some patients don't have any personal experience to base their fear on, but taking "horror stories" from friends or family to heart might keep them out of the dental chair.

How does the dental day spa help?

Unlike most dental offices, Dr. Okuda has created a comfortable atmosphere. The office resembles a spa more than a dental clinic. It is designed to put you at ease before your dental appointment. He provides his patients with movies, and there’s always a massage therapist there to help ease your anxiety. So you’ll leave his office feeling relaxed and confident with your new smile.

Dr. Okuda and his staff here in Honolulu, HI, want to help you overcome your dental anxiety and keep your teeth looking great. Contact our office to learn more about how we can make your visits to the dentist much more comfortable!

A healthy smile can be yours if you practice good oral hygiene; however, according to Dr. Wynn Okuda from Honolulu’s most well known Cosmetic Dental Spa, there are some other things you can do to make your grin sparkle.

An Accredited Fellow with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an advocate for preventive dental care, Dr. Okuda understands that problems in your mouth could be a sign that something else is going on. Research indicates that plaque buildup may increase your risk of heart disease or stroke. Gingivitis and periodontal disease can also by a sign that you are suffering from diabetes.

Below are a few tips recommended by Dr. Okuda:

Brushing-Be sure to brush your teeth at a 45 degree angle twice a day, even more if you have been consuming lots of sugar or starchy foods. Brush in a circular motion with a soft bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes and don’t forget to brush your cheeks and your tongue.

Flossing-Everyone should floss once each day, and although most people floss after they brush the American Dental Association recommends that you floss before you brush. Flossing before you brush will help clear the debris that you may have missed if you floss after you brush. If you need to brush up on your flossing technique, call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Okuda.

Eat your Vegetables-Eating veggies, celery is Mother Natures’ Dental Floss, will help remove food and keep your saliva neutralized. Choose foods that are nutritious including cheese, fruit, and plain yogurt. Limit your intake of sugary and starchy foods and keep the citrus fruits to a minimum.

Checkups-Regular dental visits help detect tooth decay and gum disease. If caught early enough all you may need is a small filling instead of a root canal. The same can be said for gum disease. Catch gingivitis early on and it is curable, however periodontal disease is not.

Early Detection-Ask Dr. Okuda to conduct an oral cancer screening. According to the American Cancer Society, regular oral cancer screenings can help detect lip, tongue, cheek, throat, and other types of oral cancer in the early stages. People who are diagnosed before the cancer has progressed have a higher success rate than those who have not.

If you would like more information regarding oral hygiene and a healthy smile, call or click and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wynn Okuda today. 

If one of your teeth doesn’t look as good as it used to, a crown can make it look like new. Porcelain crowns, in particular, are the ideal restorative option for a number of reasons. Take a moment to explore how getting porcelain crowns at the Honolulu, HI cosmetic dental office of Dr. Wynn Okuda can restore both the look and function of your teeth. 

Crown Restorations
In most cases, when there are one or two problem teeth, one of the first solutions your dentist will consider is crowns. Dental crowns are a replacement for the outer enamel of a tooth that’s healthy on the inside. When all of the teeth are strong, they support each other and improve the overall function of your mouth. The addition of just one crown can make your smile considerably stronger and healthier.

Why Porcelain?
Crowns can be created using metal and ceramic material, but porcelain is the material of choice for most dentists. That’s because it has a combination of durability, resiliency and good looks that is unmatched by other dental materials. Porcelain is very smooth and feels as natural as human tooth enamel. Dr. Okuda specializes in porcelain crown installations at his Honolulu cosmetic dental office. 

The Crown Placement Procedure
You’ll have to visit your dentist at least two times to have a crown installed. At one appointment, the outer enamel layer will be removed to make room for the device. An impression will be made and a temporary acrylic crown will be added to preserve the spacing of your teeth. At the follow-up appointment, the newly fashioned permanent crown made of porcelain will be bonded to the surface using a strong dental bonding agent.

Does Your Smile Need Restoring?
A porcelain crown can do wonders for restoring the appearance and function of your teeth. Some patients forget that they even have a crown after a while because they look so natural and blend in with the rest of your teeth. Call (808) 734-1099 today to schedule a visit to Dr. Okuda’s Honolulu, HI cosmetic dentistry.

When's the last time you revealed your teeth in a photograph? If your teeth are yellow or stained, it's probably been a while. Honolulu, HI, dentist, Dr. Wynn Okuda, explains how teeth bleaching treatment can help your teeth look picture perfect again.

Dull teeth don't happen overnight

Teeth usually become duller gradually. If you look at old pictures of yourself, you'll probably notice that your smile used to be much brighter. A duller smile can occur due to several reasons. As you age, dentin, the darker layer of your teeth that's located just under your enamel, gets even darker. Unfortunately, as the dentin darkens, the layer of enamel covering gets thinner. Your smile will also look duller if you smoke cigarettes or cigars or chew tobacco. Your favorite foods and beverages can also contribute to a less-than-white smile, particularly if you enjoy coffee, tea or cola.

Bleaching makes stains a distant memory

Teeth bleaching, also called whitening, is very effective at targeting the stains that penetrate tooth enamel.

Dr. Okuda takes the time to protect these sensitive areas before your treatment in his Honolulu office begins. Protection involves a two-step process. First, a layer of gel is applied to your gums. The gel offers a very effective barrier that prevents the whitening agent from reaching the tissue. After the gel is applied, small devices called retractors lift your lips and gums and prevent them from coming in contact with the hydrogen peroxide. After about an hour, the whitening agent and the protective gel is removed, revealing a brighter smile.

Whitening offers long-lasting results

If you've tried a drugstore whitening product in the past, you may have been disappointed because the results didn't last very long. Professional whitening offers much better results. In most cases, your teeth will stay white for at least six months after your treatment, although many people report excellent results as much as five years after whitening.

Make your smile brighter and whiter with teeth bleaching. Call Honolulu, HI, dentist, Dr. Wynn Okuda, at (808) 734-1099 to schedule your appointment.