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.

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!