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Your Questions Answered

Visit A Downtown Dental Group to get the excellent care your smile needs. In the meantime, check out these answers to frequently asked questions in Honolulu. We’d love to help you get a personalized response, so be sure to call us at 808-533-0000 if you’d like more information or want to schedule a visit!

Jump to:  General  |  General Dentistry  |  Reversing Cavities  |  Laser Gum Treatment  |  Non-surgical Gum Disease Treatment  |  Dental Implants  |  Mini Dental Implants  |  Dentures  |  All-On-4® Dental Implants  |  Cosmetic Dentistry  |  Tooth Bonding  |  Dental Veneers  |  Restorative Dentistry  |  Dental Crowns and Bridges  |  Dentistry for Diabetics  |  Invisalign  |  Oral Surgery  |  Sedation Dentistry  |  Sleep Apnea  |  Mouth-Body Connection  |  Military Specials

General

Yes, we can. Dental anxiety, or being scared of the dentist, is very common. A Downtown Dental Group provides amenities and two levels of safe and effective dental sedation to help you relax during your appointment.

We offer a number of excellent ways to improve the look of your smile. If you have broken, chipped, or missing teeth, we offer incredible options with dental implants, dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. If you’re looking to brighten your smile, our teeth whitening treatments will make your smile shine. And for a straighter smile, we offer a few different types of braces, including Invisalign, that will give you the smile you’ve always desired.

Choosing the correct toothbrush can often make a great difference in your overall dental hygiene. When picking out a toothbrush, you must first make sure that it is an acceptable size capable of reaching and cleaning every tooth. Another important factor is the strength of the bristles. While some people feel that hard bristles make their teeth cleaner, they can damage your gums and enamel, resulting in more problems down the road.

Traditional braces are the gold standard when it comes to straightening teeth, but not everyone wants to deal with the hassle of braces. Invisalign is a system that uses clear orthodontic aligners to move teeth, and the average treatment time is 12 to 18 months. Invisalign is virtually invisible, so no one will even know that you’re undergoing treatment. We will help you choose the solution that will work best for your smile.

General Dentistry

Fluoride, a mineral found in many foods and water, helps prevent cavities by making your tooth enamel stronger. It can even reverse early-stage decay. Since it contributes to the development of healthy teeth, children under 12 may benefit from fluoride treatment. In addition, cavity-prone adults may benefit as well. Ask us about fluoride if you have dry mouth, gum disease, or wear braces or other orthodontia.

In general, we recommend that a patient come in every six months for a dental exam and cleaning. Routine checkups allow us the chance to keep an eye on your oral health and provide early treatment for any problems we spot. You may need to visit us more often if you’re susceptible to gum disease.

If you want a healthy smile, you’ll want a diet rich in whole grains, fiber, fruits and vegetables, calcium, and lean proteins. Make sure you avoid sugary drinks or sticky sweets, which can damage your tooth enamel. Drink plenty of water too! This washes away bacteria from your teeth and gums.

Yes. Dental checkups typically involve a thorough cleaning, comprehensive exam, and dental X-rays to look for signs of problems like tooth decay or gum disease; an oral cancer screening; and time with your dentist to talk about any current or potential oral health issues that need to be addressed.

Reversing Cavities

Fluoride, a mineral found in many foods and water, helps prevent cavities by making your tooth enamel stronger. It can even help with early-stage decay. However, it is not as effective as Curodont, which uses the minerals in your saliva to target decayed areas in your teeth over the course of several months to completely reverse decay. Curodont and fluoride can be used together, and both may be a part of your routine preventive dental care.

In short, no. Curodont is best for early decay. At some point, the decay reaches a point where the best solution is a dental filling, which we provide here at the office. Our team will examine your teeth closely to ensure that you are getting the best possible solution for your tooth decay.

Curodont is a cost-effective way to reverse cavities and avoid more extensive dental work later, such as fillings and root canals. Cost is difficult to predict without examining your teeth. However, Curodont has a 95% success rate, which means that if you’re able to use the Curodont solution, you can count on it being a good investment!

Laser Gum Treatment

Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, is marked by puffy, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. If nothing is done to combat gingivitis, it may develop into a more serious stage of the disease that can result in receding gums. Recession can then lead to exposed teeth roots, halitosis, infected pockets that form in your gums, loose teeth, and even loss of teeth in affected areas.

In its early stages, gum disease causes tenderness and bleeding but no serious dental issues. If left untreated, though, it can progress to a stage that causes bone and tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. The best course of action is to seek treatment at the first signs of disease.

One of the biggest advantages of laser vs. traditional gum surgery is faster healing and greater comfort. Still, you may experience some minor swelling, bleeding, and discoloration of gums following your procedure. These effects will quickly go away. You can use ice for swelling and over-the-counter medication for pain relief. Similar to other oral surgeries, you will want to stick to mostly soft, bland foods for a few days.

Non-surgical Gum Disease Treatment

For most people, their gum disease treatment will take approximately one hour, about the same length of time as a routine checkup. Our team will clean plaque, tartar, and bacteria from around and beneath your gumline so that your gums can begin to heal. Depending on your circumstances, your treatment may need to be repeated every three or four months.

Gum disease treatment is targeted treatment designed to eliminate gum disease from your mouth. At A Downtown Dental Group, we offer two types of gum disease treatment. The first type is deep cleaning using scaling and root planing to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from around your gumline. The second type is laser treatment that painlessly removes damaged gum tissue and seals your gums without any cutting or stitches.

Your gum disease treatment should be completely comfortable. We’ll numb your gums so you don’t feel any discomfort or pain during your treatment. If you’re nervous about your procedure, we offer two forms of sedation for relaxing care. Choose inhaled sedation using laughing gas or oral conscious sedation with a small pill. If laser treatment is needed, it is a quick and painless method for eliminating infection from your gums.

You may not see the signs of gum disease on your own until its advanced stages, which is why it is often referred to as a silent killer. It’s also why your routine dental exams are so important. The earlier you spot periodontal infection, the easier it is to manage and, in many cases, reverse. Common symptoms to look for include red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, loose teeth, and persistent bad breath.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are small posts made from titanium that your dentist inserts into your jawbone to serve as replacement teeth roots. If you are missing one or more teeth, implants function as a base for several types of new replacement teeth, including crowns, bridges, dentures, and full arches of fixed teeth.

Every smile is different, so what is best for one smile may not be for another! Your dentist will walk you through all the information you need to consider when deciding between traditional dentures and implants. Factors you will want to consider include comfort, longevity, cost, and overall dental health.

Dental implants could be removed from your jaw, but there is seldom any reason to do so. Once placed, implants fuse with your jawbone and become one with it. They are designed to last for decades, and maybe even the rest of your life, without requiring any special care or maintenance.

The cost of dental implants varies, depending mainly on how many implants you receive. In some cases, you may also need another procedure, like a tooth extraction or bone grafts, to prepare for implants. We’ll discuss cost with you during the planning stage of your implants procedure so you know exactly what to expect. Financing options can make your care manageable.

Your dental insurance plan may cover a portion of the expense of your dental implants and restorations. It is essential that you consult your provider so you know precisely what they are paying for and what your portion will be. We will discuss this with you as well. To make your treatment more accessible, we offer financing through both in-house plans and third parties.

Because dental implants allow you to eat a wide variety of healthy, nutritious foods, prevent the loss of mass in your jawbone, and potentially last for a lifetime, most dental professionals – including the dentists at A Downtown Dental Group – believe they are the best investment in modern tooth replacement. Implants are more stable and secure than standalone dental restorations like removable dentures, and they can help you maintain a healthier, more satisfying quality of life.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are used in situations where they will work better than full-size implants. They offer a way to receive implants without a bone graft if your jaw isn’t strong enough for other implants. They can also work well to replace small teeth, like those in the front of your mouth, and for older adults or others who may experience slow healing times.

Mini dental implants are placed like other types of dental implants. The implant is surgically embedded into your jawbone, and then once the implant is healed, we use it to support your new crowns, bridge, or dentures. We can attach replacement teeth in a minimum amount of time after we place your implants. We offer sedation dentistry, including oral sedation and inhaled sedation, so you won’t experience any discomfort during your procedure.

Yes, mini implants are often used to stabilize a set of upper dentures. Due to their small size, the procedure for placing them is not as invasive as that for standard implants, making them a good choice for patients who may not have sufficient bone in their upper jaw to support full-sized implants.

Mini dental implants are about half the diameter of full-size implants. Unlike conventional implants, they are made of one solid piece instead of two pieces (the implant itself plus an abutment for attaching your dental restoration). Because of this, they aren’t right for every dental implant placement. Dr. Miyasaki will help you determine which implants will work best for your situation.

Dentures

Dentures are a great way to replace your missing teeth, especially when you need a complete arch of teeth replaced on either your upper or lower jaw. We can fit you with a lifelike set of dentures that will restore your biting and chewing capacity and give you back a beautiful smile you’ll be proud to show off everywhere.

The final cost for dentures can vary widely, depending on a number of factors. The price will be based on whether you get full or partial dentures, whether you choose implant-supported or conventional dentures, and the type of materials they’re made from. Once we have given you all your options and you’ve decided on the type of dentures that are right for your needs, we can let you know your cost.

Dentures can be made from several different materials, depending on the price point of the dentures you want. The base (the part that looks like your gums) is usually fabricated from acrylic that is laid over a metal frame. The teeth for the dentures may be made from porcelain, but acrylic is more popular due to its light weight and durability. With our in-house lab, you’ll get the best results!

All-on-4® Dental Implants

Yes, All-on-4® is a safe procedure when performed by professionals who have been trained to offer this service. This treatment is as effective as traditional implant placement options for keeping your new teeth securely in place. Like other implant procedures, this can preserve the health of your jaw, too, which is better for your long-term oral health.
In most cases, patients experience minimal pain, if any pain at all. We are committed to making all our dental services as comfortable as possible for our patients. With a combination of modern technology, advanced techniques, local anesthesia, and dental sedation, we can place your implants practically painlessly. In time, your All-on-4® implants will feel and function like healthy, natural teeth.
All-on-4® implants cost less than many other full-mouth restoration options using implants. The biggest reason for this is that we use only four implants to replace an entire arch of teeth. If you are concerned about the cost, please don’t hesitate to talk to our team. We offer third-party financing options as well as in-house financing to make your life-changing implants affordable.
Like other kinds of dental implants, those used in an All-on-4 procedure can last decades, or potentially for your lifetime. The restorations attached to your implants, however, will likely require replacement at some point. With care, your new teeth can last a decade or more. You can extend their life by taking good care of them. That includes following good oral hygiene practices, visiting use at least twice a year for checkups, and making positive lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking.

Cosmetic Dentistry

In most cases, insurance will not cover the cost of cosmetic dentistry. However, we can help you determine the details of what your carrier will and won’t cover. Keep in mind, we offer third-party financing and in-house financing with affordable payment plans. Many patients take advantage of these payment methods to get their new smile.

Yes! You deserve to feel great about your smile, and if cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve that, it’s worth the investment. Not only can cosmetic dental treatments improve the appearance of unattractive, unhealthy teeth, but they can also lead to life-changing benefits that often come with a bright, beautiful smile. You’ll have the confidence to pursue the life you want!

The whitening agent in our teeth whitening systems contains oxygen molecules that interact with the discolored molecules in your teeth enamel. The discolored molecules are broken up, and your teeth are left a sparkling white. Depending on your wants and needs, we can alter the level of whitening by changing the strength of the whitening agent and how long it’s applied.

Tooth Bonding

If you take great care of your teeth, you can expect bonding to last at least five years. You should keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing on a daily basis and seeing us for cleanings every six months. Do not smoke, which will discolor bonding material. You also ought to stay clear of eating hard foods such as ice or chewing on your fingernails.

Cost is one of the key advantages of a dental bonding treatment. Bonding is a more budget-friendly solution than dental veneers. Still, it’s important to consider the upfront cost versus the long-term cost. Veneers are a longer-lasting solution than bonding. No matter which solution you decide on, we offer many payment options, including third-party financing and in-house finance plans.

The process for tooth bonding can usually be completed in just one easy appointment. It’s possible we’ll have you in and out in about an hour. Of course, some cases take longer, especially if we’re repairing more than one tooth. At your initial consultation, we can give you a better idea of how long your individual treatment will take.

Teeth whitening solutions don’t work on tooth bonding. The best way to keep your bonding looking white is through daily brushing and flossing and routine cleanings at our office. Bonding is a quick, affordable option for fixing stains that don’t respond to whitening. We suggest whitening your teeth prior to bonding so we can match the bonding material to your other teeth.

There’s no reason to wait to eat or drink after your tooth bonding. However, it’s best to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods or acidic beverages for the first 24 hours following the treatment, since they can potentially damage the bonding material. We’ll provide you with specific aftercare instructions tailored to your individual needs and circumstances, so follow them closely for the best results.

Dental Veneers

Your treatment with dental veneers should be completely painless. Sometimes we need to make minor tooth modifications to make room for your veneers, but this should also be entirely without pain. If you’re nervous about getting your new veneers, we can give you sedation that will help you relax – either inhaled sedation with laughing gas or a small pill to take your mind off your dental care.

In the experienced hands of Drs. Miyasaki, your new veneers will look completely lifelike and natural. We’ll make sure the veneers you decide on together will complement your smile and not look fake or out of place. After your veneers treatment is complete, you’ll have a genuine smile you’ll want to show off to everyone.

No, it is not possible to whiten dental veneers. For this reason, we recommend that our veneers patients first whiten their teeth to their desired level of whiteness, then we will match your new veneers to your teeth. With a quick whitening touch-up every so often, you can maintain a white and radiant smile all year long.

Restorative Dentistry

Any time you have a tooth that suffers damage from decay, infection, injury, or another type of trauma, restorative dentistry can repair it so you can save the tooth from further damage or extraction. Restorative treatment includes any service designed to relieve pain and help you regain oral function, like tooth fillings, root canals, and crowns and bridges, as well as dentures and dental implants.

As you might imagine, since restorative dentistry covers a wide range of treatments, the cost can be just as wide ranging. A standard tooth filling is going to cost much less than a full-mouth reconstruction in which we replace all your teeth. Once you come in for your initial exam, we can give you a much better idea of the cost involved for your restorative dentistry.

Advanced restorative dentistry refers to restorative treatments that are more complex. Rather than just filling a tooth, advanced restorative dentistry may include dental implant treatment such as the All-on-4® procedure or another type of full-mouth reconstruction. Your dentists at A Downtown Dental Group are fully trained and well experienced to handle the most difficult restorative dentistry cases.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges are a fantastic investment in your smile. Most of our patients can expect their new crown or bridge to last at least five to seven years after placement. However, these restorations can last much longer, especially if you take care not to chew hard, gummy, or sticky foods.

Dental crowns and bridges are versatile because they can solve a wide range of oral health problems. Crowns cap teeth that have been damaged or weakened by tooth decay, injuries, and infections. A single crown attached to a dental implant can replace one tooth, or crowns can create a bridge to replace several missing teeth in a row.

Typically, dental bridges are made to remain in place for as long as possible. Whether you get a traditional bridge or an implant-supported bridge, we’ll design it to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. With a bridge, you should be able to speak, smile, and eat just like you would with real teeth.

Dentistry for Diabetics

Diabetics are at greater risk of problems with their oral hygiene. Their white blood cells are elevated, which makes them more likely to have bacterial infections, including oral infections. Oral health can also suffer due to a lack of saliva resulting from medication side effects. This results in dry mouth and therefore tooth decay, soreness, and ulcers. Diabetics are also at greater risk for gingivitis, which can ultimately result in gum disease.

Our goal for every patient is to keep their mouth healthy and to treat small issues before they become larger problems. This is especially important for diabetics. If a diabetic develops problems that need extensive work or surgery, they may experience slow healing because of lack of immediate blood flow to the area that was worked on. We deal with these problems a great deal and are recognized as experts in diabetic dentistry in Honolulu.

Diabetes can raise glucose levels in your mouth, which makes you more prone to the bacteria growth that can cause bad breath – and even worse, decay and infection. If you have high blood sugar, it’s also harder for your body to fight infection. Because of this, it takes longer for diabetics to recover from gum disease and other dental problems. That’s why preventive care is so important for diabetics.

Invisalign

In general, Invisalign treatment takes anywhere from six months to 18 months, with the majority of patients completing their care in six to 12 months. Your unique situation will ultimately determine the length of your care. After your dentist has completed a treatment plan, we can give you an accurate timeline for achieving your new smile.

Unlike traditional braces that force you to wear metal brackets and wires for two or three long years, Invisalign clear aligners can deliver amazing results in months – usually about 12. Obviously, it is different for everyone, but the sooner you get started on your transformative journey, the sooner you will get to enjoy that stunningly straight smile.

Our patients think so! We’ve treated many patients who have been unhappy with their smiles for years because of gaps, crooked teeth, and other orthodontic issues. Orthodontic treatment not only improves the appearance of your smile, it often improves its function too by moving teeth into proper alignment. Misaligned teeth can contribute to health problems such as TMJ disorders.

Oral Surgery

You’ll need to avoid smoking for at least 12 hours prior to oral surgery (and 24 hours after). We perform many oral surgeries using only local anesthesia. If that’s the case with your procedure, you’ll be able to enjoy a light meal several hours beforehand. We’ll give you more specific instructions. You may want to take off work or school for a day or two, depending on the kind of surgery you receive.

Some general dentists offer only the most basic oral surgery, while others don’t perform any surgical procedures. Thanks to the skills and advanced training of our team at A Downtown Dental Group, you’ll find a wide range of oral surgery including tooth removal, bone grafts, gum grafts, sinus lifts, and ridge augmentation.

After your oral surgery, you should not exercise at all for the first 24 hours. Doing too much too soon can increase your healing time. For example, strenuous exercise can loosen the blood clot on an extraction site and cause a painful condition known as dry socket. After the first day, limit your exercise to low-impact activities for several more days to prevent complications.

Sedation Dentistry

Over the years, we have found that most patients respond well to our sedation options. If you tend to suffer from dental anxiety, we have a sedation method that will work for you. Our goal is to help you relax as much as possible so you can get the care your smile needs. We’ll do our best to make sure your procedure is completely pleasant.

Yes, our dental sedation is completely safe. We offer two sedation methods to ensure that every patient can get the sedation level they need. Inhaled sedation with laughing gas is safe and mild and can even be used with children. Oral sedation, our other sedation option, uses an FDA-approved pill to give you an all-over feeling of relaxation.

If you choose inhaled sedation with laughing gas, the effects of the sedative will vanish immediately after your exam or procedure. You should have no problem safely driving yourself home. With oral conscious sedation, the pill’s effects will linger for a few hours, so you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home afterward.

Fear of the dentist can be so severe that a patient will not come into the office for decades at a time. Because oral health affects overall health, this person is likely suffering not only in their mouth but also in other areas of their body. It’s important that we find a solution for the fear so that every patient can remain healthy.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when your tongue and other soft tissues in your throat relax and temporarily block your airway. Your breathing will be interrupted until your brain signals your body to wake up and take in more oxygen. You take a few normal breaths before dozing off to sleep once more. This cycle can repeat itself dozens of times an hour throughout the night.

One common result of sleep apnea is excessive fatigue during the day. This makes it tough to concentrate or focus on tasks. Studies have linked it to sleepiness while driving, which can obviously be dangerous. In addition, research shows that sleep apnea leads to increased incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems.

We treat sleep apnea with a custom mouthguard that moves your jaw into a position that keeps your airway open throughout the night. This allows you to breathe easily so you can rest. Many patients prefer a mouthguard to a CPAP machine, another commonly prescribed sleep apnea treatment. Unlike a CPAP, you won’t need to adjust to wearing a mask while you sleep. Plus, you can easily take a mouthguard with you anywhere you go.

Mouth-Body Connection

Bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart. This causes inflammation in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies show people with gum disease are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular problems.

Aging brings dry mouth, gum recession, and increased sensitivity. Medications can reduce saliva production, raising cavity risk. Bone density loss may affect jaw strength. Regular dental visits become even more important to catch and treat problems early.

Yes, harmful bacteria from your mouth can be inhaled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory infections. This is especially dangerous for elderly people and those with compromised immune systems. Good oral hygiene reduces this serious health risk.

Military Specials

Dr. Wilfred Miyasaki, a former active duty veteran himself, offers discounted services to veterans to show his appreciation for their service and sacrifice. He also extends these offers to military personnel and their families. Military personnel who have been deployed have one less thing to worry about if they know their families are getting the dental care they need.

Simply call and identify yourself as a member of the military or a veteran. You and members of your family are eligible for discounted dental exams and cleanings. But don’t delay, we reserve just five new patient specials a month at the special military rate. We also offer a guarantee – if you aren’t happy with your visit, you won’t pay a thing.

Veterans may not qualify for dental care from Veterans Affairs unless they have a disability or a preexisting dental condition or were a prisoner of war. In many states, adult dental health isn’t covered by Medicaid, and Medicare provides no dental benefits. Because of this, veterans may be tempted to skip routine dental care. Doing so puts them at risk for serious dental problems like infected teeth and gums.

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