Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry blends artistic creation with sound scientific principles to create masterpieces that improve people’s health, confidence and self esteem. At our practice in Kailua-Kona, Dr. Carter Yokoyama uses the most advanced cosmetic dentistry techniques and materials to produce beautiful, natural looking results that can greatly enhance his patients’ lives. What’s more, unlike at other dental practices where patients may cringe at the idea of undergoing a longer procedure, the soothing and luxurious dental spa atmosphere in our office means that patients can recline in comfort with a warm blanket and watch their favorite movies while their smiles are perfected. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, whether it’s because your teeth are stained, crooked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, we invite you to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry smile makeover solutions available.

• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Veneers
• Cosmetic Dental Bonding
• Tooth-Colored (White) Fillings
• Cosmetic Gum Contouring (Gum Lifting)
• Smile Makeover (Smile Design)

Porcelain Veneers

The veneers Dr. Yokoyama uses are thin shells of porcelain that can be bonded to the front of a tooth to dramatically improve its position, size, color and shape. By employing custom-crafted porcelain veneers, Dr. Yokoyama can eliminate the appearance of staining, chips, and cracks; he can also employ veneers as “instant orthodontics” in many cases to lend a straighter appearance to a patient’s smile. Porcelain veneers are durable and, in many cases, can be placed without removing a lot of tooth structure. Dr. Yokoyama has gone through extensive training and works closely with a highly skilled dental laboratory to produce beautiful, life-like veneers that look and feel so natural that they are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Dr. Yokoyama and his team invite you to visit our smile gallery to see some of the fantastic results he has achieved with porcelain veneers.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening, or bleaching, is a wonderful way to brighten your smile, and is one of the most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatments at Dr. Yokoyama’s practice in Kailua-Kona. Dr. Yokoyama feels he gets better long-term results with take-home whitening compared to in-office bleaching. It's also more convenient and time efficient, since you do it in the comfort of your own home. When our patients brighten their smiles at home, they simply wear their custom-made bleaching trays at night, and their teeth gradually become whiter over the course of a few weeks. If you feel your teeth are too yellow or too dark, Dr. Yokoyama can evaluate your smile to see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Dr. Yokoyama suggests cosmetic dental bonding for patients who desire mild to moderate cosmetic enhancement of specific teeth, but may not necessarily be good candidates for porcelain veneers. With cosmetic bonding, Dr. Yokoyama applies a resin composite material that has been formulated to closely match the color of natural teeth to the surface of the tooth. He then meticulously sculpts and shapes this material to ensure that the enhanced tooth is nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the patient’s smile, curing it into place permanently when he is satisfied with the appearance. While composite resin dental bonding is not as permanent solution as porcelain veneers, it requires very little tooth preparation, can be completed in one office visit, and is a more affordable solution for most patients.

Tooth-Colored (White) Fillings

In the old days, patients who suffered from cavities or decay had no option but to get dental fillings made from metal, most often containing silver mercury. Aside from the aesthetic issues raised by these dark fillings, metal (and especially mercury) fillings can also pose a risk to the patient’s health. Advances in materials and bonding technology have made tooth-colored fillings an excellent alternative to silver amalgam fillings. They strengthen teeth, look natural, and are biocompatible. At his practice, Dr. Carter Yokoyama uses only the finest quality in composite, or tooth-colored fillings. This ensures that his patients can enjoy smiles that are beautiful, strong and healthy for many years to come.

Cosmetic Gum Contouring (Gum Lifting)

Healthy, pink gums serve as the ideal frame for a beautiful smile. When a patient’s gums extend too far down the tooth’s surface, teeth appear to be too small in proportion to the gums and the patient may be said to have a “gummy smile”. While the reduction of gum coverage used to involve manual cutting of the gums, Dr. Yokoyama can now use a diode soft tissue laser to gently sculpt the patient’s gums into a more aesthetically-pleasing shape with cosmetic gum contouring. This procedure can be completed in one comfortable visit to our cosmetic dental spa in Kailua-Kona with no recovery time needed, and can dramatically enhance the appearance of a patient’s smile.

Smile Makeover (Smile Design)

There are a number of reasons why you may be unhappy with your smile. When you visit Dr. Yokoyama’s practice, he will listen to your thoughts and goals and work with you to create a treatment plan that is designed specifically for you. Dr. Yokoyama and his team are very skilled and experienced at determining the specific factors that have a negative effect on your smile. These may include:

• Crooked, missing, poorly shaped or discolored teeth
• Previous dentistry that is mismatched or unattractive
• Uneven or excessive display of gum tissue when you smile
• Uneven or slanted display of teeth
• Skeletal (jaw) relationships that can cause the teeth to be too crowded or have spaces between them, as well as overbite issues
• Worn, chipped or broken teeth

Because each face is different, Dr. Yokoyama assesses these and several other factors such as face shape, tooth color and size, and bite relationships to create beautiful, healthy smiles that are individually tailored to each patient.

Contact Us in Kailua-Kona for a Consultation

The best way to decide what will work for you is to come in and talk with us. In many cases we can show you examples of what a certain procedure can accomplish and help you decide if it is right for you. If you are ready to learn about the possibilities of perfecting your smile with cosmetic dentistry from Dr. Carter Yokoyama, we invite you to contact us in Kailua-Kona today to schedule a consultation.