Overview of General Dentistry
Do you think of general dentistry as the usual cleaning and exam done once each year? As your dentist in Kailua-Kona, HI, Carter Yokoyama, DDS sees it as more than that. Our entire team is dedicated to considering just how to get your teeth and gums into optimal health, and we know that it takes more than simply examining them and cleaning them.
Our patients in the Kailua-Kona, HI area can use our general dentistry and preventative dentistry treatments, including dental exams, to discover what it will take to get the healthiest smiles possible. This is why our general dentistry includes:
- Exams – We use only the latest technologies to enable our team to identify signs of trouble as early as possible. Digital x-rays, intra-oral cameras, and even sedation dentistry will all be used to ensure that each exam is thorough, detailed, and productive.
- Cleanings – Once an exam is done, we move on to a full dental cleaning, and this includes close exams of the gums. If periodontal treatment is required, we discuss the right time to do this with the patient. This too is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, and you may need to schedule a separate appointment to get full care.
- Treatments – After the exam and cleaning, we then discuss any necessary treatments that address the issues uncovered. For example, many of our first-time general dentistry patients are surprised to learn that we suggest the replacement of all amalgam fillings. These are the old and unsightly metal fillings that are rarely if ever used in modern general dentistry. These are proven to be unsafe and ineffective, in addition to being unattractive. They do not support the teeth, they allow decay to continue and they may even contain mercury. We might also indicate that a new tooth-colored filling, a root canal, a dental crown or another treatment is required.
What this proves is that our general dentistry is preventative too. It prevents any issues from progressing, or worsening. We create a custom treatment plan that may also feature restorative plans. For example, your regular cleaning and exam may not reveal any decay or gum disease, but it could show us that you need to address a missing tooth. This could be done with a variety of solutions, and we are happy to look at the various pros and cons of each option with you.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions about general dentistry, or about any of the other treatments mentioned here, give us a call at our Kailua-Kona, HI office at 808-322-0101. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.
