Restorative Dentistry: Dental Implants, Crowns and More with Dr. Carter Yokoyama
Unlike cosmetic dentistry, where the main concern is aesthetics, restorative dentistry involves both structural and cosmetic enhancement for Dr. Yokoyama’s patients whose teeth have been damaged by decay, infection, wear, or other factors. Restorative dentistry solutions such as dental crowns and bridges restore strength and protect teeth that are compromised, while dental implants restore functionality and appearance when patients are missing one or more teeth. With Dr. Carter Yokoyama’s artistic application of the most modern restorative dentistry techniques, his Kailua-Kona patients enjoy smiles that are not only strong and healthy, but also radiantly beautiful.
Dental Crowns
Dental Bridges
Inlays and Onlays
Dental Implants
Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Dental Crowns
When teeth are structurally compromised, lab-fabricated dental crowns provide a stable bite and enhance aesthetics. Crowns are used to support the tooth and help prevent fractures in teeth that are chipped or worn or compromised by severe decay, large old fillings, or root canals. To place a crown, Dr. Yokoyama first prepares the surface of the tooth by eliminating any infection or decay, then gently filing the sides of the tooth to accommodate the crown. He then takes a mold of the tooth, which is sent to a premier dental laboratory, and fits the patient with a temporary crown. When the restoration is ready, the patient returns to Dr. Yokoyama’s office in Kailua-Kona to have his or her crown fitted and bonded into place. Dr. Yokoyama most commonly uses porcelain dental crowns, but these restorations can also be constructed from gold or a combination of porcelain and gold. While traditional, metal-based dental crowns can leave a tell-tale black line at the patient’s gum line, white porcelain crowns lend a more natural appearance that lasts for decades with proper care.
Dental Bridges
When a patient loses a tooth due to trauma or infection, the gap left by that tooth can invite further decay and may cause surrounding teeth to shift position. To remedy this, Dr. Yokoyama can use a porcelain dental bridge to replace the tooth to maintain proper smile structure. A dental bridge is most commonly held into place by crowns placed on the teeth on either side of the gap and the replacement tooth is fused between them. While dental implants are the ideal and most permanent restorative dentistry solution to missing teeth, dental bridges are just as natural-looking and more often affordable.
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Inlays and Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays are often referred to as indirect fillings, and they are used to seal and protect the teeth when too much tooth is missing to place a filling, but not enough is missing to warrant a crown. Dr. Yokoyama uses inlays to repair areas inside of the tooth that have been damaged, while onlays are applied to the tooth’s surface and cusp. They cover and protect weakened or damaged tooth structure but are more conservative than crowns. Dr. Yokoyama uses natural-looking porcelain for his inlays and onlays, so his patients’ restored teeth are virtually indistinguishable from the rest of their beautiful smiles.
Dental Implants
If one of his patients in Kailua-Kona is missing one, several, or all of their teeth, Dr. Yokoyama suggests dental implants as the very best solution. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into to the patient’s jawbone and then fitted with natural-looking replacement teeth. Implants may be used to ground a single dental bridge, or to replace a whole mouth of missing teeth. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are permanent: they never need to be removed for cleaning, and require no more maintenance than a good daily oral hygiene routine. If you need to replace missing teeth, or are ready to leave your messy, uncomfortable dentures behind, dental implants from Dr. Carter Yokoyama are the most natural-looking and low-maintenance restorative dentistry solution for you. Learn more about dental implants.
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Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Sometimes, patients come to Dr. Yokoyama’s restorative dentistry practice in Kailua-Kona in need of significant intervention to restore functionality and appearance to their teeth. In such cases, Dr. Yokoyama can combine any number of restorative dentistry techniques to repair and protect broken teeth as well as to replace teeth that are missing or need to be removed. To complete a full mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Yokoyama may also employ cosmetic dentistry solutions such as teeth whitening to ensure his patient’s smile is beautiful as well as healthy.
Contact us for a Restorative Dentistry Consultation
When a patient has a tooth that is damaged, infected, or missing, the health of surrounding teeth is compromised. Fortunately, patients of Dr. Carter Yokoyama have access to modern restorative dentistry solutions designed to keep their smiles strong and healthy for a lifetime. If you suffer with teeth that are broken or missing, or if you would like to refresh your smile with all new porcelain dental crowns, we invite you to contact Dr. Yokoyama for a restorative dentistry consultation at his office in Kailua-Kona.
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