GENERAL DENTISTRY
General dentistry covers both preventative and basic procedures. Preventative procedures include dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments and tooth sealants. Basic procedures include root canal treatments, fillings, emergency care for pain relief, dental crown work, and periodontal scaling.
COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL EXAM
Comprehensive dental examinations will include a visual examination of the state of the patients general oral health. X-rays of various aspects of the mouth and jaw are provided to provide a complete picture of the status of the patient’s oral health. At Honda Plaza Dental Clinic we use a state of the art digital x-ray which has 3 to 4 times less radiation emissions compared to conventional machines.
CLEANING AND POLISHING
For patients with healthy teeth and gums routine periodic cleaning and polishing of the teeth is provided and is recommended on a regularly scheduled basis to insure good ongoing oral health. This is a preventive measure to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. The procedure also involves a thorough teeth cleaning removing tartar build up in hard to reach areas of the mouth. The latest equipment is used to provide scaling, polishing and debridement when needed. At Honda Plaza Dental Clinic we recommend that patients have their teeth professionally cleaned every six months.
FILLINGS
Should a routine examination identify a cavity that requires attention a variety of filing options are provided. To treat cavities, we remove the decaying portion of the tooth and fill the area with a filling. Fillings may also be used to repair cracked or broken teeth, as well as teeth that are overly worn down.
DENTAL SEALANTS
A dental sealant is a very thin invisible plastic coating applied on the grooves on the surface of the back teeth where chewing occurs. This sealant protects them from decay. Some teeth have very deep crevices and grooves, which tend to collect germs and food particles unless they’ve been covered with a sealant. Most kids and teenagers who get cavities at an early age get them because of these food particles sticking to the surface in areas that are hard to clean.
When our dentist applies the dental sealant it takes very little time, is easy and pain free. First the tooth is thoroughly cleaned then a gel is applied on the chewing surface of the tooth for just a few seconds. The tooth is now washed and dried before the sealant is simply painted on the surface of the tooth. To help the sealant to harden a light is shined on it. The result is a shield on the tooth that protects it.
ROOT CANALS/ROOT CANAL RETREATS
A root canal is simply a procedure to remove the nerve and the pulp from inside a tooth. The tooth is then clean and sealed. This is used for teeth that are badly injured or decayed. This procedure does not affect the day to day functions of a tooth, only the ability to feel hot or cold. Teeth that would have had to be pulled just a few years ago can now be rescued. Over the years myths have developed as to how painful and dangerous having a root canal is, but these have been extremely exaggerated. The truth is having a root canal is no more painful than getting a filling. For more information, you can visit WebMD's page on root canals.
FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
Fluoride is a natural mineral existing in food and water. Fluoride treatments help in the prevention of tooth decay as well as protecting the surface enamel of the teeth. At Honda Plaza Dental Clinic we offer fluoride treatments as part of providing excellent dental care for our patients. The fluoride treatments carried out in our dental office contain a higher concentration of fluoride to make it more effective in fighting decay and in strengthening the enamel.
A dental sealant is a very thin plastic coating which is applied to the grooves on the surface of the back teeth where chewing occurs.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are used to replace a lost tooth or teeth. When people lose a tooth due to injury or disease they are often embarrassed about their appearance. Sometimes their speech or smile is adversely affected. It the tooth loss causes an irregular bite this can lead to other problems, even malnutrition. Tooth loss may also be caused by excessive wear and tear, gum disease or congenital defects. Dental implants are replacement roots for your teeth. They are made to be fixed so that replacement teeth look and feel like your own teeth. They are more comfortable than removable dentures, make it easier to eat, and give you durable teeth that are easy to care for. the cause of your tooth loss, you can discuss with your Los Angeles dentist whether or not a dental implant would be a good option for you.
ORAL CANCER SCREENING
Early detection is the best way to combat any form of cancer and oral cancer is no different. Diagnosing oral cancer through regular screenings is key to preventing and effectively treating the condition. Our goal is to find oral, neck and head cancers as soon as possible when patients come in with symptoms of bleeding, pain, dysphagia or otalgia. Our dentist can carefully examine the mouth and neck, which usually only takes a few minutes. This short exam is critical to the prevention, treatment and cure of early stage oral cancer.
CROWNS
Crowns are meant to protect the part of the tooth that is seen above the gum line. They are placed there to strengthen the tooth or to enhance its appearance or size. They are also used to secure a bridge or dental implant. There are a quite few different kinds of crowns available, each serving a specific purpose. Our Los Angeles dentist can advise you on whether or not you will need a crown depending on the type of treatment you are receiving. Often a temporary crown is put in place until the permanent crown is made. Crowns are made of different substances such as porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, metal or resin.
TREATMENT FOR TMJ
The main joint in the jaw is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and it can develop a disorder or dysfunction, which can be very painful. The pain can affect the entire jaw, face and head. In severe cases the pain can spread to the neck and shoulders as well. Although TMJ is the name of this particular joint, but the acronym often refers to the painful disorder or syndrome. A more appropriate term would be temporomandibular disorder (TMD), but the two terms seem to be interchangeable. This painful joint disorder is certainly uncomfortable, but it also causes the teeth to erode slowly.
EXTRACTIONS
When a tooth cannot be saved or the patient is at risk for developing an infection in surrounding teeth an extraction may be recommended by our Los Angeles dentist. A tooth with a severe crack may need to be extracted. There are other situations that make it totally impossible to save a tooth and therefore the dentist will be forced to extract it. For most people this would be a traumatic experience, however, Dr. Itoh will discuss all your options with you so that you can decide which solution would be best for you under the circumstances.
CARE FOR CANKER SORES
Canker sores occur in the mouth and can be very painful. They are normally red, but they can also be white. They show up on the gums, inside of the cheek and/or under the tongue. These are not fever blisters, which show up on the outside of the lips and/or in the corners of the mouth. Anyone can get a fever blister since they can be caused by a number of different things including:
Poor nutrition
Stress
Injury to the mouth
Food allergies
Menstrual periods
At Honda Plaza Dental Clinic in Little Tokyo – Dr. Itoh and the team can advise you on the best treatment for relieving the pain.