What is a Bone Graft?

Hard tissue grafts are used to repair depleted bone that no longer supports teeth and jaw function. The procedure involves taking tissue from either the patient themselves or a donor and applying it in areas where bone has receded, particularly after tooth loss or complications of osteoporosis. Dr. Okamoto treats bone depletion through comprehensive care that encourages healthy, functional, and beautiful smiles. Grafting is the predominant way bone recession is treated.

Now that you understand bone grafting basics, here’s what else you should about this procedure:

Bone grafts are safe: Tissue used for the graft can be your own, made in a lab, or taken from a donor. All of these are compatible with your natural jaw bone and integrate well. Grafting materials must be certified before they are provided to a patient, so all of them are safe avenues for creating a more supportive oral structure.

Bone grafts restore aesthetic: Bone depletion creates a prematurely aged and sunken appearance. When lost teeth or other health issues affect bone volume, the only way to restore a natural aesthetic is through grafting procedures. Augmenting bone structure restores a full and healthy appearance. Dr. Okamoto provides patient with the completely healthy and natural-looking smiles they deserve; bone graft procedures can give patients the chance at a beautiful smile again.

Bone grafts support better function and treatment results: As bone loss progresses, your teeth may begin to shift out of place, making everyday function uncomfortable and difficult. Loose and unstable teeth are at a higher risk for loss, which compounds bone health problems.  A bone graft bolsters jaw strength and provides security for natural teeth. If you are interested in dental implants to replace lost teeth, a bone graft creates the ideal environment to support lasting treatment success.

Can Bone be Compromised again After a Graft?

Maintaining oral health is dependent on seeking the most beneficial treatment to support bone health and development, as well as replacement for missing teeth. The addition of a bone graft actually encourages the development of new bone in the area, improving more than the region where the graft was placed. If you choose implants to replace lost teeth, you can enjoy the benefits of healthy, dense bone volume with minimized risks for additional bone loss.

Contact us for Comprehensive Treatment for Bone Loss, Missing Teeth, and Dental Implants

Dr. Okamoto and his team are prepared to treat bone health problems and advanced tooth loss through grafting procedures. Contact our office today for more information on whether you can benefit from a bone graft.

Dentures Options and Care Tips

For edentulous patients (those who have lost all natural teeth), dentures are still the go-to procedure for restoring the appearance of a healthy smile and the function delivered by strong teeth. However, modern dental techniques allow Drs. Steven and Michelle Okamoto to customize treatment to meet your expectations.

If you are in need of dentures to restore your smile, consider the following treatment options and how you can keep your smile healthy with your new teeth:

Traditional or Fixed Dentures?

Dental implants are touted as a revolutionary way to replace teeth, and they do provide significant benefits, but some patients are simply uninterested or do not wish to complete the surgical component of implant treatment. For many patients, removable traditional dentures serve them well, while others may struggle with their prosthetics.  Take the following into consideration when choosing which teeth replacement option will provide best comfort and function:

Missing all Teeth in a Top Arch – Though traditional dentures are held in place with temporary adhesive only, denture patients often have more success with upper dentures. With these top prosthetics, there is a component that covers the palate and helps to keep replacement teeth stable through creating suction. Though some patients find this portion of the denture to restrict taste, it’s an important part of keeping teeth in place and providing for a higher success rate.

Bottom Dentures- Comprehensive tooth loss on the bottom jaw arch tends to be the most problematic. While removable dentures can be used here as well, patients often report more issues with these replacement teeth, as there is less suction to hold them in place.  Because of this, and because bottom dentures are an important part of supporting chewing function, they often slip and slide out of place or become loose after consistent wear and use. For those patients, just a few dental implants can create the comfort and stability needed to ensure that their smile is functional and feels more natural.

Taking Care of your New Teeth

It’s important to remove your dentures each night and soak them while you sleep, so that they do not become dry and do not trap bacteria and debris that can cause bad breath. It’s also suggested that you brush your dentures with a soft bristled tooth brush before you soak them to keep them as clean as possible.  Be careful not to use toothpaste when cleaning your dentures and not to damage them by using a brush with bristles that are too hard.

If your denture is removable, but held in place with implants, you can follow the same care steps as listed above. If you’ve selected to receive dentures that are permanently affixed and removable only at our dental office, you will need to be diligent about cleaning under your prosthetic with a device like a waterpik.

Undecided about which denture treatment best fits your needs? Contact our Torrance prosthodontist for more information about removable and fixed dentures.

Welcome Back to our Blog!

Drs. Steven and Michelle Okamoto are happy to welcome you back to their blog. Over the next year, we will be embarking on a monthly effort to keep you informed about our practice, community involvements, and the advancements in dental technology and care we plan to bring to our patients. This blog will also be a place where our visitors and patients can get to better know our team and have their oral health questions answered.

In this initial posting on our year long journey, we start with an introduction to our dentists. Our returning patients know how invested our team is in your oral health and wellness and the skill we offer in dental care; however, for new patients and users, we would like to introduce:

Steven K. Okamoto, DDS
Dr. Okamoto is trained in the art of prosthodontics, or restoring damaged and lost teeth with replacements made from a variety of tooth-colored and durable materials. Dr. Okamoto was educated in Southern California at UCLA and is happy to continue caring for patients in the area at his Torrance dental practice. After obtaining his dental doctorate, Dr. Okamoto spent time teaching other oral health professionals and brings that spirit of communication, outreach, and education to daily patient care at our office. With practiced skill in implant dentistry, oral surgery, and sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Steven Okamoto is prepared to care for patients with all manner of dental needs and goals.

Michelle Okamoto, DDS
We are a unique dental practice, with Dr. Steven’s daughter Michelle Okamoto, DDS serving as his partner practitioner. Dr. Michelle’s education includes time spent at such well-known institutions as Pepperdine and UCLA. In her college career, Dr. Michelle has been recognized repeatedly for her leadership and service and carries those commitments through to her philosophy of exceptional patient care. Dr. Michelle has completed additional training in dental surgery and therapies involved in alleviating oral facial pain. Through her work in-office, Dr. Michelle helps patients enjoy healthier and more beautiful smiles each day.

Our Mission Statement

As stated on the face of our website, our mission is to utilize our dentists’ advanced training and education to provide the best care possible, whether that includes incorporating sleep apnea appliances into your dental plan, or providing surgical treatment to ensure best outcomes for implant care. We work to develop trusting patient relationships and cultivate an environment of positivity with a focus on your health and wellness.

Services

As dental professionals, we are committed to restoring patient confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life by improving and protecting your dental health. That goal is served through general preventive care and cleanings, as well as more advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments, which include:

• Dental Implants
• All on 4
• Teeth Whitening
• Veneers
• Bone Grafting
• Sleep Apnea Therapy

Whether you are looking to have a tooth, or all of your teeth, replaced or you are in search of a dental home for twice yearly cleanings and dependable service, Drs. Okamoto are here to help.

Stay Tuned for Updates!

We are excited to bring you more information about our team, services, and dental health as the year progresses. Check back on our blog next month to meet a member of our team or contact our office for additional assistance.

The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry with Prosthodontics

There are several ways to improve the appearance of teeth without the use of prosthetics (replacement teeth), such as whitening, adding tooth-colored composite material, or manually shaping teeth so they appear more even and balanced.

However, dental prosthetics are particularly effective at giving you a brand new smile and boosting your oral health in the event that you have complex dental needs. In many cases, cosmetic dental treatment with prosthodontics is essential in targeting problems areas and helping patients achieve the look they want. At the Torrance, CA dental office of Drs. Steven and Michele Okamoto, we are skilled in cosmetically and functionally restoring smiles with prosthetics.

What are Dental Prosthetics?

A dental prosthetic is intended to replace a natural tooth, tissue, or part of tooth enamel and can include crowns, bridges, and veneers.  As a Prosthodontist, one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the ADA, Dr. Steven Okamoto has the expertise to restore teeth for ideal cosmetic effect using any number of dental prosthesis.

Prosthodontics and Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental prosthetics help effectively target cosmetic dental problems that include:

Damaged Teeth – Decayed or broken dental enamel can be removed and replaced with a beautiful porcelain dental crown, or even a veneer, depending on your needs and the extent of damage to teeth, so that your smile looks healthy.

Misshapen Teeth – Teeth that are too-small or that are jagged or pointed stand out in your smile for the wrong reasons. By shaping teeth and applying a natural-looking prosthetic, like a veneer, problem teeth can become a seamless compliment to the rest of your smile.

Missing Teeth – A missing tooth in your smile poses significant cosmetic and functional issues, but patients have many options for treatment with the help of prosthetics. Choices like partial dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants can all replace missing teeth and give the effect of a cosmetically beautiful smile.

Smile restorations with prosthetics help patients achieve stunning smiles and renewed oral health, especially in the event that your needs are complex. At Steven K. Okamoto, DDS, Inc., we can give your smile a cosmetic boost with a number of effective and long-lasting prosthetics, such as porcelain crowns, veneers, fixed dental bridges, and implant-supported replacement teeth.

For more information on cosmetic restorations with prosthetics, contact our office for your consultation.