Intraoral Cameras

The use of intraoral cameras in daily dental practice can serve numerous purposes, from patient education to attaching images with insurance claims. Rapid advancement in technology and ease of use have greatly improved over the years. Intraoral cameras are very slim and ergonomically designed handpieces with a single button for capturing images of difficult-to-reach areas in the mouth, and most are corded and can plug into the USB port on a computer.

What They See

Intraoral imaging and education complement each other in the dental practice. A dentist can show as well as tell the patient what they see. Many patients are able to grasp the condition and are often willing to complete the recommended treatment. With the use of intraoral imaging, the patient sees the broken filling or recurrent decay on the computer screen.

What Insurers Can See

Many individuals want only to do a treatment that dental insurance will help pay for. One way to aid in the preauthorization process is to provide an intraoral image to the insurance carrier. Submitting the intraoral image may help the approval process of needed treatments such as crowns and even periodontal therapy.

'Watching' Disease Progression

Dentists and hygienists see numerous patients every day and often find areas to "watch". These include soft-tissue lesions, incipient decay, or other concerns. One great way to monitor these areas is with an intraoral image to refer to at each following dental visit. Having the ability to compare photographs side by side and evaluate and monitor changes creates a standard of care that is valuable in any dental practice.

New patients

New-patient visits for preliminary records, radiographs, and periodontal charting can add in intraoral images for a more complete understanding of their dental health. It is very convenient to add pictures of suspicious areas that will need future treatment or monitoring, such as failing restorations, caries, and the general gingival condition.

Going over the intraoral images with the patient before the dentist comes in for an exam prepares the patient that there may be work to do at future visits. The images give the hygienist an opportunity to answer any questions they can before the dentist enters the room. In turn, the hygienist can communicate concerns to the dentist to help mainstream the exam and keep on schedule.

In dentistry, the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is so true, especially regarding the use of intraoral cameras. Using images to describe needed treatment helps patients visualize oral conditions as well as the options to improve their smiles. Intraoral imaging is not only used to identify fractured teeth or periodontal conditions, but it can also be used for areas of cosmetic improvement. Intraoral cameras are essential for daily use in clinical dental practice and have the potential to improve the standard of dental care.  Contac the dental office of Dr. Steven K. Okamoto for a complete evaluation today.

What Can Patients Expect When They Visit our Office?

Visiting a dental practice should be a relaxing and beneficial experience. Our father-daughter dental team provides specialty, restorative, prosthetic, and implant dentistry services, during which patients can expect quality care that protects their comfort, understanding of their oral health, and optimal results.

How We Treat Patients

Dr. Okamoto has been providing dentistry to South Bay and Torrance for over 30 years. With that history and legacy in mind, we treat our patients and their families like they are our own. You can expect a helpful, experienced, and professional medical staff that serves you and your family. Our modern dental office creates a relaxing experience you can feel during your visit. Patients are at-ease with our multi lingual staff and many are long-term visitors, having come to Dr. Okamoto as teenagers as young as 14 years old; we love building and sustaining lasting relationships with all of our patients. 

We help our patients make the connection between oral and overall health to prevent infection and make sure they can maintain their whole body health. Patient comfort, preventive measures, and modern, quality services are our goal.

Our Philosophy for Patient Care

Drs. Steven and Michelle are committed recreating the natural beauty of your smile after damage or decay by providing a range of high quality and specialized services, paired with advanced dental technology. Patients in need of surgical treatment, such as the placement of implants, are cared for in our brand new and enhanced surgical suite. As a trusted and experienced dentist, Dr. Steven Okamoto is a leader in the field of sleep apnea and prosthodontics and welcomes patients dealing with any number of issues that can affect their dental health and wellness.

We believe in continuous education and the use of innovative dental technologies and techniques to provide the best services possible to our patients. With this in mind, our commitment to preventive dentistry and ensuring aesthetically pleasing smiles make up our patient-centered approach to dentistry.

We Welcome New Patients!

At our Torrance, CA dental office, our dentists are here to build long-lasting relationships that are maintained by quality, modern services to promote beautiful and healthy smiles. Trust our family to serve yours. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our Torrance dental practice for help in answering any questions or making our next visit.

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.