Dexis digital x-rays are an extremely progressive addition to our dental office. Digital x-rays are computer generated images. These images require up to 75% less radiation than with convention film type x-rays. X-ray projections appear on computer monitors within a few seconds in full view. The computer allows enlargement, highlighting, magnifying, inverting, clear viewing, and contrasting of x-ray photos, so that you can view your teeth at the same time.

The newest equipment and the latest in dental technology to offer the best care to our patients in our office is the Orthophos. The Orthophos is a dental CT scan which provides us with 3-D data to help with improved patient diagnosis. You are seated in an open environment and the procedure can be done in our office, which means no trips to the hospital. The scan takes 20 seconds and gives off less radiation and costs less than medical CT scans.

The muscles in your temple and forehead area play an important part in the way your jaw is positioned and how your jaw closes. If your bite is not right it could lead to abnormal tension in these muscle, a possible cause of tension headaches. The bite remains tense for long periods of time if not corrected and the muscles do not get a chance to rest which leads to poor circulation and pain.

The K-7 allows Dr. Sebastian to evaluate the state that the muscles are in as well as other factors that may be affecting the bite. The K-7 is a computer which helps Dr. Sebastian measure and study the full range of motion of the jaw in three dimensions. The computer records where your jaw is being held in relation to the upper teeth and can measure the activity of the muscles that control the jaw in its relaxed position as well as its functional positions. Dr. Sebastian then can use the K-7 to determine if your bite is in its optimal position, rather than relying on your current bite position as being the best bite for you.

A CHANGE FOR THE HAPPIER

Solea is a dental laser that replaces the dental drill in some of procedures in our practice. Because more than anything, we love to see you smile.

WHAT IS SOLEA?

Solea is the first CO2 dental laser system cleared by the FDA for hard and soft tissue procedures. It offers a unique wavelength guided by sophisticated computers to deliver virtually painless dental procedures for both teeth and gums from simple cavities to complex surgeries.

WHY SOLEA?

The majority of smaller fillings in our office are done with no shots. Anesthesia-free procedures represent a major leap forward in dentistry. What does that mean for you, our patients? You are now able to receive the care you need in a fraction of the time. When patients have anesthesia they typically leave the office with that numb feeling still prevalent. With Solea, you are able to go right out to lunch or back to work without that numb sensation following your appointment. Solea is truly changing what it means to go to the dentist.

For more information on Solea, please call (808) 537-2880 or contact us online.

Why Dental Veneers?

A whole new world is possible when you repair and brighten up your smile with veneers. Countless celebrities and public figures can flash their previously imperfect smiles with pride thanks to custom-designed porcelain veneers. Find out more about this cosmetic treatment, including its benefits and what the appointment for veneers entails. Cecile Sebastian, D.D.S. Veneers

A Miracle Smile with Veneers

It doesn’t matter if your front teeth are too small, darkly discolored, chipped, or broken. Veneers can make them all look the same—white, smooth, healthy, and evenly shaped. You might feel like some kind of miracle has been performed when you look at your smile after your treatment is finished. The veneers are set on top of your natural teeth and will stay bonded there for years.

More Veneer Benefits

When your goal is to have a “Hollywood” smile, your dentist will most likely recommend porcelain veneers. There are plenty of benefits to consider when you’re making this important decision about your teeth:

•  Veneers can protect your teeth from future damage and staining.
• Veneers and the bonding dental cement are color-matched to look natural with the rest of your smile.
• With veneers, only a small amount of enamel will be removed from each tooth (none in some cases).
• Your self-confidence and self-esteem increases after your smile has been enhanced with veneers.

Veneers: A Relatively Simple Cosmetic Treatment

Compared to getting braces, which could take years to give you acceptable results, veneers are a relatively quick and simple way to improve your smile. If you have an urgent upcoming affair, there’s a good chance that your treatment will be completed in time. One appointment is set to prepare the tooth and take an impression, and another is required to perform the bonding procedure. Expect the treatment to be completed in a few weeks. For smaller cases they may be done in the same day.

A New Smile with Veneers

With veneers, you can have the high-quality smile that you’ve always imagined having without a long wait.  Please feel free to contact us to set up an appointment.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Some people are blessed with a beautiful smile from birth, but most people need a little bit of help to get their smiles up to par. Cosmetic dentistry takes your uniquely beautiful smile and makes it look as perfect as possible—whiter, straighter, and contoured to fit your face.

Why Is Cosmetic Dentistry So Popular?

A smile is a way of telling someone we’re happy, we’re pleased to be in their company, or that we’re having a good time. It’s a greeting and an important social cue. So if you feel like you have to hide your teeth from others, it can affect how you interact with the world. Cosmetic dentistry allows people with even the most discolored or damaged teeth to see a huge improvement with their smiles.

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Here are some of the most common treatments offered:

• Veneers (cover the front of the teeth to make them look whiter, straighter, and smoother).
• Crowns (cover the whole outer enamel of an imperfect tooth).
• Dental implants (permanent tooth replacements).
• Gum surgery (to fix “gummy” smiles).
• Cosmetic fillings (fixes cavities with tooth-colored matter).
• Cosmetic bonding and contouring (for minor cracks and chips in the teeth).

Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

You never know just how much of an impact a beautiful smile can have on your life until you have one. People look at you differently and your self-confidence increases significantly. Here are a few other benefits of cosmetic dentistry:

• Modern cosmetic solutions last for many years—sometimes decades.
• Cosmetic procedures can shave years off your appearance, making you look and feel younger.

The Road to a New and Improved Smile

The way to a better smile starts with a consultation please feel free to contact us to set up an appointment.

Finding cavities using an “explorer” has not changed much since the 1800’s. Using this technique, many cavities are found at very late stages where large fillings or more expensive inlays and on-lays are necessary. Sadly, nearly 20% of children between 2 and 3 years old have tooth decay and 80% of young people have had a cavity by age 17. New techniques and protocols needed to be developed to detect disease earlier and stop the decay. The newest technology available is a laser fluorescence cavity detector called the Diagnodent, available in our office. A light is shone on the teeth and fluorescence emitted by decay is quantifiably measured and found in very early stages so that fillings may not be necessary and simpler sealants may help stop the decay and preserve tooth structure.

With the Soft Tissue Laser we can perform many soft tissue surgical procedures in-office with very little or no bleeding and very little or no post-operative pain. Because of this, restorative procedures may also be performed on the same day.

Other uses for our laser include: elimination of canker sores, gum disease treatment, gum plastic surgery, preparation prior to mold taking for crowns and bridges, removal of muscle attachments and many more. Once again, the benefits to you, the patient, are in the increased quality of care received and painless techniques the laser provides.

We are pleased to offer our patients CEREC restoration services – a superior method of creating custom designed, color matched and highly durable ceramic restorations right in our office. From simple fillings to full crowns, CEREC delivers the results you need in a single appointment.

Why CEREC?

•  Single visit convenience – no temporaries
• No uncomfortable impression trays
• Beautiful esthetics – color matched ceramic
• Enamel-like materials – natural look and feel
• Clinically proven – millions of successful restorations worldwide

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular with patients. They are now the solution of choice when there is a missing tooth. You may have even met a few people who have dental implants, but you wouldn’t know because they look so natural. Dr. Cecile Sebastian in Honolulu, HI wants you to get a more thorough understanding of what implants are and what they can do for your smile.

Why Patients Choose Dental ImplantsDental Implants

In the case of a missing tooth, patients have the option of getting a partial denture or a bridge. The partial is removable, which means that it could cause embarrassing moments in social settings. The bridge is semi-permanent and non-removable (except by your dentist) but it requires the removal of enamel on two healthy teeth. For these reasons and more, many patients choose dental implants instead. They are permanent fixtures in the mouth, cannot slip out, and don’t need other teeth for support. When the implantation and crowning process is complete, they feel so natural that most patients forget that they’re there.

Keeping Dental Implants Strong

Your dental implants will stay healthy and strong as long as you are taking care of your teeth and gums. The main threat to an implant is gum disease, so you should work closely with your dentist to ensure that gingivitis or periodontists doesn’t affect the implants Floss carefully and thoroughly around your implant (and your other teeth) every evening before bed.

Getting Implants

The process of getting a dental implant is easier than you may think. Please contact us for a consultation and we’ll let you know if you’re a good candidate.

Intra-oral photos are taken so that we may better educate and inform patients of conditions as well as track potentially cancerous lesions in their mouths.