Dental Services

Our practice is limited to Periodontics, the treatment of the gums and bone supporting the teeth. From routine gum disease to implant surgery, Dr. Arashiro is equipped to handle all your periodontal needs. To help you understand your options, we've included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page

  • Periodontal (Gum) Examination
  • Scaling and Root Planing
  • Gum Surgery
  • Laser Gum Surgery
  • Implant Surgery
  • Gum Grafts
  • Crown Lengthening
  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation "laughing gas"
  • Periodontal Maintenance - quarterly cleanings

EXAMINATION

Gum disease is a bacterial infection, and similar to a cut that becomes infected, the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easliy. There is usually no pain. During your exam, Dr. Arashiro will use an instrument called a probe to measure the space between the tooth and gums called a "pocket". In general, the pockets of healthy gums should be 3 millimeters or less. The deeper the pocket, the more severe the gum disease.

X-rays will be needed to evaluate the bone supporting the teeth. Dr. Arashiro uses Gendex Digital X-ray equipment to significantly reduce your eposure to radiation.


SCALING and ROOT PLANING

The first step to treating gum disease is scaling and root planing, or sometimes called "deep cleaning". This procedure removes the bacterial deposits, plaque and calculus, from the root surface. A local anesthetic may be used to reduce the discomfort.

For your comfort, Dr. Arashiro offers the use of Oraqix, a NEEDLE-FREE anesthetic, administered topically at and below the gum line, that’s effective for scaling and root planing.


GUM SURGERY

Gum surgery may be recommended to access hard to reach areas to remove bacterial deposits adjacent to the bone. A bone graft may be placed to regenerate the bone destroyed by the gum disease. The gums are then sutured back into place.


LASER GUM SURGERY

Dr. Arashiro is proud to be the only specialist on Maui with Millenium Dental's Periolase. Not all lasers are the same. Millenium Dental only ships the Periolase after Doctors complete an intensive 3 day training course in Cerritos, California. This laser allows Dr. Arashiro to perform "no cut, no stitch surgery", Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, the FIRST AND ONLY FDA APPROVED laser gum treatment. The laser's energy is used to treat the gum infection rather than a scalpel. This results in less bleeding, less discomfort, preserves the gum tissue rather than cutting it away, reduces root exposure and sensitivity, and an easier recovery.


DENTAL IMPLANTS

A dental implant is an titanium screw that replaces one or more roots of missing teeth. Because implants require surgery, patients should be in overall good health, with healthy gums. Patients also should be committed to a very thorough daily oral hygiene routine, and regular dental visits.

Dr. Arashiro places only the finest quality dental implants from Biomet 3-i.


CROWN LENGTHENING

Your dentist may have referred you for crown lengthening, a surgical procedure that involves recontouring the gums and bone to expose more tooth structure to allow your general dentist to restore your tooth to function, usually with a crown.


Laughing Gas - Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is one option Dr. Arashiro offers to help make you comfortable during your procedure. Inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose, nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen to help you relax. You will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few minutes you should start to feel the effects of the gas. You may feel light headed or a tingling sensation in your arms and legs. Some people say their arms and legs feel heavy. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable.

Nitrous oxide is not intended to put you to sleep. You will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions. This is called “conscious sedation.”

The effects of nitrous oxide wear off soon after the treatment has ended and the mask is removed.

Talk to Dr. Arashiro about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.

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Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed