Dr. Sasaki’s Dental Blog

October 21, 2011

Cosmetic Dentistry vs. General Dentistry In Ann Arbor

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: , , , , — @ 12:21 pm

Ann Arbor Cosmetic Dentistry Hello, I’m Dr. Gary Sasaki. Welcome to my Ann Arbor cosmetic dentistry blog. Today’s article focuses on the difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

General dentists in Ann Arbor are dedicated to preventing and treating oral disease such as cavities and gum disease. When a problem is diagnosed, let’s say, a cavity between two teeth, a general dentist will assess the best way to restore the tooth involved.

Ann Arbor cosmetic dentists perform elective dental procedures that make a smile more attractive. Cosmetic dentistry procedures available at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS in Ann Arbor include teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, veneers, inlays, onlays, and dental crowns.

Some Ann Arbor dentists, like myself, offer both general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. In some cases, there is a cosmetic component to restorative procedures. For example, if a Ann Arbor dental patient comes in after receiving an injury that chipped a front tooth, the tooth needs to be restored to prevent decay. The tooth is also less structurally sound, so it is vulnerable to further damage. In addition, the tooth affects the overall appearance of the smile. Depending on the specifics of the damage, there are several of restorative options. Dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and crowns are all used to repair a damaged tooth.

As you can see, there is not always a definitive line between general and cosmetic dentistry. At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, my comfortable, friendly, professional and relaxing team provides the full spectrum of preventative, cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures.

Experienced Ann Arbor dental professionals who perform  general and cosmetic dental procedures can meet all of your dental needs.

If you are looking for a full-service dental spa in the Ann Arbor area, I invite you to come into Gary Sasaki DDS, MS. We are located at 1900 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor. To schedule an oral examination or smile makeover consultation, call 734-482-7466.

Dr. Gary Sasaki
Gary Sasaki DDS, MS
1900 Packard Rd
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48197
http://www.midentalspa.com

October 7, 2011

Ouch! Are Your Teeth Sensitive In Ann Arbor?

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 12:13 pm

Are Your Teeth Sensitive In Ann Arbor?

For those of you in the Ann Arbor area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Dr. Gary Sasaki DDS, MS is here for you.

Doctor Gary Sasaki has been treating this common problem since 1971.

The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.

Here in our Ann Arbor cosmetic dentistry practice, our knowledgeable staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.

Dr. Gary Sasaki usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that will alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most Ann Arbor Wal-Mart and Sav-On stores carry it. However, some Ann Arbor patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments available at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS.

Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in Ann Arbor and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, Dr. Sasaki can determine which professional tooth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.

Call our Ann Arbor dental spa today to get relief from your sensitive teeth.

 


Dr. Gary Sasaki
Gary Sasaki DDS, MS
1900 Packard Rd
Ann Arbor Michigan 48197
734-482-7466
http://midentalspa.com/about_drs.htm

September 23, 2011

General Dentistry in Ann Arbor

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , — @ 11:42 am

Ann Arbor General Dentistry What is ‘ General Dentistry ‘? Here are a couple definitions, found from around the web:

The World Health Organization defines General Dentistry as “the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth”.

According to Wikipedia :

A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Chirurgiae (BDS) or (BChD) or equivalent.

In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required.

If you have a need for anything from general dentistry to full mouth rehabilitation in the Ann Arbor area, please give our practice a call. We are Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, and our general and cosmetic dentistry office is located at:

1900 Packard Rd
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48197

We provide general dentistry services to the greater Ann Arbor area, which includes general dentistry services for anyone in neighboring areas.

Give us a call at 734-482-7466 to schedule a general dentistry appointment in Ann Arbor, or to ask questions about general dentistry.

A Dental Spa to Transform Your Smile, Relax Your Body, and Rejuvenate

July 29, 2011

Healthy Teeth in Ann Arbor

Filed under: Dental Implants — Tags: , , — @ 8:20 pm

Implant Anchored Dentures in Ann Arbor Are you one of the fortunate Ypsilanti people with healthy teeth? Would you like to keep them healthy for the rest of your life? Many Ypsilanti dental clients believe that keeping their teeth healthy into the golden years is unlikely if not impossible.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, we are happy to assure you that this is a myth. With proper dental hygiene, regular dental exams and cleanings, and a healthy lifestyle, your teeth can serve you throughout your life.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, we help clients of all ages, including those in their seventies and eighties, maintain their beautiful smiles. Dentures are not inevitable. Even if you already wear dentures, don’t give up.

You can improve your smile and your life with dental implants available in Ypsilanti at our state-of-the-art cosmetic dental practice.

These new fixed dentures won’t slip and slide in your mouth, so you can start eating confidently again.

Our office is friendly and relaxed. You don’t need to worry about being embarrassed if your teeth have not seen a dentist or hygienist for a while. We can treat your dental problems and put you on the path for better oral health in the future.  We also offer dental spa treatments.

Remember, without dental health, you are never truly healthy. Call 734-482-7466.

January 13, 2011

Cavity Fighting Chewing Gum For Our Ann Arbor Patients?

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 7:24 pm

Ann Arbor Oral Dentistry I’m Dr. Gary Sasaki DDS, MS of Gary Sasaki DDS, MS in Ann Arbor. My Ann Arbor dentistry clients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular Ann Arbor dental exams.

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually good for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my Ann Arbor diabetic patients enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. If my Ann Arbor cosmetic dentistry patients complain about frequent dry mouth, I recommend Xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production without promoting tooth decay.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your Ann Arbor family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and oral dentistry deep cleanings at your Ann Arbor dentistry clinic.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone Ann Arbor dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the problem was caught earlier. Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 734-482-7466 to book an appointment. Our comfortable, friendly, professional and relaxing is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.  Come relax in our dental spa while we complete your dental work.

April 27, 2010

The Dental Spa, Ypsilanti Michigan

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Dental Health,General Dentistry — Tags: , — @ 4:13 pm
My Business: The Dental Spa

Owner Gary Sasaki, The Dental Spa

Patients wouldn't usually expect to schedule a foot massage at the same time they plan on getting a root canal.

But giving patients an unexpectedly relaxing experience during a dental appointment is exactly why Gary Sasaki revamped his clinic five years ago. He renamed it The Dental Spa.

Along with traditional and cosmetic dentistry, Sasaki's business began to offer chair, hand and foot massages, paraffin wax dips, aromatherapy and snacks at the clinic. The change was one of many that were long overdue, he said.

That's because, for the first 25 years of his career, Sasaki had no formal business training.

"I was focused on being a dentist," Sasaki said. "But I started to think something was missing."

Alan Warren | The Ann Arbor NewsPatient Michelle Henderson from Howell watches a television show with Eye Chair T.V. with viewing glasses as she gets some dental work done by Dr. Gary Sasaki during her visit at Dental Spa in Ypsilanti.
Sasaki began taking dental business courses and making changes that improved the business' finances and attracted more patients.

Growth plans: "Our plans for 2009 include the addition of another dentist, a physical expansion that will include a meditation room and acupuncture services to reduce anxiety and discomfort."

Biggest aspiration: "Continue my quest of uncovering the connections between oral health and overall health, so professionals in this industry can better contribute to the wellness of our patients."

Why he sees art in dentistry: "When you get to know what teeth look like, actually, they're works of art and they're quite beautiful. The curves and the lines and the way the teeth fit together - it's amazing how you're born with 32 teeth and they each come with a function."

If he weren't doing this, he'd be: "Visiting spas of the world and playing golf."

Favorite place he's traveled: "Thailand. The opportunity to visit their spas and meet the people was an incredible experience."

Business philosophy: "You only get out of it what you put into it. Learn your craft, treat people with respect, seek help in areas outside of your expertise and give back when you are able to."

Advice he would give someone starting their own business: "Nothing is more important than impeccable service. People will remember those special touches and you will create loyal clients for life."

Contact: www.midentalspa.com or 734-482-7466.

Alan Warren | The Ann Arbor NewsDr. Gary Sasaki, right, does some dental work on patient Michelle Henderson, of Howell, as massage therapist Rob Stolerow, left, gives her a foot massage at Dental Spa in Ypsilanti on Nov. 26. Lisa Christner, center, assists Dr. Sasaki. Henderson is also watching a DVD during her treatment.

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