Dr. Sasaki’s Dental Blog

August 4, 2010

Give Me Some Air

Air Abrasion DentistsHow long have dentists been drilling teeth? Would you believe 9,000 years? In an ancient graveyard in Pakistan, archaeologists unearthed skulls containing teeth that had undergone drilling. The stone-age dentists removed decay using drills constructed of sharpened flint.

Though advanced dentistry would not be possible without drilling, the sound of a dental drill can make many Ypsilanti patient’s hearts pound. However, there is another way your cosmetic dentists can remove decay. This technique is known as air abrasion or drill-less dentistry. An air abrasion instrument removes material by spraying tiny aluminum oxide particles onto the tooth. The particles work like a sandblaster spraying away the affected tooth structure.

The many advantages of air abrasion make it a popular procedure for Ypsilanti cosmetic and general dentists. Because air abrasion is usually pain free, the need for anesthesia is reduced. The air abrasion instrument does not create vibrations or pressure. Ypsilanti cosmetic dentistry patients appreciate the fact that air abrasion instruments don’t produce that whiny drill sound that rings in your ears and makes your palms sweat. Because of this, air abrasion can be a less-frightening option for young dentistry patients. Air abrasion is often quicker and more precise than traditional drilling, leaving more of the healthy tooth intact.

To learn more about the comforts and benefits of air abrasion, call our office today.

July 14, 2010

Find A Dentist in Ann Arbor

There are a lot of places to look for a dentist, but its not always easy to find a dentist in Ann Arbor.

It used to be that in Ann Arbor you could find a dentist just by walking down to the corner of the street. Like many small towns, there would be a dentist on the corner of ‘north and main’, just up from the fire house, and across from the bakery.

Today, finding a dentist around Ann Arbor can take a little more time, and a little more effort. Our local Ann Arbor community is spread out a little more, and there is more than one option for finding a local dentist in Ann Arbor.

Let’s look at a few of the ways to find a local Ann Arbor dentist:

The old timers among us still reach for the yellow pages when we look to find a dentist in our local Ann Arbor community. The yellow pages have been a standard for dentists since the beginning, and are a quick way to get a good list of local Ann Arbor dentists.

Studies are showing an ever increasing number of Ann Arbor consumers are turning to their Internet connection to find a dentist. To find a dentist online can mean more than just a name and a phone number; many dentists, like us, have additional information on their website that will help you gain a better understanding of their practice and the services they provide.

Many people find a dentist in the Ann Arbor community through printed mailers and flyers that come to your door. Ann Arbor dentists spend a lot of money on these types of flyers, which can often carry a discount opportunity or special promotion.

The most popular method used to find a local dentist? …Word of mouth. Studies have shown that people in Ann Arbor are more willing to listen to a family member or close friend when it comes to finding a local Ann Arbor dentist.

We understand this last point, and make it our job to keep our patients happy, healthy, informed and comfortable during their visit to the dentist. We know if you leave happy, your friends and family in the Ann Arbor area will hear about us, too.

If you are looking for an Ann Arbor dentist, please give us a call. You can reach us at 734-482-7466.

If you know a friend who is trying to find a dentist in the Ann Arbor area, please pass our name along.

We look forward to seeing you both!

April 26, 2010

Affordable, Professional Teeth Whitening Comes to Ypsilanti

Affordable, Professional Teeth Whitening Comes to

Have you been wanting to professionally whiten your teeth, but thought you couldn’t afford it? The demand for professional teeth whitening has risen dramatically in the last few years. Now, getting a brighter, healthier smile is easier and more accessible than ever!

More than ever before you now have the opportunity to transform your smile with safe, reliable whitening treatments. It used to be only the wealthy and glamorous that had dazzlingly white teeth, but now our The Dental Spa team is helping people in Ypsilanti, as well as in surrounding areas, to have their smiles professionally whitened with 100 percent of the proceeds going to kids’ charities.

Nothing projects confidence, youthfulness, and health quite like a bright, attractive, whitened smile.

This March through the end of June, Children and Family Life at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital of Ann Arbor will be receiving 50 percent of the donations raised to help children here and in our area.

So, improve a child’s life today by visiting www.thedentalspa.forgreatdentalcare.com. Or, you can call our Smiles For Life office coordinator, Shelley, directly at 734-482-7466.

ALSO, PLEASE HELP US SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH OTHERS by becoming a fan on our Dr. Sasaki Facebook Fan Page AND THEN sharing our page with all of your Facebook friends!

Thanks so much!

– The The Dental Spa Team

March 18, 2010

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Ann Arbor

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Ann Arbor Hello! Welcome to the Gary Sasaki DDS, MS blog. If this is your first visit, we hope you find useful information about our Ann Arbor cosmetic dentistry practice. If you have read some of our previous articles, we are glad you checked back with us. We post new articles regularly.

My name is Dr. Gary Sasaki, DDS, MS. I have been practicing dentistry in Ann Arbor since 1971. The Dental Spa is a full-service dental office located at 1900 Packard Rd., in Ypsilanti. In addition to providing comprehensive examinations and deep cleanings for clients in the Ann Arbor area, we perform all types of tooth restorations.

When a tooth has decay or has been damaged, a dental restoration is needed to ‘restore’ the tooth to its previous intact condition. A dental filling is one of the most common and well-known types of restorations. A dental filling is used to repair decayed or damaged tooth surfaces. Most people have a few fillings in their mouth.

If you have old silver amalgam fillings, we can replace them with nearly-invisible tooth colored fillings. These fillings are made out of a strong composite resin. Many of our cosmetic dentistry patients have replaced their old silver fillings with fillings matched to their teeth. You can improve your smile instantly and relatively inexpensively by getting rid of the ‘metal’.

Another reason some clients have had their old fillings replaced is because they are concerned about the possible heavy metal toxicity of the mercury in the silver.

If you would like to replace your amalgam fillings, call us at 734-482-7466 to schedule a consultation. We are currently accepting new patients and would be happy to show you around our Ann Arbor cosmetic dental office and introduce you to our friendly team.

Smile – it increases your face value!

March 12, 2010

Local Dentistry

Gary Sasaki, DDS, MS specializes in local dentistry to provide that special dental care

to our Ypsilanti, Michigan dental patients.

The Dental Spa provides local dentistry services to our neighboring areas including Saline, Belleville and Ann Arbor.

Our most popular local dentistry procedure is cosmetic dentistry.

You can contact Dr. Gary Sasaki about cosmetic dentistry or any other local dentistry service by calling us at (734) 482-7466.

If you live in the 48197 zip code area, and are looking for a ‘home town dentist’ who provides dentistry to the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, click on any of the links on this page, give us a call at (734) 482-7466, or stop by and visit. You can find us at 1900 Packard Road, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

We’re your lifelong dental health partner.

March 10, 2010

Adios Julie and Sue!

On March 5th Julie and Sue are heading to the Dominican Republic with the Smiles for Hope organization.  They will be providing dental care to the “poorest of the poor.”

briteHere are some statements to think about.  You have:
*1 in 2 chances of living in a non-democratic country.
*1 in 5 chances of living in China.
*1 in 10 chances of dying of malnutrition.
*1 in 4 chances of never learning to read, and
*1 in 10 chances of living in a mud hut.
Closely related to this illustration is this fact:  If you have any of the 3 of the following 4 conditions in your life, you are in the top 10% of the worlds’s most affluent:
1. Your own means of transportation (this could include bicycles).
2. A menu choice for your next meal (besides rice or beans).
3. More than one pair of shoes.
4. A change of underwear.
It does give us cause to consider if we are making the most of what we have been given through the choices we have made or the sacrifices of our parents and others.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our 2009 Smiles for Life campaign.  Donations funded C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s Child and Family Life Fund and Julie and Sue’s humanitarian trip.

If you are interested in participating in our 2010 Smiles for Life campaign please call our office for more information at 734-482-7466 or click here.

Please follow their trip daily by checking out the website below:

www.crowncouncil.blogspot.com

March 1, 2010

Periodontal Disease in Michigan

Periodontal disease in Michigan is more common than you might think, and can be cured Periodontal Disease in California

with varying degrees of treatment depending on the severity.

What is periodontal disease? According to an article on Wikipedia, periodontal disease is ‘the name of a collection of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.’

Periodontal disease, more commonly called ‘gum disease’, is an inflammation or infection of the gums. Periodontal disease can be very painful in some extreme conditions, and can limit your ability to eat normally. In some cases, periodontal disease can affect your smile, and can create cosmetic concerns.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage. When caught early and treated, periodontal disease can be little more than an inconvenience. However the best policy is to practice good dental hygiene to keep periodontal disease at bay.

One of the best ways to avoid periodontal disease is to get a regular dental check up at your local Ann Arbor dentist.

Give us a call at (734) 482-7466 to schedule your next dental checkup; we look forward to seeing you.

February 20, 2010

Pediatric Dentistry

If you have children in the Ypsilanti area, there is no better time to consider pediatric

dentistry than right now.

The best time to start your children on a pediatric dentistry program is when their teeth first appear. This may seem a bit early, however it is a great time to become acquainted with pediatric dentistry options, learn training techniques for teaching your children, and assessing the health of your child’s teeth before problems begin.

We can also help you identify pediatric dentistry programs and services in the Ann Arbor area, for you child.

If you have questions about pediatric dentistry, please give us a call at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS. My name is Dr. Gary Sasaki, and my leading edge treatment in a warm and friendly atmosphere staff will be more than happy to talk with you about pediatric dentistry.

Remember: The best time to consider pediatric dentistry is while you have options. Waiting until problems appear reduces your options and misses the very reason we are concerned about pediatric dentistry; to help your child grow healthy and strong teeth that will last a lifetime.

Bring your questions to our leading edge treatment in a warm and friendly atmosphere staff at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS. We are located at 1900 Packard Road, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

We are looking forward to seeing you, and to discussing pediatric dentistry with you and your children.

‘We’re your lifelong dental health partner’

February 13, 2010

Healthy Teeth and Your Diet

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Ypsilanti residents. As  Healthy Teeth and Your Hayward Diet

your Dentist, it’s my job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy.

Everyone knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local dental practice is also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

A diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important to healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices in the Ann Arbor area can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth, contact Gary Sasaki DDS, MS at (734) 482-7466. We would love to hear from you.

-Dr. Gary Sasaki

January 10, 2010

Choosing A Dentist In Ann Arbor

The American Dental Association offers some welcome advice for choosing a dentistChoosing A Dentist In Fremont

in Ann Arbor. We have already talked about how word of mouth is an important factor in how many people find a dentist. Here are some things you should look for in an Ann Arbor dentist:

Location is always a factor when choosing a dentist. If you live in the Ypsilanti, Michigan area, there are many options. While location plays an important role in convenience, many people are willing to drive a little farther for a better experience with their Michigan dentist.

Relationship is a strong factor. Your Ann Arbor dentist should be approachable, and should make you feel comfortable when you are in the dentist chair. After all, your Fremont dentist will be working very close with you to help you achieve a high level of oral hygiene; you most certainly will want to have a good, professional, comfortable relationship with your Ypsilanti dentist and the dental office staff.

Specialty is another important factor in choosing a dentist in Ypsilanti. Some dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Others specialize in corrective dentistry such as braces. Depending on your need, you may select a local Ypsilanti dentist who can solve your immediate concern. Bare in mind, however, that it is good to have a general dentist who can maintain your dental history and work with you to through the years.

If you are looking for a dentist in Ann Arbor, please come by and speak with me. I can address your interest in any of these critical areas, and will be happy to introduce you to Gary Sasaki DDS.

I look forward to meeting you.

-Dr. Gary Sasaki, DDS

(734) 482-7466

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