"Making a Difference"----- Park Place Dental 2011

On Friday Sept. 30,2012, 90 members from our community received free dental care and $23,000 worth of dental treatment was donated at the 3rd annual Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH) event, as Dr. Robert Shimasaki, Dr. Karrie Chu and their experienced team of professionals provided people without regular care with cleanings, fillings, root canals and extractions at Park Place Dental Care. This year they were joined by Dr. Jeff Kotsubo, an endodontist in Santa Monica, and Dr. Stephen Goei, oral surgeon in South Pasadena.

" It all comes down to wanting to provided something greater to our community," said Dr. Robert Shimasaki in a press release. Dr. Robert Shimasaki has practiced dentistry in Pasadena for over 30 years. " The services provided by Dentistry From The Heart helps more than just a patient's teeth, it gives them a renewed reason to smile."

Patients gathered outside the office doors at midnight and treatment began at 6 a.m., then ended at 4 p.m., said Dr. Karrie Chu; and despite the steady flow of patients throughtout the day, the event was a success due to help from their team and volunteering dental professionals - dentists and dental hygienist.

"All of our team members were thankful to help someone who had been waiting for hours but our patients expressed nothing but thanks and appreciation," said Dr. shimasaki.

Mayor bill Bogaard of Pasadena was in attendance. His visit was encouraging to our team of volunteers as well as the community. " It's such a great cause especially in a time when our community is in such need for it", said Mayor Bogaard

Special thanks to all our volunteers: Dr. Jeff Kotsubo (endodontist), Dr. Stephen Goei (oral surgeon), Christopher Cheung (videographer), Barry Conner (photographer) and Zoila & Alfred Rodriguez.

Thank you: Jones Coffee, Winchell Donuts, Quiznos & Sushi Burrito for the generous gifts. We were a huge success because of these combined efforts. Thank you again and we look forward to the next Dentistry From The Heart.

Internal Bleaching--- Update

Pre-treatment photograph of severely discolored front central incisor. Internal Bleaching is planned for the patient.

Clinical photograph after one treatment of walking bleach technique. There is already a significant improvement in color after one treatment. More treatments are planned to acheive the desired result.

" Discolored Front Tooth" --- Internal bleaching

23 year old female presents with a chief concern about her discolored front tooth. Pre-treatment photograph of upper central right incisor ,#8, showing severe discoloration due to a necrotic pulp caused by trauma. Root canal therapy was performed many years. A series of internal bleaching procedures are planned for the patient. Internal bleaching is used to lighten a discolored tooth that has had root canal therapy. It involves placing an oxidizing agent in the coronal portion of the tooth to remove the discoloration

"Why do I need another Root-canal procedure?"

As occasionally what happens with any dental and medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons. Root canal therapy was performed on this patient many years ago. Patient notes a bad taste in mouth as well as an occasional "pimple". The x-ray shows a well delineated lesion at the apex of one of the roots. This lesion at the apex is an infection that has not healed. Root-canal retreatment is indicated for this patient in order to save the tooth. Whenever possible, it is best to save the natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime.