One hundred million Americans do not see their dentist, or any dental professional, until an emergency leaves them with no other option. Emergency oriented patients are aware that regular oral hygiene maintenance visits and dental exams are important. It is not an intentional disregard for their oral health that keeps them out of the dentist office. The reasons for staying away are as varied as the individuals who suffer the repercussions of dental phobia.

Approximately one out of six people experience extreme anxiety when faced with the prospect of a dental appointment. This phobia often manifests symptoms that range from slight discomfort (excess perspiration, mild nausea), to physical illness (cold sweats, fever, vomiting, headaches, elevated blood pressure). Dental phobia is common. The effects are devastating and, healthwise, the results are serious.

Gum disease is reversible if detected and treated at an early stage. The associated infection, left untreated, can lead to a systemic infection that could be fatal. The structural viability of teeth becomes so compromised that tooth loss, either spontaneous or extracted out of necessity, is inevitable. Four out of ten people will lose all of their teeth by the age of sixty. Personally, low self esteem and embarrassment due to appearance are common. Depression and social withdrawal are also linked to dental phobia.

Dental professionals are more knowledgeable about dental phobia now than ever before, and they want to see that every patient receives the care and treatment necessary. Dentists understand you may be embarrassed by the current appearance of your teeth and the state of your oral health. If you suffer from the consequences of a dental phobia, please make an appointment to consult with a reputable dentist, one who appreciates and understands your situation. The restoration of your teeth to an attractive and vital state will be the benefit of your willingness to help yourself. It?s up to you to call your dentist and ask her how she can make it easier for you to manage your apprehension and return your oral health to an optimal state.

It’s time to stop calling it silver amalgam and start calling it what it is-mercury. There is nothing more toxic in a dentist’s office than mercury, unless you have some plutonium laying around."-Charles Brown, Counsel for Consumers for Dental Choice. The San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/04/99.

Recently the California Board of Dental Examiners advised all dentists to inform their patients and their staff of the risks posed by mercury fillings but the board currently has no legal authority to require dentists to do so. Over the years there have been multiple scientific reports outlining the relationship between certain chronic or "unexplained" illnesses and the presence of mercury in the body.

The reports suggest that toxic substances such as mercury accumulate in the body and suppress the immune system. Researchers are exploring the possibility that mercury toxicity may play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Mercury poisoning in people exposed to large amounts of industrial mercury has been studied and its relationship to severe symptoms and illness has been well documented. Aside from the issue of toxicity, mercury expands and contracts within the tooth, just as it does in a thermometer, creating stress fractures over time. When mercury contracts it can allow bacteria to get down between the filling and the tooth and cause decay. These cracks and decay must be restored, and more often than not, on an emergency basis.

The term "silver filling" is an incorrect one that misleads most people about the materials used in their mouths. These fillings are properly called amalgams and are less than 5% silver and at least 50% mercury. The remaining 45% is a combination of various metallic alloys. Mercury is the cheapest filling material available and so it is the material of choice with most insurance companies As a consumer you should be aware of all your options, and there are much better ones available now than in the past. Dr. Yamada would be happy to share the advancements in dentistry with you and your family.

Do your jaw muscles feel tired when you awake? Does your jaw seem stiff and difficult to open wide? Are your teeth becoming shorter, with sharp edges and tiny chips? The cause could be bruxism, the grinding and clenching of teeth, a nightly ritual for up to one third of the population. The forces created during bruxism are many times greater than the forces produced by normal chewing. Approximately 96 percent of the U.S. population grind their teeth in their sleep at some point in their lives (including children). Most people grind their teeth as an unconscious method of coping with stress.

This habitual clenching and grinding, causes muscles to spasm, in turn causing more clenching and grinding. Ultimately this cycle of clenching and grinding could result in a jaw disorder. Bruxism can eventually wear down your teeth, fracture the enamel, cause them to become painful or loose, damage dental work, cause nerve damage, bleeding gums, and jaw displacement. The most common answer to the harsh effects of bruxism is to wear a nightguard. One that is custom made from a mold of your mouth will safely prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming together and control biting forces. Malocclusion, defined as an abnormal or uneven bite resulting in teeth that do not fit together properly, is another cause of bruxism.

An imperfect bite can often be treated with braces or other dental procedures, such as removing the ?high spots? of a tooth or teeth. There is no definite cure for bruxism, but there are treatments. Managing the stress in your life, nightguard, splint therapy, hot and cold compresses, muscle therapy, exercises, relaxation techniques, counseling, hypnosis, biofeedback, and medication are some of the many options available at this time. Discuss your symptoms with your dentist. Your dentist can determine which treatment or combination of treatments is right for you.

When your baby gets fussy do you give your baby a bottle filled with milk, juice, or other sweetened liquids, as a pacifier? How about when you put baby down for a nap or a night?s sleep? These habits may lead to a pattern of serious, early tooth decay known as baby bottle tooth decay, a dental condition that can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child.

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent exposure of a child?s teeth, for long periods of time, to liquids containing sugars. A long period of time is considered to be twenty minutes or more. Among these liquids are milk, including breast milk, formula and fruit juices. The sugars in these liquids mix with plaque, a film of bacteria on the teeth, producing acids which attack the tooth enamel. To prevent baby bottle tooth decay and to keep those primary teeth, or ?baby teeth? from falling out prematurely, fill your baby?s naptime bottle with water. Always clean your child?s teeth and gums after every feeding with a damp cloth or gauze pad. Remember that while baby?s first tooth may not appear until six months of age or more, baby?s teeth begin forming before birth, and all twenty primary teeth are present in the jawbone at birth.

Primary teeth, or ?baby teeth?, are important because they allow your child?s mouth to develop properly. Besides helping children chew their food and learn to speak clearly, primary teeth reserve space in the jaw for permanent teeth. The premature loss of a primary tooth may allow the surrounding teeth to drift and when it?s time for the permanent teeth to come in, there may not be room for them to assume their proper position. Begin brushing your child?s teeth once they appear, using a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of children?s fluoride toothpaste. Encourage your child to brush after each meal, and before bedtime, making sure your child does not swallow the toothpaste.

Since baby bottle tooth decay and other developmental anomalies may occur before the child is old enough to cooperate for dental care, postponing baby?s first visit to the dentist until the age of three is no longer recommended. After the eruption of the first primary teeth, or by baby?s first birthday, is now considered to be the optimal time for baby?s first visit to the dentist.

Holidays are here and we all know that means vacations, family events and gift giving. We need our brightest colors and whitest whites! Many people want to include a white smile. In years past, the only way to brighten dark teeth was to cover them with a cap or crown. Modern advances have created an easy, economical way to achieve the whitest smile possible without extensive dental work; it’s called passive vital bleaching.

In order to lighten your teeth one or two shades, it takes only a couple of weeks. However, you will notice a difference after the first treatment. Teeth tend to turn yellow with age, but some teeth are naturally slightly discolored. Just as people have different skin and hair color, people also have different tooth color. Natural teeth can be discolored by such culprits as coffee, tea, smoke, or improper cleaning. Internal discoloration can occur as a result of aging, injury, or taking tetracycline as a child. Bleaching successfully lightens most discoloration; however, certain types of discoloration are more difficult to completely remove.

The passive vital bleaching process is very simple. Your dentist makes a custom tray which fits snugly and comfortably. It holds the bleaching gel only on the teeth that are being lightened. In order to meet your needs, your dentist may recommend a specific duration of time to wear the bleaching tray. There are many over-the-counter products available, but they are not recommended. Some dental conditions are not compatible with bleaching.

A correct diagnosis of your particular dental problem by your dentist will determine whether or not bleaching is the best option for you. It is best to perform bleaching only under a dentist’s supervision so they may monitor its effectiveness and safety. The tooth-lightening system is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth and would like to have a whiter, brighter smile. If you are not pleased with the color of your teeth, then you may be a candidate for bleaching; ask your dentist!

A great smile no longer means snow-white, movie star perfect teeth. A truly great smile has character, complete with subtle imperfections courtesy of mother nature. An excellent smile is one that invites others to laugh along rather than inspiring them to guess whether or not your teeth are really your own. Even movie stars know that a winning smile doesn't necessarily mean perfect teeth. Cary Grant had only one front tooth but that didn't seem to diminish his popularity or our affection for him. He never replaced that missing tooth but his pearly whites were not all his own. Tom Cruise is also missing one of his front teeth. This has created the appearance of a slightly cocked smile, a smile that is unmistakably his and immediately recognizable. This doesn’t mean that his teeth have not been cosmetically enhanced. It means that his dentist cared enough about the character of his patient’s smile to leave that particular imperfection alone. You can have "perfect t" teeth but a truly caring dentist will encourage you to choose a smile that reflects who you are.

"Perfect" teeth come in only one shape, color and size. An excellent smile is as varied as the human being who wears it. If you are an adult with chipped or discolored teeth, a crooked, "gummy" or "picket fence" smile, most traditional methods of correcting what nature gave you, such as braces or surgery followed by bleaching and bonding, are probably too time-consuming. The result, a smile you have always wanted, could take years to achieve. An excellent smile can be created in a two-visit treatment called veneering. Porcelain veneers are strong, durable, easy to care for, and natural in appearance. A skilled cosmetic dentist can artistically enhance your veneers, and if you choose, allow an endearing imperfection to remain, or create one, giving your smile character and personality. If you have always dreamed of having an excellent smile ask your dentist about porcelain veneers. If you are a suitable candidate for veneers then two visits is all it will take, it’s that simple, quick and comfortable.

Remember how you felt about going to the dentist when you were a kid? About 50% of adults in this country are afraid of the dentist, and will only go when pain forces them. Now, take a look at the way your children react to an upcoming dental visit. It isn't a big deal, nothing to dread or fret about. In fact, most kids enjoy going to the dentist. Why? Because we've learned that preventive measures, combined with gentle care and pleasant experiences, have an enduring positive impact on the way children feel about their dental visits.

There are movies to view through virtual reality glasses, playrooms, and dentistry without shots or drills. Dental technology has advanced, and so has the way dental professionals treat the young patients in their practice. It is now recommended that children see the dentist, for the first time, between six months and one year of age.

A child’s first dental experience will establish a lifelong attitude. Dentistry is not what is used to be, and that is something that we all, as parents, dental professionals, and especially children, will benefit from. Our children have the benefit of fluoride. Fluoride hardens tooth enamel, decreasing the chances of tooth decay. Sealants are applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth, further preventing tooth decay. We have mouthguards, which effectively prevent oral injury and tooth loss during sports.

We know about baby bottle tooth decay and how to prevent it. The emphasis today is on preventive, not corrective or restorative dentistry. Our children have the opportunity to maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime. Today, four out of ten adults have no teeth by the age of sixty. Our children, with all of the advancements in dentistry available to them, will certainly have better odds of keeping their teeth throughout their lifetime. The dentist is no longer someone a child fears, she is someone your child considers a friend. Ask your dentist about preventive measures for you and your child.

Tooth replacement has traditionally required metal based framework with tooth-colored or gold teeth. This metal-based framework was necessary for maximum strength and durability, appearance being the secondary priority. Multiple tooth replacement required attachments onto the adjacent teeth to support the bridge. A dental bridge is similar to a traditional bridge in that each one spans a gap and both are firmly anchored on either side of that gap. The anchors for the dental bridge were in the form of crowns.

This meant grinding away healthy tooth structure, reducing two healthy teeth to pegs, in order to cement the anchoring crowns and secure the bridge. Dentistry is not what it used to be and gone are the days when this was the only means available of replacing one or more missing teeth. Significant advances have been made in the development of materials for restoring teeth to ideal function and beauty. Grinding away healthy tooth structure in order to cement anchoring crowns is no longer necessary. Your dentist now has materials that allow her to bond a metal-free bridge directly into the adjacent teeth.

The result is a natural looking smile. Because there is no metal to be seen or to cause dark gray shadowing throughout your teeth your teeth will appear whiter and your smile brighter. Bonded tooth-colored bridges oftentimes require no hinges, clasps, wires or traditional crowns. They are durable. A bonded bridge is equal in strength to that of your natural teeth. Previous attempts to fabricate natural-looking non-metal bridges were unsuccessful, especially when replacing one or more back teeth.

State of the art bonding materials fulfill a wide variety of requirements and allow our dentist to incorporate function, durability and beauty. Other benefits include fracture resistance, minimal wear of the opposing teeth, and conservation of natural tooth structure. Ask your dentist about replacing your missing teeth with a metal free bridge, she is here for you.

Quality dentistry and dedication to health are the premises upon which Dr. Michele Yamada has based her prevention-oriented practice. Dr. Yamada provides comprehensive care with long-term goals, as opposed to short-term patchwork dentistry without any overall plan. Employing and incorporating new and innovative techniques, cutting-edge technology, and artistic skill, allows Dr. Yamada to utilize major advancements in dentistry. To her patients this means maintaining their teeth in a state of comfort, function and beauty throughout their lifetime.
"Dentistry is not what it used to be" says Dr. Yamada "...And because of that we can all smile easier." Prevention is the cornerstone of our practice and the foundation for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. We want to attract and keep people who share our values and beliefs in excellence or grow to this level of appreciation through education and motivation. We seek a patient population dominated by people with high expectations of good oral health and function.

Excellence in dentistry begins with a careful co-diagnosis and treatment plan to establish the goals we will achieve together. Communication and long-term relationships are important to us. Let us know what is on your mind and ask questions. We will help you realize an investment in yourself pays dividends for a lifetime.  We are caring, skilled professionals, dedicated to simplifying what is often a very complicated and confusing area of health care. We want all our patients to be informed and knowledgeable about their dental health care, from treatment plans and services, to insurance coverage.

There is an old wives tale that warns for every pregnancy a tooth is lost. While that particular statement is not true it is true that pregnancy may intensify some dental conditions. The following should clear up at least a few of the misconceptions about the effect of pregnancy on a woman's health. Tooth decay results from repeated acid attacks on the teeth. A pregnant woman would be more susceptible to decay if she ate sugar rich foods and did not brush or floss following each meal or snack. That would be true for anyone.

Regurgitation, as occurs during "morning sickness", would expose teeth to more frequent acid attacks. The risk of decay as a result of this pregnancy-related condition can be greatly reduced by maintaining a more frequent oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. Gingivitis (gum disease) may occur more frequently during pregnancy due to a rise in the body's hormone levels. These increased hormones exaggerate the way gum tissue reacts to irritants in plaque, the sticky layer of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. Eating a balanced diet is important for healthy gums at any time but during pregnancy it is doubly important as baby's teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. Vitamins A, C, D, proteins, calcium and phosphorous are especially necessary during this time.

Another old wives tale says that calcium is lost from the mother's teeth during pregnancy, is also not true. The developing baby needs 400 milligrams of calcium per day. If the amount supplied by the mother's diet is inadequate, this mineral will be depleted from the mother's bones. Here are a few tips to make your next visit more comfortable: Get a good night's sleep, eat a light breakfast, and wear loose clothing. Ask for an explanation of the procedures being done, share any specific fears you have with us, and if you feel any discomfort signal us to stop with a prearranged signal. If you have any questions about pregnancy and dental health please call us, remember, we are here for you.

It is possible for a child to reach adulthood without ever experiencing tooth decay! One major reason is the use of dental sealants. Dental sealants are clear or shaded liquid plastics which are painted on the decay prone chewing surfaces of a child?s permanent back teeth. Sealants bond with the tooth enamel and have proven to be virtually 100% effective in preventing decay in back teeth.

Why are sealants so effective? As children?s teeth develop, tiny depressions and grooves, called pits and fissures, form in the chewing and biting surfaces of the back teeth. Because these pits and fissures are smaller than a single toothbrush bristle, the food and bacteria cannot be easily removed. Bacteria inside these pits and fissures can cause decay. Sealants are painted in these pits and fissures, providing a solid physical barrier between the tooth and it?s environment. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is necessary. Sealants also stop the development and spread of tiny cavities that may be underneath the sealant. Research has shown that as long as a sealant remains bonded to the surface of the tooth, the cavity will not get any bigger. The bacteria under the sealant will eventually die, effectively stopping the decay process.

Children and teenagers are obvious candidates for sealants, but the risk of pit and fissure decay continues throughout a person?s life, ask your dentist if you could benefit from the application of sealants. Sealants combined with regular dental visits, brushing, flossing, the use of fluoride toothpaste and limiting the number of sugary snacks and beverages are effective steps towards a life time of excellent dental health. Prevention is better than treatment!s, remember, we are here for you.

Your dentist tells you it’s time for an x-ray examination. You wonder: are they really necessary, is there a health risk, what benefits do x-rays provide? X-rays are an indispensable tool in determining the state of your oral health. Many disorders can only be diagnosed with the aid of x-rays: impacted teeth, fractures, abnormal growths like abscesses, cysts, tumors, cavities between the teeth, bone loss, periodontal disease, characteristic bone patterns of some systemic diseases (diseases of the whole body). Without detection there can be no treatment. Lack of treatment for any of these conditions will affect your oral health and possibly your general health.

In the case of hidden tumor, early diagnostic x-rays may save your life. Dentists cannot rely solely upon visual examination. X-rays are their best, most frequently used tool, and the most beneficial procedure you will undergo. How often a dentist prescribes x-rays for you is based on your individual oral health history. Early detection of a problem means being able to treat a disorder early, saving time, money and discomfort. Even seniors, who are beyond their "cavity prone" years, need x-rays to determine if there is any disease present which is currently without obvious signs or symptoms. If x-rays are not used, problems and diseases of the mouth and face may not be detected until serious damage has been done. With modern techniques and equipment the amount of radiation received in a dental exam is minuscule.

Your dentist limits the area of exposure to a region approximately the size of the film. The latest technological advance is digital radiography. This technology allows images to be captured through the use of a sensor placed in the mouth, and the images are reflected on a computer screen right in the patient treatment room. This has the added advantage of letting the patient see everything that the dentist sees.

Your dentist tells you that you have a cavity. You have been seeing your dentist regularly and have been following her prescribed home care, so it is not a large cavity. Should the cavity be filled immediately? Technological advances in dentistry now offer you and your dentist options that were not available even five years ago. Gone are the days when multiple cavities meant a mouth full of silver fillings. You have choices now that you never had before.

The question is no longer when to fill a cavity, but what to fill it with, and the choice is yours. Your dentist once considered the size of a cavity in deciding when to fill it. Your dentist would wait and "watch" the cavity until its size justified removing the amount of healthy tooth structure necessary in order to properly place the filling. Amalgam (silver with mercury) was once considered the only appropriate material with which to fill a cavity, and rightly so, it was the best material available in its time. Amalgam fillings may still be the best option under certain conditions but they are no longer the only option.

Composite fillings are tooth colored resin fillings. This material allows your dentist to restore your teeth to their most natural looking state. Today, small cavities can be filled immediately, possibly without shots or drilling, due to a new technology and technique called micro air abrasion. This is a less invasive and far more comfortable method of removing decay. Large cavities benefit from composite fillings because, unlike amalgam fillings, this material does not expand or contract within the tooth structure.

Over time the amalgam filling will expand, and wedge itself between the grooves of the tooth, creating fractures. This means that additional restoration (usually a crown) will be necessary at some point in the future. If you have questions regarding the advantages of composite fillings, or the controversies surrounding the mercury content in amalgam fillings, ask your dentist.

Periodontal disease, also called periodontitis or pyorrhea, is identified by chronic bad breath, bone loss, loose teeth, bleeding and receding gums. The severity of bone loss and tissue destruction will dictate the extent of periodontal and restorative treatment necessary. A collar of healthy, unattached tissue, which will measure between 0 and 3 millimeters deep, surrounds teeth.

When infection occurs, this tissue pulls away from the tooth to form "pockets" greater than 3 millimeters in depth. It is very difficult to effectively clean these areas therefore food and bacteria accumulate, creating an infection that gets worse with time. Left untreated, this infection can destroy the gums, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. The gums are usually red and puffy and may bleed during flossing or brushing.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not normal for the gums to bleed. At this stage the bone and fibers holding the teeth in place are unaffected. With treatment this condition can be reversed. Without treatment this disease can spread down the roots of your teeth, potentially damaging the bone. Root planing is the earliest conservative treatment needed to control this stage of gum disease, and in many cases this treatment can prevent, or at least delay, gum surgery. Your dentist can offer you special cleaning tools that will enable you to more effectively care for your teeth and gums. Reducing your susceptibility to gum disease is still the best approach.

Remember that you may not be aware that you have gum disease because it rarely causes pain. The best prevention is through daily removal of plaque (the bacteria constantly forming on teeth) by brushing and flossing, eating a balanced diet and regular visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning and evaluation. With an investment on your part in your own oral health, you could be one of the fortunate 25 percent of Americans who do not have gum disease.

Healthy Gums
Gums have healthy pink color. Gum line hugs the teeth tightly. No bleeding.

Gingivitis
Gums bleed easily when you brush or when probed gently during examination. Gums are inflamed and sensitive to touch. Possible bad breath and bad taste. Gums between teeth may look blueish-red in color.

Early Periodontitus
Gums may begin to pull away from the teeth. Bleeding, puffiness and inflammation more pronounced. Bad breath and bad taste. Slight loss of bone, horizontally on x-ray. Pockets of 3-4 mm between teeth and gums in one or more areas of the mouth.

Moderate Periodontitus
Gum boils or abscesses may develop. Teeth look longer as gums begin to recede. Front teeth may begin to drift, showing spaces. Bad breath, bad taste. Both horizontal and angular bone loss on x-ray. Pockets between teeth and gum range from 4-6 mm deep.

Advanced Periodontitus
Teeth may become mobile or loose. Bad breath, bad taste are constant. Roots may be exposed and are sensitive to hot and cold. Severe horizontal and angular bone loss on x-ray. Pockets between teeth and gum now in excess of 6 mm.

The Surgeon General reports that poor oral health promotes the onset of serious diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, anemia, hemophilia, oral cancer, kidney diseases, lung disease, and low weight premature babies. Millions of Americans die each year from these diseases. Furthermore, an estimated three out of four Americans suffer from periodontal disease.

Most adults show signs of this disease or gingival diseases before major health impairment. Severe periodontal disease affects 4% of adults ages 45 to 54 and 23% of 65 to 74 years old. With a population that is living longer, what does this mean for patients who live to be 85 or 90? Dr. Yamada and her team are at work to ensure that our patients know why we are monitoring their periodontal status so closely and intervening as early as possible. Dr. Yamada knows that our patients? periodontal health is directly related to their overall well-being -emotional and physical -and could ultimately affect the longevity and quality of their lives.

Dr. Yamada and her team are committed to providing extraordinary dental care in an environment that is fun, energetic, and makes a difference. We are proud to introduce our new addition to the team Sarah Meier, R.D.H. Sarah graduated Suma Cum Laude from Loma Linda University in 1995, with her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Her passion is teaching, educating, and motivating and she gladly passes on tooth saving tips to her patients. Sarah is dedicated and puts 100% of herself into her work with her patients.

She provides exceptional dental hygiene care with love, tenderness and expertise! In addition to being aware of the serious diseases associated with gum disease, she and Dr. Yamada are excited about providing the most current and up to date treatment plans for the various levels of gum disease. Please stop in and meet our team!

Has it been more than a year since you've been to a dentist because you are afraid? You are not alone. We are proud to offer our patients Sedation Dentistry, the opportunity to sleep through their entire dental appointment. Who is a candidate for Sedation Dentistry? People who have high fear, traumatic dental experiences, difficulty getting numb, a bad gag reflex, very sensitive teeth, complex dental problems, and/or limited time to complete dental care. Also, people who hate needles and shots, hate the noises, smells, and tastes associated with dental care or are afraid or embarrassed about their teeth.

Here is how this safe and effective process works. You take a small pill prior to treatment, no intravenous tubes or needles. You will have little or no memory of the experience, including any sounds or smells. You will sleep up to five or six hours after taking the pill and you will be in a deeply relaxed state. However, you will be responsive. One of our team members will be with you at all times to monitor your vital signs.

Due to the sedative effects of the medication you will need someone to drive you to our office and home again. Complex dental treatments that often require six to eight appointments can be done in as little as one! A recent sedation patient, Cindy Toscano reports, "What was great about it (sedation dentistry) is that I could hear everything and participate, but I did sleep and the time went by very fast. I got a lot of work done and that was great!". Dr. Yamada is proud to report that many of her apprehensive patients have a great experience in her office!