Dental FAQs in Lihue, Kauai | Hawaiian Island Dental

All-on-4 is a full-arch tooth replacement that uses four dental implants to support a fixed set of new teeth — upper, lower, or both. It's an alternative to traditional dentures and to placing an individual implant for every missing tooth.

Implant placement itself is typically completed in a single appointment in our Lihue office, and in many cases you leave the same day with temporary teeth. Full healing and integration with the jawbone takes a few months, followed by placement of your final custom prosthesis.

Yes — they are fixed in place and only Dr. J can remove them for service. They are designed as a long-term solution for patients who want to be done with removable dentures.

Most patients are comfortable returning to light daily activities within a day or two. You'll start with a softer diet while the implants integrate, then gradually return to all the foods you love.

Brush twice a day, clean carefully around the prosthesis using the techniques our team demonstrates, and keep up with regular exams and cleanings every six months.

Coverage varies widely. We'll review your benefits with you, and if you're uninsured we can help you finance treatment through Cherry. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle your information.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental today at (808) 245-8866 to schedule your All-on-4 consultation in Lihue.

Dr. J and our team look forward to helping you smile, eat, and live with confidence again — wherever you call home on Kauai.

For most patients, Dr. Jaurequi recommends an exam and cleaning every six months. If you have a history of gum disease, more frequent visits may be appropriate — we'll build a recall schedule that fits your needs.

Common signs include swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, receding gums, chronic bad breath, and teeth that feel loose. If you notice any of these, please call our Lihue office so we can take a look.

We accept dental insurance and our team is glad to help you understand your benefits before your visit. Call our office at (808) 245-8866 and we'll walk through what your plan covers for preventive care.

If you're uninsured, we offer financing through Cherry — a fast, easy way to spread out the cost of your care. Many patients are approved the same day they apply.

We use digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, 3-D cone beam imaging, and digital impressions. These tools improve accuracy, comfort, and your understanding of what's happening with your smile.

Yes. We welcome new patients from across the island and visitors who need care while on vacation. Same-day emergency dentistry is also available if you have a toothache or broken tooth.

Call our Lihue office at (808) 245-8866, or stop by 4370 Kukui Grove St #211. Our front-desk team will find a time that works for you and answer any questions about your first visit. You can review our Privacy Policy anytime online.

A crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance. A bridge replaces one or two missing teeth in a row using an artificial tooth that's held in place by crowns on the neighboring teeth.

Together, they're two of the most common and reliable restorations in modern dentistry.

Many variables affect the lifespan of any dental restoration, so it's impossible to give an exact answer for your case.

Generally speaking, dental crowns can last anywhere between 10 and 30 years. How long yours lasts depends largely on your home care, your overall oral health, and keeping up with regular exams and cleanings.

A crown is typically recommended when a tooth has been filled multiple times, when it's cracked or broken and needs structural support, or when it has had a root canal and needs protection.

If a cavity is too large to be safely restored with a filling, a crown gives the tooth the strength it needs to function long-term.

For patients without insurance, we offer financing through Cherry. It's fast to apply for, easy to use, and available the same day you're approved.

Our team will gladly review the details with you before treatment.

Brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep your six-month exams and cleanings. Pay special attention to the gumline around your restoration, and let us know right away if anything feels loose, sensitive, or "off."

For more information about how we protect your data when you contact us, see our Privacy Policy.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 to schedule your crown or bridge consultation today.

Complimentary consults are available, and our team looks forward to helping you smile with confidence again.

For most patients, Dr. Jaurequi recommends a dental exam and cleaning every six months. Patients with a history of gum disease may benefit from more frequent visits.

Routine checkups are the easiest way to prevent cavities, catch gum disease early, and keep restorations like crowns and bridges in good shape. During your visit, we use digital diagnostics to capture accurate images of your teeth and gums, then discuss findings with you so you understand your options.

Be alert to symptoms of gum disease between visits, including swollen or bleeding gums, receding gums, chronic bad breath, or teeth that feel loose. If you notice any of these, please call sooner rather than later.

Learn more about routine care on our General Dentistry FAQ page.

Whether you are due for a routine cleaning, considering a dental implant, or dealing with a sudden toothache, our team is here to help. Dr. Jaurequi has been providing dental care to Kauai's families since 2000, and we look forward to welcoming you to our practice.

We are open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm, with Fridays available by appointment.

Call (808) 245-8866 today to schedule your appointment at our Lihue dental office.

For details about how we protect your information, please review our Privacy Policy. Mahalo for considering Hawaiian Island Dental — we look forward to caring for your smile.

General dentistry covers the everyday care your family needs: exams, cleanings, tooth-colored fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, and gum disease treatment. The goal is to prevent problems and address them quickly when they appear.

Dr. Jaurequi recommends a checkup and cleaning every six months. Patients with a history of gum disease may benefit from more frequent visits.

A dental exam with cleaning and x-rays is typically about 45 minutes. Basic fillings run about an hour, dental crown prep is about an hour and a half, and crown placement is around 30 minutes.

We offer financing through Cherry — a fast, easy option you can start using the same day you're approved. Our team will help you understand your choices.

Call our Lihue office at (808) 245-8866. We'll find a time that works for your schedule and answer any questions about your visit.

For details about how we handle your information, see our Privacy Policy.

Ready to experience stress-free dental care in Lihue? Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 today.

We can't wait to welcome you and your ʻohana to our dental family.

In-office whitening is performed by Dr. J using professional-strength gel and typically takes about an hour, making it ideal when you need fast results. Take-home whitening uses custom trays made from impressions of your teeth, allowing you to whiten gradually at home with professional guidance.

Results vary based on your diet, habits, and oral hygiene. Patients who avoid heavy staining foods and beverages, brush and floss consistently, and keep up with six-month cleanings generally enjoy their brighter smile longer. Custom trays make touch-ups easy whenever you need them.

Professional whitening is designed with patient comfort in mind. We protect your lips and gums before applying the gel, and if you experience sensitivity, Dr. J can adjust the approach. That guidance is one of the biggest advantages of whitening with a dentist rather than using store-bought products.

Whitening gel only changes the color of natural tooth enamel — it does not lighten crowns, veneers, or tooth-colored fillings. If you have visible restorations, talk with Dr. J first. In some cases, patients choose to whiten their natural teeth and then update older restorations to match the new shade.

We recommend beginning with a dental cleaning so your teeth are fresh and ready for the brightest possible results. From there, Dr. J will help you choose between in-office whitening and a custom take-home kit.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 to schedule your teeth whitening consultation in Lihue.

We look forward to helping you smile brighter across every corner of Kauai. Your privacy matters to us — review our Privacy Policy anytime.

A dental implant is a titanium tooth root that's placed in your jawbone and restored with a dental crown. Once healed, it looks, acts, and functions like a natural tooth — and because it's anchored in bone, it provides the same kind of stability your original tooth root did.

A dental implant can potentially last a lifetime when properly cared for. Brushing, flossing, and routine six-month dental cleanings are the keys to long-term success.

The placement itself is performed as an in-office procedure that takes about an hour. Nitrous oxide is available if you'd like gentle relaxation to stay comfortable throughout treatment.

Yes. Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even serve as a stable base for partial dentures. Dr. Jaurequi will recommend the right approach based on your specific situation.

In that case, All-on-4 may be a better fit than traditional individual implants. Visit our All On 4 Implants Lihue page to learn more.

Coverage varies by plan. If you're uninsured or your plan falls short, financing through Cherry can help make treatment more affordable.

In addition to implants, the practice provides general dentistry, preventive care, emergency dental services, crowns and bridges, and Invisalign Lihue clear aligner treatment for straightening teeth.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 right away and describe what's happening. We regularly help out-of-town visitors and will do our best to schedule you the same day so you can get back to enjoying your trip.

We offer same-day emergency dentistry in Lihue during our regular hours (Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Call as early in the day as possible so we can fit you in.

We treat toothaches, broken or cracked teeth, knocked-out teeth, lost fillings, lost or broken crowns, jaw pain and swelling, dental infections, and more. Dr. Jaurequi also performs emergency root canals and tooth extractions when needed.

Yes. If you're uninsured, we offer financing through Cherry. It's fast, easy, and you can begin using it the same day you're approved.

No. We welcome both established patients and new patients — including visitors to the island — for emergency dental care.

If you're considering longer-term care after your emergency, ask us about options like Invisalign Lihue or other restorative services. You can also review our Privacy Policy for details on how we handle your information.

Don't wait with dental pain — call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 for same-day emergency care in Lihue, Kauai.

Digital dentistry improves nearly every part of your visit. Digital x-rays capture detailed images quickly and reduce the amount of radiation you are exposed to by as much as 80 percent compared to traditional film x-rays.

Intraoral cameras allow Dr. Jaurequi to share what he sees on a screen, so you can be an informed partner in decisions about your care. 3-D cone beam imaging supports accurate treatment planning for procedures like dental implants.

Digital impressions replace the messy paste of older methods, making the process more comfortable and the impressions more precise — which translates into better-fitting crowns, bridges, and aligners. To explore restorative and orthodontic options that use these tools, visit our Toothcolored Fillings, Tooth Extraction, and Invisalign Traditional Orthodontics pages.

Digital dentistry refers to any dental technology that uses computer-controlled components — including digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, digital impressions, and 3-D cone beam imaging. At our Lihue office, these tools make appointments more comfortable, efficient, and accurate.

A small handheld scanner passes across your teeth and captures an exact 3-D virtual model of your mouth. There is no messy paste, no uncomfortable tray, and the model is used to design restorations like crowns and bridges before being sent electronically to a dental lab.

Digital x-rays expose you to significantly less radiation than film-type x-rays. They also produce instant images that can be enlarged and shared on a chairside monitor, so you can see exactly what your dentist sees.

3-D cone beam imaging shows your teeth, bone, and surrounding soft tissues in three dimensions — far more detail than a standard x-ray. This is especially valuable for dental implant planning, where precision is essential.

For patients without insurance, we offer financing through Cherry. The application is fast, approval is easy, and you can begin using it the same day.

Our Lihue dental office welcomes patients from Kapaa, Wailua, Koloa, Kalaheo, Waimea, Kekaha, Princeville, Hanalei, Poipu, and surrounding areas across Kauai.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 to experience digital dentistry in Lihue, Kauai.

For details on how we handle your information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Invisalign uses a series of nearly invisible plastic aligners customized to your smile. Each aligner gently shifts your teeth a little closer to their final position, and you progress through the series until treatment is complete. Dr. Jaurequi designs your plan with specialized software so you can see how your teeth will move from day one.

Treatment time depends on how much your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your aligners. Dr. Jaurequi reviews your progress every 4–6 weeks, and treatment finishes when you've worn through your prescribed aligners and your smile looks straight and beautiful. Wearing your aligners about 22 hours a day keeps treatment on schedule.

Yes, Invisalign is a great option for many older teens, especially those who want a discreet alternative to metal braces. Success depends on wearing the aligners consistently, so it's a good fit for responsible teens ready to follow Dr. Jaurequi's wear instructions.

Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, removable, and generally more comfortable than brackets and wires. You can eat all your favorite foods and brush and floss normally. For more complex bite or alignment issues, traditional braces may still be the better choice — your consultation will determine which option is right for you.

Yes. If you're uninsured or prefer to spread payments out, we offer financing through Cherry — fast, easy, and available the same day you're approved.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 to schedule your Invisalign and/or orthodontics consultation in Lihue, Kauai.

Your comfort is crucial to us. Dr. Jaurequi has been practicing since 2000 and is very gentle when delivering anesthesia. Once your tooth is fully numb, you shouldn't feel anything but light pressure during the procedure.

Use a cold compress in 20-minute intervals to reduce swelling, follow a soft-food diet, and take over-the-counter or prescription medications as directed. Avoid straws and smoking so the protective clot can stay in place.

The most common risk after an extraction is dry socket, which happens when the clot over the site is disturbed. Following our home care instructions — especially avoiding straws and smoking — significantly lowers your risk.

Most patients feel noticeably better within a few days, though full healing of the site takes longer. Plan to take the day of your procedure off and ease back into your routine.

Dr. Jaurequi will review your options with you, which may include dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures. He'll help you choose the option that best fits your oral health, lifestyle, and goals.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 to schedule your tooth extraction in Lihue, Kauai.

Tooth-colored fillings are made from a composite resin containing minute glass and resin particles. The material closely resembles natural tooth enamel and is shade-matched to blend in with your existing teeth.

With excellent oral hygiene — brushing twice daily, flossing once, and keeping up with six-month cleanings and exams — your tooth-colored filling could last five years or longer. Your daily habits play a big role in how long any restoration lasts.

In many cases, yes. Tooth-colored fillings are typically placed in a single same-day appointment at our Lihue office, including the exam, removal of decay, bonding, curing, and polishing.

Call our office as soon as possible. Early treatment helps prevent the decay from reaching the nerve and avoids more involved procedures like a root canal or extraction.

Yes. We regularly help visitors staying in Lihue, Poipu, Princeville, and other parts of Kauai who develop dental issues during their trip, and we offer same-day emergency dentistry often and whenever possible.

Call Hawaiian Island Dental at (808) 245-8866 to schedule your tooth-colored fillings appointment in Lihue, Kauai.