Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  While the signs and symptoms may sound severe, periodontal disease can develop quietly and unnoticed. Very few patients feel pain while the dental issue progresses. Some individuals, especially smokers, may not even experience any bleeding, swelling or redness. Proper and thorough dental hygiene are crucial for preventing periodontal diseases, and regular dental exams are necessary to rule out any hidden development of dental issues.
• X-rays

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Scaling and root planing treatment is much more thorough than a regular dental cleaning and cleans areas deeper in the gum tissue making sure to clean all the way down to the pocket. It’s recommended for patients who have signs & symptoms of gingivitis (early gum disease) or periodontitis (advanced gum disease). It’s an effective treatment in reversing periodontal disease and cleaning off toxins which impede the natural healing ability of the gums.
• Fluoride Treatment
• Dental Sealants
  Both restorative options require two appointments. During your first visit, your dentist will prepare the affected tooth by removing the old filling or the damaged or decayed area. Next, we will take impressions of the tooth, so we can make sure that your restoration will have the proper fit and bite. The impressions will be sent to a lab where your customized inlay or onlay will be created. Your dentist will then apply a temporary sealant to the affected tooth to protect it until your next appointment.

Restorative

• Fillings
  Still, there are some facts about this type of filling you should take into consideration. While a composite filling is resistant to moderate chewing pressures, they are not as strong as a silver amalgam filling and might therefore not be the right choice for teeth that have to withstand high chewing loads. As it is the case with your natural teeth, it is important that you maintain good dental hygiene to prevent your filling from stains and discolorations. Additionally, it usually takes longer to place a composite filling than an amalgam filling since the cavity needs to be clean and dry during the entire procedure. The cost of the filling varies, but it is generally moderate and depends on the size of the fillings and the technique used by your dentist.
• Resin Composite
  Inlays and onlays can be made out of porcelain, gold or composite resin. For the longest time, gold was the material of choice for both inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular since the material’s color usually matches the natural color of your teeth more closely.
• Veneers
  There are many reasons you may want to consider rejuvenating your smile with our expertly crafted dental veneers in Monterey. If you ever find yourself hiding your smile in photos, holding back when you laugh, or wishing you could speak confidently at work, porcelain veneers could give you the confidence you’re looking for.
• Crowns
  Crown lengthening will reshape excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural tooth. This procedure can improve the health of gum tissue, prepare the mouth for another procedure or correct a “gummy smile,” a term used to describe teeth covered in excess gum tissue. Crown lengthening can be performed on a single tooth, multiple teeth and even the entire gum line. The goal of the procedure is to reshape the gum tissue and bone around a specific tooth to create a new relationship between your gums and your tooth.
• Bridges
  To ensure that your dental bridge will feel, fit and look right, each device is custom-made, carefully crafted and individually fit to fully satisfy each individual need. Your dentist will thoroughly prepare the neighboring teeth and take impressions of your mouth.
• Dental Bonding
  Teeth bonding is a quick, easy and effective restorative procedure to fix a chipped tooth, cracked/broken teeth, discolored tooth, or malpositioned teeth. The tooth bonding procedure generally only requires one appointment, and it will significantly improve the appearance of your affected tooth.
• Restorative Dentistry
  Among the many restorative dentistry technologies available to improve your smile and correct dental problems, it’s easy to get lost in comparing treatments and trying to figure out what the right approach for you personally might be. Here, we’ll talk about two of the more [...]

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  A crown, also known as a dental cap, can be used to protect a weak tooth, restore a broken tooth, cover and support a tooth with a large restoration where there isn’t a lot of tooth structure left, hold a dental bridge in place, cover a dental implant, protect a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment, cover a severely discolored tooth, or to make a cosmetic modification. This type of restoration can be a great alternative to extraction since crowns strengthen, restore and improve the appearance of natural teeth.

Periodontics

• Periodontal Surgery
  Patients undergoing treatment with LANAP generally don’t experience repeat periodontal disease as often as patients treated with traditional periodontal surgery. The additional healthy connective tissue growth spurred by LANAP helps prevent the growth of diseased tissue.
• Deep Cleaning
  Dental scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning. It is a therapy that deep cleans tartar and plaque buildup that can occur in hard-to-reach areas around the teeth and below the gums. It is an extensive treatment that involves removing calculus buildup from the teeth, which releases toxins and contributes to periodontitis leading to bone loss and gum recession.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  The process of placing a crown is fairly easy. After the damaged tooth has been carefully prepared, your dentist will simply place the tooth-like covering over your natural tooth. The cap will then support the remaining tooth structure and provide a cover to protect the natural tooth from cavities, decay or further damage. Crowns can even be attached to bridges and dentures.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Dental implants are metal anchors that function as a root substitute and provide a solid foundation for a tooth replacement. They’re designed to look, feel and function just like your natural teeth. Implants are the best tooth replacement option to restore your overall dental health and greatly improve your quality of life.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  James Stoddard was born and raised in Monterey, California.  After attending Monterey High School, he attended the University of California at Berkeley where he received two Bachelor's degrees in Human biology and Biochemistry.  He then went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 2013.  A recipient of the US Army Health Professional Scholarship.  He entered active duty for the US Army following graduation and was stationed in Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  During his time in El Paso he received two years of extensive Oral Surgery and Anesthesia training at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center.  In 2017 he volunteered for the position of Brigade Dentist for the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division which included a tour in the Middle East to include Kuwait, Jordan and Syria. When his Army Career had come to a close, he knew that he wanted to return to the Monterey Peninsula.  He enjoys fishing in the Monterey Bay, going for long runs along the bike path, visiting old friends and dining at all the amazing restaurants the peninsula has to offer.  Dr. Stoddard is an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and Monterey Bay Dental Society.
• Jaw Surgery
• Gum Surgery
  If you’ve been told that you need a gum graft, don’t panic. Gum surgery sounds worse than it is. A gum graft may be necessary to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of gum recession, or you may choose to have one to improve the appearance of your smile. Gum recession happens over time, so many don’t even know their gums have receded until it becomes more severe. Eventually, gum recession, if not treated, can cause tooth loss. To repair the damage and prevent further dental problems, a gum tissue graft may be needed.
• Maxillofacial Surgery
• Osseous Surgery
  It uses specialized laser technology that can arrest and even reverse advanced periodontal disease. It’s a great alternative to traditional osseous surgery, which is a much more invasive procedure that typically comes with a longer recovery time. Patients typically recover from LANAP within 24 hours because the gum tissue is never cut or sewn and only diseased tissue is eliminated.
• Tooth Extractions
  But sometimes, the damage is too serious and a natural tooth cannot be saved, so it needs to be extracted. A tooth extraction can become necessary for several reasons...

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Dr. Glenn Takenaga is originally from Southern California, but as of late resided in the Central Valley. However, missing the closeness of the beach that was once a part of his childhood, Monterey provides him an opportunity to once again live on the coast. Dr. Takenaga is a UCLA graduate with a Bachelor in biochemistry. He was on the UCLA gymnastics team. He obtained his DDS from Loyola University in Chicago. He received his GPR (graduate practice residency) training at Los Angeles County, USC medical center. His hobbies are fishing, hiking and biking. Dr. Takenaga is married to Vicki, his wife of 28 years and has two sons, Gregory, just out of college and Emilio, still at St Mary’s in Moraga California. Dr. Takenaga’s mission is to be a positive contributor to the dental needs of his patients. In the last few years, he has concentrated on the focus of orthodontics. Currently, he is an orthodontic instructor for Progressive Orthodontics where he utilizes his masters of science in specialized orthodontics.
• Invisalign Orthodontics
  Next, your Invisalign aligners will be made using an advanced 3D printing process and sent to you. Each custom made aligners are made of an extremely durable BPA-free plastic that’s clear and fits firmly to your teeth, making the aligners virtually invisible. Your MPDG dentist will make sure they fit correctly and answer any questions you have at this point. Invisalign treatment consists of several sets of progressively changing aligners to reach the end goal for straight teeth. Often, aligners are switched every few weeks, but it depends on the individual and their treatment plan.
• Braces
  As an effective orthodontic treatment that doesn’t come along with the pain or aesthetic issues associated with traditional metal braces, it’s no wonder Invisalign is extremely popular. Invisalign clear braces have been around for 20 years with a proven track record, and is continually innovating and improving with the latest technology. Made with a patented SmartTrack material, they’re comfortable, easy to get on and off, and offer faster, more predictable results than traditional braces.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  It doesn’t always take elaborate procedures and long, expensive treatments to get the beautiful smile you have been dreaming of. Professional teeth whitening is a quick, safe and inexpensive way to turn this dream into reality.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Dr. May is a highly talented prosthodontist who began his dental career while volunteering in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Following dental school, he was accepted into an intense 3 year prosthodontic specialty residency where he trained with world-renowned instructors on the most difficult and detailed aspects of restorative and cosmetic dentistry. As a perpetual le...
• General Dentistry
  Monterey Peninsula Dental Group offers family dentistry and general dentistry services to patients across the Monterey Peninsula. As a trusted local general dental practice since 1972, we provide the whole family with expert, personal dental care. Our team of both general dentist and specialist dentists brings a comprehensive care approach to our patients, so that we can give you the healthy, beautiful smile everyone deserves.