BusinessProfiles: Dr. Akihiko Shirakura, Armonk
For some people, a visit to the dentist can be one of the most fearful events in their lives. For patients who choose Dr. Akihiko Shirakura, a dentist who specializes in prosthodontics, their visit promises to be a good experience.
Shirakura not only provides an array of professional services, but his practice is also focused on providing a conservative, long-term treatment for every patient, with high-end service being a top priority.
Even though Shirakura provides a wide range of general dentistry services—cleanings, extractions, fillings and root canal therapy—his specialty is in prosthodontics, the replacement of missing teeth and the restoration of natural teeth. Common procedures treated by a prosthodontist include dentures, partial dentures, fixed bridges, crowns, implants, veneers and more.
What sets him apart from other prosthodontists is that Shirakura, a Somers resident, also knows the technical side of the specialty. Before he immigrated to the United States in 1989 from Japan, Shirakura worked as a dental technician in Tokyo, and was involved in the design and manufacturing of dental prosthetic and orthodontic devices.
He served as an associate in a large Hudson Valley practice, then acquired his own practice five years ago, taking over the Armonk office of Dr. David Fields, who now is Shirakura’s associate. The office features a staff of 10, including a receptionist and two hygienists, five treatment rooms and a waiting area.
Shirakura, who graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and later served in a prosthodontics residency at the University of Rochester School of Medicine’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health, is particularly good at putting young children at ease, especially little ones who have never been to a dentist. Often he suggests that children visit the office when their parents are getting their own teeth cleaned.
“The idea is to let them watch first and then realize that they can have nice, shiny teeth too. It’s so important to make them feel comfortable,” said Shirakura, who frequently rewards his younger patients with small toys. He avoids taking X-rays of their mouths until they have attained a comfort level.
But it is prosthodontics where Shirakura’s passion lies. Some of his patients avail themselves of his talents purely for cosmetic purposes, such as bonding, cosmetic contouring, cosmetic fillings, veneers, whitening and the application of Invisalign—clear, removable aligners that straighten teeth without the use of braces.
However, many more come to Shirakura, who attracts patients from throughout northern Westchester, Connecticut and even New York City, because they want to replace lost teeth without resorting to dentures.
For those who already have dentures, the insertion of two implants on either side of the denture can provide more support for patients and make them feel like they have their own teeth, Shirakura said.
Before the development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing missing teeth. The insertion of implants means there is no need for a bridge and the dentist no longer has to sacrifice adjacent teeth, he noted.
“Implants in general are more successful, but it still depends on the health of the patient and on the quality and quantity of bone,” said Shirakura, whose website, www.dentistarmonk.com, is a goldmine of information on his services and a variety of dental topics. In all cases, implants require strict oral hygiene and long-term care if they are to last, he said.
Listening intently to his patients’ needs is Shirakura’s way of effectively diagnosing and treating their many ailments. In the case of those fearful of dentists, Shirakura will use special equipment and techniques to improve the quality of their visit.
“I try to give my patients a happy experience, whether they are small children or older people,” he said.
Shirakura’s office is located at 40 Bedford Rd. in Armonk. To schedule an appointment, call 914-273-9280.
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