"I have the best job in the world!” proclaims Dr. Scott Masunaga of his passion for orthodontics: Creating a dynamic, esthetic smile along with a balanced and enduring dental bite for all of his patients.

“Achieving excellent orthodontic results challenges orthodontists to draw on their skill and training to change a patient’s “phenotype” (an individual’s observable, genetically influenced appearance), and especially those of adolescent children, to shape their jaws and teeth into cosmetically pleasing facial features and smiles as they mature.

“A skilled orthodontist achieves ‘growth shaping’ by making scientifically based decisions in prescribing the proper treatment, but whose true quality takes decades to evaluate. A continuous accumulation of orthodontic techniques and knowledge are therefore necessary to attain outstanding and effective lifelong results.”

He was inspired and mentored by his father, Dr. Glenn Masunaga, one of Hawaii’s first licensed orthodontists, who named his practice, “Orthodontic Arts,” in recognition of this relationship of science and art. Dr. Scott thanks his peers for recognizing his unwavering commitment to providing outstanding orthodontic treatment.

Dear Orthodontic Arts Ohana,                                                                                                    

It is with great joy and pride that I share some exciting news. I am happy to introduce a new member to our team, my daughter, Dr. J. Kika Masunaga, who is now proudly working as an orthodontist in my practice. She represents the third generation of our family's dedication to providing orthodontic treatment excellence. 

Dr. Kika is a graduate of Punahou School and an Honors graduate from the Ivy League, University of Pennsylvania. She chose to attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City for her dental training where she was awarded the Chancellor’s Non-Resident 4-year Scholarship. There she gained national recognition for her publications, research, and leadership. She graduated with multiple awards and admission to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Scholastic Dental Honor Society which admits only the top 12% of graduates nationwide.

For her orthodontic specialty training, she chose to attend the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, a leading program in the nation for clinical orthodontic treatment and the “birthplace” of the Invisalign® technique. There she also earned a Masters of Science in Dentistry degree for her research.

She provides another set of “specialist eyes” which has been extremely valuable to me by either reinforcing or supplementing my treatment recommendations. Dr. Kika brings fresh perspectives and a knowledgeable understanding of the latest advancements in orthodontics to my practice. Her presence allows us to provide additional, and more efficient doctor-care to all of my/our patients at every appointment. This helps us in fulfilling our Office Mission Statement, which states, in part, “to always provide on-time, quality treatment, second to none.”

I enjoy reviewing case treatment plans with her to offer my insight attained from 40 years of private practice. It takes me back to my initial years of working with my father, Dr. Glenn Masunaga. He was one of the first orthodontists in the state, starting his practice in 1954. True excellence in orthodontic treatment can only be evaluated 5, 10, and 20+ years after braces or Invisalign® is completed. Only then is it possible to evaluate if the corrected positions of the teeth have been stable, and, in our adolescent patients, if the treatment has appropriately allowed for the inevitable facial changes that occur with growth. Being a third-generation practice holds significant meaning for us, and I believe it sets us apart in the world of orthodontic care. Our unique perspective, gained through decades of experience and the ability to observe cases throughout successive generations has allowed us to help anticipate the intricacies of our patients’ orthodontic needs that have been passed down. It has been our greatest honor to treat your families for so many years.

Dr. Kika’s commitment to providing the highest standard of care with her utmost compassion aligns perfectly with the values that have been the cornerstone of this practice. Her presence will enhance the level of care we provide and contribute to the legacy of excellence that defines Orthodontic Arts. I look forward to many of you having the opportunity to meet and get to know her. We are truly grateful for the trust you have placed in us over the years, and we look forward to serving you and your keiki for generations to come.

With My Warmest Aloha,

Dr. Scott Masunaga