April is National Stress Awareness Month! Alleviate Stress Induced Bruxism with a Custom Nightguard in West LA

March 28, 2015

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Westside Dental Associates @ 6:44 pm

185983980Do you struggle with uncontrolled teeth grinding (bruxism)? Each April, dental and health care professionals across the country join forces to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures of the modern stress epidemic. For dentists, there is a particular responsibility to help patients understand the stress induced habit of nightly teeth grinding, and the negative effects it can have on your dental health. Untreated teeth grinding can result in the fracturing, loosening, or complete loss of your natural teeth. Bruxism not only damages teeth and causes tooth loss, but can also affect your jaw joints, resulting in hearing problems and TMJ disorder, or even changes to your facial features. Don’t let stress induced bruxism rob you of your oral and overall health. Make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates for a custom nightguard to alleviate your stress induced bruxism symptoms today. Dr. Latner delivers patient centered care daily throughout West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and the surrounding communities.

What Is Stress Induced Bruxism?

Bruxism is a chronic condition in which you unconsciously grind, gnash, or clench your teeth. The grinding can occur while you’re awake or asleep. If you clench or grind your teeth during sleep, you are likely to have other sleep disorders as well, such as sleep apnea. Mild bruxism may not require treatment, however, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other health problems in some patients.

Do You Suffer From Stressed Induced Bruxism?

While the exact cause of bruxism is not completely known; daily stress can trigger the condition in many patients. It’s estimated that almost 70% of bruxism is stress or anxiety induced. Whether or not bruxism causes pain and other problems may be a complicated mix of factors including poor posture, stress coping abilities, diet, and sleeping habits.

West LA Stress Induced Bruxism Treatment Appointments

If you suffer from stress induced bruxism, Dr. Latner can create a custom fitted nightguard or bite splint to prevent bruxism related tooth damage and alleviate pressure on your jaw joints and facial muscles during sleep. Be proactive with your health and wellness in 2015 and schedule a bruxism treatment appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner is a trusted family dentist, now proudly serving patients of all ages daily throughout West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and the neighboring areas.

Tooth Strengthening Restorative Dentistry with Porcelain Inlays and Onlays in West LA

March 22, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Westside Dental Associates @ 4:44 pm

121353097Do you need to repair a damaged or decayed tooth? If so, you should consider restorative treatment with porcelain inlays and onlays. Porcelain inlays and onlays are a conservative alternative to traditional dental crowns. Also known as indirect fillings, they offer custom fitted, stronger, and longer lasting reparative solutions for tooth decay and damage. If you’re looking for a minimally invasive and healthy tooth restoration method, make your next restorative dentistry appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today.  Dr. Latner delivers quality restorative care daily throughout West Los Angeles and the surrounding communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.

What are Porcelain Inlays and Onlays, and How Do They Restore Teeth?

Porcelain inlays and onlays have both cosmetic and functional benefits. Inlays and onlays are made of tooth colored porcelain and can be used in place of traditional dental fillings and crowns to treat tooth decay and trauma. Dental fillings have to be molded into place but porcelain inlays and onlays are fabricated indirectly in a dental lab before being fitted and bonded to your tooth. Inlays describe restorations that are bonded within the center of a tooth. Onlays describe restorations that require the inclusion of one or more points of the tooth or the full coverage of the tooth’s biting surface.

Why Choose Restorative Dentistry with Porcelain Inlays and Onlays?

  • Inlays and onlays are conservative and preserve more healthy tooth structure
  • Inlays and onlays do not discolor over time
  • Your teeth will be easier to clean with inlays and onlays
  • Inlays and onlays are better at sealing teeth to keep out bacteria
  • Inlays and onlays are extremely stable
  • An onlay can protect the weakest areas of a damaged tooth

West LA Restorative Dentistry Appointments

Dental fillings can reduce the strength of your natural teeth, but porcelain inlays and onlays can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75%. To protect and preserve your natural teeth, make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today.  Dr. Latner is a highly qualified restorative dentist, now proudly serving families daily throughout West Los Angeles and the surrounding communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.

Escape Your Dental Fear and Anxiety with Oral Conscious Sedation Appointments in West LA

March 15, 2015

Filed under: Sedation Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Westside Dental Associates @ 3:52 pm

122568441It’s been estimated that about 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of dental fear and anxiety; that’s about 30 to 40 million people! If you have dental fears, you’re not alone, and you’re not powerless. You can stand up to those fears, and get the dental treatment you need, with oral conscious sedation. Oral conscious sedation creates a safe and comfortable dental experience for patients who have avoided the dentist out of fear in the past. Make your next dental appointment, relaxed and rewarding, with oral conscious sedation from Dr. Latner and Westside Dental Associates. Dr. Latner is a compassionate and qualified family dentist, now proudly serving patients of all ages throughout West LA and nearby communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.

What Happens During Oral Conscious Sedation?

You will be able to take your sedation medication about an hour before your appointment. The most commonly prescribed oral conscious sedation medications belong to the “benzodiazepine” family. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. They’re absolutely safe, and they decrease anxiety by binding with receptors in the brain which tone down activity in the parts responsible for fear. Most patients feel calmer and more relaxed after taking sedative medication. Oral conscious sedation produces a mild or moderate sedation experience, where you will remain sedated but alert, responsive, and able to answer questions. However, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home after the appointment, as the effects of the sedatives will take a few hours to wear off.

Do You Need Oral Conscious Sedation?

A phobia is an intense and unreasonable fear. Most dental procedures aren’t painful, however, for those with dental fear and phobia, the very thought of a dental visit can be terrifying. Some patients are so frightened that they go years and years without dental care and will only see a dentist for emergencies. This pattern of behavior can wreak havoc on both oral and overall health causing gum disease, pain, and broken or unsightly teeth. Oral conscious sedation  allows fearful patients to finally receive the dental care they need to stay healthy and smiling.

West LA Oral Conscious Sedation Appointments

If you suffer from dental fear or phobia, schedule the dental appointment you need with oral conscious sedation from Dr. Latner and Westside Dental Associates. Dr. Latner is an experienced oral conscious sedation dentist, now proudly restoring smiles daily throughout West LA and the nearby communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.

Choose Fast, Reliable, and Long Lasting Zoom Teeth Whitening from Dr. Latner in West LA

March 10, 2015

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Whitening — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Westside Dental Associates @ 7:48 pm

478320323Are you tired of teeth whitening products that just don’t work on your teeth? Although there are several teeth whitening options on the market, many patients have discovered that they are not all reliable choices. Teeth whitening toothpastes and over-the-counter teeth whitening products often take several weeks of daily use before yielding any significant results. To be effective, they also require that you stricken everyday drinks like coffee, tea, and soda from your diet for months at a time. Prolonged exposure to these products also heightens the risk of irritated or inflamed gum tissue. All-in-all, the costs of these products  far outweigh any benefits they provide. The most reliable and convenient way to whiten your teeth, is to schedule a professional teeth whitening appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner is a trusted and experienced Los Angeles cosmetic dentist. Westside Dental Associates delivers quality dental care to families daily throughout West LA and nearby cities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

  • Brown Teeth: Brown tooth stains are often caused by consuming coffee, tea, sodas, or red wines. They can also be caused by tobacco use or dental fluorosis (overdose of dental fluoride).
  • Yellow Teeth: Your teeth can naturally darken or yellow over time, because the underlying dentin layer continues to thicken as we age. Dentin formation can also accelerate from the stress put on your teeth from nightly grinding (Bruxism).
  • Gray Teeth: Graying teeth can usually be attributed to the incorporation of dark pigmented molecules into dentin and enamel layers as teeth are forming. This is generally caused by the use of tetracycline antibiotics in childhood.
  • White Spots: White spots on teeth often look like frosted areas on your enamel. These spots can be an indication of early decay, causing the surface of your teeth to appear etched or matted.

West LA Teeth Whitening Appointments

If you suffer from tooth discoloration or staining, make an appointment for professional teeth whitening from Dr. Latner today. Dr. Latner offers Zoom teeth whitening. Zoom teeth whitening is available as both an in-office and take-home treatment. Zoom can be completed in the dentist office in under an hour, or conveniently in the comfort of your own home with custom teeth whitening trays. Either way, Dr. Latner can provide the reliable and long lasting teeth whitening results you’ve been looking for. Westside Dental Associates is the premier cosmetic dental practice of West LA, and the surrounding communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.

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