Cosmetic Dentist Los Angeles: Benefits of Dental Implants

November 11, 2015

Cosmetic Dentist Los AngelesIf you’ve got missing teeth, it doesn’t matter if they’re in the very back or right in the front — I know those gaps in your smile causing you a lot of stress. Whether you’re missing one or several teeth, you’re likely dealing with difficulty eating and speaking, not to mention lower self-confidence in the smile department. Did you know that dental implants can completely transform an incomplete smile? Or that they’re by far the best replacement solution available? Learn more from Dr. Les Latner, your cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles today.

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Expert Los Angeles Implant Dentist

June 24, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-519555723If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implant replacement might be your best smile restoration option. Unlike traditional crown and bridge or partial and full denture replacement, dental implants are permanent and the look and feel just like your natural teeth. At Westside Dental Associates, are staff is dedicated to providing you the most relaxing, comfortable dental treatment possible. From our warm, welcoming front desk staff and waiting are to headphones and blankets for your comfort during procedures, we are committed to providing outstanding oral health care. Our dental implant therapies are no exception. Dr. Les Latner is an experienced and knowledgeable implant dentist, and he can accurately determine whether you will be a successful candidate for implants and provide safe effective implant placement. If you are missing one or more teeth, don’t just replace them, restore them with dental implants from Westside Dental Associates your Los Angeles dental leader. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Importance of Tooth Replacement

As we grow, our teeth grow with us. When a tooth is lost due to trauma, decay or gum disease, replacement is essential to maintain the bite we formed as we grew. Left untreated, missing teeth can have numerous adverse effects. The empty socket allows the rest of your teeth to shift. Often referred to as dental drift, this movement in your teeth can undo years of orthodontic straightening, or damage smiles that were naturally straight and evenly spaced. The gap in your teeth can also change the shape of your face over time making it more difficult to speak clearly and effecting your appearance. All of this can is treatable through traditional tooth replacement methods.

One hidden side effect of tooth loss that can’t be remedied with traditional tooth replacement is loss of gum tissue and jawbone density. Your gum tissue is shaped by the root of your tooth. Without a root, the gum tissue deteriorates. Bones require stimulation to maintain their density. As we go through the motions of our daily lives, our bones are stimulated by motion as we walk, sit, stand, and exercise. The same is true of our jawbone. It is stimulated by the interaction with our teeth. Without that stimulation, much like the bone density loss found in people who are bed bound, our jawbone begins to breakdown. This loss of bone density can lead to painful chewing, swallowing and talking. Loss of density puts patients at greater risk for illnesses like TMJ and obstructive sleep apnea as your face and neck shape changes due to bone loss.

The Dental Implant Difference

Implants are unique because they replace not just the visibly parts of your teeth. Dental implants are inserted below the gum line to replace teeth from the roots up. The implant is made from durable titanium that mimics the way your root supports your teeth and gums and helps maintain gum tissue and bone density. This is especially important the more teeth you need to replace. If you need several teeth in a row or a full arch replaced, you will not receive an implant to replace every tooth, but the implants that support your bridge, partial or full denture support gum tissue and jawbone density happen frequently with traditional bridges, partials and dentures.

This unique tooth replacement option does require a large time commitment. You’ll need to have at least 3 office visits to examine, implant and replace your teeth. During your first visit, Dr. Latner will examine your bite to determine whether you are a good candidate for implants. If Dr. Latner and you decide this is a good option, you will develop a customized treatment plan to restore your smile. On the second visit, Dr. Latner will place the implants outlined in your treatment plan below your gum line, and affix temporary, plastic replacement teeth. After you receive your implants, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for the implants to full heal and fuse with your jawbone. This process called osseointegration is why dental implants help to retain gum tissue and bone density, and because your implant fuses with the jawbone, your replacement teeth are permanent. They function just like your natural teeth, and have very little or none of the slipping, cleaning, or replacement hassles of traditional dentures.

Once your dental implants have fused, they are ready to anchor your custom milled dental prosthetic. The replacement teeth are built to replicate your tooth’s natural shape and size. The porcelain material even retains the same inherent gleam that you may notice as light reflects off your smile. Your replacement teeth are permanently attached to the titanium implants, and with proper oral hygiene and regular dental examinations, dental implants will last a lifetime.

Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation

The innovative dental implant procedures are an effective method for restoring many smiles. However, some patients may not be healthy enough for the treatment, or may not have enough jawbone density to support an implant. There’s no way to know for sure except to visit our office for a dental implant consultation with Dr. Latner. Reap the benefits of Dr. Latner’s years of dental implant experience, and find out of implant replacement is right for you at West Side Dental Associates of Los Angeles. Still have some questions, use our “ask the doctor” tool to find out more information before your appointment.  Call to schedule your consultation today. Our conveniently located Los Angeles practice welcomes patients from Santa Monica, Marina Del Ray, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Burbank and beyond.

Replace Your Missing Teeth in Just One Visit with Mini Dental Implants in West Los Angeles

February 15, 2015

177276486One Visit Mini Dental Implants! Many tooth loss patients are eager to experience the benefits of dental implant tooth restorations; however, they may have health or cost concerns that prevent them from undergoing dental implant surgery. Today, Dr. Latner has a solution. With new mini dental implants, you can enjoy the full advantages of traditional dental implants, in a fraction of the time, and for less. Mini dental implants are roughly half the size of traditional dental implants; about the size of a toothpick. They can be used in patients who have experienced significant bone loss, or lack sufficient bone structure. You can make your mini dental implants consultation appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner offers comprehensive dental implants placement. Westside Dental Associates is the trusted restorative dentistry of West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and the surrounding communities.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Like traditional dental implants, mini dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth and restore good oral health. Typically, at least four mini dental implants are required to secure a full lower denture, while at least six are needed to secure a full upper denture. More mini dental implants can be used to secure the denture if necessary. Denture wearers will benefit from the new security offered by mini dental implants. Partial denture wearers can also benefit from mini dental implants, as they can easily snap into the portion of the partial denture that is used to replace  missing teeth.

What’s the Difference between Traditional Dental Implants and Mini Dental Implants?

One Visit Mini Dental Implants in West Los Angeles

Mini dental implants placement is much quicker and easier than that of the traditional dental implants. Mini dental implants can be gently placed into the jaw bone, where no sensory nerve endings are located. To discover how effortlessly your new mini dental implants can be placed, make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner is a highly qualified implant dentist. Westside Dental Associates restores smiles daily for patients throughout West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and neighboring areas.

The Cosmetic Dentistry Boom

September 10, 2014

187872302It’s hard to think of dentistry without thinking of teeth whitening, veneers, or natural looking porcelain crowns. However, dental treatments weren’t always focused on improving both the health and appearance of your teeth. In the not so distant past, dental treatment only concerned itself with the treatment and cure of dental maladies like tooth decay and gum disease.  Today, having good-looking teeth has merged with having a healthy mouth, and cosmetic dentistry is now a part of an all-inclusive dental treatment package. Although not an official branch of dentistry according to the ADA, cosmetic dentistry has fast become one of the most popular type dental solutions. Dr. Latner works to provide Los Angeles, CA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and the surrounding communities with comprehensive treatment plans, each designed to address both the health and appearance of their teeth.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry encompasses any procedure that improves the appearance of your teeth. This includes: removing teeth stains, professional teeth whitening, reshaping teeth, filling gaps and cracks, placing crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, dental implants and oral restorations through dental fillings. Advancements in technology have made it possible to get these restorations done and enhance the appearance of your teeth in a single dental visit. Whitening or bleaching is by far the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the United States.

Why is cosmetic dentistry so important?

Many surveys have shown that tooth loss and decay can significantly deteriorate quality of life for most people. Improved appearance is directly proportional to improved self-esteem. Imperfect smiles can effect personal self esteem and diminish confidence. This can affect your ability to form healthy personal relationships, and can also affect school and work productivity. Simply put, your smile is important.

Representing approximately 41 percent of the total population, Baby Boomers are the first generation to realize the importance of a great smile. The appearance of our teeth naturally changes as we get older. They may stain, yellow or decay. Baby Boomers made the move from hygiene to image enhancement. This desire to improve appearance — partnered with significant advances in the cosmetic dental industry itself — has contributed to the rise of cosmetic dentistry.

Quality Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Angeles, CA

Although having a great looking smile is important, your first priority should be to have a healthy smile. Dr. Latner will work with you to achieve this goal while also addressing your aesthetic concerns. In this case, health and beauty go hand in hand. Continuing advancement in biomimetics (mimicking nature) and biocompatibility (implants that match perfectly with the body and work permanently without causing any harm) have set the stage for the future of cosmetic dentistry industry. Contact Dr. Latner today to achieve your perfect smile. Dr. Latner proudly serves all of Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and the surrounding communities.

The Rising Popularity of Dental Implants

January 14, 2013

Recently, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry found that close to 30 million Americans are missing all the teeth in one or both of their jaws. The group also found that 15 million Americans are using a crown and bridge to replace a missing tooth. Given all that, restorative dentistry is one of the most important services a dentist can offer.

Crowns, bridges, and dentures have long been used to fill gaps and restore a smile’s appearance and function. But traditional forms of each have their limitations. While they can restore your appearance, they can’t give you back the functionality you once had. They also can’t stop the bone loss you’ll experience.

That explains why dental implants gain in popularity each year. Annually, the number of patients who have dental implants increases by 500,000. What’s more, the success rate for dental implants is 98 percent. Dr. Les Latner performs implant surgery and completes implant restorations in his Los Angeles dental office.

What makes dental implants so effective?

It’s the way they respond to your smile. Dental implants come in two parts, mimicking the structure of a natural tooth. The crown portion fills in the gap in your smile, while the implant portion fuses with your jaw, just like a natural root. When your implant procedure is finished, your smile will have the natural appearance and functionality you’ve been missing.

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the implant surgery though. If you want to know if dental implants are right for you, call Westside Dental Associates. Dr. Latner would be happy to advise you in his Los Angeles dental office. We serve patients from all across the Los Angeles area.

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