In our last post, we talked about air abrasion, a unique tool that lets Dr. Les Latner treat decay without needles or a drill. Today, we want to focus on another innovative tool that’s helping us provide patients with forward-thinking care—DIAGNOdent.
As a preventive tool, DIAGNOdent lets Dr. Latner diagnose decay early, before a serious cavity has had a chance to form. It does this using a laser diode to look for weaknesses in the chewing surfaces of teeth.
An exam with DIAGNOdent begins with Dr. Latner taking a reading of healthy enamel, which the rest of your smile will be measured against. If we come across any amount of decay during...(Read More) Advanced Care with DIAGNOdent
October 31, 2013
In our last post, we talked about air abrasion, a unique tool that lets Dr. Les Latner treat decay without needles or a drill. Today, we want to focus on another innovative tool that’s helping us provide patients with forward-thinking care—DIAGNOdent.
As a preventive tool, DIAGNOdent lets Dr. Latner diagnose decay early, before a serious cavity has had a chance to form. It does this using a laser diode to look for weaknesses in the chewing surfaces of teeth.
An exam with DIAGNOdent begins with Dr. Latner taking a reading of healthy enamel, which the rest of your smile will be measured against. If we come across any amount of decay during...(Read More) Air Abrasion—An Alternative to Drilling
October 25, 2013
Many patients avoid care because of a fear of needles or drills. But unique technique is helping Dr. Les Latner deliver care without having to use either. With air abrasion, our Los Angeles dental team can help patients overcome decay simply with a combination of air and a very fine powder.
Air abrasion was made specifically for treating small cavities. The high-powered stream of air and powder emitted by Dr. Latner’s tool will remove slight decay from the chewing surfaces of back teeth so that a white filling can be applied.
Because air abrasion doesn’t use needles or drilling, patients can look forward to a more comfortable, and more relaxing, experience. However, if you’re...(Read More)
Plan Your Holiday Care Now
October 23, 2013
You want to put your best food forward this holiday season, with a beautiful, healthy smile. But for that to happen, you have to give your dentist enough time to plan your care.
Often, transforming a smile takes cosmetic or restorative help. Many services can be completed in one or two visits, but other services will take more time. Maybe you just want a whiter smile, or maybe you need help with an all-porcelain crown or a fixed bridge. Dr. Latner can help you with both in time for the holidays.
We can also help you with orthodontic care through Invisalign and Six Month Smiles. A...(Read More) 
Substitute Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season
October 18, 2013
As Halloween and the rest of this year’s holidays get closer, the temptation to indulge in a variety of treats will grow. But sugar, as you know, can negatively affect your oral health.
In today’s post, we want to explain how sugar can cause cavities and let you know about an alternative to sugar that will let you enjoy all of your favorite holiday goodies.
How Sugar Damages Your Smile?
For as long as you’ve been going to the dentist, you’ve been told that sugar is bad for your teeth. But why is that? It’s because of how sugar interacts with your teeth.
When certain bacteria in the mouth come into contact with sugar,...(Read More) 
Tackle Stains and Misalignment with Porcelain Veneers
September 30, 2013
Are you so embarrassed of your smile that you hide it when you talk or laugh? Do the beautiful smiles you see on TV, at the movies, or in your favorite magazines just seem to make your feelings even worse? At Westside Dental Associates, a unique cosmetic solution can help you overcome these feelings to enjoy a better sense of self-confidence. It’s called porcelain veneers.
With porcelain veneers, Dr. Latner can help you tackle two common cosmetic issues: staining and flaws like misalignment or cracks and chips. What’s more, you can see fully customized results in just two appointments.
Here’s how the process looks.
First, Dr. Latner will talk to you...(Read More) 
Correcting Overbites, Underbites, and Crossbites with Invisalign
September 27, 2013
How confident are you about the appearance of your smile? If you’re answer to that is, “Not very,” Dr. Latner of Westside Dental Associates offers Invisalign, an excellent cosmetic solution for treating overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Invisalign isn’t the only cosmetic braces option available today, but it’s among the most popular and effective. And for adults who want to project a professional, mature appearance, the major benefit of Invisalign is that it doesn’t rely on brackets or wires to move teeth. Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear trays to gradually move teeth into their ideal position.
Why should you straighten your smile? Because outside of making you feel less confident,...(Read More) Why Is Flossing Important?
September 20, 2013
You’ve probably heard throughout your life that flossing is important, but do you understand why? In today’s post, we’d like to look at how flossing can help and what can happen if you don’t floss on a regular basis.
First, why should you floss?
Flossing is important because of how it can help your oral health. When food is allowed to build up around teeth, the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth will go up as well. Those harmful bacteria increase one’s vulnerability to decay and gum disease. If left untreated, they can lead to serious oral health problems, including advanced gum disease and tooth loss.
Serious oral health problems are most commonly...(Read More) 
Transform Your Smile Ahead of the Holiday Season with Cosmetic Dental Care
September 13, 2013
Do you want a whiter, straighter-looking smile before the holiday season arrives? Dr. Latner and his dental team at Westside Dental Associates offer three of today’s most popular and effective cosmetic dentistry services, all to help you achieve beautiful, customized results. Those services include:
With these services, patients can get amazing results in just one to two visits. But which cosmetic dentistry service will do the best job of helping you achieve your goals?
During a consultation visit at our Los Angeles dental office, Dr. Latner will complete a thorough oral exam and an evaluation of your medical history. He’ll also talk...(Read More) 
Teeth Whitening with Zoom!
August 22, 2013
Few people have a naturally bright smile. That’s because so many things we run into on a daily basis can cause stains—things like coffee, tea, red wine, juice, and soda, for instance. Tobacco use also contributes, as does aging. All of which explains why teeth whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dentistry services offered by Westside Dental Associates.
Teeth whitening with Zoom! is easy and yields amazing results. With just one appointment, you can expect to see your smile brightened by anywhere between 6 to 10 shades.
How does Zoom! work?
It starts with us making sure you’re comfortably seated. We’ll put a protective cover over your lips and gums,...(Read More) 
Is It Time for Your Home-Stretch Checkup?
August 15, 2013
If you had a checkup with Dr. Latner earlier this year, it may already be time for your second annual visit with Westside Dental Associates. That’s because we’re past the half-way point in 2013 and are entering the home-stretch. Over the next few months, you can only expect life to get busier as the kids return to school, and major holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the hustle and bustle of December gets underway.
Right now, with summer vacation slowly winding down, is the perfect time for you to see our Los Angeles team for regular care. During your appointment, Dr. Latner will take a close look at your smile and assess your...(Read More)