If you’ve explored our site before, you may have noticed that Dr. Les Latner offers two options for cosmetic braces: Six Month Smiles and Invisalign. Both offer discreet care and are made to work quickly. But how can you know which one is right for you? Are they even comparable? That’s a question we’d like to look at for this post so you can have a clearer understand of how both work.
Two Cosmetic Options
Invisalign and Six Month Smiles can’t do the work of traditional braces. They’re cosmetic systems and are designed to fix crowding, slight misalignment, and other issues.
The way Invisalign does this is with a series...(Read More) Two Options for Cosmetic Braces, But Which Is Right For Me?
May 23, 2013
If you’ve explored our site before, you may have noticed that Dr. Les Latner offers two options for cosmetic braces: Six Month Smiles and Invisalign. Both offer discreet care and are made to work quickly. But how can you know which one is right for you? Are they even comparable? That’s a question we’d like to look at for this post so you can have a clearer understand of how both work.
Two Cosmetic Options
Invisalign and Six Month Smiles can’t do the work of traditional braces. They’re cosmetic systems and are designed to fix crowding, slight misalignment, and other issues.
The way Invisalign does this is with a series...(Read More) The Importance of Bringing Your Child to the Dentist Starting at a Young Age
May 16, 2013
When the thought of having to visit a dentist sends chills down the spines of many adults, it is easy to see how terrifying the idea can be to small children. It may not be easy, but it is important to teach your little one that there is nothing to be afraid of, and that the dentist is there to help them and their teeth to grow healthy and strong. If you can establish a healthy and hygienic oral care routine in conjunction with regular dental check-ups, your child is much more likely to go through life without the need for extensive dental work later.
Tips to Ease the Fear of Your Child
...(Read More)What Is Root Canal Therapy?
April 25, 2013
In most cases, when dental care is needed, it’s the protective outer layer of enamel that’s being treated. In some cases, though, the inner pulp, commonly referred to as the “nerve,” needs special attention. This is typically the case after an injury or tooth fracture, or because of a deep cavity. In any of these cases, the tooth could develop an infection. If left untreated, the infection will kill the pulp, putting the tooth in danger of being lost.
To prevent this, it’s important to see your local dentist early. That’s because a tooth in danger of getting infected can be saved with a service known as a root canal.
For many, the...(Read More) 
Tooth-Colored Fillings
April 18, 2013
Earlier this month, we talked about our preference for white fillings, especially in connection with a tool like air abrasion. We cited their resiliency and appearance as key reasons for this; not only can the bond between a tooth and a white filling last for many years, white fillings support the natural structure of teeth in a way that metal fillings don’t, and they look completely natural.
Here’s what you can expect from treatment with white fillings.
First, Dr. Latner will remove the decay from your tooth, using air abrasion if possible. Then, when the tooth has been prepped, Dr. Latner will take the composite resin he’ll be using and tint...(Read More) 
More Comfort and Convenience with Air Abrasion
April 11, 2013
Next to local anesthetic, the drill is one of the most dreaded tools of dentistry. Today, though, dentists like Dr. Latner of Westside Dental Associates can provide important care without always relying on a needle or a drill. Using a contemporary tool like air abrasion, our Los Angeles patients can enjoy a more comfortable visit that also leaves more of their natural smile intact.
Air abrasion is a drilling alternative that uses a high-powered stream of air or powder to remove small amounts of decay from back teeth. Because of this, no drilling and no needles are necessary.
After Dr. Latner has used his air abrasion tool to remove decay, a...(Read More) 
Restoring Teeth with Inlays and Onlays
April 4, 2013
Our last post focused on all-porcelain crowns and the benefits that come with them. Today, we’d like to focus on two similar but slightly different services: porcelain inlays and onlays.
These restorative services are similar to crowns in that they restore fractured or badly decayed teeth, but they’re also slightly different. Inlays are made to restore that small area between a tooth’s rounded cusps. Onlays, on the other hand, are made to fit over one or more cusps.
Dr. Latner will determine your needs during a consultation appointment as his Los Angeles dental office. Not every situation demands an inlay or onlay, but if your situation does, what you need will depend a...(Read More) 
The Benefits of All-Porcelain Crowns
March 31, 2013
When teeth become damaged or badly decayed, restorative care becomes essential. For a single tooth in need of help, dentists often turn to all-porcelain crowns. With an all-porcelain crown, it’s possible to provide patients with restored functionality, as well results that blend in with the rest of their smile and look natural.
How is that possible?
It has to do with the way all-porcelain crowns reflect light. Instead of looking unnatural, they reflect light the way natural tooth enamel does. Compare this with the more opaque look at a porcelain-covered metal crown.
Crown Placement
An all-porcelain crown can be placed in just a couple of visits. During the first, your dentist will prep the...(Read More) Get Ready for Summer with Six Month Smiles
March 29, 2013
Spring is here and that means spending more time outdoors with friends and family. With that being the case, the last thing you want to do is worry about how your smile looks. After all, not everyone has a naturally straight smile.
That’s why Dr. Latner and his team at Westside Dental Associates in Los Angeles offer a service like Six Month Smiles. With Six Month Smiles, patients have a simple, fast orthodontic solution that makes treatment more discreet.
That’s because Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and tooth-colored wires instead of traditional brackets and wires, which can stand out and mar a professional image. Within just a few months, Dr....(Read More) 
Improved Functionality with Dental Implants
March 22, 2013
In our last post, we mentioned that dental implants may one day be replaced by bioengineered teeth grown from stem cells. Until that day, however, dental implants will be one of the best ways to replace missing teeth and enjoy improved functionality.
That’s because dental implants use a prosthetic root to anchor teeth to the jaw. What’s more, your prosthetic root is made from titanium, a biocompatible metal. Over time, your implant(s) will bond with the bone in your jaw to create a stable foundation.
Why is all this important?
Because missing roots lead to bone loss, which can eventually lead to the loss of other teeth. Dental implants try to...(Read More) 
Is It Possible To Grow New Teeth? It May Be In the Future
March 15, 2013
Right now, one of the best ways for a dentist to restore the natural functionality of his or her patient’s smile is with dental implants. But that could be changing very soon.
Recently, the Journal of Dental Research published research revealing that stem cells taken from a patient’s own gum tissue can be used to bioengineer new teeth. The result is a new tooth more effective than what dental implants can provide.
The process involves taking gum tissues, isolating a particular combination of cells, and then implanting them in the patient’s jaw. From there, those cells will develop into a new tooth.
You won’t find too many dentists offering this service just yet,...(Read More) 