Westside Dental Associates Blog

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.

What Occurs When Receiving a White Filling?

First, Dr. Latner will remove the decay from your tooth, using air abrasion if possible. Then, when the tooth has been prepped,...

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More Comfort and Convenience with Air Abrasion

April 11, 2013

Next to local anesthesia, 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 while preserving more of their natural smile.

How Does Air Abrasion Work?

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...

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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.

What Are Inlays & 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 at his Los Angeles dental office. Not every situation requires an inlay or onlay,...

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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 as results that blend in with the rest of their smile and look natural.

How Can All-Porcelain Crowns Look Natural?

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.

What is the Placement Process for Dental Crowns?

An all-porcelain crown can be...

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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.

What is 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...

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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.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

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.

How Can Dental Implants Save Your Smile?

Why is all this important?

Because missing...

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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 function of a patient’s smile is with dental implants. But that could be changing very soon.

What is the Research Saying About Growing New Teeth?

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.

How Does Growing New Teeth Work?

The process involves taking gum tissue, isolating a particular combination of cells, and then implanting them in the patient’s jaw. From there,...

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Cosmetic Dentistry for the Look You Want

March 8, 2013

You’re on your lunch break, quickly visiting the local coffee shop for your midday pick-me-up. And then you see her: the girl of your dreams, standing directly across the shop from you. Your eyes meet and she smiles. Instinctively, you start to smile back, then snap your mouth shut, embarrassed by your yellowed, crooked smile. Don’t be embarrassed—it’s not just you. Millions of Americans suffer from various confidence-killing dental issues. But we have news for you: if your teeth are taking a serious toll on your confidence, you have options. Fight back against the demoralizing effects of a crooked, chipped, or misaligned smile.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help

For many,...

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What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

February 28, 2013

For some patients, going to the dentist takes courage. Sometimes that’s because of one or more bad experiences in the past. Other times it’s because of neck, back, or jaw pain. Whatever the cause, no dentist ever wants their patients to avoid care.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

That’s why many dentists offer a service called oral conscious sedation. The point of oral conscious sedation is to create a soothing sense of relaxation in patients without putting them fully to sleep. Being able to respond to questions during a procedure is important.

Oral conscious sedation isn’t the only kind of sedation that can help patients find this balance,...

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Diagnosing Cavities Early with DIAGNOdent

February 25, 2013

So far this month, we’ve been talking about gum disease and how our Los Angeles team treats it. All of this can be considered part of preventive dentistry. Through regular visits, we can monitor your smile for signs of gum disease and provide early treatment if we find any. With more advanced cases, Arestin can help you prevent gum disease from affecting your overall health.

What is DIAGNOdent?

Given our recent focus, there’s another preventive service we’d like you to be aware of. It’s a simple device known as DIAGNOdent. Using this tool, Dr. Latner is able to diagnose signs of decay very early on, when it can...

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