Gray, yellow, veined, and stained are not words anyone wants to use to describe a smile, but for many of us, it is the reality reflected in the mirror. Our daily eating, drinking, talking, and even aging cause tooth discoloration. Even if you manage to avoid risk factors like staining foods and drinks, smoking, and tetracycline medicines, genetics could leave you with a smile that’s not as pearly white as you’d like it to be. If you’ve tried whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, strips, and gels with no luck, visit Westside Dental Associates for professional whitening. Our team can examine your teeth to determine the causes of your stains, and help you choose a whitening product that will brighten your smile. It all starts with a smile consultation. Call to schedule yours today.
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Get the Best Zoom! Teeth Whitening Los Angeles Teeth whitening Los Angeles can rely on for brilliant smiles in just one visit available at Westside Dental Associates. Call today.
October 12, 2015
Enhance Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers Los Angeles
October 8, 2015
A UK study revealed, when looking at photos of unknown people, participants believed that those with crooked, chipped, stained, or missing teeth were uneducated, poor, or unhealthy. Like it or not, people make assumptions based on appearance, so if you’re not happy with the smile you see in the mirror, let the talented team at Westside Dental Associates help. We have a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic dental services to restore, repair, or renew damaged smiles. For patients interested in a conservative, minimally invasive, cost efficient solution, porcelain veneers may be your best option to conceal multiple smile irregularities with a single procedure.
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Dr. Les Latner, DDS: Your Trusted Los Angeles Dentist
September 8, 2015
When you choose a dentist, you want to make sure he or she is someone you can trust — someone with experience, and compassion. Not only that, but you want to feel at home with the whole team so that from the very moment you walk through the door, you feel relaxed and comfortable.
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Are Genetic Dental Problems a Myth?
September 29, 2014
The answer to this question is both yes and no. Genetic dental problems are no myth. Scientists have found that genetic factors cause about 60% of the risk for tooth decay. While tooth decay isn’t an actual gene in the body, your genes do determine factors that are directly related to your ability to avoid tooth decay. Dr. Latner is an experienced Los Angeles area dentist that can help you find a treatment plan to fix your dental problems if you find yourself on the losing end of genetic tooth decay risk factors.
Genetics Can Increase the Risk of Developing Dental Problems
You can’t blame your parents for all of your dental problems, but you can blame them for passing on a few risk factors. Scientists have identified five genetically determined factors that affect your body’s ability to combat tooth decay.
- Sweet Preference- The stronger your genetic preference for all things sweet and sugary, the more likely you are to overindulge, which will increase your risk for tooth decay.
- Enamel Strength- If you have inherited soft enamel, it will be easier for bacteria to find a home there, which can lead to more cavities.
- Tasting Ability- Some people possess the ability to perceive a wider variety of flavors than others. Though research has not yet discovered why this is the case, studies have revealed links between taste ability and cavities. The greater measure of your ability to taste a variety of flavors, the less likely you are to have tooth decay.
- Saliva Strength- Saliva plays a big role in the proper metabolization of nutrients like calcium and potassium. Genetics make some people better at this metabolization process than others.
- Microbiome- Your body’s immune system response to these communities of bacteria in the mouth can affect your ability to fight off tooth decay.
Dr. Latner Can Help Los Angeles, CA Patients Fight Genetic Risk Factors for Dental Problems
The remaining 40% risk of tooth decay can be attributed to environmental factors. These include your diet, dental hygiene habits, smoking habits, access to dental care, culture, and some socio-economic factors. The most widespread environmental factor increasing the risk of tooth decay is the consumption of sugary drinks. Although tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in the world, an important factor to decrease your risk of tooth decay is to get regular dental check-ups from an experienced dentist. Dr. Latner has been helping his patients fight tooth decay and perfect their smiles for many years. You can contact Dr. Latner today to fight back against tooth decay and protect your healthy smile. He proudly serves all Los Angeles, CA communities including Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista and West LA.
Three Cheers for Laser Dentistry!
September 22, 2014
Dentistry has come a very long way in a relatively short time period. Advancements in Laser Dentistry have made many routine dental treatments less invasive and have significantly cut down on the time required for treatment and healing. By eliminating the need for incisions, certain laser dentistry procedures do not require anesthesia. Laser dentistry also minimizes bleeding because the high-energy light beams aid in the clotting of exposed blood vessels, thereby inhibiting blood loss. Lasers are useful for patients who are fearful of dental work, don’t like anesthesia, or don’t like the sound of the drill. Dr. Latner utilizes laser technology in his practice to aid in the comfort of his patients throughout Los Angeles, CA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and the surrounding communities.
Laser Dentistry is less invasive and yields better results than drills and needles. It helps to minimize the spread of bacterial infections because the high-energy beam sterilizes the area being worked on. Damage to surrounding tissue is minimized and wounds heal faster as tissues are easily regenerated. Dental lasers may also be used to seal tubules (located on the root of the tooth) that are responsible for hot and cold tooth sensitivity. There are two basic kinds of dental lasers.
Laser Dentistry: Soft Tissue Lasers
Soft tissue lasers help with the healing process after surgeries and during soft tissue procedures. Soft tissue lasers can be used to reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure, improve the appearance of a gummy smile and for crown lengthening procedures. A soft tissue laser can also be used to perform a frenectomy, which is an ideal treatment option for children who are tongue tied, babies who are unable to breast feed adequately due to limited tongue movement, and to eliminate speech impediments. Soft tissue lasers may be used for the painless and suture-free removal of soft tissue folds often caused by ill-fitting dentures.
Laser Dentistry: Hard Tissue Lasers
Hard tissue lasers also offer many advantages to the dental patient. Cavity detector lasers detect small amounts of decay inside the tooth. This is decay that visual exams and x-rays will not be able to find. Cavity detecting lasers, such as Dr. Latner’s Diagnodent system, consists of a small light probe that scans the teeth with harmless pulses of laser light. When the pulse reaches decay inside a tooth, the decay emits a fluorescent light. This light bounces back to the sensors and is translated into a digital readout. In general the higher the number the greater amount of decay. This laser accurately finds decay in its earliest stages. For dental fillings, some lasers may eliminate the need for a local anesthetic injection and the traditional turbine dental drill. Lasers used in dental filling procedures are capable of killing bacteria located in a cavity, potentially leading to improved long term tooth restorations. However, dental lasers are not appropriate for the replacement of amalgam fillings, onlays or crowns.
Laser Dentistry for Los Angeles, CA Patients
Laser Dentistry allows your dentist to detect cavities, remove bacteria, perform speech impediment surgery, crown lengthening, gum contouring and treat periodontal disease while minimizing your treatment time and discomfort. Contact Dr. Latner to find out how laser dentistry could aid in your dental treatment. Dr. Latner serves patients in and around Los Angeles, CA including Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and the surrounding communities.
The Cosmetic Dentistry Boom
September 10, 2014
It’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.
Love Your Smile Again with Cosmetic Bonding
August 8, 2014
As much as we would like for things to stay in the same pristine condition that we got it, life does not work that way. From a scratch on your car to a stain on your favorite shirt, life definitely has a way of leaving evidence, and it is not always pretty. Unfortunately, the same goes for your smile. Throughout the years, your smile will stain and chip, causing the overall appearance to be less than appealing. If you feel as though there is nothing you can do to bring back the life your smile once had, you are in luck! Dr. Les Latner is able to rejuvenate the smiles of his patients by offering cosmetic bonding at his Los Angeles, CA dental office.
One of the main reasons why cosmetic bonding is so wonderful is because it is able to effortlessly cover up years of wear and tear on your smile in a single appointment. Being able to cover stains, cracks, chips, misalignments, gaps, and more, there is virtually nothing cosmetic bonding cannot take care of! All you have to do is contact our office today and reserve your appointment to have the smile you felt as though you lost.
Cosmetic bonding works by applying a tooth-colored composite onto your smile. The color of the composite is determined by the color of your original smile, allowing for your transformation to look as natural as possible. Once the desired shape is accomplished, Dr. Latner will polish the area, making your new smile shine! At the end of the procedure, your smile is beautiful, and definitely a smile people will envy!
Call us today to reserve your appointment for Dr. Latner. We offer general and preventative care to patients from Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and the surrounding communities.
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 to you about your own goals, to gain a clearer picture of how we can help.
It may be that you need at least two cosmetic dentistry services to help you get what you’re looking for. That’s what we call a smile makeover. A smile makeover is designed to give the patient more comprehensive results, and may include a general or restorative service as well.
Do you want to go into the upcoming holiday season with a greater sense of confidence than you ever have before? Dr. Latner wants to help. Call us today to set up your consultation appointment. During your appointment, we can talk about your goals and your options.
We serve patient from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and surrounding areas.
One-Appointment Cosmetic Bonding
June 13, 2013
Many patients dream of a more beautiful smile. For some, though, the expense or the inconvenience of multiple visits can be off-putting. But there’s one service that allows you to get the cosmetic care you’re looking for at a smaller price and in just one appointment—it’s called cosmetic bonding.
Cosmetic bonding is a great solution for patients who have a chipped or slightly misaligned tooth that they want you to restore. To do that, Dr. Latner will apply a putty-like material known as composite resin to the surface of the tooth. To make sure that your restored tooth matches the rest of your smile, the resin will be shaded to blend in.
When the resin has cured with a curing light, Dr. Latner will complete your procedures by sculpting and shaping it.
Caring for Your Restoration
Once your smile has been restored with cosmetic bonding, you might wonder how you can keep it looking beautiful. The answer is simple, just brush and floss like you normally would. If cared for properly, you can expect cosmetic bonding to last for 5 to 10 years.
Are you looking for an alternative to porcelain veneers that can help you enjoy better self-confidence? Talk to Dr. Latner of Westside Dental Associates about cosmetic bonding. Our Los Angeles team would be happy to answer any questions you might have. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.
Cosmetic Dentistry in time for Valentine’s Day
January 28, 2013
Valentine’s Day is just a couple of weeks away. If you’re looking for a way to enhance your confidence and look your best this February 14th, consider cosmetic dentistry. The cosmetic dentistry services Dr. Latner provides can help you whiten and straighten your teeth, creating a smile you’ll want to share with others.
Our cosmetic dentistry services include:
- Teeth whitening
- Invisalign clear braces
- Porcelain veneers
- Cosmetic bonding
- Contouring
- Six Month Smiles
Our teeth whitening options include both Zoom! in-office whitening and a professional take-home whitening kit. Both produce professional results, but there are differences. Zoom! Whitening whitens teeth in just one appointment, while take-home whitening lets us brighten your smile in the comfort of your home, on your own schedule. For the best results, Zoom! in-office whitening and take-home whitening should be used together.
For adult patients who want a straighter smile, Dr. Latner provides different options. Invisalign is a great option. Instead of using metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear trays made of acrylic. Because Invisalign’s trays are nearly invisible, your care will be more discreet. What’s more, treatment is often faster and more comfortable. Dr. Latner also offers Six Month Smiles. If you’d like a straighter smile in just six to eight months, Six Month Smiles may be the right treatment option for you.
For patients who want a whiter and straighter-looking smile, porcelain veneers are a popular option. Veneers use thin pieces of porcelain to improve the appearance of front teeth. The result is a dazzling smile that looks naturally beautiful.
Which service is right for you? Is it one of these, or is it another service from the list above? For an answer to that question, call Westside Dental Associates for an appointment with Dr. Latner. Our team is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles for Valentine’s Day and beyond.