Children’s Dentistry You Can Trust in Los Angeles, CA

April 20, 2014

Filed under: Pediatric Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 8:43 pm

Shutterstock Little Girl at DentistWhen you are searching for a dentist for your children in Los Angeles, CA, you want to be sure that the oral healthcare professional you choose is trustworthy, gentle, and highly skilled in the intricate dental science that is pediatric dentistry. At Westside Dental Associates in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Les Latner and our team understand that your time is valuable, so we offer comprehensive pediatric dentistry right here in our office as part of our extensive menu of general, restorative, and cosmetic dental services.

The Importance of Children’s Dentistry

Though it is true that your child will eventually lose all of the primary teeth he or she currently has, the fact remains that these teeth still require consistent care during these early, formative years. Regular visits to Dr. Latner’s office, beginning by the age of about one or two, ensure that your child’s oral health is in great shape with routine cleanings and checkups. We’ll check to make sure that the jaw and teeth are developing as they should, and that any problems – including cavities – are detected early for more successful treatment.

Because we understand that visiting an unfamiliar place can be intimidating, we take extra steps to make sure our youngest patients feel welcome, comfortable, and safe in a fun, relaxed environment. Dr. Latner and our team will keep you, the parent, informed and up-to-date with all important information regarding your child’s oral health and treatment. Before you know it, your son or daughter will find that they truly enjoy visiting the dentist for their biannual checkups!

Serving Your Entire Family’s Dental Needs

Your child’s smile is precious. Ensure that your little one’s pearly whites stay beautiful and healthy with all-encompassing pediatric dentistry services from Westside Dental Associates. Dr. Latner happily welcomes patients from throughout the Los Angeles, CA area, including families from neighborhoods in Mar Vista, Venice, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Rancho Park, Playa Vista, West LA, Culver City, Marina del Rey, and more. Contact our office today; we can’t wait to provide your son or daughter with their best dental experience yet!

Visit Our Patient Education Pages

March 20, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 6:23 pm

Has a question about one of our services ever come to you when our office wasn’t open? If it has, you may still be able to find the answers you need by browsing through our patient info section. Looking through this section, you’ll find helpful answers to question about the kinds of payment we accept, new patient forms, a range of articles and links, and a special Q&A page.

For instance, maybe you have a question like, “I’m unhappy with my smile. What can Dr. Latner do to enhance it?” We have an answer for you.

Or maybe you want to know something about the technologies we use at our office. On our Articles & Links page, you’ll find information on things like porcelain veneers, Invisalign, Arestin, and much more.

You’ll also find links to places like the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Periodontology. Sites like these are great resources for patients who have questions. But most importantly, they’re trustworthy sites. The Internet is filled with false information of all kinds. When you have a question about your oral health, you want to know that the resource you’re putting your trust in is as accurate as possible.

After all of this, do you still have a question that needs to be answered? We’ll be happy to help. Call us today at (310) 477-1081. We offer care to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and surrounding communities.

Offering Preventive Care with DIAGNOdent and Tooth-Colored Fillings

February 19, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:00 am

Preventive care is the cornerstone of dentistry, and few tools today are as helpful with preventive care as a tool called DIAGNOdent. Dr. Latner uses DIAGNOdent every day during regular checkups to look for cavities that are just beginning to form. Every time it comes across one, it lets us know by making a sound. If we find anything, we can start working on a treatment plan immediately, because our goal is to conserve as much of your natural smile as possible.

To preserve smiles we use tooth-colored fillings, which are more supportive of your smile’s natural structure than metal fillings. They also blend in with teeth to provide discreet results. All of which means you can smile with greater confidence as you continue enjoying your natural smile throughout life.

Do you want to learn more about preserving and restoring your smile with DIAGNOdent and tooth-colored fillings? Dr. Latner would be happy to talk to you about both of these during a consultation at his Los Angeles office.

Your smile is in good hands at Westside Dental Associates. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and nearby communities.

The Connection between Oral Health and Heart Health

February 7, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:54 am

oral and overall healthOn February 14, couples across the country celebrated another Valentine’s Day. Given how important the heart is to that day—or at least cartoonish version of one—we decided to use our first post of the month to talk about the connection between heart health and oral health.

You might be surprised to hear that your smile and your heart are connected, but recent data indicates that they are. How exactly? That’s not entirely clear, but it seems to involve gum disease, a very common oral health problem.

Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. If left untreated, pockets can form between your teeth and your gums, giving bacteria and plaque a way into your bloodstream and other parts of the body as well, like the heart. Once there, they can contribute to clotting and even heart attack.

But heart health isn’t the only thing gum disease can affect. Other health problems include:

  • Alzheimer’s
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Pre-term birth
  • Pneumonia

If you struggle with gum disease, or you want to prevent it, there are a couple of steps you can take to protect your smile and your overall wellbeing. First, make sure you’re brushing and flossing on a regular basis. An antibacterial mouthwash will also help you control bacteria and stop gum disease from forming. Second, make sure you’re visiting Westside Dental Associates for regular appointments with Dr. Latner. During a regular checkup, Dr. Latner can look for gum disease and help you treat it if he finds anything. Treating gum disease early is important for enjoying good oral and overall health.

Call Westside Dental Associates today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Latner. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and beyond.

Crown and Bridgework

January 31, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:54 pm

Are you missing one or more teeth in a row? Dr. Latner can help you restore your smile’s appearance and functionality with a crown and bridge, sometimes referred to as a fixed bridge. Dr. Latner can help you restore your smile’s appearance and functionality with a bridge, sometimes referred to as a fixed bridge. If you’re missing the last tooth on either arch, it’s possible to secure a cantilever brigde with just one crown.

Your replacement teeth will be designed just for you, based on an impression we take of your smile. Then, a ceramist will carefully fabricate your bridge according to your impression and the instructions Dr. Latner draws up. In between appointments you’ll wear a temporary bridge, and then return to our Los Angeles dental office when your customized crown and bridge is finally ready. In some cases, it may be possible to get a bridge that is anchored by one or more dental implants.

Why is replacing missing teeth important?

When teeth aren’t replaced, remaining teeth will shift out of alignment over time. This can affect your bite, leading to TMJ dysfunction or teeth grinding. It can also give bacteria and plaque new places to hide, increasing your risk of developing gum disease. What’s more, patients who have missing teeth can have more difficulty speaking and eating. With a full smile, you can look forward to better health and wellbeing, plus an improved sense of confidence.

Call Westside Dental Associates if you want to fill the gap in your smile with a crown and bridge. During your visit, we can explain exactly how the process works and answer any questions you might have. We offer restorative care to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and beyond.

Make 2014 a Transformative Year for Your Smile

January 10, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,General Dentistry,Restorative Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:48 pm

cosmetic dentistry

Do you have ambitious goals for your smile this year? Then let the team at Westside Dental Associates in Los Angeles be your guide to better oral health and improved confidence. Besides offering general and preventive dentistry, we offer a wide range of cosmetic and restorative services as well.

Maybe your big goal for 2014 is to . For that, Dr. Latner offers in-office whitening with Zoom! and also take-home whitening option.

Alternatively, you might have teeth you want to straighten. With Six Month Smiles or Invisalign, Dr. Latner can help you correct misalignment in just a matter of months.

If you have missing teeth you want to replace, we can provide excellent help with dental implants. Unlike other restorative services, dental implants have a structure similar to natural teeth, with a replacement tooth on top and a prosthetic root underneath. With one or more implants, patients can enjoy a smile that looks and feels natural again.

A list of our other cosmetic and restorative services includes:

Are any of these services right for you? Dr. Latner can help you decide with a simple consultation visit at his Los Angeles dental office.  Call us today if you live in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and beyond. We can help you make 2014 a momentous year for your smile.

Schedule Your First Appointment of 2014 Today

January 2, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:42 am

Enjoying a beautiful, healthy smile begins with regular care from Dr. Les Latner and the team at Westside Dental Associates. We recommend that patients of all ages come to us for a checkup and cleaning at least twice in a single year. That might sound like a lot, but there’s a good reason for it. The quicker we can diagnose issues like gum disease, tooth decay, teeth grinding, TMJ dysfunction, or oral cancer, the sooner we can offer care—which is exactly what general and preventive dentistry is all about. With early care, we can help you preserve the smile you have and prevent new issues from developing in the future.

Gum disease in particular is a very common issue and can dramatically affect oral health and overall wellbeing. Besides the swelling, bleeding and persistent bad breath that come with it, gum disease also causes tooth loss and may increase your risk for other kinds of health problems, like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and preterm birth. By offering a service like periodontal therapy, in addition to regular cleanings and exams, we can help our Los Angeles-area patients in a wide variety of ways.

But before we design any kind of advanced treatment plan, we have to know what your oral health is currently like. During your visit, Dr. Latner will look closely for signs of gum disease or tooth decay. We’ll also look for wear and tear that might indicate a struggle with bruxism or TMJ dysfunction. We’ll even look for signs of oral cancer. For every patient, we want to make an early diagnosis so we can provide truly preventive care.

Has it been more than six months since your last visit with Dr. Latner? Call Westside Dental Associates for an appointment. We’re happy to offer excellent general and preventive dental care to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and beyond.

Didn’t Get All Your Appointments In? Make a Resolution to Do It Next Year!

December 16, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:07 am

Dental AppointmentTo enjoy good oral health, our dental team at Westside Dental Associates recommends coming in for care at least twice a year for regular exams and cleanings. But we understand how hard it can be to fit multiple visits in during the year. For some patients, seeing the dentist takes courage. For others, it may be that a busy schedule makes it difficult to plan far in the future.

Whatever your situation, the good thing about the brand new year coming up is that you can make a fresh commitment to seeing us for regular care at least twice. Don’t live with your frustrations of missing an appointment this year—but do start thinking about how you can make regular care a priority in 2014.

For patients who have put off care because of anxiety, conscious oral sedation can help. Using conscious oral sedation, Dr. Latner can help patients experience comfortable, anxiety-free care.

For other patients, it may be helpful just to consider how important a healthy smile is. Your oral health doesn’t exist in a bubble; problems in your mouth can potentially contribute to problems in the rest of the body. But through regular exams and cleanings, Dr. Latner can help you enjoy better oral health and overall wellbeing.

Are you ready to schedule your first appointment for 2014? Call Westside Dental Associates today. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you’re last appointment—we won’t judge! What’s important is making sure 2014 is a banner year for your smile. We offer comprehensive general dentistry to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and nearby areas.

Give Your Smile a Fresh Start in 2014

December 9, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 2:01 pm

Winter SmileWhen we think of January and the New Year holiday, we think of fresh starts. Very often, those fresh starts are thought of in terms of resolutions. But what about the idea of giving your smile a fresh start? Using any combination of Dr. Latner’s general, cosmetic, and restorative services, the team at Westside Dental Associates can help you create a healthy, beautiful smile for the beginning of 2014.

Whatever kind of treatment you’re seeking, your plan will begin with a consultation and oral exam at our Los Angeles dental office. Your appointment will let Dr. Latner get a grasp of your current health and your needs. You can also talk to him about specific changes you’d like to make.

Based on the results of your exam, we’ll create a completely personalized plan using one or more of our Los Angeles office’s great services. If you have any questions about that plan, we’ll be happy to answer them.

Depending on what your plan includes, completing work on your smile may take just a single appointment, or it could take two or more. Regardless, we’ll make sure that you’re completely comfortable with the proposal we put forward before beginning work.

Do you want to give your smile a fresh start in 2014? Call Westside Dental Associates to see how that’s possible. We’re happy to serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and beyond with excellent general, cosmetic, and restorative care.

Remember to Brush and Floss Every Day

November 30, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:37 am

You know that taking care of your smile is important, but do you know what a good oral health routine should look like? In today’s post, we’d like to take a moment to explain what a really good oral health regimen looks like, and encourage you and your family to follow it.

First, how often should you brush?

At least twice a day, but after every meal, if possible. Brushing removes bacteria and plaque, which are what cause common oral health problems, like cavities and gum disease. We understand that it’s not always possible to brush after every little snack, but at least make a habit of starting and ending your day in front of the sink.

What about flossing?

In addition to brushing, you should floss at least once a day. Flossing help you remove food and bacteria from in between teeth, reaching areas that it can be hard for a brush to reach. Flossing also help you keep bad breath in check.

Use a mouthwash

There are at least two types of mouthwash that you can add to your daily routine: antibacterial mouthwashes and fluoride mouthwashes. The antibacterial kind helps you kill bacteria, which is responsible for decay and gum disease. The fluoride kind helps strengthen teeth to protect them against cavities. Patients who are prone to cavities may want to incorporate a fluoride mouthwash into their routine, while a patient who struggles with gum disease may want to opt for an antibacterial one.

Be careful about what you eat

Your diet will also play a role in what happens to your smile. Enjoy better oral health by making wiser decisions about what you and your family eat every day.

Do you want to know more about brushing and flossing? Call Westside Dental Associates today for an appointment with Dr. Latner. We’re happy to offer brushing and flossing advice to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

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