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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Dr. Les Latner, DDS: Your Trusted Los Angeles Dentist
September 8, 2015
Tooth Strengthening Restorative Dentistry with Porcelain Inlays and Onlays in West LA
March 22, 2015
Do you need to repair a damaged or decayed tooth? If so, you should consider restorative treatment with porcelain inlays and onlays. Porcelain inlays and onlays are a conservative alternative to traditional dental crowns. Also known as indirect fillings, they offer custom fitted, stronger, and longer lasting reparative solutions for tooth decay and damage. If you’re looking for a minimally invasive and healthy tooth restoration method, make your next restorative dentistry appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner delivers quality restorative care daily throughout West Los Angeles and the surrounding communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.
What are Porcelain Inlays and Onlays, and How Do They Restore Teeth?
Porcelain inlays and onlays have both cosmetic and functional benefits. Inlays and onlays are made of tooth colored porcelain and can be used in place of traditional dental fillings and crowns to treat tooth decay and trauma. Dental fillings have to be molded into place but porcelain inlays and onlays are fabricated indirectly in a dental lab before being fitted and bonded to your tooth. Inlays describe restorations that are bonded within the center of a tooth. Onlays describe restorations that require the inclusion of one or more points of the tooth or the full coverage of the tooth’s biting surface.
Why Choose Restorative Dentistry with Porcelain Inlays and Onlays?
- Inlays and onlays are conservative and preserve more healthy tooth structure
- Inlays and onlays do not discolor over time
- Your teeth will be easier to clean with inlays and onlays
- Inlays and onlays are better at sealing teeth to keep out bacteria
- Inlays and onlays are extremely stable
- An onlay can protect the weakest areas of a damaged tooth
West LA Restorative Dentistry Appointments
Dental fillings can reduce the strength of your natural teeth, but porcelain inlays and onlays can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75%. To protect and preserve your natural teeth, make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner is a highly qualified restorative dentist, now proudly serving families daily throughout West Los Angeles and the surrounding communities including: Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista.
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.
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 it to match the shade of your tooth. When the right color has been achieved, the resin will be put in place and hardened with a curing lamp. Afterwards, Dr. Latner will sculpt and polish your white filling until it looks perfect and fits your bite correctly.
In some cases, we may still need to rely on metal fillings, or on a more advanced service like crowns, inlays, or onlays, but when possible, we prefer to use white fillings.
Call Westside Dental Associates to restore one or more teeth with a white filling. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Visa, and surrounding communities.
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 lot on the results of your tooth-by-tooth exam.
Based on what Dr. Latner sees, he can design a restoration that will match the shape and size of your existing cavity, fracture, or filling. Our lab will then fabricate your restoration based on an impression of your tooth and any other information Dr. Latner sends. The result will be a natural-looking product that restores your smile’s functionality and encourages you to share your smile with others instead of hiding it.
Do you need help restoring one or more teeth with an inlay or onlay? Call Westside Dental Associates today to reserve an appointment. Dr. Latner serves patients from Los Angeles, West LA, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and surrounding communities.
Quality Restorative Care with Inlays and Onlays
August 29, 2012
We’re pretty certain you’ve heard of porcelain crowns before, but do you know anything about porcelain inlays and onlays?
As a cosmetic/restorative service available at Dr. Les Latner’s Los Angeles dental office, porcelain inlays and onlays can help you restore teeth suffering from decay or damage. That makes them similar to fillings and porcelain crowns, but you might think of them as an in-between solution.
Despite fulfilling a cosmetic-restorative function, though, inlays and onlays aren’t interchangeable. They’re very similar to each other, but they restore different parts of the smile.
Inlays are specifically for restoring the small space on the top surface of the tooth, between the rounded edges known as the cusps. Because this area is indented and sees a lot of wear, it is particularly vulnerable to decay.
Onlays, on the other hand, are designed to actually restore cusps instead of just merely restoring what’s between them. They are a conservative option that lets Dr. Latner preserve more of your natural tooth than something like a porcelain crown would.
Does your smile need important restorative help? Dr. Latner can help. Call our Los Angeles office today to schedule a consultation visit with us. During a consultation visit Dr. Latner can take a close look at your smile and help you understand exactly what kind of care you need, whether it’s an inlay, onlay, or something else.
Call us today! We serve patients from all around the Los Angeles area.