Meet Dr. Latner, Your 90064 Dentist

December 15, 2014

493983015Are you looking for a Super Dentist? If you want a highly qualified Los Angeles dentist, committed to your overall good health, skilled in all aspects of dentistry, and respected in the dental community, you should make an appointment to see Dr. Latner today. Dr. Latner completed his masters in Kinesiology at UCLA, received his dentistry degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and served a two year residency in pediatric dentistry at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Latner is also a devoted Bruins fan who served many years as the UCLA football team’s dentist. For the past 30 years, your 90064 dentist has been providing quality and comprehensive dental care to patients throughout Los Angeles. And in 2014, Dr. Latner was named one of Southern California’s “Super Dentists.”

Your 90064 Dentist is:

  • Accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • A master of the Academy of General Dentistry
  • A member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • A clinical assistant professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry
  • A published author in the Journal of the American College of Dentists
  • President of the Los Angeles Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Your 90064 Dentist Offers Patient Centered Dental Care

At Westside Dental Associates, patient satisfaction is priority #1. Dr. Latner loves his work and it shows. Dr. Latner understands that restoring a smile can change a life. He enjoys seeing his patients gain back their confidence and take control of their health.  For those with dental anxiety, your 90064 dentist offers conscious oral sedation to eliminate apprehension and reduce discomfort for every procedure. Likewise, Dr. Latner and his team are committed to helping each and every patient afford the dental care they need. That’s why he also offers help for patients who need to file insurance claims or apply for Care Credit.

Your 90064 Dentist: Solutions for Every Smile

No matter what condition your mouth is in, Dr. Latner has a dental care solution for you. Over the years Dr. Latner has gained much experience with extreme cases of decay and malocclusion. That’s why he takes a compassionate approach to understand each patient’s unique situation and to find the path toward good dental health that works for them. Your 90064 dentist is also great with children. During his time as a dentistry resident at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, he also learned to master the unique requirements that maintain a child’s dental health. For patients 1 to 100, with dental problems A to Z, whether you have only minor cosmetic concerns, or are in need of immediate pain relief, Dr. Latner can help.  Westside Dental Associates offers a comprehensive selection of dental services for the entire family including dental sealants, gum disease and root canal therapy, full mouth restoration, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dental implants, and Zoom whitening.

Your 90064 Dentist Appointments

If you’re looking for a truly exceptional dentist, both accomplished and compassionate, make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today.  Your 90064 dentist serves families throughout West Los Angeles and 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

177035393The 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.

The Cosmetic Dentistry Boom

September 10, 2014

187872302It’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.

Why Is a Straight Smile Important?

May 30, 2014

Straight SmileThis question has two answers. The first is related to confidence. When you have a straight smile, you feel more confident and end up sharing it with others. And isn’t that what everyone wants—the confidence to smile openly instead of hiding your teeth behind a closed-mouth smile?

Confidence is just part of the answer, though. There’s an even more important one that goes back to your oral health. Put simply, it’s easier to keep straight teeth clean. When teeth are misaligned, bacteria and plaque have more places to hide. As a result, you can be more vulnerable to conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.

At our Los Angeles office, we offer two great services for helping patients create straight smiles: Six Month Smiles and Invisalign. Both aim to give patients beautiful results as discreetly as possible, and in as short an amount of time as possible. They work in different ways, though.

Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and tooth-colored wires to move teeth into their ideal position in just a matter of months. Treatment with Invisalign can take between 12-18 months but doesn’t use brackets and wires at all. Instead, Invisalign uses a series of carefully designed trays that are both clear and removable.

Which of these two options is right for you? Dr. Latner would be happy to help you find out. During a consultation at Westside Dental Associates, we will assess your needs and talk to you about your options. Afterwards, if you have any questions about what we recommend, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re always happy to answer the questions our patients have.

Call us today to schedule your appointment. Our office is in Los Angeles and serves patients from Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and beyond.

Correcting Overbites, Underbites, and Crossbites with Invisalign

September 27, 2013

InvisalignHow confident are you about the appearance of your smile? If you’re answer to that is, “Not very,” Dr. Latner of Westside Dental Associates offers Invisalign, an excellent cosmetic solution for treating overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

Invisalign isn’t the only cosmetic braces option available today, but it’s among the most popular and effective. And for adults who want to project a professional, mature appearance, the major benefit of Invisalign is that it doesn’t rely on brackets or wires to move teeth. Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear trays to gradually move teeth into their ideal position.

Why should you straighten your smile? Because outside of making you feel less confident, teeth that are misaligned, crowded, or unevenly spaced can also make you more vulnerable to decay and gum disease, whereas straight teeth can significantly lower your risk of these.

How can you tell if Invisalign is right for you? Dr. Latner will complete a special oral assessment at his Los Angeles dental office. If it is right for you, we’ll work alongside the Invisalign lab to design your entire treatment.

Once you have your completed treatment kit, you’ll just need to wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next set.

Treatment with Invisalign is:

  • Comfortable
  • Clear
  • Quick

As you work on creating your straighter, more attractive smile, you can look forward to enjoying discreet care. What’s more, Invisalign’s trays can be taken out to eat, brush, and floss, letting you enjoy a normal diet and oral health regimen.

Do you have questions about Invisalign? Call Westside Dental Associates today to schedule you consultation with Dr. Latner. We offer care with Invisalign to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Two Options for Cosmetic Braces, But Which Is Right For Me?

May 23, 2013

InvisalignIf 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 of completely clear trays, not brackets and wires. Instead of having anything tightened, you’ll simply move to a new tray every two weeks, with each one bringing you closer to your goal. You can also take your trays out when you eat, brush, and floss. That means you don’t have to make any changes to your diet or your daily brushing routine. You do have to be committed to wearing your trays 22-24 hours a day, though, with a treatment time of about 12-18 months.

Treatment with Six Months Smiles takes less time than that—literally about six months. There are restrictions on what you can eat, though. What’s more, Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, making it discreet if not completely invisible. But if you have a special event coming up, like a wedding, a job search, or another big event, Six Month Smiles can help you reach your goal faster than almost any other option.

Which One Is Right For You?

That all depends on your needs. The only way to know which is right for you is with a consultation appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates in Los Angeles. Call us today to reserve your appointment. We serve patients from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Improve Your Smile with Invisalign

August 15, 2012

Do you want a straight, beautiful smile but feel nervous about committing to braces? At Dr. Latner’s Los Angeles dental office, we offer a clear alternative to traditional braces that’s helping patients everywhere achieve exactly what they’re looking for. It’s called Invisalign, and with it we’re helping busy professionals improve their confidence, their oral health, and their overall quality of life.

How Does A Straighter Smile Improve Oral Health?

You already knew a straighter smile can result in greater self-confidence, but you might be wondering how a straighter smile can also improve oral health and overall wellbeing.

The answer to that is simple.

When teeth aren’t spaced right or are misaligned, they’re more vulnerable to common oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. What’s more, misalignment can also cause neuromuscular problems.

But Invisalign can help. Using a series of clear, acrylic aligners, Invisalign will bring your teeth into their ideal alignment, offering them extra protection from each of these.

Other Benefits of Invisalign

Improved oral health is just one benefit of using Invisalign, though. Don’t forget about that first one we mentioned—improved confidence. If you’ve ever been afraid to smile in front of friends or family, Dr. Latner and his Los Angeles team can help.

Another benefit of Invisalign is that it’s more comfortable. Dr. Latner will use 3D computer imaging to design your treatment, ensuring that it’s as precise and comfortable as possible.

Want to Learn More About Invisalign?

If you’d like to know whether Invisalign is right for you, Dr. Latner can help you decide. Call our Los Angeles dental office today to schedule your consultation appointment. You can also visit our Invisalign page to learn more.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Angeles

May 10, 2012

More than anything, when you’re out and about, you want to project an aura of confidence and success. But sometimes, how your teeth look can keep you from achieving that level of self-confidence. Don’t you wish there was a way you could transform your smile and take your self-esteem to new heights?

There is!

Thanks to our range of popular and effective cosmetic dentistry services, our Los Angeles patients can finally have the dazzling smile they deserve. Dr. Latner’s cosmetic dentistry services include:

With each of these services, Dr. Latner can bring you closer to your goal a beautiful, striking smile.

But, you may be wondering, which one is right for you?

The good news is that most cosmetic dentistry services will work with most patients. But that doesn’t mean you should just choose any service. During a consultation visit, Dr. Latner will talk with you about what you want from your image. Perhaps beauty is your primary goal. Or maybe you just want to turn back the clock on your appearance.

Whatever your goal, we hope you’ll choose Dr. Latner for all your cosmetic dentistry needs. Call us today to schedule your consultation. We provide excellent cosmetic dentistry to discerning patients in the Los Angeles area and beyond.

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