Mar Vista Archives - Westside Dental Associates

Westside Dental: Your Los Angeles Pediatric Dentist

Les Latner — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:05:59 +0000

You want the absolute best for your children, and that certainly includes their dental care. Dr. Les Latner at Westside Dental Associates is the Los Angeles pediatric dentist so many already trust with the smiles of their little ones. He understands that children need special dental care, and that a calming, compassionate presence can help them set aside their fear of the dentist. And what’s better? With a wide range of dental services, he’s the dentist you can trust for your whole family. Keep reading to learn more about your family dentist in Los Angeles today.

Dr. Les Latner: The Pediatric and Family Dentist Los Angeles Trusts

Excellent oral care is crucial in young children. It may surprise you, but even those very first teeth are highly vulnerable to decay. At Westside Dental Associates, our goal is to keep Los Angeles’s children cavity-free — and routine pediatric dental care can make that happen.

When to Visit the Pediatric Dentist

When it comes to scheduling your child’s first dental appointment, we recommend that your child to begin seeing Dr. Latner around the age of one. A few teeth should have erupted by that age, and a simple visit with your pediatric dentist can start your child’s oral health off strong. In this first visit,Dr. Latner can check on oral development and provide a gentle cleaning. Once they’ve had their first dental appointment, routine, twice-a-year visits to the dentist can help your child avoid a lifetime of dental anxieties. As your little one gets a bit older, Dr. Latner can guard his or her teeth from decay-causing bacteria with preventive methods like dental sealants, which shield their back teeth from cavities, and fluoride treatments for extra-strong enamel.

Dr. Latner Is The Right Dentist For Your Whole Family

Because he offers excellent dental services for your young child and for everyone else in your family, too, Dr. Latner’s office offers quality and convenience. You don’t have to worry about driving all over the city to care for teeth of different ages — we’ve got you covered under one roof at Westside Dental Associates. We offer the following services in general dentistry, too.

Regular cleanings and exams
X-rays
Gum disease therapy
TMJ therapy
Oral cancer screenings
Nightguards for teeth grinding

With services in general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry in addition to excellence in pediatric care, Dr. Latner truly is the dentist you can trust for all your family’s oral health care needs.

Schedule Your Family’s Dental Appointment Today

If it’s been more than six months since your family’s last round of dental exams, don’t bother with driving all over town on your quest for healthy teeth — contact us today to schedule your family’s appointments under one roof. Dr. Les Latner and the team at Westside Dental Associates are the professionals you can trust with your family’s smiles. New patients are always welcome — click here to schedule a first-time appointment.

The post Westside Dental: Your Los Angeles Pediatric Dentist appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

West Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist Creates Flawless Smiles

Les Latner — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 09:18:44 +0000

I want you to do something for me right now: look in the mirror and smile. What grade would you give your teeth? A perfect 10? A more modest 8? If it’s anything less than that, we want you to know something. You deserve better. As your West Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, Dr. Les Latner truly believes everyone should have a flawless smile. Having beautiful teeth is good for your health, confidence and self-esteem — and that’s why the doctor loves providing excellence in cosmetic dentistry for all of Los Angeles. Read on to learn how Dr. Latner is exceptionally qualified to transform your smile — because you deserve teeth you feel great about.

Dr. Latner Is the Cosmetic Dentist Los Angeles Trusts

When it comes to experience with and passion for cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Latner is unsurpassed in Los Angeles. He currently serves on the board of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and lectures regularly on aesthetic dentistry at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he is proud to be a clinical assistant professor. Dr. Latner is also a leader in the Los Angeles cosmetic dentistry community. He is a founding member and president of the Los Angeles Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which focuses on promoting the art and science of the exciting field through continuing education and other professional opportunities for its members. With years of experience to his name and a passion for helping patients achieve their smile dreams, Dr. Latner has proven again and again: he’s the cosmetic dentist Los Angeles trusts for perfect, flawless smiles.

Cosmetic Services Offered at Westside Dental Associates

Learn a little more about the cosmetic possibilities offered by Dr. Latner and his team. We’re proud to offer the following services in cosmetic dentistry. Which could your smile benefit from this year?

Porcelain veneers: Thin porcelain coverings that hide stains, chips and slightly gapped or misaligned teeth.
Teeth whitening and Zoom! Whitening: At-home and in-office treatments that can brighten dingy smiles up to ten shades.
Six Month Smiles, Invisalign and Propel: Discreet orthodontic treatment for adults looking to enhance the appearance of gapped, crowded or crooked teeth without worrying about metal brackets and wires.
Cosmetic Bonding: Quick treatment to repair the aesthetics of chipped, slightly misaligned or otherwise imperfect teeth.

Schedule Your Cosmetic Dentistry Appointment Today

If you’re interested in learning how cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles with Dr. Les Latner and his team of professionals can improve the look of your smile, don’t wait another day. Contact us to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation right now! We’re ready to help you achieve your smile dreams today.

The post West Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist Creates Flawless Smiles appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

Your Go-To Los Angeles Dentist for Root Canal Therapy

Les Latner — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:10:17 +0000

In ancient civilizations, people believed that root canal infections were caused by a worm that lived within a tooth, and that killing the worm healed the tooth. When this belief was debunked, historical documents indicate people believed these infections were caused by poorly aligned humors (blood, phlegm, black and yellow bile), and the method for curing root canal infection was extraction and bloodletting. Ironically, both infection removal and tooth extraction are still used to treat root canal infections today. The difference is that modern dental practitioners understand the cause of root canal infection, and can better treat the problem and remove the associated discomfort. At Westside Dental Associates, Dr. Les Latner and his skilled dentistry team help patients relieve the pain of root canal infection, and keep their smiles happy and healthy.

Root Canal Infection Facts from Your Los Angeles Dentist

Root canal infection occurs when, due to trauma or advanced decay, a tooth’s interior pulp layer is infected. The pulp contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels that connect with the body through canals in the root of the tooth. The tooth’s outer enamel and dentin layers are thinnest in the root, and most pulp infections are caused by bacterial buildup and decay beginning in the root. Thus, the infection and treatment are commonly referred to as root canals.
Root canal infection and any other dental concern that involves the interior of the tooth falls under the dental specialty of endodontics (endo – inside, odont – tooth).
While some patients still require extraction to treat root canal infection, most dentists will preserve natural dentition with root canal therapy.
Many patients have learned that a root canal “kills” the tooth, but this is not the case. The pulp and any infection inside the tooth are removed. This includes the nerves and blood vessels inside which were believed to be the “life” of the tooth, but after development, the tooth’s blood vessels serve no function and the nerves are pain receptors. The tooth’s enamel absorbs nutrients (fluoride and phosphates) that strengthen it from the outside.

The Root Canal Therapy Los Angeles Relies On

A recent study by the American Association of Endodontists revealed that there are roughly 40 million root canal procedures performed in the US annually, and that 85% of patients who receive root canal therapy return to the dentist who performed their procedure for future dental care. With a 95% success rate, root canal therapy retains natural dental structure, relieves pain, and puts a beautiful smile back on patients’ faces. Here’s how root canal therapy at Westside Dental Associates works:

The first step in the root canal process is removing the infected tissue within the tooth. This is done using increasingly larger files. These files look like tiny swords, and have serrated edges that pull infected tissue out of the tooth.
Once the infection is removed, patients may need to undergo a round of antibiotic treatment (topical or oral) to ensure the procedure’s success. This is more likely for severe infections that have spread to the gums or surrounding teeth.
For most patients, directly following the removal of infection, the tooth is filled with gutta percha, a biocompatible material that mimics the pulp supporting the dental structure.
Finally, the visible portion of the tooth is restored with a dental crown.

Call the Dentist 90064 Residents Trust for Pain Relieving Root Canal Therapy

If you’re experiencing extreme pain, sensitivity to heat or cold, or notice one tooth that is discolored, you may have a root canal infection. Call Dr. Latner and his dental team for pain relieving root canal therapy Los Angeles residents rely on. At Westside Dental Associates, we help patients relieve the pain of root canal infection leaving them with a smile they’re proud to share.

The post Your Go-To Los Angeles Dentist for Root Canal Therapy appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

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.

Les Latner — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 01:53:14 +0000

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.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening Process at Westside Dental Associates

Zoom! is one of the most popular professional smile brightening lines. The skilled cosmetic dentist and team at Westside Dental Associates offers in-office teeth whitening with Zoom! Our patients can have smiles up to 10 shades brighter over their lunch break. Here’s out it works:

Your appointment begins with a short photo shoot so we can compare your current smile with your results.
Soft tissue can be damaged by the peroxide agent that whitens teeth so we start by protecting your lips, gums, and cheeks.
Once your teeth are isolated and dry we coat them with the patented Zoom! whitening agent. The strength of the gel and the length of time worn can be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual patient.
What makes Zoom! so effective is the ultraviolet light used to catalyze the chemical reaction that removes stains. Peroxide is an oxidizing agent meaning it has free radicals that can attach to and breakdown other elements. This is typically considered a negative (rust and rotting food are forms of oxidation), but when applied to tooth enamel, oxidation removes deep set stains.
After your teeth are brightened, we’ll finish up with a fluoride treatment to fortify teeth and help with any sensitivity you may experience, and take photos to compare with your initial images. Patients typically see results 6 to 10 shades brighter.

The Perks of In-Office Whitening from Your Dentist Los Angeles – Dr. Les Latner

Teeth whitening isn’t just about looking younger and more attractive. While cosmetic enhancement is definitely essential, patients who whiten their teeth also report:

Keeping teeth cleaner to extend their brilliant results which reduces risk for tooth decay and gum disease
Experiencing less dental anxiety because they associate the dentist with their smile enhancement
Looking and feeling younger and more confident during personal and professional interactions

Call the Cosmetic Dentist Los Angeles Relies On for Flawless Smiles

Are you ready to have a brilliant white smile that makes you look years younger? Do you have a presentation, wedding, reunion, or other special even you want to look your best for? Treat yourself to Zoom! Whitening at Westside Dental Associates. Our Los Angeles dental team can’t wait to help you find a reason to smile.

The post 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. appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

Enhance Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers Los Angeles

Les Latner — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:52:41 +0000

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.

Best Veneers from the Cosmetic Dentist Los Angeles Loves – Dr. Les Latner

Dr. Latner is a founding member of the Los Angeles Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is well known for creating beautiful smiles. Patients throughout Southern California have entrusted their smile enhancements to Dr. Latner and the Westside Dental Associates team who bring years of experience and training to every procedure. There’s no better place to enhance your smile, and no better procedure than quick, painless porcelain veneers.

Patients typically receive veneers in two to three office visits. The first visit will be a consultation. If you determine that porcelain veneers are the right option to correct your smile flaws, Dr. Latner prepares your teeth removing a small amount of enamel from the front facing surface. Our team then takes impressions of prepared teeth and the full bite that our lab uses to craft custom porcelain veneers. A temporary veneer is placed to protect your prepared dentition, and allow you to get used to the look and feel of veneers. When your custom veneer arrives, you’ll return to our office for placement. Porcelain veneers are thin sheaths of dental porcelain that fit over the fronts of teeth. Roughly the width of egg shells, veneers require very little enamel removal for placement.

The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers at Westside Dental Associates

No matter what your age, schedule, or budget, you deserve a picture-perfect smile. Some of the many benefits of smile correction with porcelain veneers from Westside Dental Associates include:

Compared with more complex restorative or orthodontic treatments, porcelain veneers restore smiles quickly and are minimally invasive
Porcelain veneers conceal or correct numerous dental irregularities with one procedure saving money
With proper care, porcelain veneers last 25 or more years
Porcelain veneers protect weak or damaged teeth from further damage
Because they are stain resistant and mimic the reflective qualities of natural porcelain, veneers look as good as they feel for years to come

Call Your Cosmetic Dentist 90064 Residents

If you don’t like your smile, let Dr. Latner help you fall back in love. Our knowledgeable dental team can transform your smile with porcelain veneers. Still not sure porcelain veneers are right for you? Call to schedule a consultation today. We’re happy to discuss your options, and help you make the treatment choice that’s right for you.

The post Enhance Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers Los Angeles appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

Your Los Angeles Dentist Helps Fight Halloween Cavities

Les Latner — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:56:14 +0000

When you think of Halloween you likely think kids in costumes with buckets of candy, but what most dental practitioners see is a one way ticket on the cavity express. Many holiday favorites are high in sugar and lead to tooth decay. This is especially true for our littlest smiles. Children’s teeth are still developing, and kids are not as coordinated as adults which makes cleaning teeth a challenge. That’s why it’s essential to protect kids’ teeth from decay with thorough at-home care, and six month checkups and cleanings at Westside Dental Associates.

Los Angeles Dentist Gives Kids Dental Hygiene Tips

We all know kids love Halloween. They dress up and get treats at school, at home, and from the entire neighborhood. It’s a fun, festive fall tradition that no kid should have to miss. Though high sugar foods and beverages at fall festivities put a smile on your child’s face, they may also be damaging that smile. At Westside Dental Associates, Dr. Les Latner and his Los Angeles dental team have some helpful hints to help your kids make it through the holiday cavity free.

Brush brush brush your teeth – Brushing twice a day should always be a priority, but brushing after eating high sugar foods may mean the difference between a healthy smile and a painful toothache. Monitor your child closely to ensure they brush for 2 minutes, reach all surfaces of their teeth, and make sure children don’t eat more candy after brushing.
Flossing makes a difference – Flossing can be difficult since kids often lack the dexterity to complete this task properly on their own. However, getting sugars and bacteria out of hard to reach areas with floss is essential.
Mouth wash – Don’t want to brush or floss on the go at Halloween parties or cupcake day at school? Send a small amount of kid-friendly antimicrobial mouth wash with your child to use after eating sweets.
H2O – Water is good for the whole body, and is a great alternative to the high sugar, acidic beverages often found at Halloween parties. Drinking plenty of water increases the flow of saliva that neutralizes acidic bacteria and rinses away food particles.
Monitor daily candy intake – One of the best ways to help your child maintain oral health during candy season is to limit the amount of sugar in your child’s diet. For instance, determine an appropriate number of Halloween candies to be eaten each day, and enforce it.

Thorough Teeth Cleanings from the Family Dentist Los Angeles Relies On

Another great way to keep your kids cavity free during the holidays is to bring them in for a checkup and teeth cleaning. Not only do thorough, professional cleanings remove hardened tartar that brushing and flossing alone don’t, we also help you and your child understand best brushing habits and ways to improve at-home care routines. When necessary, we provide dental sealants to protect back teeth from bacteria, and fluoride treatments to fortify enamel.

Call the Dentist 90064 Residents Love

Not ready to give up Halloween candy and Christmas cookies for good? Call Westside Dental Associates to schedule your dental cleaning today! We’ll help keep your smile cavity free.

The post Your Los Angeles Dentist Helps Fight Halloween Cavities appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

The Los Angeles Dentist for Optimal Oral Hygiene – Dr. Les Latner

Les Latner — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 14:17:56 +0000

Your Los Angeles dentist, Dr. Les Latner, strives to help patients achieve optimal oral health. The Westside Dental Associates team helps patients develop at-home care routines to remove bacteria, prevent tartar, and keep smiles healthy and naturally beautiful. While many patients assume the building block of excellent dental health is twice daily tooth brushing, flossing may just have the upper hand when it comes to removing hard to reach, stuck-on plaque and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Find out more about essential oral hygiene habits from the Dentist Los Angeles residents rely on, Dr. Les Latner. Call Westside Dental Associates to find out more today.

Flossing Basics from the Dentist Los Angeles Prefers

When it comes to flossing, consistency is key. Unlike brushing, the positive effects of flossing may not be readily apparent, but the cumulative results of flossing daily could save your smile. To floss thoroughly, follow a few simple steps:

You’ll need about 18 inches of floss to begin with
Wind the majority of floss around the middle finger of your dominant hand
Leave 2 to 3 inches of floss to start with, and wind an anchoring piece around your opposite hand
Pinch floss between thumb and pointer finger
Slide the floss gently between teeth
Curve the floss around the front and back of each tooth in a “C” shape
Gently shift floss back and forth making sure to reach below the gum line
Wind floss to expose clean sections
Repeat for both sides of every tooth

The Dentist Los Angeles, CA Loves – Patients Fight Bad Breath by Flossing Daily

It may seem apparent that flossing removes plaque from places that brushing alone doesn’t reach. You’ve probably heard that from dentists since childhood, but what if we told you that flossing could actually cure most cases of halitosis (bad breath)? Or that flossing is one of the best ways to prevent tooth loss? This may sound like a stretch, but it’s actually 100% true. Here’s how it works:

Our mouths naturally produce nearly 1000 types of bacteria that aid in digestion.
When mixed with sugary or acidic foods, these bacteria themselves become acidic and attack tooth enamel and gum tissue.
Saliva is the body’s natural defense against these “acid attacks,” but high levels of sugar in the diet work to counter balance neutralizing, alkaline saliva.
When this happens, the acidic bacteria and sugar/acid combination bonds to tooth enamel or gum tissue fibers forming a sticky, protective coating referred to as biofilm or commonly plaque.
As this acidic plaque sits in hard to reach spaces between teeth and gums, it breaks down food into sulfuric gases. These gases release the rotten egg smell most associated with sulfur itself, and are the leading cause of halitosis.

When we floss, plaque is removed from between teeth and gums before it has the opportunity to harden into tooth decaying tartar, or breakdown foods beyond their energy-providing amino acid state. Without regular flossing, the plaque remains between the teeth, trapping food particles that have been converted to amino acids, and further reducing them to their gaseous state causing bad breath.

Other Benefits of Flossing Include

Decreased risk of tooth decay
Aids in preventing gum disease – the leading cause of tooth loss in US adults
Saves money that could be spent repairing teeth by preventing dental issues
Improves or cures dry mouth

Call the Dentist 90064 Trusts

Call the dentist 90064 residents prefer to find out more about how to improve your at-home oral hygiene routine, or schedule an appointment with our Los Angeles dentist and team today.

The post The Los Angeles Dentist for Optimal Oral Hygiene – Dr. Les Latner appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

Get Straighter Teeth With Los Angeles Invisalign Dentist Dr. Les Latner

Les Latner — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 21:59:44 +0000

High school can be brutal. Gym class, pop quizzes, lunchtime — you don’t miss it, do you? Thankfully, once we leave those halls, the list of “embarrassing” things we have to endure gets a lot shorter. For one thing, you don’t need to worry about bulky, noticeable metal braces. That’s because metal braces for adults are… well, they’re just not a thing anymore. Today, more adults are getting braces than ever before — but that doesn’t mean brackets and wires, of course. There are several excellent options for straightening adult teeth, and you’ve probably heard of the most common. It’s Invisalign: clear, removable braces that straighten your teeth faster and less noticeably than ever before. We’ve been using Invisalign for years to give adults who missed the boat on metal braces in high school the straight, beautiful teeth they deserve. In fact, Dr. Latner was one of the first general dentists to offer Invisalign — so you can trust that he knows what he’s doing.

Advantages of Invisalign

Time and time again, adults have found that Invisalign is a comfortable, fast way to straighten their teeth — without having to endure the embarrassment of traditional braces. Because Invisalign doesn’t use wires and brackets, there’s no worry about pain or irritation on your cheeks and gums. It’s also faster than traditional braces — and because it uses clear trays, no one even has to know you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Another big advantage of Invisalign is that the clear braces are removable — meaning you don’t have to worry about any special maintenance procedures. As long as you’re sure to wear the aligners from 20 to 22 hours each day, you can inconspicuously slip them out before meals and for cleaning, ensuring that you can eat, brush and floss just like normal.

How Invisalign Works

The FDA-approved Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable aligners that are fitted to your unique mouth. They gently move your teeth into the desired position — invisibly. To fit you with your unique aligners, Dr. Latner will take x-rays, photos and impressions of your teeth, which allows him to create a treatment plan especially for you and your mouth. Once you get your aligners, you’ll wear a new set approximately every two weeks to advance you onto the next stage of treatment. You’ll have a checkup with your doctor approximately every six weeks — and the total treatment time is approximately one year in adults.

Invisalign — Right for You?

If you’ve got gapped or overcrowded teeth, or if you’re dealing with the effects of a bad bite — like an overbite, underbite or crossbite — chances are you’re an excellent candidate for Invisalign. The only way to know for sure is to make an appointment with Dr. Latner today! If you decide this option is right for you, you and the dentist can begin discussing your treatment plan immediately.

The post Get Straighter Teeth With Los Angeles Invisalign Dentist Dr. Les Latner appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

Dr. Les Latner, DDS: Your Trusted Los Angeles Dentist

Les Latner — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:21:17 +0000

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. Dr. Les Latner and his team are that option in Los Angeles. At Westside Dental Associates, we combine years of experience with a passion for dentistry to provide our patients of all ages with the excellent dental care we believe everyone deserves. Read on to learn what makes us unique in dentistry.

About Dr. Les Latner, DDS

Dr. Les Latner has been providing top dental care for decades. He’s seen a variety of patients over the years — his record of work even includes being the dentist for the UCLA Bruins football team! Of course, he’s not just about sports dentistry. Dr. Latner keeps up with the advancements in general dentistry with his incredible involvement in a number of associations. In fact, he’s one of fewer than 10 dentists who have achieved accreditation in The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (of which he also serves on the Board) and mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. On top of that, he is a clinical assistant professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He has also authored an article published in the Journal of the American College of Dentists. And to get back to his accomplishments in sports dentistry, Dr. Later was also recognized by the Sports Dentistry Commission for the World Cup in 1994 — and then chosen as a presenter at the 1986 Academy for Sports Dentistry National Symposium. As if all of that weren’t enough, Dr. Latner is also affiliated with a number of organizations — click here for a full list.

About the Team

At Dr. Latner’s office, we put a real emphasis on your comfort. We firmly believe that going to the dentist shouldn’t be something you dread, and we want you to feel relaxed and at home from the minute you walk in our door. That’s why we have a gentle, caring and knowledgeable staff that is equipped with all the comforts you need to feel at ease — like pillows, headphones and blankets. We also stay up-to-date on all the latest dental advancements in order to provide you with the top in comfort. For example, we now offer air abrasion instead of the drill, sedation dentistry and DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection. These are all options Dr. Latner’s office provides to make your trip to the dentist easier, and more pain free than ever before.

Come In To See For Yourself

Dr. Latner is your trusted pediatric, cosmetic and general dentist in Los Angeles. Schedule your appointment in our office and see for yourself today! We’ll never get tired of seeing your beautiful smile.

The post Dr. Les Latner, DDS: Your Trusted Los Angeles Dentist appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.

Dr. Les Latner, Sedation Dentist in Los Angeles

Les Latner — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 11:55:45 +0000

I’ve worked on a lot of teeth over the past thirty-plus years.Yes, I’ve seen (literally) millions of them, and dealt with a number of oral problems. I’ve helped care for the mouths of everyone from linebackers on the UCLA Bruins football team to your neighborhood paper boy. In this process, I’ve learned that we all have a few things in common. We all feel the desire for healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. We also all share a fear of the dentist. As your dentist, I don’t want to make you feel any pain whatsoever–trust me. When a patient is a tight bundle of nerves and anxiety before an exam or procedure, it just makes my job more difficult, not to mention making a relatively painless process excruciating for the patient. But I totally understand the fear of the dentist–I don’t particularly like having sharp, pokey things near my teeth, either. Unfortunately, too often adults let their dental anxieties keep them from going to the dentist. They ignore small pain until it becomes unbearable–just increasing the scope of the dental treatment they’ll need. This is a bad cycle. If your fear of the dentist is getting in the way of your oral health, I have some good news. Great advancements are being made in increasing the comfort of dental care, meaning that these days, the chances that you’ll actually experience the amount of pain you’re imagining at the dentist are highly unlikely. Read on to learn more about just one option we offer at our Los Angeles dental office: oral sedation dentistry.

All About Sedation Dentistry

If your anxiety won’t let you face the dental chair, oral sedation dentistry is an excellent way to help you manage your fear. With oral sedation, you’ll take a small pill before the procedure. Then we’ll get you comfortable in the dentist chair with a blanket and a dental assistant by your side to answer any questions you may have. Dr. Latner will then administer nitrous oxide to enhance the pill’s sedative effects, allowing him to work for as long as he needs to while you rest comfortably. Although you’re still technically awake under sedation, you’re in a sleepy state and totally removed from what’s going on around you. That means there’s no chance your anxiety will be triggered by the sight of a needle or the sound of a drill. Instead, you’ll float through the procedure. And when it’s over you’ll have plenty of time for the medication to wear off in one of our comfortable recovery rooms while a loved one waits by your side to drive you home.

Oral Sedation: It’s Right For You

We know too well that smiles often suffer as a result of dental anxiety. We want that to stop–and that’s why we’re so excited to offer oral sedation dentistry to our patients who have a fear of the dentist. But this option isn’t limited to those suffering from severe anxiety. If you think you’d benefit from being more relaxed in the dentist’s chair, you’re probably a good candidate, too. So stay calm and let the doctor take over–try oral sedation dentistry.

The post Dr. Les Latner, Sedation Dentist in Los Angeles appeared first on Westside Dental Associates.