Your Go-To Los Angeles Dentist for Root Canal Therapy

October 13, 2015

Historic root canal therapy not quite what you should expect from your los angeles dentistIn 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 When this belief was debunked, historical documents indicate people believed these infections were caused by poorly aligned humors (blood, phlegm, black and yellow bile), and the method for curing root canal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.
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Dr. Les Latner, DDS: Your Trusted Los Angeles Dentist

September 8, 2015

beautiful smiles from the trusted los angeles dentist dr. les latnerWhen 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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Stop Pain in Its Tracks with West LA Root Canal Therapy

January 22, 2015

Do you have periodic tooth pain and sensitivity? Many patients tolerate tooth pain and discomfort, which are clear signs of infection, because they want to avoid visiting the dentist. They may fear dental work, and so they wait until their pain becomes literally unbearable. But you shouldn’t be waiting for a dental emergency to treat a tooth infection. A simple root canal procedure can immediately eliminate your pain, and save your tooth from further decomposition. Tooth sensitivity can also be a warning sign of infection. Don’t put up with dental problems any longer. Be proactive with your dental health and make your root canal therapy appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Root canal therapy can stop pain and sensitivity and save your natural teeth from extraction. Westside Dental Associates restores smiles daily throughout West Los Angeles and nearby areas including Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park and Mar Vista.

What Is a Root Canal?

Beneath your tooth’s outer layer of enamel is a soft pulp tissue core. This pulp is composed of nerves, arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissues. The nerves enter your tooth at the tip of the roots. From here, nerves run through the center of the root into your root canals. Root canals are tiny divisions that branch off from the pulp chamber to the tip of the roots. You may have anywhere from one to four canals.

Why You Need Root Canal  Therapy

Your dental pulp can become infected with harmful bacteria and die from a deep cavity, fracture, or injury. This dead pulp causes pressure inside the tooth, resulting in inflammation, bleeding, tooth ache pain, and sensitivity. Root canal therapy will remove the dead pulp to stop the infection.

What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?

  • First, Dr. Latner will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around your infected tooth. A rubber dam is then placed around the tooth. Then, a hole is drilled into the crown to access the pulp chamber.
  • Next, Dr. Latner will cleanse and disinfect the pulp chamber and root canals.
  • Finally, the canals are filled with a rubber like material called gutta-percha to prevent future contamination. After being filled, the tooth is permanently sealed. Finally, a dental crown is cemented over the tooth to restore its full form and function.

West LA Root Canal Therapy Appointments  

Make an appointment with Dr. Latner for the root canal therapy you need today. Dr. Latner is an experienced and compassionate restorative dentist. Westside Dental Associates proudly serves families throughout West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and nearby areas.

 

Root Canal Therapy for Los Angeles and Beyond

March 28, 2014

root canal therapyOur teeth are made up of multiple layers. On the outside you have a protective layer of enamel, beneath that is a sensitive layer of dentin, and at the very center of the tooth is the nerve. When a tooth has been fractured or is severely decayed, this inner chamber can become damaged, making the patient vulnerable to an infection and other uncomfortable symptoms.

To treat these symptoms and prevent tooth loss, Dr. Latner can recommend a root canal. The purpose of a root canal is to save a compromised tooth, and the root underneath, by removing the damaged nerve and any infected material from the center of the tooth. What’s removed will be replaced by a biologically inert material known as gutta-percha. The procedure will end with the tooth being capped by a custom-made crown. This crown will restore your tooth’s appearance and functionality.

Of course, the term “root canal” has a negative connotation, but at Westside Dental Associates, Dr. Latner offers comfortable care with oral conscious sedation. What’s more, our Los Angeles office uses contemporary tools to make care quicker and more efficient. We’ll also talk to you about your procedure beforehand to dispel any myths and answer your most important questions.

Are you concerned that you might need a root canal, or do you simply have questions about the procedure? Call Westside Dental Associates for an appointment with Dr. Latner. During your appointment we’ll complete a thorough oral exam to determine what your needs are. Then we can begin putting your personalized treatment plan together.

We offer root canal therapy to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, and Playa Vista.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

April 25, 2013

In most cases, when dental care is needed, it’s the protective outer layer of enamel that’s being treated. In some cases, though, the inner pulp, commonly referred to as the “nerve,” needs special attention. This is typically the case after an injury or tooth fracture, or because of a deep cavity. In any of these cases, the tooth could develop an infection. If left untreated, the infection will kill the pulp, putting the tooth in danger of being lost.

To prevent this, it’s important to see your local dentist early. That’s because a tooth in danger of getting infected can be saved with a service known as a root canal.

For many, the words root canal may inspire anxiety, but today’s advances in technology and technique have made the process more comfortable, especially when paired with oral conscious sedation. With oral conscious sedation, patients of different ages and backgrounds can experience a soothing level of relaxation. What’s more, a root canal procedure can be completed in just one appointment.

Here’s what you can expect.

Once you’re comfortable and your sedation has taken effect, your doctor will clean out the canal in question and fill it with a biologically-inert substance. Then, the tooth will be sealed with a crown to prevent another infection in the future.

For patients who feel sore following their root canal, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil can help. It’s also important, following a root canal, to make regular checkups, plus daily brushing and flossing, a routine part of your life.

Do you need to schedule a root canal procedure? Call us today to reserve a consultation appointment.

Comfortable, Effective Root Canal Therapy

October 23, 2012

Is a severe toothache making it difficult for you to eat? Does drinking hot or cold drinks make you flinch? Have you noticed any swelling in your gums?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may need root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy has a reputation for being unpleasant, but with today’s technology and techniques, that doesn’t have to be the case at all, especially when paired with sedation dentistry.

At Westside Dental Associates in Los Angeles, you’ll find a friendly, experience team ready to help you receive the important care you need to save your tooth, relieve you of your painful symptoms, and improve your oral health.

The purpose of root canal therapy is to help you save your tooth. Because of deep decay or a serious injury, your tooth—and the interior layer in particular—is vulnerable to infection. Root canal therapy, then, is intended to protect the tooth by removing the vulnerable interior pulp.

During root canal therapy, the interior of your tooth will be cleaned and filled with an inert substance. Then, to protect your tooth, it will be capped by a crown, protecting it from harm in the future and restoring your smile’s functionality and health.

If you’re worried that you might need a root canal, call Westside Dental Associates to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Latner. Our office serves patients from all around the Los Angeles area.

Have Questions? Get Answers.