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 When this belief was debunked, historical documents indicate people believed these infections were caused by poorly aligned humors (blood, phlegm, black and yellow bile), and the method for curing root canal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.
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Your Go-To Los Angeles Dentist for Root Canal Therapy
October 13, 2015
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.
October 12, 2015
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.
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Enhance Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers Los Angeles
October 8, 2015
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.
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The Los Angeles Dentist for Optimal Oral Hygiene – Dr. Les Latner
September 20, 2015
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.
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Get Straighter Teeth With Los Angeles Invisalign Dentist Dr. Les Latner
September 15, 2015
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.
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Dr. Les Latner, DDS: Your Trusted Los Angeles Dentist
September 8, 2015
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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Expert Los Angeles Implant Dentist
June 24, 2015
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implant replacement might be your best smile restoration option. Unlike traditional crown and bridge or partial and full denture replacement, dental implants are permanent and the look and feel just like your natural teeth. At Westside Dental Associates, are staff is dedicated to providing you the most relaxing, comfortable dental treatment possible. From our warm, welcoming front desk staff and waiting are to headphones and blankets for your comfort during procedures, we are committed to providing outstanding oral health care. Our dental implant therapies are no exception. Dr. Les Latner is an experienced and knowledgeable implant dentist, and he can accurately determine whether you will be a successful candidate for implants and provide safe effective implant placement. If you are missing one or more teeth, don’t just replace them, restore them with dental implants from Westside Dental Associates your Los Angeles dental leader. Call to schedule an appointment today.
Importance of Tooth Replacement
As we grow, our teeth grow with us. When a tooth is lost due to trauma, decay or gum disease, replacement is essential to maintain the bite we formed as we grew. Left untreated, missing teeth can have numerous adverse effects. The empty socket allows the rest of your teeth to shift. Often referred to as dental drift, this movement in your teeth can undo years of orthodontic straightening, or damage smiles that were naturally straight and evenly spaced. The gap in your teeth can also change the shape of your face over time making it more difficult to speak clearly and effecting your appearance. All of this can is treatable through traditional tooth replacement methods.
One hidden side effect of tooth loss that can’t be remedied with traditional tooth replacement is loss of gum tissue and jawbone density. Your gum tissue is shaped by the root of your tooth. Without a root, the gum tissue deteriorates. Bones require stimulation to maintain their density. As we go through the motions of our daily lives, our bones are stimulated by motion as we walk, sit, stand, and exercise. The same is true of our jawbone. It is stimulated by the interaction with our teeth. Without that stimulation, much like the bone density loss found in people who are bed bound, our jawbone begins to breakdown. This loss of bone density can lead to painful chewing, swallowing and talking. Loss of density puts patients at greater risk for illnesses like TMJ and obstructive sleep apnea as your face and neck shape changes due to bone loss.
The Dental Implant Difference
Implants are unique because they replace not just the visibly parts of your teeth. Dental implants are inserted below the gum line to replace teeth from the roots up. The implant is made from durable titanium that mimics the way your root supports your teeth and gums and helps maintain gum tissue and bone density. This is especially important the more teeth you need to replace. If you need several teeth in a row or a full arch replaced, you will not receive an implant to replace every tooth, but the implants that support your bridge, partial or full denture support gum tissue and jawbone density happen frequently with traditional bridges, partials and dentures.
This unique tooth replacement option does require a large time commitment. You’ll need to have at least 3 office visits to examine, implant and replace your teeth. During your first visit, Dr. Latner will examine your bite to determine whether you are a good candidate for implants. If Dr. Latner and you decide this is a good option, you will develop a customized treatment plan to restore your smile. On the second visit, Dr. Latner will place the implants outlined in your treatment plan below your gum line, and affix temporary, plastic replacement teeth. After you receive your implants, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for the implants to full heal and fuse with your jawbone. This process called osseointegration is why dental implants help to retain gum tissue and bone density, and because your implant fuses with the jawbone, your replacement teeth are permanent. They function just like your natural teeth, and have very little or none of the slipping, cleaning, or replacement hassles of traditional dentures.
Once your dental implants have fused, they are ready to anchor your custom milled dental prosthetic. The replacement teeth are built to replicate your tooth’s natural shape and size. The porcelain material even retains the same inherent gleam that you may notice as light reflects off your smile. Your replacement teeth are permanently attached to the titanium implants, and with proper oral hygiene and regular dental examinations, dental implants will last a lifetime.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
The innovative dental implant procedures are an effective method for restoring many smiles. However, some patients may not be healthy enough for the treatment, or may not have enough jawbone density to support an implant. There’s no way to know for sure except to visit our office for a dental implant consultation with Dr. Latner. Reap the benefits of Dr. Latner’s years of dental implant experience, and find out of implant replacement is right for you at West Side Dental Associates of Los Angeles. Still have some questions, use our “ask the doctor” tool to find out more information before your appointment. Call to schedule your consultation today. Our conveniently located Los Angeles practice welcomes patients from Santa Monica, Marina Del Ray, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Burbank and beyond.
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.
Dr. Latner Helps West LA Families Treat and Prevent Gum Disease
February 28, 2015
How important is your dental health? If it’s important, you should learn how to prevent gum disease, your oral health’s biggest threat. Your mouth contains billions of gum disease causing bacteria. Gum disease is the most common chronic bacterial infection in adult patients. It’s estimated that nearly 50% of Americans over age 30, and over 70% of those age 65 or older, have some form of gum disease. The good news is that, with regular dental checkups and proper daily oral hygiene, it’s possible to prevent gum disease. If you already have gum disease, Dr. Latner offers treatment that can successfully reverse gum disease damage and prevent it from reoccurring. Make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates for the gum disease therapy you need to protect your health. Westside Dental Associates serves families daily throughout West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and the surrounding communities.
What Is Gum Disease?
Bacteria can accumulate on your teeth as plaque. Over time, plaque buildup can harden and become trapped at the base of your teeth. Once plaque hardens, it turns into tartar. Plaque and tartar can cause damage to your teeth and gums if not removed with regular dental cleanings. They can lead to inflamed and infected gums, and early stage gum disease, gingivitis. This stage is easier to treat because it only affects the gums. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious condition known as periodontitis. Periodontitis causes deep pockets, or spaces, to form between your teeth and gums. As pocket depths increase, periodontitis can also cause your gums to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth and allowing bacteria to grow beneath your gum line. Over time, your bones, gum, and connective tissues are destroyed. Eventually, teeth shift, loosen, and need to be removed.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
Early stage gum disease treatment, root scaling and planning, is non-surgical and non- invasive. Dr. Latner will remove plaque and tarter deposits to control the growth of bacteria and encourage healthy tissue generation. Scaling removes plaque and tarter from the teeth below the gum line. Root planning then smoothes the root surface, so that the supportive tissue can better re-attach to your tooth surface. These treatments may be all that’s needed to reverse bone or tissue loss due to periodontal disease. More advanced periodontitis, however, may require bone and tissue grafting, or gum recontouring surgeries, to repair long ignored gum disease damage.
Do You Need Gum Disease Treatment?
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need gum disease treatment:
- Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Pockets or deep spaces forming between your teeth and gums
- Loosened or shifting teeth
- Chronic bad breath
West LA Gum Disease Treatment Appointments
Since early gum disease symptoms are often mild, many patients fail to take action until their condition becomes serious. Failing to seek gum disease treatment can lead to painful and expensive surgery in the future. Don’t let this happen to you. Make your gum disease treatment appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner is an experienced general and restorative dentist, now proudly serving patients throughout West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and the neighboring communities.
Should You Remove and Replace Old Metal (Amalgam) Fillings with New Tooth Colored Fillings?
February 22, 2015
A mouthful of metal could damage your long term health. Mercury is a poisonous toxin; however, it is used in millions of dental fillings each year. Research suggests that, if metal fillings were proposed today, they would never be approved; yet mercury has been used by dentists for over 150 years. While it may not be practical to remove all metal fillings, health experts now recommend that you remove and replace old, cracked, or corroded metal fillings with new tooth colored composite fillings. You should also make sure than any new restorations are strictly tooth colored fillings. Tooth colored fillings are composed of a plastics and glass mixture. They look more natural, are more durable, and are more beneficial to your oral and overall health. Make your tooth colored filling appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates today. Dr. Latner prioritizes your good health. Westside Dental Associates is the leading restorative family dentistry of West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and the surrounding areas.
What Are the Dangers of Old Metal (Amalgam) Dental Fillings?
While tooth colored fillings are metal free, amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals including silver, tin, and copper, with approximately 50% mercury by weight. It can release low levels of mercury vapor which can be inhaled. Over the past 20 years, mercury has been identified as an environmental hazard and linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and kidney, brain and nerve damage. Mercury doesn’t leave the body as waste. It can settle in soft tissues like the kidneys, brain, and other organs. Those who are allergic to metals (about 3% of people) may also develop mouth sores and skin rashes as a result of amalgam exposure. Most experts recommend that dental amalgam should be avoided altogether by pregnant women and children under the age of six.
West LA Tooth Colored Fillings Appointments
Don’t take chances with your health. Make an appointment with Dr. Latner at Westside Dental Associates for your new tooth colored fillings today. Dr. Latner and Westside Dental Associates protects the health of patients daily throughout West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, and nearby communities.