Blog
08/06/2015 14:00

A dental filling is a restoration that is most often used when a tooth has a cavity. Our North Hollywood dentist can also use dental fillings to restore small areas of damage on teeth. If you are a candidate for a dental filling, the entire process can usually be completed in a single appointment.
The first step is ensuring your comfort. We do this by using a local anesthetic that blocks the nerve sensations so that you feel no pain. If you are feeling particularly nervous or suffer from a dental phobia, we may also offer sedation, which can help you feel calm and relaxed. Once your tooth is numb, we will isolate the tooth to keep it from getting wet or otherwise contaminated. We will then remove the decayed part of the tooth. Several handheld tools may be used to ensure that we remove all of the diseased tooth tissue. We will carefully remove and rinse the debris from this job.
Once all of the diseased tissue is removed, we will replace the lost structure with filling material. The composite resin material has a putty-like texture so that it can be shaped and molded to match the tooth’s surface. It can even be made to match the color of your tooth precisely. The material is cured with a special light for it to harden, and then we polish the filling to look like natural enamel. Call us today to learn more about the process of placing fillings or to schedule an appointment with our expert in dental fillings in North Hollywood.
08/05/2015 10:10

Teeth whitening is a non-invasive procedure that presents little risk of harm to recipients. Depending on the patient and the type of whitening procedure that is being performed, though, teeth whitening may cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. Here is a deeper look at the mild dangers associated with teeth whitening.
Teeth Sensitivity
The peroxide gel used in teeth whitening can cause teeth sensitivity if used improperly or too frequently. For example, it must be removed from the teeth within a certain time frame to prevent damage. Patients who are highly sensitive to damage from teeth whitening can request fluoride treatment before and after this procedure.
Gum Irritation
In some rare cases, patients may experience gum irritation after having their teeth whitened. This may occur, for example, if the trays are too deep for the teeth or if the soft tissue barrier is not placed properly. Teeth whitening is not known to cause serious damage or bleeding, though.
Patients who want a brighter smile do not need to worry about experiencing anything other than mild discomfort with teeth whitening. Even when minor issues such as teeth sensitivity or gum irritation do occur, recovery happens quickly. By scheduling a consultation with our Beverly Hills teeth whitening expert, patients can learn more about the safety of teeth whitening.
08/03/2015 12:55

Dental veneers carry a lot of advantages for patients looking for a cosmetic fix to their smile. Yet, patients who are interested in veneers should know that each case is different and the results are not always guaranteed. However, the following advantages of veneers make them an appealing treatment for many patients.
• Veneers can successfully hide cracks or chips in teeth, discoloration from tobacco or tetracycline, and minor spacing or crowding.
• They look identical to your natural teeth, by virtue of being stain-resistant and color-safe. Veneers are quite good at mimicking the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth, since they are so thin. They are also matched to your natural teeth after collaboration between you, your dentist, and a lab professional.
• They are procedurally conservative. Veneers involve some tooth reduction through the removal of enamel, but they do not do major modifying that crowns require. However, no-prep veneers are increasing in popularity and do not incur on the teeth at all. In terms of timetable, veneers can be completed in as few as two visits from our expert in veneers in Los Angeles.
• Veneers are long-lasting and durable, providing most patients with at least a decade of use. Standard upkeep does apply through regular brushing and flossing, though. Gum tissue tends to tolerate porcelain well, minimizing the risk of rejection or complication, also.
07/30/2015 11:45

CAD/CAM is an acronym that stands for “computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing.” While this technology has been used for many years in other fields for designing precision tools and parts, today we are also able to use CAD/CAM technology in the field of dentistry. This technology allows us to design and create metal-free dental restorations right in our office. This decreases your overall treatment and wait times. CAD/CAM crowns also tend to be more durable, better fitting and more cosmetically appealing than previous generations of restorations.
If you are a candidate for a CAD/CAM crown, we will begin by preparing the tooth that needs to be treated. The preparation is done much like it would be done for any other type of crown. After the decayed tissue is removed, we will shape the tooth to receive the crown. We then use a special handheld digital scanner to create a virtual impression. We use this impression to design your new crown right in our office. We can adjust the shape, size, color and other details to ensure that the restoration matches your other teeth precisely.
Finally, we will mill the crown in our milling chamber. This process is fast and highly effective. With it, we can further customize it using special glazes for the same subtle color variations that your own teeth have. Once the crown has been milled, we will bond it to the tooth.
Call us today to learn more about how CAD/CAM restorations work or to schedule an appointment with our team.
07/29/2015 10:27

Tooth implants are a valuable form of restorative dentistry. If you are one of the millions of Americans who have lost teeth to injury or decay, ask your Pasadena dentist if you qualify for dental implants.
Possessing good overall health is the biggest factor in determining your eligibility. For the most part, anyone who is healthy enough to undergo a routine dental exam is a potential candidate. Smokers, diabetics, or patients who have sustained radiation therapy to the head or neck are usually discouraged from getting implants. However, the following is a list of attributes that good candidates for tooth implants share:
• Healthy teeth and gums.
• Sufficient bone density to sustain the implant. In some cases, you may be able to receive a bone graft to improve jaw height.
• No autoimmune disorder that could affect your ability to heal.
• Commitment to good oral hygiene.
• Commitment to six months to a year of treatment.
It is important to remember that each patient is different, and will be judged accordingly. Once eligibility is determined, a treatment plan can be fully customized to your needs. If you feel you may qualify for tooth implants, schedule a consult with our expert in dental implants in Pasadena.
07/27/2015 11:33

A gummy smile is rarely a dental health problem, which means that it can be a subjective diagnosis. Those with gummy smiles generally show at least two to four millimeters of gum tissue when they smile. Regardless of how much gum tissue you notice when you smile, if the appearance of your gums bothers you, we can help. Our expert in periodontics in Los Angeles offers several gummy smile solutions that can leave you feeling more confident and attractive.
Common causes of gummy smiles include:
• Hypermobile lip
• Abnormally short upper lip
• Excess overbite
• Compensatory eruption or improper eruption
• Failure of the gum tissue to recede with age
Once we determine why you have a gummy smile, we can recommend specific treatments to correct it. These may include periodontal surgeries such as crown lengthening, jaw surgery, orthodontics or lip lowering surgery. Other treatment options may also be needed based on your needs. To ensure a successful outcome, the treatment must be focused on the cause of the gummy smile rather than simply removing the gum tissue. Call us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our expert in gummy smile diagnosis in Los Angeles.
07/24/2015 10:30

Dental implants can be used to replace one or several teeth, depending on the case. They work by replacing the roots of the lost teeth, are left to heal and fuse to the jawbone, and then restorations are attached to complete the process. Our NoHo dentist can help you decide if implants are right for you.
Several steps are involved in placing implants, including:
1. Determining candidacy
The best candidates for implants are those with strong, healthy jawbone tissue to appropriately support the implant. They will also have good dental and general health. If you smoke, you may need to take steps to reduce the risk of complications after the implants have been placed.
2. Placement
During an outpatient procedure, a titanium implant will be surgically placed inside of the jawbone. For the next several weeks or months, the bone will heal around the implant. Over time, the implant and jawbone will become fused, and this will make the implant a permanent part of your mouth.
3. Restoration
Once the implants have fused with the bone, they can be restored. We can use individual porcelain crowns to replace individual teeth, as a restoration that is as close to natural teeth as possible. We can also use bridges or dentures to replace multiple missing teeth.
Call us today to find out more or to schedule an implant consultation with our dental implants dentist in North Hollywood.
07/22/2015 12:19

It is natural for people who have yellow teeth to search for solutions that will once again provide them with pearly white teeth. In addition to professional whitening services, there are also home whitening kits that are available for purchase over-the counter. Yet, are they effective?
Both professional whitening agents and at-home whitening products contain peroxide as their active ingredient, but the at-home products have lower doses. Our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist is able to make your teeth three to eight shades brighter, whereas home whitening kits are usually only able to brighten your teeth by one shade. The dentist actually custom-designs a tray similar to a mouthguard, which will hold the bleaching solution that is being applied to your teeth. This tray ensures that a minimal amount of bleaching agent comes into contact with your gums. Some home whitening products have similar trays, but they use the one-size-fits-all approach. Each individual patient is different though, so the one-size-fits-all usually results in leakage of the whitening solution onto the gums. That is why it is fairly common for home whitening kits to irritate the gums, or even burn them in some cases.
Our expert in teeth whitening in Los Angeles recommends seeing a professional before any whitening solution is started, whether it is at-home whitening or professional whitening.
07/21/2015 11:34

There are many reasons why our cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills may recommend you as a candidate for a dental crown.
• For Protection
If you have a cracked tooth or a tooth that has been weakened by decay, a crown will be used to reinforce the tooth. You may also need a dental crown in order to cover a tooth that has lost a filling. If your tooth has suffered extensive decay, a root canal or an extraction may first be necessary before you can be fit with a crown.
• To Restore Shape and Size
A dental crown is used to hold a dental bridge in place, or to cover a dental implant.
• To Improve Appearance
If a tooth is misshapen, or severely discolored, a dental crown can be used to cover it.
In order for the crown to fit over the tooth properly, the tooth will first need to be filed down so that the crown will fit. The amount of tooth removed may depend on the type of crown that you receive. Some common materials used for dental crowns are metal, composite resin, and porcelain. Our expert in dental crowns in Beverly Hills will be more than happy to discuss your options with you at the time of your consultation.
07/17/2015 10:46

Dental bridges are a commonly used restorative that give patients fast, stable replacement for missing teeth. The process with getting this type of restoration involves multiple appointments, with initial visits used for preparation and future visits used for placement. Here is a look at the steps involved.
Bridge placement begins with a consultation with our expert to discuss treatment goals and verify that there are natural teeth present in order to support the bridge. If necessary, patients may be able to get dental implants for use as abutments for a more permanent solution. During a preparatory visit, our San Fernando Valley dentist will take bite impressions for accurate bridge construction and prepares the abutment teeth by grinding away some of their enamel. To protect those teeth while the artificial crowns are being made, a temporary bridge is placed instead. In the end, patients return to have their temporary bridge removed, and to have the new bridge fitted and bonded into place permanently.
After getting a bridge, patients can immediately start to enjoy their renewed appearance, chewing ability and comfort. With proper care, a bridge can last for anywhere from seven to 20 years, but only through proper home dental hygiene and regular dental checkups. Schedule a consultation with our expert in dental bridges in San Fernando Valley to learn more about this procedure and how it is performed.