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Teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, composite and porcelain veneers, all-ceramic and porcelain restorations, and smile-makeovers: so many aspects of dentistry are cosmetic, and we take this very seriously.
When planning any cosmetic treatment dealing with the smile, a Smile Analysis is always part of the process. We evaluate tooth position, tooth arrangement, tooth contour, tooth color, and gum levels to ensure the best possible outcome.
We work with some of the best ceramists and laboratory technicians not only in the city of Los Angeles, but in the country. We collaborate to obtain beautiful, life-like, natural looking results for our patients.
We love how cosmetic dentistry can change lives and make people feel happy and confident. We have trained and regularly continue to train with some of the best dental educators in the world. We have studied cosmetic dentistry extensively, keeping up with the latest materials and techniques, and have years of experience. We are prepared to do it all--everything from a single tooth enhancement to a complete smile makeover.
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We recommend visiting our practice at least twice a year for checkups and hygiene appointments. This is the standard for most patients. During your dental exams, we look for symptoms of gum disease, ask you about any possible TMJ pain, and look for signs of wear from teeth grinding. We also perform oral cancer screenings and check for cavities. Radiographs (x-rays) may be used for a complete evaluation of the teeth and supporting structures.
Once we’ve assessed your overall dental health, we discuss with you any other concerns you may have and make the time to answer any questions. Should you seek further dental treatment, we can create an individualized plan and address these needs.
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If you're missing a tooth or multiple teeth, we can analyze your situation to help you decide which form of tooth replacement will best suit your needs. Dental implants are often a great option because of the wide range of benefits that accompany them.
Dental implants are not only better for your oral health than not replacing a missing tooth, but they also promote gum health, provide you with more stability, can be more conservative, and look natural. However, there are situations when a dental implant is not the best choice. We can help walk you through your options and reach the best solution.
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“You only treat what you see, and you only see what you know."
Teeth and gums can encounter all kinds of damage through the years. Some of the most common problems include cavities and broken, missing, or worn teeth and dental restorations. These problems can lead to discomfort, loss of functionality, and dwindling self-confidence. Sometimes patients are not even aware of certain issues.
Evaluating your dental health comprehensively is the best way to determine if the entire system of your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw are all functioning optimally and that any dental work performed will have the highest longevity possible. Although most routine patients will not need an extended evaluation, those individuals with more complex dental issues, including esthetic concerns, can greatly benefit from this approach. To do this, we sit down with patients and perform, what we call, a true Comprehensive Evaluation. We perform a complete clinical and visual inspection, make models and take photographs of your teeth, gums, and surrounding structures. Then we walk patients through a "tour of the mouth" so they can see everything we as dentists are seeing. Our patients come away fully educated on their dental and oral health, and have the knowledge and power to make informed decisions.
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Preventive dentistry involves regular professional cleanings and exams. For most patients it is recommended these visits occur twice yearly, however, it is recommended that some patients receive cleanings more frequently, depending on individual needs. For example, some patients with a history of gum disease can significantly benefit from cleanings every 3-4 months. And if it's been awhile since you've had a dental cleaning, it may take more than one visit to get you caught up.
Have no fear. We have amazing dental hygienists that will walk you through all aspects of a dental hygiene appointment and will make it as easy and comfortable as possible. When you visit us for these visits, one of our friendly dental hygienists will remove hard-to-reach debris, bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your teeth. These irritants release toxins and acids and can cause gingivitis, inflammation, and decay, so hygiene visits are essential for preventing cavities and gum disease and maintaining optimal oral health.
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Prevent: /prəˈvent/ verb: 1) to keep something from happening or arising; 2) archaic: go before (someone) with spiritual guidance and help.
Preventive dentistry is the starting point for optimal oral health. This is what it's all about. While genetics do play a role, most individuals need consistent and diligent routines. From an early age, those individuals that adopt good oral hygiene practices, regularly visit the dentist for checkups and cleanings, and take a proactive versus a reactive approach to their dental care will end up with better oral and overall health and will end up receiving far less dental treatment over the course of their lifetime. Studies even show that patients that stick with the same dentist will receive far better care and less treatment over their lifetime.
It's never too late to adopt this approach. Let us be your guide, and coach, to prevent dental disease and achieve the best oral and overall health possible. Because that's what we're all about.
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Many individuals do not realize there is a strong proven link between oral health and full body health. More specifically, many individuals do not know there is a link between dentistry, sleep, and airway issues. Patients that struggle with daytime drowsiness, have difficulty remembering things, struggle to concentrate, grind their teeth in their sleep, and snore may have sleep problems dealing with a reduced airway space and have a condition known as sleep disordered breathing.
Patients with reduced airways have reduced breathing capacity while asleep. These patients are in a constant state of stress while sleeping, and do not get true, restful sleep. Consequences of sleep disordered breathing include inability to focus, lack of performance at work, memory loss, weight gain, higher risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even car accidents. Sleep disordered breathing can even start to affect the quality of your relationship with your “significant other.” Some patients even experience issues such as insomnia, fatigue, fibromyalgia, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea, the end stage of sleep disordered breathing, live on average 10 years less than people without sleep apnea.
We have received hours of advanced training on these topics, and depending on your needs, we can help guide you to treat and manage these conditions, getting you to the right specialists on our team for better sleep and optimal health and quality of life.
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All patients have two "TMJs," short for temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint. Some patients suffer from "TMD," short for temporomandibular disfunction, or jaw problems. This can be due to multiple factors, and can cause a range of levels of discomfort in the jaw joint or the jaw muscles.
Sometimes patients clench or grind their teeth during the day or in their sleep, which is known as bruxism. Bruxism affects people in different ways--sometimes patients experience pain in the TMJ or jaw muscles and are aware of worn or broken teeth, and gum issues; other patients have no awareness. Most of the time bruxism during the day can be managed with changing certain behaviors, while bruxism during sleep can be managed with a special oral appliance known as a nightguard.
A nightguard will help protect both your teeth and gums from the damaging effects of frequent grinding and clenching. Sometimes additional treatment modalities are helpful, such as physical therapy exercises and Botox.
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We recognize the importance of being adaptable to change and forward thinking. Patients are living longer, and to respond to this, we, as dentists, must think differently. Teeth need to last 80, 90, or 100 years, whereas our ancestors' teeth only needed to last 20, 30, or 40 years.
Our treatment approaches take this into consideration: every time we diagnose and treat a patient, we think about the lifespan of a tooth, and the lifespan of any proposed dental treatment. We want to do the least invasive dental treatment possible that does not compromise the patient further. We enjoy this approach because, while it often forces us to come up with creative solutions for unique challenges, we know it's how we would want to be treated, and it's the best way to take care of our patients.
There are few things better than seeing a 105 year-old patient with all of their teeth. Minimally invasive dentistry gives us the best shot at reaching this goal.