Blog - Page 8 of 9 - West Los Angeles Dental Care

Home  /  Blog

Missing Teeth? Discuss Tooth Implants With Your Santa Monica Dentist

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

If you have lost one or more teeth due to injury, disease, decay, or another reason, tooth implants may be one solution to discuss with your Santa Monica dentist. Tooth implants are actually artificial teeth, complete with an artificial root, placed into or on top of your jaw. These implants replace teeth that you have lost and also can hold a replacement tooth or bridge. While many patients tend to shy away from tooth implants at first, assuming that they are far more complex than bridges or bonding, tooth implants can actually be healthier for your mouth, since they do not depend on nearby teeth for support, the way the bridges do.

Many patients also like the fact that tooth implants are very natural looking and feeling. They are the closest thing to replacing the tooth and forgetting that you have suffered tooth loss. If you have spaces for missing teeth, you may feel embarrassed about smiling and may have difficulty chewing your food. Dentures and other temporary replacements can feel insecure and can sap your confidence and make it more difficult to chew. Even more permanent solutions such as bridges tend to deteriorate over time and can fall out. Tooth implants are simply the most sure method of replacing a lost tooth. Unlike bridges and bonding, tooth implants can last a lifetime when they are taken care of correctly and are placed by a professional dentist.

Implants are an exciting alternative to dentures, and there are actually two types of implants used today. Endosteal implants are placed in the bone and are the most commonly used implants today. In this type of implant, blades, screws, or cylinders are placed into the actual jawbone, and each of these implants can hold a prosthetic tooth or even more than one tooth. This type of implant is ideal for those who want to avoid removable dentures or bridges. However, your jaw bone needs to be healthy and there needs to be enough of it to hold the implant securely. Subperiosteal implants are not placed within the jawbone. Instead, they are placed on top of the jaw. The posts of the metal framework that support the implants poke through the gum to hold the prosthetic teeth. These are less often used, and are generally used with patients who have inadequate jaw bone height for Endosteal implants.

In order to be a candidate for dental implants, you should have healthy gum tissue and should have a mouth that is free of gum disease. The jawbone in your mouth also needs to be healthy and needs to provide adequate support for the implant and prosthetic tooth. You dentist can tell you whether your jawbone is in good enough shape to make you a candidate for implants. If you’d like to speak to a professional about implants or other procedures, contact West LA Dental today. Our professional team has the expertise to make your smile bright again!


Contact Your Santa Monica Dentist About Root Canals

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

For many dental patients, root canals are the cause of some stress. Many patients only know that root canals are painful and therefore do everything they can to avoid them. In truth, though, root canals are an important part of dentistry and can actually save you a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Root canals are actually misnomers. In fact, root canals are a part of the teeth. Although the teeth appear to be made of a hard, solid substance, inside the teeth you can find a pulp tissue that includes the teeth’s nerves. Root canals are actually the parts of a tooth’s nerve which join the root to the tooth’s pulp chamber. Root canal therapy is what treats the damaged root canals, although many people simply shorten the term “root canal therapy” into “root canal”.

You may need a root canal if the inside of your tooth becomes damaged. Most often, damage occurs to the tooth’s “pulp tissue” which consist of nerve fibers, arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue. In some cases, extreme pressure on the tooth, extreme temperatures, cracked teeth or advanced tooth decay cause damage to the inside of the tooth. When this happens, the nerves of the teeth respond, causing extreme pain for the patient. Root canal therapy can help alleviate the pain.

During a root canal, the nerve tissue is actually removed from the tooth. This helps prevent the symptoms associated with infected or damaged tissue – including extreme pain – and can allow the dentist to save the tooth as well. During the root canal, e a rubber dam is placed around the affected tooth to protect the tooth. In some cases, anesthetic is administered. A small opening is made in the tooth that allows the dentist to reach the damaged part of tooth. The dentist will then remove the damaged tissue and will fill and seal the root canal using a material called guttapercha. A filling is used to close the tooth again.

It is important to see your dentist regularly. While some patients needing root canal treatments need to visit their dentists because the pain becomes severe, some patients experience no pain at all. This can actually be a more dangerous situation, since not getting a required root canal can cause you to lose a tooth. Delaying treatment can also cause other complications to your situation.

If you notice any pain in your mouth, changes in color of any teeth, or any changes in your gums, contact your dentist at once. You may need a root canal. Also, contact West LA Dental today if it has been a while since your last dental appointment. You will want to take care of any potential problems up front.


Oral Hygiene Tips from Your Santa Monica Dentist

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Oral hygiene is an important part of your oral health. When you follow these oral hygiene tips from your Santa Monica dentist and you will enjoy a brighter smile and better overall health:

  • Watch your intake of processed, sugary foods. Foods with a lot of acid and sugar can help promote tooth decay and can have a negative impact on tooth enamel. Read labels to find out how much sugar and acids a food has – taste alone does not always tell you.
  • Brush in the morning and at night. During the nighttime, any food particles in your mouth can decay and bacteria can build up in your mouth. Brushing in the morning ensures that you get a fresh start to your day while brushing at night ensures that you get rid of any food particles that can decay and breed bacteria in your mouth at night. Brush with soft, nylon bristles for at least five minutes. If you need a refresher as to the best way to brush, get your Santa Monica dentist to show you how.
  • Floss daily. Flossing once a day can get rid of plaque and food between the teeth – where toothbrushes cannot reach. Flossing also stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy. Wrap waxed or unwaxed floss around two fingers and slip it between the contacts of your teeth. Use the floss in an up and down motion to remove plaque.
  • Visit your dentist twice a year. This is essential, since regular cleanings remove plaque and other build-up that regular brushing cannot remove.
  • Get enough fluoride. Fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water has been shown to reduce cavities.
  • Eat well. Healthy food, such as low-fat dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables ensure that your teeth and bones have the nutrients needed to stay strong and healthy.
  • Avoid placing foreign objects in your mouth. Foreign objects – including pens and paperclips – may have germs on them that can be transferred to your mouth. These objects can also cause injuries inside your mouth. When chewed on, foreign objects can wear down the enamel on your teeth.
  • Know your teeth and gums well enough to note any changes – and get any changes checked out. If you notice any symptoms, have them checked out by a dental professional. Some gum diseases, when left untreated, can cause serious pain and can even endanger your overall health.

Contact West LA Dental today if you want to learn how to care for your gums and teeth. Our dentists have years of experience in dentistry. We can help safeguard the health of your smile.


Your Santa Monica Dentist and Gum Treatments

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

While many patients worry about having white teeth and a great smile, many do not give much thought to their gums. However, gums are a very important part of your oral health and can affect your appearance very much. Healthy gums mean fresh breath and healthy teeth. Gum disease such as gingivitis can develop into the more severe periodontitis, causing all sorts of problems

Your Santa Monica dentist has many types of gum treatments that can help you enjoy a healthy smile. These treatments include:

1. Scaling and root planing

This procedure is in fact a form of deep cleaning and is a useful way of treating gum disease without surgery. In this process, plaque and tartar deposits are removed and your dentist may also give you medication to help your gum pockets shrink and to help your gums heal.

2. Periodontal Surgery

If the gums are severely infected, the dentist may operate un order to get under the gum and along the roots to clean the tartar and plaque.

3. Bone Surgery or Bone Grafts

If an infection has progressed far, it may destroy part of the bone. In this situation, your dentist will operate in order to rebuild and reshape the bone.

4. Gingival Grafting

If infection has been left untreated, the gum tissue may be so damaged that it cannot be sewn back together during surgery. If this happens, your dentist may be able to remove healthy tissue from another part of your mouth and attach it to your gums. This will help set the teeth and will make the visible parts of your gums far more attractive.

As you can probably tell from these descriptions of treatments, the best gum treatment is prevention. The longer you wait to treat gum disease, the more invasive and complicated the treatment will be, because more damage will have to be repaired. Early stages of gum disease do not always have obvious symptoms, so your best option is to visit your dentist every six months for treatment and cleaning. Regular brushing, flossing, and dentist visits are a must for healthy teeth and gums. Contact West LA Dental today if you want to start taking care of your gums and teeth the proper way. Our dentists have years of experience in treating gums and preventing gum disease. We can help safeguard the health of your mouth.


Let Your Santa Monica Dentist Improve Your Smile with Ceramic Crowns

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

If your tooth breaks down as a result of decay and fillings are too small to fix the breakdown, your Santa Monica dentist will use crowns, which are covers or caps placed over the teeth and bonded to the teeth. If you have cracked a tooth, crowns may be used to bond the tooth and keep it from coming apart. Crowns strengthen the teeth and restore teeth to their pre-decay look. In some cases, crowns are even used to cover or conceal badly stained or misshapen teeth.

In the past, there were only a few types of crowns available. Gold crowns were used for back teeth, where chewing pressure was a problem. Ceramic-veneered gold crowns looked more natural, but still provided the durability of gold. Ceramic crowns are a popular choice, especially for front teeth, because they do not show any tell-tale gold and match the color of teeth perfectly.

A new type of ceramic crown is the bonded all-porcelain crown. Also called the reinforced resin crown, this type of crown provides the most natural look for the best smile. Depending on the manufacturer, the crown will be made from reinforced composite resin or pure ceramic. Even under close inspection, it’s very hard to tell where the crown begins and the natural teeth end. This sort of crown is very discreet and perfect for those who want that ideal smile.

The exciting thing about the new ceramic crowns as well is that new bonding technology is used to attach these crowns to your teeth. The technology allows the crown to stick more firmly to your teeth, giving you many years of hassle-free wear. You may eat normally without endangering your crown. If you have metal allergies, this sort of crown is perfect, since no metal is used in the manufacture of the crown or in the bonding process. Even on the back molars, where metal crowns were traditionally used, your LA dentist can now add a tooth colored onlay, which is also a metal-free procedure.

Only a qualified, experienced dental professional can tell you whether crowns are for you and can work with you to find the best crowns for your particular situation. If you need a professional dentist with experience in ceramic crowns, look no further than West LA Dental. The dental professionals at West LA Dental have extensive experience in dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. They can help you find your brightest, healthiest smile.


« Previous   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Next »