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Extraction Procedures

July 10, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS. , , , ,

Extraction Procedures 

When you were a kid, losing your tooth was something to be excited about, perhaps achieved by tooth (Baby Teeth | Oral Hygiene) jiggling, biting into a piece of bread or an apple, or tying a string around the tooth and giving it a tug. As an adult, tooth loss (Discuss Tooth Implants With Your Santa Monica Dentist) or extraction are hardly causes for celebration, however sometimes there are no choices but to pull a tooth which is also known as an Extraction Procedure.

Causes For Extraction Procedures

Although permanent teeth are meant to last for our entire life, there are times that they can’t be saved. The most common reason for loosing a tooth or an extraction procedure is having great amount of decay (Understanding the Connection Between Sugar and Tooth Decay) or as a result of accident to trauma.

There are other reasons such as:

  • Not having enough space for all teeth to fit in your jaw. Sometimes as a result of orthodontics, the extraction is necessary to remove a tooth so the others can be align (Teeth Bonding) properly. There are some of us that have smaller than average mouth and all 32 teeth can not fit in our jaws.

 

 

  • High risk of infection:  In people that the immune system is compromise perhaps as a result of chemotherapy (Chemotherapy Wiki Page) or diseases such as AIDS, or an organ transplant the infection in a tooth be a risk to general health of the patient and extraction would be a safer treatment.

 

 


Dental Crown | All You Need To Know About Them!

April 4, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Dental Crowns | All You Need To Know About

The use for Dental Crowns:

  • When a tooth has a root canal, it becomes fragile and the chance of fracture increases. Placing dental crown will prevent tooth from fracturing.
  • When teeth are broken down or worn out as a result of grinding a crown or a cap will restore them to their original shape and function.
  • A crown as a part of a bridge can also replace a missing tooth. The crown on the missing tooth is attached to two other dental crowns on either side of the missing tooth.
  • As a cosmetic measure, dental crowns can cover a discolored or poorly shape tooth.
  • If a tooth has gross amount of cavity, chip or cracks, a crown will restore the tooth to the original shape.
  • Another cosmetic measure is to close small gaps between teeth or minor straitening of a tooth where braces is not desired.

Different Types of Dental Crowns:

  • Dental Crowns ImagePorcelain fused to metal (PFM) Dental Crowns: These are the most common dental crowns. They are very strong and can be match to the color of the other teeth.
  • Zirconia (all porcelain) Dental Crowns: These are the strongest crowns with least amount of chance to fracture. They are very strong and as a result the can be made thinner than PFM. They also provide great esthetics that can be used for both back and front teeth. How ever the cost is more compare to PFM.
  • Temporarily Dental Crowns: In general they are made while the permanent crown is being fabricated in the lab. They are made of acrylic and are very week and fracture easily.
  • Stainless Steel Dental Crowns: These are prefabricated crowns that are mostly used on kids. They fit are not great and is not recommended for long term use. Mostly they are made on baby teeth and some permanent teeth while they are still not fully erupted. Later on, they will be replaced to permanent crowns like PFM.
  • Metal crowns: They are made from metals such as gold or cast silver. These are the strongest crowns however due to the color of gold and silver are not being made much. They are mostly made for the back teeth where the esthetic is not as concern.

 


Teeth Whitening | Lifelong Teeth Whitening Tricks

March 21, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Teeth Whitening | Lifelong Teeth Whitening Tricks

 

Mom always used to say to eat your vegetable because they are good for you. Did you know broccoli, kale, spinach and other dark green vegetables can keep your teeth white? They all have a mineral which produces a film over teeth that does not allow stains to penetrate.

teeth-whitening-slider5Some Teeth Whitening Tricks:

 

1. Fruits and vegetables such as raw celery, carrots, apples, and other crunchy fruits and veggies will polish your teeth and remove stains as you chew on them.

2. If you drink coffee or tea, you don’t have to have stains your teeth. Just add a little bit of cream or milk to them. This would change the chemistry of the drinks so it won’t stains teeth as much.

3. Kaolin Clay is an abrasive material. Dab your toothbrush into the clay and brush your teeth with it. It would make your teeth whiter, just be careful not to over due it, just like any abrasive material, it could damage the enamel of your teeth.

4. Sip a tablespoon of organic oil and swirl around for about 20 seconds. Drink a couple of glasses of water after.

5. Brush with hydrogen peroxide. Not only it has a bleaching agent that gets your teeth whiter, it also can kill bacteria on your teeth and gums.

6. Pound Dry orange peel into powder. Rub it on your teeth. It would get your teeth whiter.

7. If you like the taste of turmeric, chewing on the root will get your teeth whiter.

8. Chewing on raisins would increase the saliva in your mouth which results in getting rid of stains and plaque.

9. Eat cheese, yogurt and drink milk. They all have protein name casein that strengthens your enamel. Health enamel means healthy and bright teeth.

10. Drinking water after eating and swishing it around can rinse away the stains before they get set on the teeth.

11. Brush your teeth with past of baking soda and lemon juice. Just be careful not to do it too many times. Lemon juice can eat away the enamel on your teeth causing severe sensitivity.

12. Last but most importantly brush and floss everyday that is important for teeth whitening.


Dental Crown, When and How?

February 13, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Dental Crown (Cap)

When your dentist decides to use a full coverage type of restoration called a dental crown, the reason for making this suggestion will vary from case to case. A crown is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Dental crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth.

When do You Need Dental Crowns?

  • A previously filled tooth has more filling than tooth. When a filling occupies more than say 50% of a tooth the existing tooth structure becomes weakened and may no longer support the filling.
  • Your tooth has become discolored resulting in unwanted esthetics.
  • Teeth are fractured. Sometimes these fractures are visible, other times they may only be diagnosed when there are complaints of pain during chewing.
  • After your tooth has had Endodontic therapy (root canal)– Teeth tend to become brittle after root canal and may be more apt to fracture. By placing a crown we tend to protect your tooth from fracture.
  • Replacement of missing teeth requires crowning adjacent teeth in order to support the missing teeth.
  • Replacement of existing dental crowns or bridges.

 

The First Step in Making Your New Dental Crown

Dental Crown Photo

Dental Crown Preparation

We want to assure you that your dental visit will be totally comfortable. We begin by giving you a local anesthetic. Depending upon the type of local anesthetic we use, you can expect to be numb for one to four hours. If your anesthesia should last longer, do not be concerned. Not everyone reacts to medication in the same manner. One word of caution: While you are numb, please be careful not to bite your lip or tongue. A soft diet or no meal at all while you are numb is probably a good idea. If your child has been the patient, please watch them carefully to be sure they do not play with their tongue or lip while it is numb.

Once your teeth are totally numb, we will prepare your tooth in a very specific way. After your tooth is fully prepared, we proceeded with the impression stage. We used a thin of specially fabricated cord which we will place around your tooth in order to get the impression material under the gum where the crown ends. Please rest assured that this small piece of cord will be removed prior to the end of today’s visit.

Once the impression stage was completed, we will place a temporary (transitional) crown on your tooth. These plastic (acrylic) restorations are placed on teeth to protect them and the gum tissues between dental visits. The temporary cementing medium used is designed to allow me, to easily remove them at your next scheduled visit.

Root Canal Treatment Image

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Should you experience any discomfort you can take a mild analgesic (Tylenol, Advil, Anacin, ect) as long as there is no medical contraindication based upon your medical history. Typically, you can take anything you would normally take for a headache. If the discomfort persist, please call your dentist office.


What a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

April 22, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS. , , ,

Most people put off seeing a dentist until they have a toothache, need a cavity filled or want their teeth cleaned. These dental procedures are important for good oral health, but they are not the only services that a dentist in west Los Angeles can provide. In addition to taking care of a patient’s teeth, West LA Dental Care offers Santa Monica residents a variety of cosmetic procedures that can improve the way they look and feel.

If your teeth make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed when you smile, it might be time to look into some of today’s available cosmetic options. Giving patients a smile they can be proud of takes an experienced cosmetic dentist that can understand the patient’s needs and is willing to work carefully with each person to find the best solution.

Teeth Whitening

Cigarettes, coffee, medications and the minerals in water can all affect a tooth’s color. While there are several types of over-the-counter products designed to whiten teeth, having a west LA dentist do the procedure can often be more effective.

A tooth’s surface needs to be completely covered with a whitener for a nice, uniform look. That can be difficult to do yourself. Back teeth can be particularly troublesome. In addition, over-the-counter products are not as strong as what a cosmetic dentist can provide, so taking advantage of a professional dentist in West Los Angeles can be a better option.

Misaligned, Chipped or Uneven Teeth

Even teeth that are in good condition can be uneven, chipped or misaligned. Sometimes, there can be an excess space between the teeth, or they can be cracked. A west LA dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures can help Santa Monica patients improve these types of defects by applying special tooth-colored bonding materials, reshaping the tooth or filling in a crack.

Instead of bonding, a cosmetic dentist might also suggest using veneers to fix the excessive spaces, cover up wear, hide stains or improve the look of slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are similar to a shell that a dentist in west Los Angeles can place on the front side of a patient’s teeth. These veneers can improve a tooth’s shape as well as change the color.

In addition to bonding and veneers, a cosmetic dentist also has the option of using shaping and contouring techniques to improve the appearance of a tooth. Sometimes, a west LA dentist might use both bonding and shaping. This combination can be particular effective for overlapping teeth, teeth that are chipped or for minor bite problems.

Additional Cosmetic Possibilities

For missing teeth, two of the best long-term solutions are dental implants or bridges, depending on the condition of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can also correct an irregular gum line, teeth of different lengths, or jaw problems. If you live in the Santa Monica area, contacting West LA Dental today for an evaluation can be the best decision you ever made.


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