What Does an Endodontist Do?

An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of the soft inner tissue of the teeth, referred to as the pulp. The pulp contains nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. An endodontist needs to go through an additional 2 or more years of schooling after they have completed dental school.

The procedure that is most closely associated with endodontists is endodontic therapy. Another name for this procedure is root canal therapy, and it is done when decay or injury has infected or inflamed the pulp to the point that the tooth is dying. The first step in root canal therapy is to take X-rays to understand the full extent of the damage. After a local anesthetic is administered, the tooth is isolated from moisture using a dental dam. Our dentist in West Hollywood then removes the decay and creates an access hole through the crown of the tooth. Using special tools, the diseased pulp is then removed. The root canals are then flushed and cleaned, and antibiotics are administered if needed. The tooth is then filled and ultimately restored with a dental crown.

Endodontists also specialize in replanting teeth that have been knocked out of their sockets. That is why you should contact our endodontist in West Hollywood as soon as possible if you accidentally knock your tooth out of its socket.

Things to Ask Your Snap On Smile Doctor

If you are someone who wishes to improve the aesthetics of their smile, but is reluctant to commit to a teeth altering procedure such as veneers, then Snap on Smile may be the right choice for you. If you schedule a consultation with a doctor about having a Snap On Smile made for your teeth, there are some things you will want to be sure to ask him or her.

The first thing that most people are interested in knowing is if Snap on Smile is right for them. Most people who are in good oral health are considered to be good candidates for Snap on Smile, but a dentist may be able to tell you if a different cosmetic treatment will better suit your needs.

You should also ask your Snap On Smile doctor about the cost. The cost tends to be mostly determined by the size, shape, and style of your teeth. Your geographic location will also definitely have an impact on the overall cost. Bigger cities tend to cost more than smaller cities. For example, the price of Snap on Smile in Los Angeles will likely be more expensive than it is in Cleveland, OH.

Lastly, it is a good idea to ask our Los Angeles Snap on Smile doctor about the best methods for taking care of your Snap on Smile. For best results, it should be cleaned daily with a special cleaner and bacterial gel.

What are Common Dental Emergencies?

Dental emergencies happen all of the time, and seem to happen at the most inopportune moments in our life. What starts as a relaxing evening out with friends can easily turn into a painful night of clutching your mouth. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies that should receive immediate attention by our Los Angeles dentists.

• Knocked-out or dislodged tooth
• Tooth that shifts positions
• Cracked tooth
• Fractured tooth
• Lost crown
• Lost filling
• Sudden and sharp pains in the mouth

If you experience a dental emergency, do not wait to contact our expert in dental emergency in Los Angeles. Immediate attention and the right instructions can make the difference in saving a tooth or not, and can help you avoid more serious problems down the road.

In most cases, be sure to keep the tooth and the area around it clean by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Also, avoid swelling by using cold compresses, particularly in situations involving a potentially fractured tooth. If you lose a tooth, rinse it clean, avoid touching the root, and try to replace it, biting down gently to put it into place. If that does work easily, keep it between you teeth and cheek, or place it into milk to keep it moist.

Finding a Good Orthodontist with Your Children

Finding a good orthodontist for your children is key in making sure that they properly develop their dental health. The American Association of Orthodontists strongly recommends bringing your children in to see an orthodontist by the time they are seven years of age. At this point, an orthodontist will be able to tell whether or not your children need to receive orthodontic treatment. If your child does need orthodontic treatment, remember that it can take several years for braces to bring their teeth into alignment. That is why our childrens orthodontists in San Pedro believe it so important that you find an orthodontist that your children get along with and trust.

A good place to start is by asking people who know you and your children for their recommendations. Dentists, pediatricians, family members, and friends can all be valuable resources in finding the right orthodontist. You can certainly use the internet to help you in your search, but be sure to view some actual before and after photos of their past patients before making a decision.

For many people, cost can be an issue when it comes to orthodontics. If you have dental insurance, make sure the orthodontist you find is covered under your plan. If you do not have insurance, make sure you find an orthodontist who offers flexible financing options.

Why Use Dental Sedation

Dental sedation was developed in order to give patients who experience dental anxiety a more comfortable experience when they visit the dentist. As dental anxiety can occur for certain patients for even the most routine of procedures, it has become an important tool for giving patients the care they need.

There are four levels of dental sedation, and the level that is administered generally correlates with the invasiveness of the procedure being done. When our Los Angeles dentists use minimal sedation, it usually comes in the form of nitrous oxide gas. At this level, the patient is relaxed, but still awake. Moderate sedation is given either intravenously or orally, and it may put the patient in the sort of state in which they slur their words and are not able to remember much of the procedure. Deep sedation is given in order to place patients in a state that is on the borderline of consciousness and unconsciousness. General anesthesia is the final level of sedation, and at this point, the patient is totally unconscious. In order to administer sedation at the deep sedation and general anesthesia levels, a special license is required.

If you are letting dental anxiety keep you away from going to the dentist, contact our Los Angeles sedation dentist to schedule a consultation.

Uses of Inlays and Onlays

When dentists are considering how to restore a damaged tooth, one of the things they consider is whether they want to use inlays or onlays. Here is a look at what they are used for.

Inlays

Inlays are essentially just dental fillings, but with one primary difference. When a dentist is filling a cavity, they start with cleaning it out and removing decay. Once that is done, traditional fillings, whether they are metal amalgam or tooth-colored resin, are placed in the cavity in a liquid or semi-liquid state. Then they are hardened by a special light. That hardening changes the size of the filling slightly, which causes stress on a tooth. While this isn’t a problem for most teeth, that stress could be enough to break an already weaken tooth. When this is a concern, our dentist would use an inlay. These fillings are shaped in the mouth, but hardened outside of it. They are then set back onto the tooth and cemented into place.

Onlays

Onlays are made the same way as inlays, but they cover more area of the tooth. In fact, they are designed to replace a ridge of a molar or premolar, which is important for chewing and grinding purposes. This is necessary for a tooth that was chipped or suffered extensive structural damage as a result of decay. The onlay returns both structure and support to the tooth.

How is a Dental Filling Placed?

When our West Hollywood dentist finds a cavity in your tooth, the decay will first be removed. You will likely receive a local anesthetic beforehand, and the dentist will then drill the decay away. Once the decay has been removed, the tooth is restored with a dental filling. The process for placing the filling is relatively straightforward, but there are some differences in the process depending on the material that comprises the dental filling.

Amalgam fillings are also called silver fillings, and they are the cheapest type of dental filling that is available. While they are effective for restoring teeth, some patients object to their high level of visibility. Due to that concern, amalagam fillings are usually only used in the back teeth. Once the decay is removed, the dentist will mix up the amalgam. Using a special instrument called an amalgam carrier, the amalgam will be place inside the tooth. The dentist will make sure that it makes for a tight fit with your tooth. You may then be asked to bite down on a thin sheet of carbon paper to makes sure it does not come out too far. The amalgam is then allowed to harden.

Composite fillings, or tooth-colored fillings, are comprised of resin and glass particles. Once mixed, the composite resin is placed directly into the cavity. Our dental fillings dentist in West Hollywood will then cure the resin with a special light, setting it into place.

How Much Do Lumineers Cost You?

Lumineers are a type of dental veneer that do not require any preparation of the tooth before they are placed. As a result, they have become quite popular. So how much are Lumineers if you decide they are the cosmetic option for you? The amount that they will cost you will depend on a few different factors.

The first factor to take into consideration is the geographic location of where you are having the Lumineers placed. The fact of the matter is that bigger cities and coastal areas tend to be more expensive than smaller cities and rural areas. The difficulty of your treatment case may also have an impact on the total price of your Lumineers. It is also important to keep in mind that most dentists charge for Lumineers on a per unit basis. That means that the number of Lumineers that you will need will also affect your total price. Additionally, the experience level of the dentist performing the procedure can also have an impact on the cost, with dentists who have more experience usually charging a higher fee.

If you are interested in learning how much Lumineers will cost you, contact our best Los Angeles cosmetic dentist to schedule a consultation.

Why You Need Regular Dental Exams

Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth are extremely important steps you should be taking at home to maintain good oral health. Equally important, though, is that you visit our dentist in LA for regular dental exams.

You need regular dental exams so that your oral health can be properly monitored by a professional. The average person is more than likely not going to be able to accurately diagnose themselves with a cavity, let alone much more serious issues like oral cancer that can develop. A dentist will give you a thorough visual examination during your visit which will check for any such issues. If you regularly visit the same dentist, it will be easier for them to tell if you have had any changes in your oral health. You will likely receive X-rays as part of your dental exam. X-rays help dentists notice changes that are not possible to see with the naked eye alone. These changes can include decay between teeth and underneath the gumline. Sometimes a tooth needs a root canal in order to survive and only an X-ray is able to pick up on that fact. Most exams are also done in conjunction with professional cleanings, which are also important for making sure that the plaque and tartar in your mouth are under control.

It is best to remember that when most dental conditions are caught early enough, they are much easier to treat. So if it has been a while since your last dental exam, contact our Los Angeles dental exam dentist to schedule an appointment.

How Much of a Difference Does a Smile Makeover Make?

A smile makeover can completely change not just your smile but your whole look. Although all of us are born with the ability to smile, not all of us are born with an attractive smile. This can inhibit you and make you want to keep those smiles to yourself, which can affect how you feel about yourself and how others feel about you.

Some ways a smile makeover can make a difference in your life include:

•    A comfortable bite
Correcting orthodontic issues can give you a prettier smile, but it also properly aligns the jaws, which can make your bite more comfortable.

•    Greater self-confidence
Instead of holding that part of yourself back, you are now free to smile whenever you want and know that you look as great as you feel.

•    An improved social life
Smiling is contagious, and when you smile at people, they will find themselves smiling right back. They will have a better impression of you and be more likely to respond more positively.

•    A more youthful look
Erasing yellow stains can brighten your smile and make your whole face look younger, fresher and more relaxed.

Call us today to see some smile makeover before and after pictures and learn how you can get started towards your own before-and-after story.

Are Ceramic Veneers Stain Resistant?

Dental ceramic is highly resistant to stains. The enamel on your teeth is made of tiny crystalline rods that are densely packed, but the small spaces between the rods are just big enough to allow chromogens, or stain-causing molecules, to pass through. Over time, the chromogens oxidize and discolor the enamel and the deeper layer of teeth, or dentin. Our cosmetic dentist in Santa Clara can use teeth whitening treatments to lighten teeth, but ceramic veneers allow them to stay beautifully white.

Ceramic veneers are wafer-thin shells of ceramic that fit over the fronts of teeth. The teeth need to be prepared slightly, so a small amount of enamel is trimmed to make more room for the ceramic layer. Once the ceramic layer is bonded to the teeth, it can stay attached for 15 years or more, and you only need to maintain good dental hygiene to keep your smile looking and feeling great.

If you have healthy teeth and gums and are interested in a long-term cosmetic restoration, you may be a candidate for veneers. Call us today to learn more or to schedule your next appointment with our expert in ceramic veneers in Santa Clara.

Qué hacer acerca del dolor de muelas

Dolores de muelas puede ser causado por una variedad de razones. La caries dental, lesiones, un relleno dañado, bruxismo, o una infección pueden ser todas las fuentes para el dolor de muelas. La forma en que un dolor de muelas es tratada a menudo se basa fuera de la causa del dolor de muelas.

Ir al dentista siempre va a ser su mejor opción cuando se trata de lidiar con un dolor de muelas. El dentista será capaz de identificar la fuente y luego tratar el dolor en consecuencia. El dentista le hará un examen a fondo de su boca y también puede tomar radiografías. Si se trata de una cavidad que causa el dolor, el dentista quitará la decadencia y restaurar el diente con un empaste dental. Si ha presentado una infección, es probable que necesite tener un tratamiento de conductos hecho con el fin de salvar el diente. Si es el bruxismo causa de su dolor de dientes, entonces el dentista tiene un guardia de noche diseñado para reducir la presión de las fuerzas de apriete y rechinamiento que está experimentando. Una lesión en el diente puede ser tratada usando una corona, un relleno dental, un barniz o adhesivos dentales.

Si usted está experimentando un dolor de muelas, póngase en contacto con nuestro dentista barato en Los Ángeles tan pronto como sea posible. En muchos casos, el dolor de muelas empeorarán sin la intervención del profesional.