How Dental Technology Is Effectively Used By Dentists

By Arthur Kezian

Dental health is very important, which means visiting a dentist on a regular basis is highly recommended. With modern day advancements in dental technology, making and going to an appointment has become less stressful. Dentists who are up-to-date with dental technology can actually help make your dental visit pleasurable.

DIAGNOdent:

Many patients have had to endure the uncomfortable experience of dental probing tools. DIAGNOdent is a handheld laser device that aids in the detection of cavities. This innovation gives your dentist a chance to check for tooth decay without the need to use a probe. Small lesions can be detected at an early stage which means you can save your tooth before the decay enlarges. Protecting and preserving your teeth have never been simpler.

Intra-Oral Photographs:

Another great advancement in general dentistry is the intra-oral camera. This is a diagnostic equipment that allows dentists to visualize parts of your mouth that an X-Ray won’t necessarily show. It is a digital camera made specifically for the mouth; this camera has a built in light source and can magnify an image by about 25 times. Intra-oral cameras are great because they can show patients areas of their mouth that are not visible when looking in the mirror (i.e. their wisdom teeth, the back portion of their upper and lower teeth, in between areas, and etc…). At Dr. Kezian’s office, intra-oral pictures appear on the screen right after they are taken. This way, the doctor and the patient can review areas of the patient’s teeth together.

The use of new dental technology helps dentists give precise diagnosis and treatment to the patients. Not only do these equipments aid the doctor, but they are great for the patients too. Why not opt for time-saving, simpler dental visits? Call Dr. Kezian’s office for a free consultation and take advantage of the use of these new innovations, you’ll be glad you did.  

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

The Easy Road to Great Dental Cleaning

By Arthur Kezian

A dental cleaning can be looked at in two ways – the first being basic tooth brushing at home, and the second visiting a dentist. Many people brush their teeth twice a day, floss, and even use mouthwash to keep their breath fresh. Dental homecare is very important, but it is equally important to visit your dentist for more thorough cleanings.

Dental cleanings with you dentist:

Visiting your dentist once every six months is not mandatory, but it is definitely recommended for good dental hygiene. In doing so, you can keep your teeth free of tartar build-up and also stay on top of the condition of your teeth in regards to gum recession, bone loss, cavities, and even staining. Your teeth can stain, turn yellow, or lose their shine if you are a smoker, if you drink coffee, tea and wine regularly, or even because of age. To help reduce the staining your teeth are prone to, make sure you get your teeth polished along with a cleaning every six months.

Dental cleanings usually consists of a three step process. If your dentist is up-to-date with technology, then the cleaning usually starts with an ultrasonic scaler, or in dental terms, a cavitron. This instrument helps chip tartar away a lot more efficiently. The next step is the hand scaler, which the doctor uses manually to go over all the areas making sure not to leave any tartar behind. The final step in the cleaning is the coronal polishing. The dental assistants usually do the polishing; they use a polish paste to help remove stains off the surface of the teeth. In cases with a great extent of staining, powdered pumice can be added to the paste to make it coarser and help rid the stains quicker.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

Silver Fillings- A Thing Of The Past?

By Arthur Kezian

Did you know that if you replace silver fillings you may be protecting yourself from the toxic effects of mercury?  People have always had to deal with dental cavities, but now you need to worry about mercury exposure too!  Silver amalgam fillings often contain about 50% mercury and many consumer advocacy groups are saying that they are dangerous. 

You can take action even if you have had the same fillings for decades. Dr. Arthur A. Kezian, who uses white fillings, can replace old silver fillings with new non-toxic ones.

What Are Amalgam Fillings?

Amalgam fillings are silver in color and contain a mixture of metals such as copper, tin, silver and mercury.  As a filling material they are inexpensive and durable, sometimes lasting up to forty years.

Why Is Mercury Dangerous?

Mercury present in silver fillings will vaporize into a gas when the filling is irritated or rubbed vigorously.  This leakage of mercury increases with more and more stimulation against the silver filling.  Mercury is believed to be a neurotoxin, and your body has difficult time expelling it from your tissues.

How Dangerous?

This question is very difficult to answer and quite controversial.  Many expert dentists and toxicologists debate over the safety of this amount of mercury exposure. Currently the FDA is reviewing peer reviewed literature and clinical studies to make a final recommendation. However, as of 2009, the FDA has issued a statement saying amalgams are safe for people over the age of six.  It is a fact that mercury leaks from the amalgam fillings and people with them have been documented to have higher levels of mercury in their bodies. However, these levels typically do not reach unsafe levels. 

Should You Replace Silver Fillings?

This question too is a challenging one.  If you are exposed to mercury in other ways in your life you may want to consider undergoing a replacement to limit your exposure. However, replacing fillings can be a tricky procedure.  It is strongly recommended that you consult a dentist to undergo a complete history and oral exam. Together you can determine a treatment plan best suited for your needs.

Dr. Kezian prefers composite resins to avoid the potential toxic effects of mercury and because composite fillings look better aesthetically. Make an appointment today for a free consultation.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

How to Care for Your Teeth before Going to Bed

By Arthur Kezian

Your teeth need a lot of care and it is your responsibility to provide it. The healthier your teeth are the happier you look and the more confident you are when talking. It is something you need to do every day and frequently, when you wake up, after meals and also before you retire to bed. Your dental hygiene practice should ensure that both your teeth and gums are clean and healthy at all times. In this article you will learn that there are several ways to care for your teeth before going to bed. These ways include brushing, flossing, and rinsing, all which should be done efficiently.

Brushing

Brushing your teeth is an activity that you should do with utmost care. It should help you prevent plaque from clogging in your teeth as well as preventing your tooth from tooth decay. You should place your toothbrush on your teeth in a 45 degree angle, being careful to brush all corners of your teeth. The brush movements should be gentle and made in a circular motion or an up and down motion.

 in the evening is important to your health and is something that should be done after meals. Dr Kezian and his staff would advise you not to take any additional food after brushing your teeth as this can accelerate tooth decay.

Flossing

Dental floss is an important part of any effective dental care routine. It is a fast and effective way to keep your teeth clean and healthy. To be more effective, it should be done at the end of the day, just when you are about to go to bed. Flossing is helpful in removing plaque and any other food particles that you could not remove using your normal brush.

The floss you use should be clean. Be careful to floss between every tooth. Sometimes flossing the back teeth can be difficult, but the more you floss, the easier it gets.

Rinsing

Your smile is important and reflects the health of your teeth. There is no specific brand of mouthwash that is necessarily the best. You can use any ADA-approved mouthwash. Warm salt-water rinses every now and then can also be good for your gums. Your dental homecare is very important, so make sure to brush, floss, and rinse faithfully.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777

-N.S.

Answering Your Top Dental Emergency Questions

By Arthur Kezian

Okay, so you're not a successful dentist. So, what do you do if you run into problems with your smile?

Read the answers to these 3 questions.  That way, the next time you encounter a dental emergency, you'll be prepared to deal with it!

1.       "How do I know if I'm having a dental emergency?"

This can actually be a tricky question to answer, because some dental emergencies are less dramatic than others.  If you lose a tooth in a tennis match, you know it's an emergency!  But what if you're not in blinding pain?  What if you just have a nagging ache that won't go away?  Should you call your emergency dentist?

Yes!

Anytime your teeth don't feel quite right, you should call an emergency dentist and arrange to have it checked out.  After all, better safe than sorry!

2.       "What if it looks worse than it feels?"

Some dental emergencies look downright awful -- like a filling that falls out or a tooth that cracks when you're out to dinner -- but don't hurt, at least, not right away.  Does that mean it's not a true emergency?

No!

In either of those cases, the integrity of your tooth has been compromised.  All it takes is a couple of innocent little bites to cause major damage to your already-weakened tooth.  And, trust me, that's something that's going to hurt a whole lot! 

Even if you're not in any pain, it's better to pay a  dental professional a visit right away.  That way, you can prevent minor issues from turning into major, expensive, invasive problems.

3.       "What's the harm in waiting?"

Waiting to call your emergency dentist is like inviting pain.  After all, dental pain -- or any other kind of pain -- doesn't just go away all by itself.  Before you know it, that dull ache can turn into a mind-numbing throb.

Plus, the longer you wait to call your Los Angeles emergency dentist, the higher your odds of suffering permanent tooth damage.  In fact, even relatively minor tooth problems can quickly escalate into nerve damage.  After all, each of your teeth is connected to a network of tissues, nerve endings, and blood vessels.  If any one of those things is damaged, it can lead to major -- and permanent -- problems.

Sadly, dental emergencies can lead to problems for your entire body if you ignore them long enough.  For example, if one of your teeth is infected and you don't do anything to take care of it, that infection can spread to other parts of your body -- leaving you feeling terrible all over!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.