Take Advantage of Technology with These 3 Dental Advancements

By Arthur Kezian

Back in 700 BC, someone managed to create a set of dentures out of ivory.  Ever since, people have been on the hunt for a cosmetic dentist that could get rid of any imperfections that keep them from having the perfect smile!

In the nearly 3,000 years that have passed since that first set of dentures, we have seen countless new cosmetic dentistry tools and techniques.  These 3 are relatively new, but they'll make it easy for your cosmetic dentist to give you a smile that's perfect!

1.      Dental veneers

In Los Angeles, the pressure to look perfect can be intense.  If you're insecure about your smile, a good dentist can eliminate your worries with some veneers.

What are they?

The dental veneers in Los Angeles are made out of porcelain or resin.  They're very thin sheets, to be exact, that get applied right to the front of your teeth.  That way, your cosmetic dentist can cover up gaps in your teeth, make crooked teeth appear straighter, or even make your teeth look longer.  Plus, the materials that are used to make dental veneers ensure that you'll instantly get a brighter, whiter smile!

2.      Dental Porcelain Crowns

If your teeth need more than just a "cover up", your cosmetic dentist might fit you for porcelain crowns.

What are they?

Similar to the crowns of old, they slide right over each tooth like a little cap and are held in place with special cement.  But instead of being made out of metal, today's crowns are made out of porcelain.  That way, you wind up with a whiter smile, instead of a mouth full of metal!

Because they cover your entire tooth, dental porcelain crowns can actually strengthen broken or damaged teeth.  They can also go over titanium dental implants, so that you get a mouth full of pearly whites -- without having to wear dentures!

3.      Custom porcelain shading

A good cosmetic dentist understands that tooth color is not a one-size-fits-all process.  The right shade will depend on your skin tone and the shade of your existing teeth that aren't getting covered up with porcelain.

Luckily, it's easy for your cosmetic dentist to come up with a shade that works perfectly -- thanks to new custom porcelain shading techniques!  Today, creating the perfect shade is as easy as mixing some chemicals together.  That way, you'll never have to worry about your teeth looking fake or uneven.  Instead, you'll have the bright, healthy smile you've always dreamed of!

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

-N.S. 

6 Consequences of Not Calling Emergency Dentist

By Arthur Kezian

If you've been dealing with a nagging mouth ache or a painful tooth -- and doing everything you can to avoid a trip to your emergency dentist's office in the process -- you're putting your entire smile in danger. 

Here's what can happen if you wait too long to see an emergency dental professional:

1.        Nerve damage

It doesn't take much for even a minor tooth problem to turn into full-blown nerve damage.  Even if you're not in blinding pain, you need an emergency dentist to assess the situation.  That way, you don't have to worry about minor problems turning into major ones!

2.        Permanent tooth damage

If your oxygen supply got cut off long enough, you'd expect to suffer some kind of permanent damage right?  Well, your teeth are no different!  After all, your teeth are living things that are attached to tissues and blood vessels that keep them strong and healthy.  The longer your tooth has to go without full access to its tissues and blood vessels, the higher its chances of developing permanent damages.

3.        A tooth that can't go back in your mouth

If one of your teeth gets knocked out, you've got to take immediate action to keep it from dying.  In order to make sure that a dentist will be able to fix your tooth and put it back in your mouth, you'll have to place the tooth in a cup of milk until your dentist can take care of it.  If you wait too long, the tooth can die -- meaning you'll have to get an implant instead.

4.        An infection that spreads

Even relatively minor tooth injuries can turn into nasty infections.  If you don't let your dentist tackle the problem ASAP, that infection can spread to other parts of your body -- leaving you feeling yucky all over.

5.        More extensive damage

If you crack your tooth out at lunch, you might think that you can just keep eating and call your dentist later.  However, each of those bites can lead to worse damage -- like a tooth that breaks completely.

6.        Increased pain

Lots of dental emergencies start off as a dull ache that you can't seem to get rid of.  As minor as it may seem, it's important to remember that dental pain doesn't just go away all by itself.  The longer you wait to let a dentist take a look, the worse your pain is going to get!

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

-N.S.

Cracked Tooth Syndrome -- 6 Things You Need to Know

By Arthur Kezian

If your dentist has started talking about cracked tooth syndrome, don't panic.  It may sound like a scary disease, but it's actually very easy to fix.

In the meantime, here's what you need to know about it:

1.       The "cracks" are really tiny fractures

Perhaps a better name would be "Fractured Tooth Syndrome" because that's what you're really dealing with -- tiny fractures that can either be minor or go all the way to your nerve endings. 

Unlike the typical fracture you're probably thinking of, these fractures are tiny -- so tiny, in fact, that your dentist may not be able to spot them on an x-ray.  Instead, he'll need to use special tools to find them.

2.       You'll be in random pain

Some dental problems create constant pain until they're taken care of, but that's not the case with Cracked Tooth Syndrome.  Instead, these fractures only cause pain when you're eating -- but won't make every meal painful.  You may be sensitive to hot and cold foods, or you may only be in pain during certain meals.  Because the pain is so random, Cracked Tooth Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose.

The only thing that isn't random is when the pain stops.  If you're suffering from cracked tooth syndrome, the pain will stop when you stop eating.

3.       Some teeth are more susceptible to it than others

Typically, tiny fractures are seen in the bottom molars, because those are the teeth you use most for chewing. 

However, if you have a filling in one of your teeth, it can make that tooth more vulnerable to fractures -- simply because the integrity of the tooth has already been compromised.

Additionally, if your teeth are out of alignment, it can make all of them more susceptible to Cracked Tooth Syndrome, because you're putting uneven pressure on your teeth every time you bite down on something. This can be fixed ahead of time to prevent getting dental crowns.

4.       Bad habits can make it worse

If you grind or clench your teeth, you have a higher chance of developing Cracked Tooth Syndrome.  Same goes for chewing on ice and pens.

5.       Porcelain crowns are the easiest -- and most common -- fix

When you get a dental crown your dentist will fit "caps" over each affected tooth.  As a result, your fractured tooth is protected from additional damage.

6.       Some teeth can't be saved

If your fracture is severe enough -- especially if it goes all the way to the root of your tooth -- even the best Los Angeles dentist may not be able to save your tooth.  As a result, you'll have to have the tooth replaced with a dental implant.  Luckily, a good dentist can make your implant look completely natural!

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

-N.S.

Treating Diastemas -- How Your Cosmetic Dentist Can Help

By Arthur Kezian

If you're embarrassed to pose for pictures, smile on a first date, or join the conversation during a cocktail party because of a gap in between your teeth, there's actually a technical term for it.  Dentists call that gap a "diastema".  A diastema is most likely to occur in between your two front teeth, but it can pop up anywhere.

Luckily, no matter where yours is, a good dentist can actually help you get rid of that gap-toothed smile once and for all!

But first things first…  Where do diastemas come from?

If you've dealt with a gap in your teeth for your entire adult life, chances are genetics are to blame.  Some people actually have jaws that are too big for their teeth.  As a result, their teeth space out further in an effort to cover all of that space -- leaving them with gaps in between their teeth.

Other people have tissue problems, specifically with their labial frenum -- or, the tissue that sits in between the gum and the inside of the lip.  If your labial frenum is too big, it can push your teeth out of the way, causing gaps to develop.

But diastemas aren't all about genetics.  Some people develop them because of frequent tongue thrusting.  Over time, they have literally moved their teeth out of place! 

So now that you know where diastemas come from, what can your dentist do to help you get rid of them?

Luckily, modern science has come up with some great techniques in recent years.  Before, your only option was to wear braces for a few years and gradually move your teeth around.  Now, a good dentist can solve your diastema woes in as little as a few appointments!

The most popular way to treat diastemas involves covering them up with veneers.  By cementing thin pieces of porcelain onto the front of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist can make the gaps invisible!

If your diastemas are a little bigger -- or if your teeth require some extra support -- your dentist can get a similar effect with crowns.  Instead of adhering to the front of your teeth, crowns cover up your entire tooth, like a cap.

Whether you take advantage of crowns or veneers, you'll get another benefit -- a whiter, straighter smile.  That's because veneers and crowns can cover up any imperfections in your smile.  You can say goodbye to your diastemas and give your entire smile a boost, all at the same time!

If your labial frenum is to blame, you can still take advantage of crowns and veneers.  However, before you do, your dentist will have to perform surgery to correct the tissue problem.  The whole process will take a little longer, but in the end, you'll have a perfect-looking smile!

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

-N.S.