Archive for April, 2012

TMJ Pain – Is It Affecting Your Life?

Monday, April 30th, 2012

By Arthur Kezian

If you’re dealing with things like headaches and earaches, you may not be sick.  Instead, the problem may lie in your TMJ – or, your Temporomandibular Joint.  In fact, there are thousands of people just like you, who are suffering from TMJ pain and are desperate for relief!

What is a TMJ?

Hold your hand up to the side of your face, right in front of your ear.  You’ll feel a “hinge” that connects the side of your skull to your lower jaw.  That’s your TMJ.  Every time you open your mouth, chew your food, yawn, or talk, your TMJ is hard at work.

Unfortunately, though, if you grind your teeth, injure your jaw, chew too much gum, or even experience too much stress, the small cartilage disc inside your TMJ can get knocked out of place.  When that happens, it puts pressure on all of the nearby nerves.  Whenever you move your jaw, the disc moves around, causing your jaw to make a clicking or popping sound.

TMJ pain is incredibly uncomfortable.  When you suffer from it, even the most simple of things – like eating food or yawning – can be excruciating.  You may wind up with muscle spasms, headaches, cheek pain, and ear pain.  In fact, lots of people mistakenly think they have an ear infection, when they’re really suffering from TMJ pain!

So, how do you deal with it?

Unfortunately, you can’t do it on your own – and you can’t ignore it.  After all, every time you open and close your mouth, you’re doing more damage!  You’ll need a specialized TMJ dentist in Los Angeles to figure out exactly what’s causing your pain.

A good TMJ dentist in Los Angeles will give you a physical exam.  He’ll check your bite alignment to make sure it’s not unusual.  He’ll also take some x-rays to see if you have a structural problem.

Once your TMJ dentist knows what’s causing the pain, he can fix it.  For example, poor bite alignment can be resolved with things like mouth guards or even braces.  If your problem is due to some kind of injury or trauma, your dentist can show you how to stretch and massage the area to get some relief.

What if the problem is more serious?

If your TMJ pain is severe, your dentist can prescribe painkillers or muscle relaxants that give you some relief.  These are only temporary solutions, though.

In some cases, TMJ pain can be resolved with laser therapy.  Your dentist can use a special laser to soften the cartilage disc, so that it can move back into the proper place.  Or, if you’re dealing with serious inflammation, your dentist may give you a corticosteroid shot.

No matter what’s causing your pain, a qualified TMJ dentist in Los Angeles can help you get rid of it!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com

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5 Reasons to Replace Your Silver Fillings with Composites

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

By Arthur Kezian

Just a few years ago, if you had a cavity, you were stuck with a silver amalgam filling.  In fact, there are millions of people walking around with those unmistakable silver spots in their mouths right now!

Luckily, thanks to advances in technology, there’s a new way to treat cavities – by using a white composite filling.  But why should you bother to head to a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles and replace your silver fillings with composites?

 

1.      Silver fillings can be downright dangerous

Did you know that silver filings have mercury in them?  According to the American Dental Association and the Food and Drug Administration, it’s only a small amount, but do you really want ANY mercury in your mouth?  Back in 2009, the FDA said that silver fillings have a “moderate risk” when it comes to mercury issues.

Because composite fillings don’t have any mercury in them, there’s no risk, so replacing silver fillings is beneficial.

 

2.      Silver fillings don’t look natural

One of the biggest reasons that people head to a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles to replace their silver fillings is because they’re sick of having a mouth full of dark spots.  After all, those silver fillings can make your mouth look dark and dingy – a look that no one wants to showcase when they smile!

However, composite fillings are white.  In fact, a good cosmetic dentist inLos Angelescan custom-blend the resin to match your teeth.  That way, no one will know you have a mouth full of fillings!

 

3.      Silver fillings can actually cause more tooth decay

When a silver filling breaks, chips, or cracks, it places your teeth in danger.  The damaged filling can give bacteria an easy way into the root of your tooth – leading to more decay.  In fact, the fillings themselves can even leak and cause more tooth decay!

Composite fillings, on the other hand, are stronger than silver, and they have a stronger bond to your teeth.  As a result, the odds of them breaking or cracking are much smaller – meaning that bacteria won’t have an easy way to get inside.

 

4.      Not replacing silver fillings can lead to crowns

Because silver fillings have a tendency to break and crack, the odds of you eventually winding up with a crown are high.  That’s because the added tooth decay can leave your dentist with no other choice but to grind your tooth down and put a crown on it.

But if you have a qualified cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles replace your silver fillings with composites, you won’t have to deal with the threat of crowns.

 

5.      Replacing silver fillings can make your teeth less sensitive

If eating a cold bowl of ice cream leaves your filled teeth in agony, you can eliminate the pain by replacing your silver fillings with composites.  For some reason, silver leads to more tooth sensitivity than the resins used in composite fillings.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com

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Look Your Best with These Advances in Cosmetic Dentistry

Monday, April 16th, 2012

By Arthur Kezian

Whether you’re feeling a little insecure about the shade of your teeth, the shape of your teeth, or the condition of your teeth, fear not!  A good Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can make you look your very best, thanks to these 5 advances in cosmetic dentistry:

1.     Composite materials

For decades, the only way to fill a cavity was with silver that turned darker and darker as time went on.  Today, composite materials can be used for everything from filling cavities, to filling gaps between teeth, to veneers.

What exactly are they made of?

In the cosmetic dentistry world, “composite” means that it has resin in it.  This resin is easier to apply than other materials, and it bonds better to your teeth.  Overall, it gives you a strong hold and isn’t as likely to break or chip as older materials are.  As an added benefit, a good Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can custom-blend the resin in your composite products, so that they match the exact shade of your teeth.

  1. 2.     Gum sculpting

Hate that “gummy smile” that pops up in every picture you take?  Thanks to gum sculpting, it can be a thing of the past!  This new cosmetic dentistry technique uses special lasers to remove excess gum tissue around your teeth.  As a result, more of your actual tooth will be exposed – meaning that your small teeth will look longer.

3.     Teeth whitening

White and bright teeth have become a big part of the cosmetic dentistry world!  Years ago, you did not have the option to whiten your teeth. Whether the discoloration was from drinking too much coffee and tea, or because of age, you had to deal with a stained smile. Today, a good Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can give you custom made bleach trays so you can whiten your teeth whenever you would like, and in the comfort of your own home.

4.     Porcelain

Since it can be used for both veneers and caps, porcelain is a great way to cover up damaged and discolored teeth.  As long as you take care of your porcelain dental work, it will make your smile brighter and whiter for years!

5.     Dental implants

Years ago, if you lost a tooth, you had to deal with a gap in your smile.  If you lost a lot of teeth, you had to settle for dentures.  Today, neither of those options is necessary, thanks to dental implants!

What are they?

Dental implants are artificial roots that are screwed directly into your jaw during cosmetic dentistry surgery.  The newest implants are made out of titanium – meaning they are just as strong as natural teeth.

Once the “roots” are in place, your cosmetic dentist can place a crown or bridge on top of them.  Today’s implants are so advanced that no one will know they’re not your natural teeth!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com

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Los Angeles Root Canal – What You Need To Expect

Monday, April 9th, 2012

By Arthur Kezian

What does root canal surgery entail?

When a patient is in intense pain, often due to an abscess, (an infection of the tooth) then root canal surgery may be considered. The thing is, there is very little root canal pain in surgery, the pain is due to the infection or abscess in the tooth. The root canal surgery will relieve the pain. Your respected root canal dentist must drain the fluid from the abscess and this will relieve the pressure, and reduce the pain.

What does this mean for the tooth?

Teeth consist of enamel on the outside, and dentin on the inside. Dentin covers up the pulp which is very soft and contains lots of nerve endings. It is the damage to the nerves that give us the pain. If the enamel is chipped or otherwise worn away, bacteria can enter the dentin and cause infection. The infections can go down into the root of the tooth and this is when root canal pain arises and surgery may be performed.

Why did my dentist give me antibiotics?

Your root canal dentist prescribed antibiotics due to the abscess. It is essential to get the abscess under control because the pus that is contained in the abscess can make the pain relief become ineffective. That is the pain relief which your chosen Los Angeles dentist utilizes to perform your root canal surgery. You need that! So, the antibiotics will clear up the abscess and this will make surgery safer for you.

A pulpectomy, what’s that?

If you are biting on the tooth producing pain, your root canal dentist will do a pulpectomy. This involves taking out a portion of the pulp which is in the middle of the tooth. A pulpotomy may also be considered, which is very similar. The pulp is taken out of the top part of the tooth. This is the crown of the tooth. The pulp is left in the bottom of the tooth and a dressing is applied and then a short term filling. This, in most cases, relieves the root canal pain.

Most cases?

There are three reasons why there might be more pain:

* You are accidentally biting on the tooth
* The infection of the tooth is situated lower down
* Pus is again increasing in the tooth

In this case your root canal dentist must take out all the pulp which is in the tooth and add calcium hydroxide to the gap. It will destroy the infection and inflammation, and it takes approximately a week.

So is it gone forever?

One of the fallacies surrounding root canal work includes that the infection cannot return. All teeth require proper care, and you must continue seeing your dentist regularly. Los Angeles root canal surgery means that your dentist must x-ray your tooth yearly to ensure there is no infection. This is because you would not be able to feel it, due to the nerves being removed.

Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste is essential, too. After Los Angeles root canal surgery you should make sure your teeth are even better cared for than before!

If you are searching for a dentist in Los   Angeles, you must call Los Angeles Dentist. Make an appointment with Los Angeles Dentists and you can be sure that your teeth are in the capable hands of an experienced, caring professional.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com

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Los Angeles Dental Implants – Dental Implant Dentist Can Give You Confidence!

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

By Arthur Kezian

We all know the importance of a happy smile to human communication. But when you have teeth that have suffered a trauma or some sort of oral disorder, it can make you feel less than comfortable about smiling. When you are feeling like this it is time to have a chat with your chosen dentist for implant dentistry.
Los Angeles dental implants are a serious matter which you will need to discuss, because of the surgical implications. While all dentists prefer to save teeth if at all possible, sometimes dental implants have to be part of the recovery process. Your Los Angeles dental implants mean that you will be cared for in a professional and empathic way.

What Is A Dental Implant Dentist?

Dental implant dentists are experienced and qualified in implant dentistry. They will have prosthodontist training which will enable them to work, not just on the standard teeth, but on assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of missing or severely deteriorated teeth. If a client’s tooth must be removed, a dental implant dentist will be experienced in dealing with the bone, jaw and tissue surrounding the tooth.

Sometimes Los Angeles dental implants dentist will remove areas of your mouth, including your teeth, bone or surrounding tissue which is damaged beyond repair. The dental implants dentist will then make decisions about prosthesis. This involves a biocompatible synthetic being produced which will ensure your teeth look as good as they did before, or even better!

Dental Implants – Is it Cosmetic Surgery?

While most dentists do prefer to save a tooth rather than replace it, often Los Angeles dental implants are done as a cosmetic procedure. Since a happy beautiful smile is often a person’s best feature, who knows what psychological trauma is experienced when this is no longer the case? Whether implant dentistry is done due to essential repair of the teeth or due to a cosmetic reason, it is something that must be taken very seriously indeed.

What Actually Happens?

The dentist will have your teeth restoration as their highest priority because this ensures that the foundation is correct. In order for the prosthetics to look amazing, both the prosthodontist and the oral surgeon will collaborate. Firstly titanium posts are implanted into the jaw bone, which give the structure. They mold to the bone and strengthen the bone and give support to the bridges and crowns which follow. This means normal mouth functioning, eating and chewing, and speaking will be restored.

If you are just having one or two teeth replaced then the procedure will be a once only deal. But if you are having more dental implants then you will need to come back on more than one occasion. The jaw bone will need to settle each time, and then you can have more implants fitted.

At Los Angeles dentists you will find dentists that are experienced and friendly. They are highly trained and have done many Los Angeles dental implants. If you have any problems with your teeth, or you have experienced a trauma and your teeth are badly affected, you must contact Los Angeles Dentist and make an appointment for their caring team to help restore your teeth to their very best.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com

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