General Dentists and Restorative Procedures
Dentistry involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions, disorders and diseases affecting the teeth, gums and maxillofacial (associated with the jaw and face) region of the body.
General dentists provide services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health.
Ideally, dentistry is preventative. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your dentist regularly – at least once every six months – to ensure proper oral hygiene and functionality. Regular checkups and oral health maintenance prevent the development of serious dental problems that can require costly treatment. If you remain vigilant and visit your dentist regularly, you can enjoy exceptional dental health.
General dentists serve as your first line of defense against oral health problems. Although general dentists provide primarily preventative care and minor restorative therapy, they often are able to perform a wide array of dental procedures, including cosmetic treatments.
Although general dentists typically forgo postgraduate dental specialist education programs, their training does not necessarily end with dental school. General dentists acquire additional dentistry education by attending lectures and participating in hands-on workshops provided by continuing education programs. Therefore, general dentists who opt to enter into practice rather than attend specialized postgraduate training programs may still gain an advanced dental education beyond that associated with DDS and DMD degrees.
General dentists who do not perform a given treatment will provide you with a specialist referral.
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At West LA Dental Care, we go great lengths to provide quality. In our Dental Health Blog, we are posting weekly helpful tips for maintaining and keeping your oral and dental health, we also post about common issues and problems one may have in his life to keep his beautiful smile. You will find information about West LA Dental Care practice philosophy, the dentists, Santa Monica office location, insurance policies, and appointment scheduling procedures.
How To Find Us!General Dentistry Restorative Procedures
During a dental examination your dentist will use instruments, tests, radiographs and clinical expertise to diagnose potential or existent disease states and pathologies. The general dentist's primary focus is on the oral cavity, head and neck. An individualized plan is developed to prevent or treat disease states of the oral cavity. In the case of cosmetic dentistry, your general dentist will work with you to identify your esthetic goals.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are used to repair damage to the structure of a tooth or teeth. Structural damage can be caused as a result of tooth decay, wear or trauma. After the removal of a problematic tooth structure, the tooth is restored with one of several filling materials: gold, amalgam, composite resin (white filling material) or porcelain. Each filling material has its advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist will work with you to determine which material is appropriate for you.
Bonding
Bonding is the term used to describe the process of using composite resins to "glue" materials to the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes. Chipped or cracked teeth are typically repaired through bonding. An enamel-like composite material is applied to the surface of a tooth, sculpted into shape, contoured and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.
Root Canals
Root canal therapy removes infected pulp tissue within the root chamber of the tooth. The hollowed-out tooth is filled with an antibacterial filling, and the tooth is "capped" with a crown for protection. Endodontists specialize in performing root canal therapy, though general dentists also often perform the restorative procedure.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can repair extensively decayed or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be made of gold metals, silver metals, porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal. Some dentists use CAD/CAM technology for the fabrication of dental crowns. In some cases, conservative dental veneers may replace the need for a dental crown. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists and cosmetic dentists may perform the crown procedure; however, expertise varies among dentists.
Dental Bridges
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Dental bridges replace missing teeth with artificial replacements (pontic). The pontic is held in place by composite materials that are anchored to surrounding teeth. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform bridge procedures. Availability of the latest materials, technology and expertise varies among dentists.
Dentures
Dentures are used to replace missing teeth or damaged teeth that cannot be otherwise repaired. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, and cosmetic dentists may perform the procedure. However, availability of the latest material, technology and expertise varies among dentists.
Oral and Maxillofacial Procedures
Oral and maxillofacial procedures range from the less invasive treatment of abnormalities of the mouth, jaw and face – including accompanying structures such as the teeth – to major oral surgeries. Dental implants, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) procedures, reconstructive surgery and cleft lip and palate procedures also fall under the oral and maxillofacial category.
Periodontal Treatment
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Early gum disease treatment may include tooth scaling and cleaning at three-month intervals along with use of medicated mouthwash and proper flossing. Later-stage gum disease treatment may include deep-plane scaling, periodontal surgery and laser surgery. General dentists, family dentists, periodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform gum disease treatment. However, availability of the latest material, technology and the level of expertise varies among dentists.
Laser Procedures
In some cases, laser dentistry can replace the need to drill teeth or to use other, more invasive dental equipment. Dental lasers can be used during a bonding procedure and to remove tooth decay, replace scaling, perform periodontal surgery, enhance tooth whitening and treat some forms of sleep apnea. General dentists, family dentists, periodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform laser dentistry. Availability of the latest technology varies among dentists.
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West LA Dental Care
Dentistry in West Los Angeles and Santa MonicaWest LA Dental is something of a rarity among Los Angeles Dentists in that our practice has managed to grow each and every year, adding more and more new services we can offer to our patients, but without sacrificing either our founding commitment to excellence or our devotion to one to one more..
Dr. Afshin Golyad DDS
Preventative Dentistry and Cosmetic Care
Payment and Financing Options
Minimum CostWe accept checks, cash, VISA or MC, and CareCredit®. CareCredit® is available for a financing option, CareCredit® is specifically designed to finance medical procedures, particularly those not usually covered by insurance. You can apply for CareCredit® here.