Dentist in Northridge

Dental Services Northridge, CA

Teeth Whitening

If your teeth are discolored, yellow, or stained, whitening treatments can brighten your smile and restore your teeth to their pearly white color.

Over time, tooth enamel can chip, crack, and erode, revealing the yellowish lower layer of your teeth called the dentin.

Other common causes of discolored teeth:

Drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee, red wine, and tea
Poor oral hygiene habits
Smoking
Eating highly pigmented foods like blueberries and tomato sauce
Taking certain prescription medications like antihistamines, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors

Same-Day Office Whitening Dental Services

We offer fast whitening treatments in our comfortable Northridge, CA, office. During your visit, a rubber dam will cover your gums and tongue. Next, your physician will carefully apply a bleaching solution to the surface of your teeth. After about 15 to 20 minutes, your dentist will then direct a special light at your teeth to trigger a chemical whitening reaction. The process will be repeated until your teeth are several shades lighter.

Take-Home Whitening Trays That Are Easy and Safe To Use

You can also whiten your teeth at home using whitening trays. Each night, you’ll wear the trays for three to four hours until you achieve the desired results. At-home treatments do not produce the same results as in-office whitening, but they can dramatically improve the color of your smile.

Root Canal Treatments

A root canal is an outpatient oral surgery that helps prevent tooth extraction.

Common reasons for root canals:

Extensive tooth decay
History of repeated dental procedures on a tooth
Chipped or cracked tooth
Injury to the tooth due to force or impact

The procedure begins with your dentist creating a hole in the top of your damaged tooth to remove the infected pulp. After rinsing your tooth with antiseptic, your dentist will refill your tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Next, your dentist will take impressions of your tooth and send them off to a dental lab that will fabricate a permanent crown. The last step is to seal the hole in your tooth to prevent reinfection.

After your root canal, you’ll take an oral antibiotic to prevent infection. If you experience any pain or swelling, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You’ll also need to avoid smoking until your tooth heals. The procedure only requires a local anesthetic, and most people fully recover in about a week.

When your crown arrives, you’ll return to the office to have it fitted.

Dentist in Northridge

Dental Implants

Dental implants are made from biocompatible materials like ceramic and titanium and are used to replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

One major benefit of dental implants is that they stimulate bone tissue in your jaw. Bone tissue needs stimulation to retain strength and prevent deterioration of your jawbone to maintain the natural shape of your face.

To be a candidate for dental implants, you first need to have healthy gums. If you have gum disease, you’ll need to have that treated before getting dental implants by your dentist. You’ll also need to have sufficient amounts of bone tissue in your jawbone.

After your dentist secures your implant and the root fuses to your jawbone, your dentist will install a restoration, like a crown, bridge, or dentures.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are outpatient procedures that involve removing one or more teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are the most common type of tooth extraction.

Common reasons for tooth extractions:

Extensive tooth decay
Overcrowded teeth
Tooth injury
Preparation for braces
Infections
Impacted teeth

If a toothache doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain medication, you’ll need to have it evaluated by a dentist. Most extractions are minimally invasive procedures, but surgery is often required for impacted teeth.

Most people only experience mild discomfort after a tooth extraction, but if you are prone to anxiety or have a low sensitivity to pain, you may require sedation to stay comfortable throughout the procedure.

Lavo Dental

9671 Reseda Blvd

Northridge, CA 91324

(818) 345-5556