Monthly Archives: September 2012

Invisalign and the Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

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Based on his high number of successful cases, Dr. Solomon has been proudly recognized by Invisalign as one of Los Angeles’ premiere Invisalign providers. Invisalign is quickly growing in popularity as an alternative to braces for straightening teeth. It is great for patients of all ages- especially adults who are reluctant to wear braces, which can be obvious and embarrassing.

Most people are only aware of the aesthetic advantages of straight teeth, but there are also many health benefits that are often overlooked. Straight teeth have fewer corners where food and bacteria can get stuck or where plaque can accumulate. Thus, brushing and flossing will be more effective and there will be a lower chance of tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, misaligned teeth can cause an improper bite or misaligned jaw. In the long run, this can overstress the jaw muscles and cause TMJ problems.

Invisalign straightens teeth “invisibly” using a series of clear, custom-made plastic aligners or molds for your teeth, which are changed every two weeks. The first mold will be of the original position of your teeth and the final mold will be the optimal, straight position of your teeth. There will be a series of molds in between the initial and final mold that will be worn to gradually straighten your teeth.

Invisalign is great not only because the molds are clear and unnoticeable, but also because they are removable. Thus, Invisalign treatment does not interfere with normal brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking.

Get on your way to a new smile today! Call (310)475-5598 to schedule an appointment or personal consultation with Dr. Solomon.

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

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Over 20% of Americans suffer from bruxism (grinding or clenching of the teeth). However, many people are not even aware that they grind or clench their teeth until a sleeping partner hears gnashing noises at night or if their dentist observes abnormal wear of the teeth.

Some teeth grinding or clenching is normal, but frequent bruxism can cause excessive tooth wear and short-lived dental restorations. Moreover, bruxism often causes headaches, jaw or facial pain, tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth or fillings, loose teeth, and insomnia.

The cause for bruxism is not known, but stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, or an abnormal bite can all be contributing factors.

As Los Angeles’ top TMJ specialist, Dr. Sid Solomon has considerable experience with effectively treating patients suffering from bruxism. A custom-made night guard made of plastic or acrylic may be used to prevent the teeth from touching and excessive wear of the teeth. Dr. Solomon also offers highly effective BOTOX treatments that have been shown to dramatically improve bruxism. Call (310) 475-5598 to schedule an appointment or personal consultation with Dr. Solomon to find out which treatment is best for you!

Meanwhile, some other tips from Dr. Solomon to reduce teeth grinding include…

  • Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
  • Avoid chewing gum
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Relax- especially at night before sleeping

White vs. Amalgam (Silver) Fillings

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The controversy surrounding amalgam (silver) fillings versus white fillings can cause confusion while trying to make educated choices about your dental treatment. Which option is better for your health and the tooth? Which option looks the most natural? It’s time to clear up the confusion! Dr. Sid Solomon’s premier Los Angeles dental practice only uses white fillings for several reasons. Let’s learn why-

White Filling Los Angeles Dentist

White fillings are safer for the health of patients

Amalgam fillings were the most commonly material used for fillings for many years. However, amalgam fillings, which contain 50% mercury, recently became criticized for their potential toxicity and health risks. On the other hand, white fillings are made of resin for small fillings and porcelain for inlays and onlays. They are completely metal-free and eliminate all the health risks associated with amalgam. Best of all, since white fillings are metal-free, they have no sensitivity to changes in temperature associated with amalgam fillings.

White fillings make the tooth stronger!

White fillings actually bond to the tooth to increase the strength of the tooth. Conversely, amalgam just fills the cavity without bonding to the tooth. As a result, amalgam fillings often result fractured or broken teeth, which can be expensive to fix in the long run. In addition, less existing tooth structure must be removed for the placement of white fillings compared to that of amalgam fillings.

White fillings look like your natural tooth

Amalgam fillings are dark and can be seen even in the back of the mouth. Silver fillings can also turn the teeth dark over time. Conversely, white fillings can be adjusted to the natural color of your tooth and are practically undetectable.

Dr. Solomon extensively researches all available options to best treat his patients. Call (310)475-5598 to make an appointment today!

TMJ Dentistry

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Dr. Sid Solomon is a leading TMJ specialist in Los Angeles. He has extensive experience with successfully treating TMJ disorders for over 27 years.

Popular symptoms of TMJ often include relentless headaches, earaches, neck pain or stiffness, facial pain, or “clicking” or “popping” noises of the jaw joints. These symptoms, which are actually caused by a TMJ disorder, are frequently mistaken for other conditions. Thus, patients fruitlessly search from doctor to doctor looking for relief when they should be seeking treatment from a TMJ dentist.

TMJ is often caused by a misalignment of the jaw, which causes the TMJ joints and jaw muscles to overwork to bring the teeth together. Thus, to eliminate the pain, the jaw must be realigned to achieve the optimal bite. Dr. Solomon specializes in treating TMJ non-invasively ­– no drills, injections, or surgeries. First, he analyzes the intricate interactions between the TMJ joints, jaw muscles, and teeth using
Splinthighly precise and completely pain-free diagnostic tools such as electromyography (EMG) testing. Dr. Solomon uses this information to determine the proper bite or alignment of the teeth. A custom-made orthotic will then be made to stabilize the TMJ joints and realign the bite. As a result, muscle spasms and pain will be eliminated.

This whole process is completely pain-free and non-invasive so call (310)475-5598 today to schedule your personal TMJ consultation with Dr. Solomon! It’s time to start living life pain-free!

The Benefits of Digital X-rays

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As a leading dentist known for excellent patient care, Dr. Solomon puts the well-being, safety, and health of every patient as his first priority. Thus, his office offers the latest, state-of-the-art digital x-ray technology, which is faster, clearer, and emits 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays. By using digital x-rays, Dr. Solomon is able to thoroughly and precisely examine any problems with the teeth and surrounding tissues and bone that are not apparent during a regular examination.

What is the difference between a digital x-ray vs. a traditional x-ray?

Dr. Solomon does not take any risks with the health of his patients. Thus, he utilizes the safest digital x-ray technology that emits 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays. In fact, the amount of radiation you would be exposed to during a set of bitewing x-rays is only a miniscule fraction of the amount of radiation you would be exposed to during a plane flight from New York to Los Angeles.

Other than improved safety, digital x-rays also allow a better and more accurate diagnosis. Digital x-rays allow the dentist to zoom in on areas of interest to allow for a more detailed and comprehensive evaluation. As a result, it is easier for any problems to be caught early on. Moreover, since digital x-ray images are processed by a computer, they are available for immediate viewing. Conventional x-ray films take several minutes to process. In addition, digital x-rays can be conveniently printed, copied, or transferred electronically to insurance companies because they are stored in the computer.

In addition, digital x-rays are more comfortable for patients. To take a digital x-ray, a small electronic sensor is placed into the patient’s mouth. Conversely, to take a conventional x-ray, the patient must bite down on uncomfortable, sharp sheets of film.

Digital x-rays also do not use any of the hazardous chemicals used to process traditional x-ray. Thus, digital x-rays are beneficial not only the patients, but also the environment and the health of office employees.

Make an appointment with Dr. Sid Solomon today by calling (310)475-5598 to receive the best patient care possible!

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

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Do you have gaps or missing teeth? Have you ever considered getting dental implants? Dr. Solomon has been successfully performing dental implant procedures for over 27 years. Implants can sometimes be a very beneficial and life-changing treatment. For your convenience, we have provided some background information on dental implants below. However, the best way to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants is by making an appointment with Dr. Solomon at (310)475-5598 so he can examine your particular case.

Dental implants are a popular method of replacing missing teeth. They replace the roots of teeth and provide a strong foundation for restorations such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Replacing missing teeth not only boosts your appearance and confidence, but also is very important for your oral health. Existing teeth can begin to migrate into the gap where teeth are missing, resulting in joint pain or bite problems.

Dental implants are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. They are made out of titanium, which is a highly biocompatible material. As a result, the implant is able to fuse with the surrounding bone for long term durability and stability.

Dental implants are a fixed alternative to full or partial dentures and provide several advantages including:

  • Implants replace missing teeth without affecting adjacent healthy teeth.
  • Implants improve speech by eliminating anxiety of slipping dentures.
  • Implants improve chewing by eliminating no pain while chewing from sliding dentures
  • Implants support bridges or dentures, making them more secure and comfortable
  • Implants are more convenient- no more messy adhesives needed!

Do dental implants seem like a good choice for you? Call our office today at (310)475-5598 to set up an appointment.