Dental FAQs in Encino, CA

When you come in for a dental exam, we get to take a good hard look at your teeth, your gums, any fillings or restorations you may have, your bite, and the rest of your mouth. We may even recommend some digital X-rays to take a closer look at things that aren't always visible otherwise. Encino Smile Makeover uses digital X-rays as a part of its preventive dentistry services. Once we've got all the facts, we can start working on a treatment plan that's right for you. If it's time for a checkup, you should get in to see us.

First off, talking about any concerns you may have before your visit can really make a difference. Let us know what's worrying you, and we will do what we can to make things more comfortable for you. We can explain every step of the procedure, what you might feel, and what pain control options are available. Even if you're worried about a more involved procedure, you can always ask if there's any sort of sedation dentistry that might be suitable for your needs. If you want to know more about how we can make things more comfortable for you, book an appointment.

It really depends on what procedure you're having and how sensitive you are. Sometimes, local anaesthetic is used to numb the area where we're working. Some treatments are designed to be as pain-free as possible, like dental sealants they're applied without drilling or injections, according to what Encino Smile Makeover has to say about sealants. Your dentist will talk you through what you can expect before we get started and will discuss pain control options with you, too. If you've got any concerns about dental treatment, book an appointment, and we can talk them over.

Sometimes, when a tooth gets infected or inflamed, it needs a root canal to sort it out. This is what happens when the pulp inside the tooth gets damaged because of decay or trauma. We take out the infected tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and fill and seal it. Sometimes, we'll recommend a crown afterwards to give the tooth a bit more strength and function. The number of visits will depend on the individual case, but we'll work with you to make sure everything goes smoothly. If you're in a lot of pain or think you might need a root canal, you should book an appointment.

Getting a dental implant is a process that takes place in stages. We plan out what needs to happen, then surgically put the implant in the jawbone and let it heal up over a bit of time. After that, once it's healed, we attach an abutment and the replacement tooth. Encino Smile Makeover says that the planning process might involve X-rays or digital scans and that healing can take a few months. We recommend that you book a consultation to find out more about what the process might involve for you.

Tooth-coloured fillings, also known as composite fillings, can repair where decay or damage has broken down a tooth. First, we remove the damaged bit and fill in the gap with the filling material to restore the shape and function of the tooth. Encino Smile Makeover includes composite fillings as one of its general dental procedures. The amount of remaining natural tooth and how much damage there is will help us decide if a filling is suitable or if something else is needed. If you think you might have a cavity, schedule a dental exam, and we can take a look.

Laser dentistry makes use of focused light energy to tackle various dental procedures. Depending on the specific treatment needed, lasers can be put to good use when dealing with soft tissues, infected areas, or any other suitable application that comes up. At Encino Smile Makeover, they're big on laser dentistry and point out that it's just the ticket for gum disease treatments and cosmetic work. Whether this cutting-edge technology is right for your dental woes depends on what you're dealing with so schedule an appointment and ask whether laser dentistry might be the way to go.

Scaling & root planing is a deep-clean procedure that goes a long way in tackling gum disease. Scaling gets rid of plaque and hardened deposits from your teeth and just below the gumline. Root planing smooths out the root surfaces, which lets the surrounding gum tissue heal a bit better. Encino Smile Makeover says it's a common treatment for periodontal disease. You may need to come back for a follow-up or two to check on the state of your gums. If you think you might have gum disease, schedule an appointment and let them take a closer look.

Absolutely, communication is a big part of getting good dental care. Before treatment even starts, you can agree on a signal to let the dental team know if you need a break or are feeling some discomfort. If you're having a more involved procedure, it's very helpful to ask questions beforehand about what the process will be like, how long it'll take, and what kind of anesthesia you'll be getting. It can also really help if you know what's going on during the procedure, especially if you're already a little on edge about dental visits in the first place. Schedule an appointment to get all your questions out in the open before treatment gets underway.

Sometimes, you might find out about a dental issue during an examination or while the treatment itself is going on. Your dentist might have to re-evaluate the situation and let you know whether the original treatment plan is still on track or if it needs to be adjusted. For example, if you've got tooth decay, it might be more serious than you think, or if a tooth is damaged, it might need a different kind of restoration to protect the remaining healthy tooth structure. Your dentist will explain things to you before moving forward with any more treatment so schedule an appointment if you've got some unresolved dental business to attend to.