Blog Archive
About 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth due to trauma or decay. Those gaps lead to a cascade of problems, including further tooth decay, gum disease, shifting teeth, misaligned bites, jawbone loss, and even facial changes. A staggering 23 million are missing an entire arch of teeth,...
Kids around the world have something in common: fear of the dentist. Various studies show that up to 29% of children from preschool- to high school-age have some degree of dental anxiety. And the problem doesn’t go away when they grow up. It worsens: Over 75% of adults steer clear of their dentists due...
We don’t have to tell you that your body changes with every passing birthday; you feel it in your achy muscles and stiff joints and see it in your wrinkled skin. Around age 40, your eyesight starts to slip, and you need readers or prescription lenses for the first time....
When Invisalign® clear aligners hit the market in the late 1990s, they revolutionized the field of orthodontics and have since changed the lives and smiles of over 15 million people. Invisalign quickly became the most desirable teeth-straightening method due to its nearly invisible appearance, removability, and impressive success rate. But Invisalign only works...
Dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth for several reasons, but the procedure requires a time commitment and can be costly. Although your oral health is invaluable, you’d like to know that your investment will last, so you naturally have questions about a dental implant’s longevity. We...
Even if you’re diligent about oral hygiene, bacteria can still sneak past your defenses and work their way into your teeth and gums. And if you don't address it right away, the decay burrows deeper into your tooth and down through the root. Cracks, chips, and fractures are prime targets...
Missing teeth are more than an issue of vanity — those gaps tank your mental, oral, and overall health. At Dental Art of South Bay in Torrance, California, we believe that taking care of your oral health is essential for your overall well-being. That's why we offer a range of treatments and...
If your teeth aren’t aligned correctly, you might not think it’s a big deal. Sure, your upper teeth don’t quite line up with your lower teeth, but that’s only a cosmetic problem, right? Actually, misaligned teeth can have serious consequences that affect both your dental health and overall health. Our...
If a dentist has advised you to get a CT scan, you may feel a bit nervous about it. After all, people don’t usually get CT scans, so it must suggest you have a serious health problem, right? Not exactly. Needing a dental CT scan doesn’t necessarily mean you have a...
Many people have obstructive sleep apnea without knowing it. With this condition, your airways close while you’re asleep, often resulting in a telltale snore. But sleep apnea is more than just a nuisance to the people with whom you share a bed. There are possible dangerous health effects. Here, our...
Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. If you want to make a good impression, dental veneers are hands-down the most effective way to truly get a “Hollywood smile.” Veneers cover up minor and even some major imperfections. If you want smooth, even, gorgeous teeth, veneers are...
Taking proper care of your oral hygiene is an important part of maintaining your overall health. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you’re at an increased risk of many health problems, including gum disease and even heart disease. That’s why it’s equally important to understand the correct ways to...
If you’ve decided to get professional teeth whitening, you’ll likely feel very happy with the results. Professional teeth whitening is the best way to remove stains that build up on your teeth over time. The results of teeth whitening aren’t permanent, unfortunately, but you can do certain things to make the...
Oral health is a real concern when you’re pregnant, but many people are unaware of it. Even your doctor may not be fully aware of the special needs and risks involved. For instance, your gums may be more sensitive during pregnancy. You also may need more frequent dental visits and...
If you avoid going to the dentist because you’re afraid of the experience, you’re not alone. About 9-20% of adults don’t go to the dentist regularly because they’re afraid of it. Dental anxiety is extremely common, but it’s not a reason that you should skip the dentist. Dealing with dental...
Most people know the multiple negative effects of smoking on their health: A smoking habit ages both your face and body, making you seem older than you are. But it can particularly affect your teeth, as well. One obvious way smoking affects your teeth is by causing unattractive tobacco stains....
If you have sensitive teeth, you may have had bad experiences with teeth whitening. Or maybe you’ve heard that teeth whitening can sometimes cause sensitivity, so you opted out of it altogether. But if your teeth aren’t as white as you prefer, you don’t have to just live with it. There...
If you’re unhappy with your smile, don’t worry—you’re not doomed. You can actually do quite a bit to transform your smile and it’s often easier than you expect. The field of cosmetic dentistry has progressed so much in recent years that treatments are more effective than ever. Whether your teeth...
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants are the best replacement option. Implants are secure, permanent, and look just like natural teeth. They’re a bit more expensive than other options but are a great investment. However, if you invest in dental implants, you also need to take good...
Invisalign® is one of the best ways that you can transform your smile. Whether you’re a teenager in need of braces or an adult who decided to change your teeth, it’s a very effective method of straightening your teeth. Your dentist will give you instructions about how to take care of...
If the dentist tells you that your young child may need orthodontic treatment, you may feel surprised. Isn’t your child too young? Shouldn’t you wait until your child is a teenager before thinking about braces? Not necessarily. Current thinking about orthodontic treatment is that it should begin as soon as...
When life gets busy, you may decide to let some things slide. But your regular dental cleanings are too important to skip. You may not realize just how important regular cleanings are. That’s because they include more than just cleaning your teeth. Regular cleanings help you establish a relationship with...
If your partner snores, you probably know how difficult it is to get a good night’s sleep. It can feel extremely maddening to try to fall asleep (and stay asleep) while your partner snores next to you. But snoring is more than just a nuisance to the person sharing your...
Getting your teeth professionally whitened can provide much more dramatic results than doing it yourself with products you find over the counter. But is teeth whitening really safe? The answer is yes. In this post, our providers at Dental Art of South Bay explain what you need to know about...
When you have missing teeth or teeth that need extensive repair, you’ll probably hear that dental implants are the best option. And they are by far the best option because they look and function just like natural teeth. They have a high satisfaction rate: 98% of people who have them...
If you’re not confident about your smile, it can really hold you back. You might feel less likely to proudly display your smile, especially in situations where you really want to make a positive impression. But the good news is that you can make a lot of changes to your...
Most people can expect their dental crowns to last about 10 years on average. They’re made of durable materials like porcelain or a ceramic substance like lithium disilicate. But they’re not able to withstand certain things you might subject them to, like eating sticky taffy or chewing on pens. If...
If you feel anxious about seeing the dentist, you’re not alone. Surveys estimate that 13%-24% of people experience dental anxiety. You shouldn’t avoid going to the dentist, though, and you also don’t have to just grin and bear it. Sedation dentistry provides a way to make dental care much more...
If you have missing teeth, you might think that your only solution is to get a bridge or dentures. But there’s another solution: dental implants. Unlike bridges or dentures, a dental implant is permanent, and it looks and functions just like a normal tooth. Dental implants can be more costly...
Dental care can be expensive, especially if you need to straighten your teeth with Invisalign®, get a crown, or have other restorative work done. However, expense should never stop you from getting the dental care you need. Many forms of dental financing are available that may help you get the...
Many people are still concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus called COVID-19. But if you’re avoiding seeing the dentist because of concerns related to the virus, it’s important to know about the precautions being taken to help protect you from the virus. Getting dental care is an important...
Your “bite” is how your teeth line up when you close your mouth. If your bite isn’t correct, it can cause all kinds of problems, such as jaw issues and speech problems. Fortunately, an improper bite — also called a malocclusion — can be corrected with orthodontics. In this blog,...
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, you can replace them with dental implants. Dental implants restore the look, feel, and functionality of real teeth, which make them a much better option than dentures. In this blog, Dana Samet, DDS, of Dental Art of South Bay, explains more about what...
You may already be familiar with the usual medical uses of a CT scan, also known as computerized tomography scan. This screening tool is used to detect abnormalities in the body, such as blood vessel disorders and tumors. What you may not know is that the dental community finds this...
Invisalign® can give you the straighter, more attractive smile you desire. Having straighter teeth can boost your confidence and improve your oral health. In fact, according to a survey on the cosmetic surgery site RealSelf, 91% of people said going through Invisalign treatment was “worth it.” Invisalign is a system...
If you’re unhappy with your smile, veneers can be an option that really provides the “wow” factor. From making your teeth look whiter to covering dental imperfections, veneers are a solution that can really transform the way you look. Although this procedure usually isn’t covered by insurance, you may find...
Invisalign® is a revolutionary system that uses clear aligners to correct teeth. That’s right: No wires and no brackets. The Invisalign system uses clear, removable aligners to give you the perfect smile. And while this system can help most people, not everyone may be a candidate. In this blog, Dana...
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If your teeth are yellow, you might feel less than confident about your smile. You might even try to hide your teeth because you feel self-conscious about their color. Several factors can lead to yellow teeth, from your...
If the dentist says you need a crown, you have lots of company. Crowns are one of the most common restorative procedures in dentistry. Crowns, which are caps that go over your teeth, can radically transform your smile and fix a variety of dental problems. In this blog, Dana Samet,...
We all want that dazzling, bright smile. Especially in the summertime — when we’re used to having more eyes on us — you really want your smile to pop and stand out. Sure, there are little tricks, like wearing a darker shade of lipstick to provide more contrast. But, what...
With Invisalign®, you don’t have to deal with braces. With this revolutionary system, you are given a series of clear, removable aligners, each slightly adjusted to go from your current alignment to your perfect alignment. Every two weeks or so, you switch out one set with the next in the...
Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7? The truth is, you don’t have to wait until your child is a teenager to get orthodontic work done if they need it. In fact, it’s often better for children to get orthodontic work...
If going to the dentist makes you anxious, you’re not alone. In fact, 9-20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist, because they feel fear or anxiety. But fear and anxiety shouldn’t keep you from taking care of your oral health. At Dental Art of South Bay, we can address...
Everyone wants a perfect, beautiful smile. But few people are born with perfectly straight teeth. Some of us get orthodontic work in our teenage years, but many people don’t. And even people who have had orthodontic work done can find themselves needing more work because teeth can gradually shift over...
Dental implants are one of the most beneficial innovations in the dental industry. As a solution for missing teeth, dental implants are both permanent and attractive. Compared to other options for replacing missing teeth, such as bridges or dentures, dental implants look and feel as close as possible to natural...
You may need a dental crown for a number of reasons, such as after getting a deep filling, a root canal, or a broken tooth. A crown is a cap that goes over your natural tooth. Even though crowns improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile, they’re also important for...
Do you want a picture-perfect smile? From simply growing older to enjoying many popular foods and beverages, your teeth can get dingy. Fortunately, they don’t have to stay that way. Teeth whitening can lift stains to give you a brighter, more beautiful smile. Professional whitening treatments deliver better results than...
In today’s world of cell phone cameras and social media, everyone’s taking selfies all the time. You want to be able to smile along with your friends, but it can be hard to do if you are embarrassed by your teeth. You may have missing, chipped, or stained teeth that...
CT (computerized tomography) scans aren't just for screening breast cancer, lung cancer, and looking inside the brain. In the last 15 years, dental professionals have found CT scans to be effective in quite a few different ways. Dr. Dana Samet and our committed and caring team at Dental Art of...
When people think of orthodontic treatment, many assume that its only benefits are cosmetic. It’s true that when you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it can affect your confidence. Straightening your teeth can definitely improve your appearance. However, orthodontic issues such as misaligned teeth can affect a lot more than...
Dental veneers are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth. They’re fitted to completely cover your teeth, thus hiding any signs of wear, discoloration, and breakage. The process for preparing and fitting veneers involves filing down your natural teeth and then permanently bonding the veneers to them. While...
If you’re afraid to go to the dentist, you’re in good company. Some 9-20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety. That’s around 40-70 million people. You might fear pain, or maybe you don’t like injections. It could be you don’t like giving up control, or maybe...
Until recently, the best corrective measure for misaligned teeth consisted of gluing metal brackets to your teeth, bringing food and drink restrictions and uncomfortable wires and bulges around your mouth. That was then. With Invisalign® teeth straightening treatments, you can get a beautiful smile without anyone ever needing to know...
Did you know there are over 120 million people in the United States alone missing at least one tooth? Of those, over 36 million do not have any teeth, which may leave you asking, how? There are a variety of reasons why you may experience tooth loss, from genetics to...
If you feel self-conscious about your misaligned teeth, you aren’t alone. Malocclusion -- the technical term for crooked teeth -- affects about three-quarters of the adult population in the United States. In many cases, patients who suffer from crooked or gapped teeth have wanted to fix their smiles for years,...
There are many reasons you may be considering braces or clear aligners. You may need to correct your bite, or maybe your dental hygiene is suffering because your teeth are crooked. Perhaps you simply don’t like the way your smile looks. But getting braces is a big commitment, both in...
Dental implants can turn a smile you feel uncomfortable about into one you proudly share with the world. They can also provide a more convenient, comfortable, and natural-looking alternative to dentures and last a good deal longer that alternatives such as a bridge. Choosing the right professional to work with...