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Quality Dentistry and Orthodontics Made Affordable for the Entire Family!
What We Offer
WHAT WE OFFER
DENTAL SERVICES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Welcome to Lakewood Plaza Dental Group & Orthodontics!
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our office. At Lakewood Plaza Dental Group & Orthodontics, we are committed to understanding and meeting your needs as a patient. We take great pride in providing professional excellence, the best quality materials, and state-of-the-art-equipment.
Our state-of-the-art-equipment makes us one of the most technologically advanced offices in the area. We have intra-oral cameras, which allow us to view your teeth on a flat screen monitor directly in front of you, and digital X-rays, which emit 90% less radiation than standard X-rays. All of this technology allows us to be more accurate and efficient with your dental care, which enables us to provide the best dentistry at an affordable cost to you.
General Dentistry, Periodontists & Orthodontics
(click a topic below to read more)
INTRAORAL CAMERAS
An intraoral Camera is an indispensable diagnostic and educational tool. The tiny video camera moves around the inside of your mouth and generates a tooth-by-tooth video exam of your teeth.
Using an intraoral camera allows patients to better understand their dental needs by seeing what the dentist sees and then having it explained. With the images produced by the intraoral camera, patients can see each of their teeth and dentists can indicate problems such as broken teeth, plaque, decay, gum disease, defective fillings, and so on.
FLAT-SCREEN MONITORS
Our flat screen monitors allow you and your doctor to see with perfect clarity, the current state of your dental health. Flat screen monitors make it easy for your doctor to display solutions to your dental health using simple explanations and clear images.
DIGITAL X-RAYS
Digital X-Rays offer a huge advantage in early detection and preventive services. Advanced image manipulation and analysis, for example, allows your doctor to detect early stages of gum disease through recognition of bone level changes, or by evaluating the results against a previous treatment.
With rapidly developing technology, conventional dental X-rays are being overtaken by a revolution in digital X-rays. With digital X-rays, images can be acquired instantaneously in the dental office. This process is faster, safer and produces images that are at or above the resolution of traditional film X-rays. These images can be manipulated, enhanced, stored and exchanged for referral and other purposes, making them extremely useful and convenient.
In addition to the direct clinical and diagnostic benefits, digital X-rays also have the distinct environment advantage of using significantly less resources and 90% lower radiation dosages.
CLEANINGS
Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks, but for general health as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, stroke and more. Regular check-ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene and great fresh breath.
We offer regular dental cleanings as well as deep cleanings to keep your oral hygiene at its best.
TOOTH-COLORED DENTAL FILLINGS
Turn “Metal Mouth” into a natural smile. Replace old crowns and bridges with metal-free restorations. There's a huge difference between metal fillings and our new porcelain restorations that reflect the translucence of natural teeth. Your new metal-free crowns, inlays and bridges won't show wear or cause opposing teeth to erode, and fitting the crown or bridge is easy and quick.
TEETH WHITENING
Your smile is important. It's one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression.
Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking.
Whitening can get your smile looking its best. You should look for a whitening procedure that is fast, convenient, long lasting, and proven to be safe and effective.
We offer Zoom as an in office whitening treatment. Zoom is the most advanced one-hour whitening system on the market.
We also offer take home bleaching kits.
PORCELAIN DENTAL CROWNS
When the size of a "filling" exceeds a certain proportion of the tooth, it must be replaced with a "cap," also called a "crown." Porcelain crowns look very natural and don't have a dark metal line. Porcelain crowns reflect light with a natural healthy glow.
BRIDGES
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth, on either side of the gap, these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called "pontics". Bridges can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.
What are the benefits of dental bridges?
- Restore your smile
- Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
DENTAL BONDING
Bonding is similar to sculpting individual teeth with a special tooth-like material that looks, acts and feels like the real thing. Bonding is an affordable, quick and painless way to repair many cosmetic flaws or injuries.
PERIODONTICS
In its simplest terms, periodontists are dentists who treat gum (periodontal) disease which is mainly caused by plaque bacteria, and affected by other factors such as pregnancy, medications, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions. In addition to treating gum disease, periodontists offer a variety of cosmetic procedures such as dental implants, gingival recontouring, and tissue grafts to cover exposed and sensitive root surfaces of the teeth.
ORTHODONTIC PROCEDURES
We offer braces and invisible braces known as “Invisalign”. Below is general information on the benefits of orthodontic treatment and procedures.
Why Straighten Teeth?
Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. A beautiful smile is the outcome of orthodontic treatment.
An attractive smile is a wonderful asset. It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image—important qualities at every age. A pleasing appearance is a vital component of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.
Asymmetrical jaws
You may be surprised to learn that straight teeth are less prone to decay, gum disease and injury. As for injuries to teeth, protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in an accident. When repositioned and aligned with other teeth, these teeth are most probably going to be at a decreased risk for fracture.
Treatment by an orthodontist to correct a problem early may be less costly than the restorative dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
Stay calm. Many dental problems can be dealt with at home, until you have an opportunity to see your dentist.
If your emergency is life-threatening or you are in extreme pain, dial 911 and notify emergency medical professionals immediately.
GENERAL PROBLEMS
Numbness
- Usually lasts for approximately two hours after treatment.
- If still experiencing numbness after 4-6 hours, contact your dentist.
- If you are experiencing pain even after taking over the counter pain relievers, contact your dentist for a possible prescription.
- If bleeding is persistent and unable to stop with pressure, contact your dentist immediately.
- Rinse mouth with warm salt water.
- If swelling persists, contact your dentist.
JAW PROBLEMS
Jaw Injury
- If teeth fit together properly when the mouth is closed:
- Apply ice to control swelling and take ibuprofen or similar remedy to control pain.
- Restrict diet to soft foods and if no improvement occurs within 24 hours, contact your dentist.
- If teeth do NOT fit together properly when the mouth is closed:
- Immediately seek emergency care
- Gently align the jaws
- Immobilize the jaw by wrapping a cloth bandage under the chin and securing it over the head
- Apply ice
- Do NOT blow nose
Injury to the Soft Tissues (Gums, Cheek, Tongue) of Mouth
- Gently rinse mouth with cold water.
- Apply pressure to wound with clean cloth, gauze or tissue.
- If bleeding persists, contact your dentist or visit a medical emergency room.
TOOTH PROBLEMS
Broken/Fractured Tooth
- Clean the injured area and apply ice to minimize swelling.
- Save the broken piece (for possible reattachment).
- Call your dentist immediately.
Extruded Tooth (Tooth pushed out of place)
- Gently push back in place, if possible.
- Call your Dentist.
Evulsed Tooth (Tooth knocked out)
- Gently rinse off tooth while holding it by the crown (top).
- Attempt to place back in socket, or if not possible, store briefly in cold milk, salt water or between cheek and gums.
- Call your dentist immediately.
ORTHODONTICS
Lost Wire or Ligature
- If rubber ligature is found, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers.
- Contact Orthodontist during regular business hours.
- Use a Q-Tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth and/or cover with relief wax.
- Contact Orthodontist during regular business hours.
- Not an emergency, but can be uncomfortable.
- Tie a small knot in the middle of some dental floss to help remove or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge.
Discomfort
- Discomfort is normal for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted.
- To help alleviate pain, rinse with warm salt water or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Application of topical anesthetic such as Oragel as needed should alleviate discomfort.
- Notify the Orthodontist Office during regular business hours.
- If aspirated (inhaled), call 911.
- If swallowed, contact your General Dentist.
- Notify the orthodontist office during regular business hours.
INSURANCE INFORMATION
We accept and honor most dental insurance plans. The following are just a few of the dental insurance carriers we’re providers for:
Delta MetLife
Aetna Blue Cross
United Concordia PacifiCare
Guardian Ameritas
Cigna Dentemax
Please call our office for more details at (562) 408-3500.
Insurance FAQ
What’s the difference between Indemnity, PPO, HMO, and discount insurance plans?
Indemnity or Traditional Insurance reimburses members or dentists at the dentist’s UCR (Usual, Customary & Reasonable fee). This allows the subscriber to go to any dental office without being limited to a panel.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) is the most common form of insurance. They provide members with a list of participating dentists to choose from. The dentists on this list have agreed to a lower fee schedule, which provides you with greater cost savings. They also assist with insurance billing. Most companies pay 50% on major treatment (crowns, bridges, partials), 80% for basic care (fillings), and up to 100% for preventative care (exams, X-rays, basic cleanings). Annual maximums generally range from $1000 to $2000.
HMO, also known as capitated or prepaid insurance, was designed to provide members with basic care at the lowest rate. Participating providers receive a monthly capitation check for patients assigned to the office. This amount is only a few dollars and is intended to offset the administrative costs. HMOs generally don’t pay for services rendered. Fees are usually greatly reduced, but the patient is solely responsible for paying the doctor.
Discount Plans simply consist of a panel of dentists that have agreed to a reduced rate, with the subscriber being solely responsible for the entire portion. There is no billing or annual maximums.
What’s a covered benefit?
Treatment that is recommended by a dentist, is listed on the fee schedule, and accepted under the terms of your group’s plan.
What’s optional treatment?
Treatment that is either not listed on your fee schedule or more than the minimum to restore the tooth back to its original function.
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