OVERVIEW OF OUR SERVICES

Our primary goal is focused on preventive dental care to help each child grow a happy and healthy smile. At Local Smile Co., we know how important early dental experiences are and how it sets the foundation for the lifetime of your child’s oral health. We give you and your child something to smile about with our tailored treatment plans and wide array of services.

OVERVIEW OF OUR SERVICES

Our primary goal is focused on preventive dental care to help each child grow a happy and healthy smile. At Local Smile Co., we know how important early dental experiences are and how it sets the foundation for the lifetime of your child’s oral health. We give you and your child something to smile about with our tailored treatment plans and wide array of services.

LASER DENTISTRY (NEW)

We are proud to announce that Local Smile Co. is one of the two first pediatric dental offices in Los Angeles County to be using a Solea Laser. This technology virtually eliminates or minimizes the need for local anesthetic injections as well as using a drill for dental fillings (in most cases).

A CHANGE FOR THE HAPPIER

The miracle we’ve both been waiting for is here: Solea. Now available to you, Solea is a powerful dental laser that replaces the dental drill in the majority of procedures in our practice. It causes virtually no pain, vibration or noise. In fact, nearly every patient skips anesthesia because they just don’t need it. Solea is our way of keeping you happy. Because more than anything, we love to see you smile.

WHAT IS THE SOLEA LASER?

Solea is the first CO2 dental laser system cleared by the FDA for hard and soft tissue procedures. It was developed in Boston, MA by Convergent Dental, based on research conducted at the University of California School of Dentistry. Solea offers a unique wavelength guided by sophisticated computers to deliver virtually painless dental procedures for both teeth and gums from simple cavities to complex surgeries. Not only is the laser virtually painless, it is also vibration-less and noiseless. The experience is so unique that you will find it hard to believe you were just at a dental appointment.

WHY SOLEA?

The majority of hard and soft tissue procedures in our office are done with no anesthesia and soft tissue procedures are done with virtually minimal to no bleeding. Blood-free and anesthesia-free procedures represent a major leap forward in dentistry, as we are able to execute multi-quadrant dentistry, fillings on the fly and soft tissue procedures in a single appointment. What does that mean for you, our patients? Solea is also far less invasive than using a traditional drill, which makes healing time following a procedure much shorter. When patients have anesthesia they typically leave the office with that numb feeling still prevalent. With Solea, your child will be able to leave our office without that numb sensation following the appointment. Solea is truly changing what it means to go to the dentist.

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Procedures performed without anesthesia

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Solea procedures used without the use of a drill

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Procedures in which the patient reported no pain

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Procedures Performed Without Anesthesia

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Solea procedures used without the use of a drill

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Procedures in which the patient reported no pain

SEDATION DENTISTRY

Dr. Gamble and her team do their best to make your child feels relaxed and at ease, but sometimes, a child may feel anxious before or during treatment. There are different options Dr. Gamble may suggest that are available if it appears cooperation or safety is an issue. Children who benefit from sedation dentistry may have:

  • A very young age
  • A fear or anxiety of being at the dentist
  • A short attention span
  • Extensive dental work that needs to be completed
  • Special healthcare conditions that may challenge dental care.

Nitrous oxide, or better known as laughing gas, is a mild form of sedation for children who visit the dentist and may be anxious about their scheduled treatments. Nitrous oxide helps to ease patient’s fears to help them relax during their visit, and to receive dental treatment in a comfortable and safe manner.

Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated, having a rapid onset, and is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergenic. Your child remains fully conscious. Additionally, nitrous oxide reduces the gag reflex which can interfere with effective dental treatment. You should inform our office regarding any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child.

Children are, of course, not all alike. Therefore, all of our dental services are tailored specifically to your child. In a very small percentage of children nitrous oxide may not be effective, especially those children who have severe anxiety, nasal congestion or discomfort wearing a nasal mask. We will review your child’s medical history, level of anxiety, and treatment needs and inform you if nitrous oxide is recommended for your child.

Oral conscious sedation involves the use of sedative medications taken by mouth to help increase cooperation and to reduce anxiety or discomfort associated with dental procedures. It is beneficial when nitrous oxide alone is not effective for completion of dental treatment. It is used in combination with nitrous oxide to further relax your child. Once the medication is administered, it will be about 45 minutes before the medicine will have taken effect. Parents are allowed back in the treatment room with their child during the appointment.

Oral conscious sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may become drowsy, but they will not become unconscious.

Oral conscious sedation is used for a child’s safety and comfort during dental procedures. It allows the child to cope better with dental treatment and helps prevent injury to the child from uncontrolled or undesirable movements. Sedation promotes a better environment for providing dental care. Success of completing dental treatment is highly dependent on the child. Your child may require multiple visits to complete their treatment needs. After the appointment, your child may NOT go to school and will need to be supervised by an adult.

There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. Dr. Gamble will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.

Intravenous Sedation (IV) is recommended for extremely apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well using other sedation options. This is performed in our office. IV sedation offers a less traumatic experience for your child and helps them to maintain a positive attitude towards their oral health. Your child will be “asleep” while the dentist is able to complete all of the necessary dental procedures in one visit. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Dr. Gamble works with a board-certified dentist anesthesiologist with specialized training using various medications to safely put a child patient to sleep, monitor, and avoid a traumatizing event. This also avoids repeat appointments since all the dental treatment is complete in one visit, and parents have the comfort of being in a relaxed setting. Dr. Gamble will review the benefits and risks of IV Sedation and why it is recommended for your child.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, or better known as laughing gas, is a mild form of sedation for children who visit the dentist and may be anxious about their scheduled treatments. Nitrous oxide helps to ease patient’s fears to help them relax during their visit, and to receive dental treatment in a comfortable and safe manner.

Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated, having a rapid onset, and is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergenic. Your child remains fully conscious. Additionally, nitrous oxide reduces the gag reflex which can interfere with effective dental treatment. You should inform our office regarding any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child.

Children are, of course, not all alike. Therefore, all of our dental services are tailored specifically to your child. In a very small percentage of children nitrous oxide may not be effective, especially those children who have severe anxiety, nasal congestion or discomfort wearing a nasal mask. We will review your child’s medical history, level of anxiety, and treatment needs and inform you if nitrous oxide is recommended for your child.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation involves the use of sedative medications taken by mouth to help increase cooperation and to reduce anxiety or discomfort associated with dental procedures. It is beneficial when nitrous oxide alone is not effective for completion of dental treatment. It is used in combination with nitrous oxide to further relax your child. Once the medication is administered, it will be about 45 minutes before the medicine will have taken effect. Parents are allowed back in the treatment room with their child during the appointment.

Oral conscious sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may become drowsy, but they will not become unconscious.

Oral conscious sedation is used for a child’s safety and comfort during dental procedures. It allows the child to cope better with dental treatment and helps prevent injury to the child from uncontrolled or undesirable movements. Sedation promotes a better environment for providing dental care. Success of completing dental treatment is highly dependent on the child. Your child may require multiple visits to complete their treatment needs. After the appointment, your child may NOT go to school and will need to be supervised by an adult.

There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. Dr. Gamble will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.

IV Sedation

Intravenous Sedation (IV) is recommended for extremely apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well using other sedation options. This is performed in our office. IV sedation offers a less traumatic experience for your child and helps them to maintain a positive attitude towards their oral health. Your child will be “asleep” while the dentist is able to complete all of the necessary dental procedures in one visit. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Dr. Gamble works with a board-certified dentist anesthesiologist with specialized training using various medications to safely put a child patient to sleep, monitor, and avoid a traumatizing event. This also avoids repeat appointments since all the dental treatment is complete in one visit, and parents have the comfort of being in a relaxed setting. Dr. Gamble will review the benefits and risks of IV Sedation and why it is recommended for your child.

SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE

A new cavity-fighting liquid… Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a liquid medication that can be used to arrest, or stop, tooth decay. Silver diamine fluoride has been approved by the FDA for tooth sensitivity, but it is also very useful “off-label” for the treatment of tooth decay. The active ingredient in silver diamine fluoride is silver, a compound used in medicine for over a century because of its potent antimicrobial properties. Interestingly, it is very effective at killing the bacteria that is known to cause tooth decay.

This is especially helpful in small children who are not mature enough to handle routine restorative care. Unlike other treatment methods used to treat tooth decay such as fillings, silver diamine fluoride is applied to the teeth with a brush. It takes less than 1 minute to apply with no noise, no drilling, and at the same time, it kills the bacteria that cause decay.

Alternative Treatment for Tooth Decay in Children

Silver diamine fluoride has been integrated into our practice for a variety of reasons. It can be a great option for very anxious children and it can be used on baby teeth that are nearing exfoliation, which spares unnecessary fillings or other extensive dental treatment on teeth that are on their way out. It is non-invasive and economical. The significant side effect of silver diamine fluoride is discoloration. Healthy tooth surfaces remain undisturbed, but tooth decay (which is usually brown in color) turns very dark, nearly black, after application. This discoloration is what we look for during follow-up appointments to know that the medication was effective.

If you would like more information regarding the use of silver diamine fluoride for your child, please contact our office. We are always happy to help!

TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS AND CROWN

Our state-of-the-art dental restorations can be used to return your child’s smile to its best. If the function or appearance of your loved one’s smile has been altered, Dr. Gamble can restore it with a quick and simple restorative procedure.

The type of dental restorations we use most frequently are tooth-colored fillings and crowns. Both methods will protect and build up your child’s teeth.

TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS

Tooth-colored fillings are typically used as a remedy for tooth decay. Some children are prone to cavities, which can lead to toothaches and other dental problems. Dr. Gamble can protect your child’s comfort and health by using a BPA-free tooth-colored filling to restore the affected area and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

TOOTH-COLORED CROWNS

Tooth-colored crowns are used to cover up the visible portion of a tooth that is weak or damaged due to decay, disease, or physical trauma. Crowns will strengthen the tooth and give it an appealing look. Dental crowns are frequently used to cover discoloration, breakage, large fillings, and poorly shaped teeth.

PREVENTIVE SERVICES

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments are effective in the prevention of tooth decay and cavities because they help to strengthen the teeth. Generally, after your child’s examination and cleaning, Dr. Gamble will recommend what type of fluoride treatment is right for him/her. Be sure to contact us with any questions or to set up an appointment.

Sealants

Local Smile Co. is proud to offer BPA-free sealants that safely and effectively protect your child's teeth. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs on these surfaces. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles out of these grooves. By applying dental sealants, you can significantly decrease the chances of your child getting cavities. Sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. Therefore, your child will be protected throughout the most cavity-prone years. If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects, sealants will last longer. Dr. Gamble will check the sealants during routine dental visits and recommend re-application or repair when necessary.

Dental Cleanings and Exams

During your child’s first appointment, we will perform a thorough cleaning and examination that will help us determine proper diagnosis, caries risk level and treatment options. We place high importance on prevention of dental disease—some of the preventative services we provide include: dental prophylaxis (cleanings), fluoride treatments, digital radiographs (x-rays), sealants, mouth guards, oral hygiene instructions, dietary counseling, and anticipatory guidance counseling on growth and development concerns (i.e., teething, thumb or pacifier habits, injury prevention). We believe that healthy smiles should not stop at our office, so we will educate you and your child on how to make good food choices and how to properly brush and floss at home.

DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

Local Smile Co. is proud to provide digital radiography. Using state-of-the-art digital x-rays allows us to diagnose problems quickly and accurately, which creates more specific treatment plans. In addition, Local Smile Co. uses the NOMAD handheld radiographic device which allows us to remain with children and difficult patients during an exposure. The ability to stay chairside during an exposure ensures that images can be taken when the patient is ready instead of when the x-ray is ready. This helps to maximize patient comfort and reduce the patient’s exposure to radiation. Digital panoramic radiographs are also available for children to evaluate growth and development for orthodontic assessments and teens for evaluation of 3rd molars (wisdom teeth).

BENEFITS OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

  • High Quality: The digital radiography device can take a picture of your teeth and instantly display the image on a computer screen. The on-screen image will look like an X-ray, but it can be displayed at 400 percent. It allows a dentist to zoom into specific areas to gain a more accurate diagnosis.
  • Efficiency: Digital radiography takes less time and provides immediate observation of radiographic images.
  • Less Radiation: Provides 90 percent less radiation.

DENTAL STEM CELLS/STEMSAVE PROVIDER

Now offering our patients the opportunity to secure their future health with access to potentially life-saving therapies derived from their own stem cells. The emerging fields of stem cell science, regenerative therapies and personalized medicine are evolving at an unprecedented rate. Unlike embryonic stem cells, dental stem cells are present in the nerve tissue of baby and wisdom teeth. Similar to the way umbilical blood is stored, dental stem cells can be stored commercially for future use.

  • Healthy dental pulp contains stem cells that are among the most powerful stem cells in the body and replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time than other types of stem cells. Dental stem cells show great promise for future regenerative medical treatments of neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, diabetes, bone diseases and brain and nerve injuries.
  • The accessibility of baby teeth – which have otherwise traditionally been discarded, given to the tooth fairy, or saved as childhood mementos – makes harvesting dental stem cells simple, convenient and affordable.
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