Washington Dental is a dental health clinic dedicated to offering affordable oral health services to residents of South Gate. If you are looking for an experienced and reliable dentist, look no further because we handle all family oral care needs. As a one-stop-shop, we offer a wide range of services such as periodontal surgery, cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, and oral surgery.

Our first objective, the moment you book your initial meeting, is earning your trust. We believe that outstanding dentistry will only occur when we have a robust bond of trust with our patients. Our dentists understand that most patients have various apprehension levels about dental visits. As a result, the first thing we do is listen. Whether you had an unpleasant past dental experience, uncomfortable or embarrassed by your perceived dental problems, we will treat you with understanding and compassion.

To realize a healthier community, our team of competent experts views your oral health as the window to your general health and wellness. We also understand the essence of striking a balance between dental health and a beautiful smile. As a result, we use a holistic approach when offering our services. We not only treat symptoms but also address the root cause of the problem.

Moreover, we are committed to offering a relaxing, calming, and stress-free environment to our patients. Whether you require bringing in your child for a general check-up or braces, our staff will make sure the experience is as comfortable as possible.

Services

Washington Dental takes pride in being the leading provider of dentistry services in South Gate. When you visit our dental facility, our team of dentists will take time to understand your needs before recommending the most suitable solution for you. We offer services such as:

Free Dental Exams

If you're experiencing tooth pain, a dental exam could be required to examine your gums and the interior of the teeth. This will assist your dentist in identifying problems like impacted teeth, tooth decay, and cavity.

Root Canals

When you have a cavity, it can lead to an infection in your tooth's pulp. During the root canal, we will remove the pulp, clean the area before filling it with a filling material and medication.

Dental Fillings

Do you have a tooth whose structure was damaged by tooth decay or fractures? You can consider dental fillings. Our competent dentist will first remove the weakened or decayed part of the tooth and replace it with a filling. This restores the tooth's function and structure with maintaining optimum esthetics.  

About Us

Proudly serving patients for many years, the oral health experts at Washington Dental believe in offering comprehensive and minimally invasive dentistry as well as having a partnership with our patients. We offer several oral health services for your whole family under one roof. Our convenient location in South Gate makes Washington Dental the best choice for a professional and quick service, especially during weekdays.

To get dental care that you require immediately, we offer various payment and financing options. We also accept most dental insurance policies.

Who We Are

Our staff comprises of dedicated, friendly, and enthusiastic dentists and hygienists. They take pride in their work and strive to make all patients feel comfortable and welcome. This is achieved by treating every patient with respect, precision, and compassion. Also, they pay attention to all patients hence offering treatment that meets our patients' needs and preferences.

Our team stays current with the latest technological advancements in dentistry by continuing education programs and attending dental care conferences.

What We Do

We are a family-based dental practice that treats patients of all age-groups. We are dedicated to providing high-quality oral care and do so using world-class equipment.

We also offer cosmetic services such as veneers, crowns, and teeth whitening.  Additionally, we provide emergency dental services like a root canal, tooth extraction, bridges, and crowns.

Creating a long term relationship with our patients is our priority. As a result, we work to make sure that patients receive treatment in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

How We Help

Patients who visit our clinic are treated with a holistic oral health approach. We educate our patients on their oral health and how it affects their overall health. An unhealthy smile could result in systemic health conditions such as pregnancy complications, oral cancer, and diabetes. As a result, we help our patients understand the relationship between lifestyle and oral health. We offer various treatment options and procedures that will help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.

Our Comprehensive Services

Washington Dental in South Gate offers several types of oral health services and treatment options, all tailored to address our patients' health needs. Whether you require restorative, preventative, or smile makeover solutions, we are ready to help you.

With the help of state-of-the-art technology, we can treat patients of all age groups in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Our friendly and reliable staff is trained to not only treat the oral health condition but also to identify the root cause of the oral disease. This approach puts our patients on the recovery road.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a metallic post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Made of titanium, implants are non-allergenic and biocompatible. Thus, they have no negative reaction to the human body.

Implants are placed into your body and later integrated into your jaw. After a few months of healing, your dental expert will take an impression, and a crown will be designed to match your natural teeth's color.

Once the implantation process is over, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between an implant and a natural tooth. Typically the success rate is ninety-five percent. 

Tooth Cleaning

No matter how much your brush and floss your teeth, bacteria can still grow in the mouth and cause harm to your gums and teeth. This is because there are some parts of your teeth that do not get cleaned thoroughly. When you visit our dental facility, our dental hygienists will diligently remove any stains, tartar, and plaque which could have accumulated over time. Dental cleaning should be done every six months and can lower the risk of developing periodontal, among other oral hygiene issues.

Invisalign

Everyone wants to have straight teeth. However, not many look forward to the inconvenience and discomfort that comes with traditional braces like avoiding certain foods and wires poking the cheeks.

Luckily, we have an alternative for you; Invisalign. Invisalign uses a computer-designed series of aligners that move your teeth into the desired position. Unlike braces, the aligners can be removed when brushing, flossing, and eating. The outcome is the same, but without the aggravation and metal.

Terms & FAQs

Invisalign Treatment

This treatment involves putting on a series of removable and clear aligners that slowly straighten the teeth. The aligners are approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration and do not have latex, BPA, gluten, or BPS. They are clear, thin, and fit over the patient's teeth snugly, making them almost invisible.

So how does the Invisalign straighten teeth? Your dentist will create a digital treatment plan which resembles your teeth's exact movements. Then the aligners are tailored to apply the right amount of force at the right time to the right place in accordance with your plan. The dentist will walk with you every stage to make sure the aligners fit correctly.

Can one be guaranteed your teeth will be straight with Invisalign? Every patient is different, and that is why every Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation. During the consultation, your dentist will assist you in understanding what to expect. We can't guarantee a particular result, but it is wise to share your goals and needs with the dentist at the initial consultation.

What Takes Place Once You are Done With Invisalign?

Most dentists recommend that any patient who has finished orthodontic treatment to use retainers to stop teeth from slowing going back to their original position. Every patient is unique; therefore, it is essential to consult with the dentist if you require retainers.

The retainers are designed from your teeth's scan or impression using the similar technology used to make Invisalign aligners. There is a wide range of retainers to choose from.

The dentist will also instruct you on how often you should put on the retainers. Initially, you will be required to wear them all the time. Then depending on the dentist's recommendation, you can reduce how often you put on them until you only put on them at night.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a fixture that is placed into the jawbone and permitted to integrate with the bone over time. It serves as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. Made of titanium, dental implants integrate with the bone perfectly hence not recognized as a foreign substance in the body.

Generally, there are three options when it comes to tooth replacement, namely dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Determining the best option depends on several factors. Specifically, for a dental implant, these factors include:

  • Missing teeth's location
  • Quality and quantity of the jawbone where the implant will be placed
  • Your health
  • Your preference
  • Cost

Unlike other options, a dental implant is conservative in that the missing teeth can be replaced without altering or affecting the adjacent teeth.

Dental Implant Procedure

During the consultation period, your dentist will examine the location in your mouth where the implant will be placed. They will also conduct imagining studies such as CT scans, x-rays, and panoramic films to determine the quantity and quality of jawbone. Once that has been determined, you will proceed to the surgical procedure.

The next step is tooth extraction. More often than not, the dental implant site still has an existing damaged tooth. To get a robust base for the implantation, an alveolar bone graft is placed. This site is then permitted to heal.

Once enough bone is present, your dentist can go ahead with the implant procedure. During the implant placement appointment, the implant is placed in the bone using specialized tools and drills. A healing cap is then placed over the dental implant, and the gum stitched up.

To achieve an aesthetic look during the healing phase, a denture can be used to replace the missing tooth. Generally, the healing duration depends on the bone's quality. It can take up to six (6) months.

During the healing time, it is essential to avoid applying stress or force on the implant. Follow-up appointments come in handy as far as making sure that healing is happening, and there is no infection in the surgical site.

Once the healing period is over, the implant is checked to determine if it was successful. Then a prosthetic component (abutment) is attached to the implant using a screw. The abutment will hold the crown or replacement tooth. Your dentist will then take an impression of the abutment and have a crown custom-made. The crown can either be secured with the screw or cemented to the abutment.

Why Regular Dental Checkups are Essential

Visiting your dentist regularly is crucial because it assists you in keeping your gums and teeth healthy. You ought to have a dental visit every six months or as advised by your dentist. A dental visit involves examination and oral prophylaxis or cleaning.

During the examination, the dentist will look for cavities using digital x-rays. The examination will also check for tartar or plaque on your teeth. Moreover, gums will be checked using a special tool that measures the depth of spaces between the gums and teeth. Healthy gums have shallow spaces.

The examination will also include an examination of the neck, head, face, throat, and tongue. This is to check for any symptoms of cancer, redness, and swelling.

Flossing and brushing remove plaque from teeth but not tartar. During oral prophylaxis, the dentist will remove tartar using specialized tools. This process is known as scaling.

After scaling, you can have your teeth polished. The polish removes all surface stains on the teeth.

Finally, the last step is flossing. Flossing is used to ensure that the spaces between the teeth are clean.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is used to close any gap that is created by a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge comprises two or more crowns for teeth on both sides of the gap and a false tooth (pontic) in between. The pontic can be made from either porcelain, gold, alloys, or a combination of these materials. Implants or natural teeth support the bridge.

The following are the reasons why you might require a dental bridge:

  • Teeth are supposed to work together. When you have a missing tooth, the surrounding teeth can drift or tilt into the gap.
  • Teeth in the opposite jaw may move down or up into the gap. This could alter your bite as well as place more stress on the jaw joints and teeth hence resulting in tooth damage and pain.
  • Drifted teeth are difficult to clean. This puts you at an increased risk of suffering from periodontal and tooth decay.
  • When you have a gap, your bone could shrink. If this takes place, it could alter how your jawbone supports the cheeks and lips. Over time, this might make you look older.

Understanding the Dental Bridge Procedure

Placing a dental bridge requires more than a single dental visit. Below are the steps followed:

  1. On your first visit, the dentist will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth where the bridge will attach to.
  2. The dentist will make an impression of the gap and the teeth. Those details are then sent to a dental lab where laboratory technicians follow the dental expert's instructions to make the bridge.
  3. To protect the teeth, the dental professional will place a temporary bridge as you await the permanent dental bridge.
  4. Once the permanent dental bridge is ready, the dental health expert will fit, adjust, and cement the dental bridge to your teeth.

Tooth Extraction

There are several reasons why teeth extraction may be required in adulthood. Tooth infection, tooth decay, and crowding can make tooth extraction necessary. Also, persons getting braces may have a tooth or two extracted to create room for other teeth as they drift into place. Besides, patients undergoing organ transplants or chemotherapy could have the affected teeth extracted to keep the mouth healthy.

Before scheduling the tooth extraction procedure, our dental professionals will take an x-ray of the tooth. Remember to tell the dentist about any supplements, vitamins, and medications you take.

Also, inform the dentist about your medical history and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, artificial joint, and liver disease. Any qualified dentist will make sure all health conditions are treated or stable before undergoing the procedure. You could be required to take prescribed antibiotics if:

  • The procedure is expected to take long
  • You have a weak immune system
  • You suffer from a chronic condition

To receive quality treatment, it is helpful to keep the following in mind on the day of the procedure:

If you are using intravenous anesthesia, do not drink or eat anything six hours before the appointment, as well as put on loose-fitting clothes. In addition:

  • Do not smoke
  • Tell the dentist if you experienced nausea the previous night, as it might need rescheduling or different anesthesia
  • Have a loved one drive you home after the procedure

Get in Touch with a Dentist Today

Do you have a previous dental care experience that makes you feel anxious about visiting a dentist? At Washington Dental in South Gate, we understand this common experience. Our goal is to offer personalized and quality services to all patients who step through our doors. Kindly let us know your concerns so that we can accommodate your needs immediately. Call us today at 213-765-0004 to schedule your initial visit.

We serve these locations locally to you: Lomita Dentist, Carson Dentist, Los Angeles Dentist