BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
The foundation of our community focused practiced is based on the ability to build a relationship that based on the values of trust and respect. We want to provide our children the opportunity to explore the dental office safely in a non pressuring manner in order to desensitize them to dental treatment. Densentization appointments are scheduled on a separate day from a treatment appointment, to give the child the ability to understand what to expect on the treatment day and further build trust and respect between us and your child.
The four key elements of good oral development include:
- Identifying early sucking habits
- Establishing good feeding and swallowing patterns
- Encouraging strong chewing skills
- Making sure your child is breathing through their nose
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT:
Dr. Nora will evaluate your child’s oral health and function. She then provides a comprehensive individualized take home guide directed to help guide your child’s oral growth and developmental milestones. This may include resources and information on:
- Nasal breathing, palatal growth and development
- Tongue position and oral resting posture - Ensuring that baby’s tongue rests on the roof of the mouth to help maintain the broad palate shape and to ensure nasal breathing
- Orofacial structure
- Ensuring that the tongue and jaw are able to move independently of one another for certain speech sounds
- Teething
- Tooth eruption
- Remedies and recommendations
- Brushing and flossing
- Counseling parents on how to properly clean infant's gums daily before eruption of the first primary tooth to help establish a healthy oral flora
- Toothpaste and toothbrush considerations
- Monitoring for any signs of dental caries
- Encouraging strong chewing skills
- Through diet/nutritional guidance
- Mouthing toys for oral strengthening
Oral Habit RetrainingDr. Nora provides guidance on oral habit retraining that may include thumb, finger, or pacifier habits. These habits can impair the growth and development of the jaw and facial bones. Dr. Nora believes that empowering parents with education and support from our allied therapists (oral sensory motor, bodywork and myofunctional therapists, etc...) can adequately modify these behaviors. Ozone DentistryAs a board-certified pediatric dentist, it is Dr. Nora’s goal to provide treatment that is safe and effective for our patients. Dr. Nora feels fortunate to be among one of the few pediatric dentists treating patients with Ozone therapy. Ozone dental treatment is a therapeutic service that uses either pure ozone gas, ozonated water, or ozonated oil to naturally disinfect the microorganisms in the mouth and treat minor tooth decay (also known as dental caries). This can also help when minor decay arises in early childhood in addition to treating and healing oral lesion. Ozone therapy is a safe and well-tolerated treatment option. Ozone therapy offers various benefits, including:
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Minimally Invasive Pediatric DentistryFunctional and wholistic dentistry includes searching for the root cause of the decay as well as working with the whole-child to provide a plan for prevention. Dr. Nora works with families to determine the best protocol that works with your family to future implement prevention as a part of a whole-body approach to treatment.
Our goal to provide minimally invasive dental restorative techniques with the most biologically compatible materials. This includes assessing how your child breathes, sleeps, eats, chews, swallows, and even drinks! We review oral habits, the child’s daily behavior and function, gross and fine motor skills, and more. We believe our biological and functional whole-body approach to children is at the cutting-edge of dentistry and feel proud to be able to provide this individualized treatment for our patients. This includes:
HOMEOBLOCK AND POD APPLIANCEOne of Dr. Nora’s most favorite books includes the book, “Breath” by James Nestor. This is an educational documentation of a man’s journey with sleep disordered breathing including his experience being treated by Dr. Theodore Belfor, the creator of the Homeoblock and POD appliance therapy techniques. Doctor Nora has had the pleasure of being a trained provider of Dr. Belfor’s for these appliances. The Homeoblock and POD appliance therapy techniques are used for patients with:
of relationship of the upper and lower arches to one another. |
DIGITAL IMAGINGBefore taking X-Rays, we do an analysis based on the child’s age, previous X-Ray history, and a visual examination. If we deem X-Rays necessary, we use a digital machine that has reduced radiation exposure compared to other X-Ray types in order to limit exposure.
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ESTHETICSWe understand that many children may experience bullying due to the look or shape of their teeth. Here, we aim to provide the most esthetic options for those with missing teeth, malformed teeth, or heavily stained teeth. Learn more about our cosmetic smile options.
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BIOMIMETIC PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY We use restorative materials for your child that best mimic their tooth structure. We do not use amalgam or any mercury based materials, and do not use any materials containing BPA.
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Special Needs DentistryDr. Nora has experience helping patents with various physical and mental special needs. This includes patients with limited mobility as well. The key to her treatment includes her ability to develop a relationship and rapport that makes the family unit comfortable. Dr. Nora believes a gentle touch and extra time to build trust is essential in their care.
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Child Comfort Options Other than desentization, we do offer Nitrous Oxide sedation option. We first screen for MTHFR and any other contraindications for Nitrous Oxide, and provide the family with guidance on detoxification processes after Nitrous Oxide usage. We also offer Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia with a highly trained and experienced anesthesiologist alongside the pediatric dentist if necessary.
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Oral Habit Retraining:Dr. Nora provides guidance on oral habit retraining that may include thumb, finger, or pacifier habits. These habits can impair the growth and development of the jaw and facial bones, and Dr. Nora believes education and gentle medication and help from myofunctional therapists and techniques can adequately modify these behaviors.
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FUNCTIONAL FRENUOPLASTY
The goal of this procedure is functional: to release tight frenulum. Frenuloplasty procedure involves removal and correction of the frenulum including removal of excessive skin in an effort to create a more pleasing aesthetic result while solving the functional problem at the same time.
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orofacial myofunctional therapyRecent research has shown that myofunctional therapy may reduce the symptoms of sleep disordered breathing (such as snoring), and ameliorate mild to moderate OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). It has also been shown to prevent relapse of sleep apnea after surgical treatment. In addition, myofunctional therapy exercises play a critically important role in recovery after lingual frenuloplasty and to maintain the results of orthodontic treatment.
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PARENT/patient EDUCATION
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We are big believers in empowering families with knowledge, so that parents can best set their children up for optimal orofacial growth and development. We work closely with parents to that they have the information they need to to make informed health decisions about their children's health and well-being, meanwhile creating a healthy foundation for a beautiful smile.
We are passionate about counseling parents on oral hygiene, nutritional guidance, and optimizing the growth and development of their child especially before eruption of the first primary tooth in an effort to help establish a healthy oral flora. Dr. Nora reviews nutrition, supplementation, nasal breathing awareness, and oral habits such as thumb/pacifier use. |
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“My daughter actually loves going to the dentist! They are amazing with kids, very knowledgeable and friendly. I know she is getting great care while having a lot of fun.”
— Ashley R. |
“I really appreciate the team at your dental practice. Everyone seems really in tune to the needs of all the kids. Thank you for all your help.”
— Patricia S. |
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Westwood
10921 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 801 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 579.9710 ext 1 |
Calabasas
4505 Las Virgenes Road Suite#209 Calabasas, CA 91302 (310) 579.9710 ext 1 |