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Exam and Cleanings

During your initial visit to our offices, Dr. Zak will perform a comprehensive dental exam, including an oral cancer screening, gum disease evaluation, evaluation of existing restorations and evaluation of tooth surfaces for decay. If necessary Dr. Zak may suggest preventive care options that include fluoride treatment, sealants, professional breath control, and periodontal (gum disease) treatments designed to help you maintain your smile's health and beauty. Of course, the best treatment for periodontal disease is prevention. This means brushing and flossing daily, along with regular visits to your dentist for dental cleanings and examination, which can ward off gum disease and keep your smile healthy now and in the future. This very simple element of dentistry can help prevent tooth loss, gum disease, and bad breath and in this way enhance your overall general health. Whether a six month checkup or full periodontal therapy, our hygienists will always strive to provide the very best treatment while maintaining your absolute comfort.

Sealants

A sealant is a resin material that when applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the teeth. In this way sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. According to the American Dental Association, over 80% of cavities are caused by pit and fissure decay that begins early in life. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During your regular dental visits, we will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.


Periodontal Disease Treatment

Has it been years since you have visited the dentist? Do your gums ever bleed? Do you ever get bad breath? These symptoms are indications of a serious infectious, inflammatory and contagious disease that requires rigorous treatment. Periodontal disease results from bacteria collecting on the tooth surface above and below the gum line. This disease destroys gum tissues and bone and is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. But the harm from periodontal disease expands beyond the mouth. Bacteria from periodontal diseases like to travel and it is a short trip from the mouth to the bloodstream. Once bacteria enter the bloodstream they can infect any major organ. But do not take our word for it, watch our video on the latest research linking cardiovascular disease to periodontal disease. To combat this multifactor problem, we create an individualized treatment plan to eliminate infection of the gums and root surfaces. Depending on the severity of the disease, the following procedures may be part of this plan:

1. Eliminating tartar and plaque below the gum- also known as scaling and root planning
   
2. Detoxifying the root surfaces where the disease occurs. Through laser and anti-biotic treatment
   
3. Flushing out the pockets to allow for healthy reattachment of the gums to the root surfaces
4. Periodontal Maintenance
   
5. Instruction on how to take care of your teeth at home through brushing and flossing
    

We are committed to work with you to both restore your oral health, and lower your risk of occurrence of heart attack and stroke and severity of coronary artery disease.


Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. They can reshape teeth, change tooth color, close spaces, and fix worn or chipped teeth to create a white, beautiful, and uniform smile. When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. The Dr. Zak team have extensive training in the treatment planning and placement of custom veneers. We take extra care to design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient's smile.

Metal Free Dentistry

Do you have metal fillings? It is a proven fact that mercury from amalgam fillings is devastating to your immune system, and can cause or increase the risk and severity of every known health condition. There is no safe level for mercury and even one atom of it will do some harm to the body. These fillings will continue to exert their toxic affects until they are removed from your teeth. We are dedicated to stop the problem at its root by discouraging the use of hazardous metals in our dental practices. However, if you already have metal fillings we will design a treatment plan to eliminate toxic dental materials and help you detoxify your body by neutralizing free radicals in cells that were infected with mercury. Once toxins are no longer added, the problems they cause should begin to reverse as healing begins.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain Crowns - Crowns are porcelain or porcelain fused to metal restorations used primarily to repair broken or fractured teeth, improve the prognosis for a tooth that has had previous root canal therapy, or change the shape or color of a tooth. Fully ceramic crowns are a more natural-looking alternative to traditional crowns that utilize a metal lining. This metal lining often prevents the crown from looking natural because light is not able to pass through porcelain-metal crown as it does with a natural tooth, and often the crowns leave a dark or gray line next to the gum-line. Crowns that are fully made of porcelain, on the other hand, mimic natural teeth and do not produce the black gum-line so common in porcelain-metal crowns.

Teeth Whitening

Rather than give up your favorite coffee and tea beverages, even though they give a dull, yellowish shade to your smile, teeth whitening is a much easier solution. Teeth whitening is safe, effective, and efficient way to dramatically improve your overall appearance. We offer a wide range of whitening services and products and our team will help you choose the right one for you.

Composite (White) Fillings

A Composite filling is a white (tooth colored) resin material that bonds to tooth structure, that is used now in place of amalgam 'silver' fillings to provide a strong and cosmetically pleasing tooth restoration. Because a silver filling requires a "mechanical lock" to stay in place, dentist's usually have to drill a shape larger than the decay itself. Because of the adhesive chemistry of white fillings and the fact that they bond to teeth, no additional shape has to be drilled once access to the decay has been made. The end result is usually a much smaller filling and a stronger tooth because the bonding helps "glue" or reinforce the weak parts of the tooth.

Inlays/Onlays vs. Crowns

The difference between Inlays, Onlays and Crowns is the amount of tooth structure they replace. Restorations which cover the entire tooth are called Crowns (commonly known as caps). Whenever possible, it is better to place an Inlay or an Onlay on a tooth because it is more conservative and requires less reduction of your natural tooth. Placing a crown on a tooth requires removing more healthy tooth structure than an Inlay or Onlay, which increases the chances of the tooth requiring a root canal in the future. Inlays and Onlays also help preserve gum and periodontal health, in that they can be bonded well above the gum line, allowing for easy cleansing and less irritation. A Crown, alternatively, is a good restorative option when a tooth has had a previous root canal or the tooth has insufficient healthy tooth structure remaining to protect it from fracturing.


Replacing Missing Teeth

Removable Partial Denture

Removable Partial Dentures are the most economic solution to tooth replacements. These tooth replacements vary in complexity and durability from elaborate systems of clasps and teeth to simple plastic pieces with clips on them. In order for the appliance to fit securely and remain in place while eating and talking, grooves and planes may be ground into the surface of some of the patient's natural. When made well, they can be very comfortable, but it is always noticeable that something foreign is in your mouth, and a period of adjustment is always required. Partial Dentures must be removed and the mouth cleaned after every time you eat. If not, the places where they clip onto your teeth will tend to decay very readily. There are a lot of disadvantages to a removable partial, and it isn't recommended as a permanent treatment.

Fixed Bridges

A bridge fills a space where a tooth once was, and is generally three or more crowns fused together. When damage to a person's teeth is extreme, and beyond repair, we can use porcelain or porcelain "fused on gold" crowns to restore the smile. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems, even permanently replacing missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite.


Dental Implants

Are you missing teeth? Dental Implants are the most advanced alternative to false teeth. The implants are tiny titanium posts which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure by preventing bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing. In this way, implants provide people with confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life to the fullest, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.

Implant Overdenture

An Implant Overdenture is a denture that has some sort of direct connection to dental implants. The connection helps secure the Full Denture into place, while overcoming the instability and lack of retention of a common complete denture. This is a good treatment option for an individual who requires a full denture, but wants to achieve a more stable and less bulky type of restoration.


Night Guard

Are you grinding your teeth or snoring? Both of these automatic behaviors may appear harmless on the surface, but they have deleterious effects on your health. Snoring can be a sign of a serious health condition called sleep apnea, which is a sleep related breathing disorder that causes your body to stop breathing during sleep. It typically occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. Teeth grinding and/or clenching causes extensive wear on your teeth, and can cause the facial muscles to overwork and becomes sore. Close to 20% of the adult population engage in this behavior as it is a common response to a stressful life. Night Guard often lessens both of these problems. It is an oral appliance that is worn in your mouth as you sleep. It is used to move the jaw forward and/or hold the mouth open. In this way, a Night Guard correctly fitted by our team will keep you from snoring and grinding your teeth.


Oral Cancer Screening

The dental community is the first line of defense in early detection of oral cancer. However a recent study published by the ADA revealed that only 15% of dentists screen their patients as part of a regular exam. We are proud to be in this minority. Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years, but this is because they are diagnosed in later stages. We have the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. Together with our patients, we can fight and win the battle against oral cancer through timely detection.


Teeth Whitening

Did you know that the easiest and least expensive way to look ten years younger is to whiten your teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, soda, and red wine and certain medications, affect the whiteness of your smile. Tooth whitening is an affordable and effective way to combat these common causes of tooth discoloration, We offer a wide range of whitening services and products and our team will help you choose the right one for you. We offer two whitening systems to fit our patients' lifestyles and budget considerations. In-Office Whitening, at our Santa Clarita and Simi Valley office locations, is a chemically activated whitening treatment that offers amazing results in about an hour. This dentist-supervised, in-office procedure is safe and effective, and offers a brighter, whiter smile after just one appointment. We also offer a Take Home Whitening kit, where the whitening gels are delivered via customized bleaching trays. The sticky, viscous gel won't migrate to gums, and most formulations (of both in-office & take-home kits) include Potassium Fluoride (PF), which helps to improve oral health by strengthening enamel, decreasing sensitivity, and offering increased cavity prevention. Before using either system, patients should have a comprehensive exam and cleaning done to evaluate if they are a good candidate for such whitening methods. Some patients are not ideal candidates, due to reasons such as the presence of crowns or other cosmetic dental work. Natural teeth will lighten, but crowns, veneers, and bondings will not. Also, candidates must have a recent cleaning and exam before whitening is recommended. Patients should keep in mind that drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking cigarettes will gradually diminish the effect of any whitening process.


Root Canal Therapy

Do you have a tooth ache? Are your teeth sensitive to hot or cold? Does the discomfort worsen at night? Any of these symptoms are a potential indications of nerve damage in your tooth. The nerve space inside a tooth can provide a nice cozy cave-like location for bacteria to persist because it's a place where your body's defense mechanisms can't get at them effectively. With this scenario, at best your body will only be able to ward off the infection caused by the bacteria living inside your tooth. At worst, this bacterial infection will overwhelm your body's defense mechanisms and pain and swelling will develop. If this condition is neglected it can cause a large abscess, which can in-turn lead to very severe consequences such as jaw bone destruction, airway construction, sinus infection, etc.

In a nutshell, the process of root canal treatment first removes the bacteria, nerve tissue, and bacterial toxins from within the inner aspects of a tooth. Subsequently, once this space has been cleansed the second half of root canal treatment involves filling in and sealing up the interior of the tooth. This aspect of the treatment is an attempt to minimize the possibility that bacteria will be able to re-colonize the inner aspects of the tooth.


Orthodontic Treatment

Our Orthodontic Team is Kid-friendly but can help mom and dad achieve their dream smiles as well. But proper tooth alignment does not only enhance aesthetics, it has been proven to help prevent gum disease, and increase better function, thus preventing early tooth loss. The orthodontic treatment period requires braces for 18-30 months for full, active treatment but sometimes as little as 6-12 months will do the job. Ideally your child should be examined by age 7 because some problems require early intervention and careful growth and eruption monitoring. Children seen earlier are often able to be treated without extraction of teeth since the orthodontist can start treatment at the perfect time. But missing that perfect time is not the end of the world. We are dedicated to help adults achieve the smile of their dreams while minimizing the embarrassing effects of wearing braces. Metal braces are not the only option now a day. We offer a number of nearly invisible solutions to serve your self presentation needs.


Sedation Dentistry

Are you afraid of the dentist? You are not alone. Over 35 million Americans have some level of anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist. The source of this anxiety can be multifaceted but regardless of your personal history we are here to help. Your fears may have caused you to neglect your oral health and feel embarrassed about your smile. We relieve this anxiety and fear through a sedation procedure with the most up-to-date, highest quality, gentle and caring dental techniques available. With sedation dentistry we can help you get the smile you deserve without the anxiety or pain you dread. Imagine not being afraid to go to the dentist and complete all your dental care in one appointment. We are committed to convert this dream into a reality for our patients.


Full Mouth Reconstruction

There is a wide range of reasons for why patients may need a full mouth reconstruction, from birth abnormality and traumatic accident to natural decay. To devise the correct diagnoses and an optimal treatment plan requires a multidisciplinary approach. Let us, along with our team of specialists, help you both restore and enhance your smile. While the financial burden of full mouth reconstruction may appear overwhelming, we are dedicated to work out a solution personalized to your dental needs and financial limitations.


Home Care Instructions

Brushing Problem Areas	Brushing Problem Areas (Espanol)	Brushing the Gumline and Contact Areas
Flossing	Flossing (Espanol)	The Importance of Regular Checkups

Dr. Zak Family Dentistry Office in Simi Valley serving Simi Valley, Moorpark, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Granada Hills, Reseda, Tarzana, Chatsworth, Northridge, Porter Ranch, North Hills, Mission Hills, Canoga Park, and West Hills, since 1994.