Dr. Bjornbak’s News & Updates

At Sherman Oaks Dental, we restore decayed teeth to create smiles that are both healthy and beautiful. Recent advances in both techniques and materials have made the ‘impossible’ not only possible, but affordable for everyone in Sherman Oaks as well.

Dentist Dr. Michael Bjornbak has been restoring teeth since 1989. Ongoing training is essential for staying on the cutting edge of the cosmetic dentistry industry.

Decay is the most common Sherman Oaks dental problem and the second most common disease in the nation (number one is the common cold). If you have one or more teeth with decay, it’s time to take care of them.

Fillings, inlays, onlays and dental crowns are used to restore teeth for our Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks cosmetic dental patients. Even the most basic procedure – filling a cavity – has evolved. There are several types of new materials available including porcelain and composite resin. Each has specific strengths and aesthetic considerations. Sherman Oaks patients who replace silver amalgam with tooth-colored fillings love getting the metal out of their smile.

Inlays and onlays are more extensive restorations. There are two types: direct or indirect. Direct inlays and onlays are made in your Sherman Oaks cosmetic dental office on the spot and applied in one visit. Indirect inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab. They usually require a second visit but the results are well worth the extra trip.

When a Van Nuys or Sherman Oaks client has a tooth that cannot be restored with an inlay or an onlay, a natural-looking dental crown is the answer. At Sherman Oaks Dental, we create dental crowns that blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Let us show you some photos of patients who have received smile makeovers – you will not see any “Chiclet” crowns that stick out like a sore thumb. In fact, you won’t be able to tell which of our Sherman Oaks dental clients have dental crowns.

Sherman Oaks Dental is located at 4849 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 101, Sherman Oaks, CA. Dentist Dr. Michael Bjornbak is currently accepting new patients. Call 818-672-1288 to schedule an aesthetic dental consultation.

As your local Sherman Oaks dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth. Sometimes mouth sores can be an issue, and while Sherman Oaks dentists often defer to an oral surgeon for extreme cases, we can help you make an assessment.

If you live in the Sherman Oaks area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; come and see me. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment is the best bet. A better understanding of your mouth sores can lead quickly to comfort and a resolution. If necessary, treatment and pain relief can be offered.

There are two common types of mouth sores that are common in the Sherman Oaks area; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobal mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods may offer you temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of a canker sores is not certain. Possible explanations range from a cut on the inside the mouth, and reactions to extreme temperatures or acids from food or drink, to fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or viruses, or combinations of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics may provide relief. There are some antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

As your Sherman Oaks dentist, I can’t do much to stop canker sores or cold sores in your mouth. I can discuss the health of your mouth, and examine any causes that make your mouth sore. In some cases a change in the way you care for your mouth can reduce the chances of getting mouth sores. If you are in the Sherman Oaks, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, area give us a call at Sherman Oaks Dental.

Our number is 818-672-1288.

Imagine you are starting a new job in Sherman Oaks and meeting your new boss for the first time. Confidence is key to your success. As you reach out to shake the extended hand your broad confident smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, yet when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath. Perhaps your breath is not as a pleasant as you had hoped. Bad breath is a worry and possible embarrassment for many residents of Sherman Oaks, California, from ages 20 to 80. Regular dental checkups at Sherman Oaks Dental can help alleviate your concern over bad breath. We have been addressing bad breath since 1989.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat here in Sherman Oaks can result in a change in your breath.

In most cases, bad breath originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem effecting as much as 25 percent of our Sherman Oaks residents. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits to Sherman Oaks Dental can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors that can contribute to bad breath for Sherman Oaks residents include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit Sherman Oaks Dental located in Sherman Oaks, California; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Give us a call at 818-672-1288 to set up an appointment.

Dr. Michael Bjornbak

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised Van Nuys parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday. The AAP now advises California parents to take their toddler to a California dentist before their first birthday, or about six months after their first tooth appears.

Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, Sherman Oaks dentists find advanced tooth decay in very young children.

High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:

• Sleeping with a bottle
• Drinking juice continually during the day
• Abnormal tooth development
• Thumb sucking
• Tooth grinding
• A mother with significant tooth decay
• Other health problems

To talk to us about pediatric dentistry, call 818-672-1288. Dr. Michael Bjornbak at Sherman Oaks Dental can advise you on your next steps for your pediatric dentistry. We also pamper busy Sherman Oaks parents who come to Sherman Oaks Dental for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are between the ages of 20 and 80, we would love to provide you with the most advanced dental care in Sherman Oaks.

Sherman Oaks Dental
4849 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 101
Sherman Oaks , California 91403
http://www.ShermanOaksDental.com
818-672-1288

Our most popular procedure is sedation dentistry, and many of our patient may not know that we offer Invisalign.

For years, Sherman Oaks parents have been warned that thumb-sucking can cause future dental problems for their thumb-loving toddlers. One of these problems is a type of malocclusion called an open bite.

An open bite occurs when the front teeth in the lower and upper jaw have been moved forward; often to the extent that they do not meet when the mouth is closed. In most cases, an open bite has been caused by thumb sucking, but pacifiers and tongue thrusting can also move teeth out of alignment.

Tongue thrusting refers to an abnormal swallowing action in which the tongue is pushed forward during swallowing. Normally, the tongue is on the roof of the mouth and the teeth closed completely when swallowing. A tongue-thrusting habit can develop due to factors other than thumb sucking, though this is a common cause. Allergies, large tonsils, tongue size, jaw angle, muscular problems, frequent sore throats; anything that makes swallowing difficult, can result in a tongue-thrusting habit.

At Sherman Oaks Dental, we diagnose bite problems in young dental clients such as underbites, overbites, crossbites and open bites. If dental treatment is started early in a child’s life, many bite issues and their associated problems can be prevented.

Call Sherman Oaks Dental at 818-672-1288 to schedule a dental examination for your toddler or child. If you need dental treatment for your child and do not have dental plan insurance, talk to us about financing options.

Sherman Oaks Dental offers comprehensive dental care for families. Because our friendly staff puts our youngest patients at ease, your child can grow up without fearing visits to their Sherman Oaks family dentist.

Hello,

My name is Dr. Michael Bjornbak, and I am a Dentist in the Sherman Oaks, California community.

My practice is called ‘Sherman Oaks Dental‘, and together we provide dentistry services including sedation dentistry.

If you are looking for an Sherman Oaks Dentist, I invite you to give Sherman Oaks Dental a try. We are caring and professional, and caring. Give us a call at 818-672-1288, or visit us on our website at http://www.ShermanOaksDental.com.

By the way: I am a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. You can learn more about American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry at their website located at http://www.AACD.com/public.html

Periodontal disease in California is more common than you might think, and can be cured with varying degrees of treatment depending on the severity.

What is periodontal disease? According to this article on Wikipedia, periodontal disease is ‘the name of a collection of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.’

Periodontal disease, more commonly called ‘gum disease’, is an inflammation or infection of the gums. Periodontal disease can be very painful in some extreme conditions, and can limit your ability to eat normally. In some cases, periodontal disease can affect your smile, and can create cosmetic concerns.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage. When caught early and treated, periodontal disease can be little more than an inconvenience. However the best policy is to practice good dental hygiene to keep periodontal disease at bay.

One of the best ways to avoid periodontal disease is to get a regular dental check up at your local Sherman Oaks dentist.

Give us a call at 818-672-1288 to schedule your next dental checkup; we look forward to seeing you.

Sherman Oaks Dental provides dentistry for child patients. Our dentistry for child patients is performed by our caring and professional staff and always takes into consideration the special circumstances that children require.

A little extra patience with our child patients is critical. We understand that going to the dentist can be a bit frightening for a child, so we make sure they are comfortable with their surroundings, and always invite mom or dad to join them in the room.

Dentistry for child patients requires more than just comfort, however. We take care to notice development patterns and watch for future trouble before it happens. We also teach proper hygiene for our child patients so that we can help you reinforce healthy habits that will produce strong, healthy and lasting teeth.

Dentistry for child patients is a big part of our practice here at Sherman Oaks Dental.

If you need dentistry for your child, give us a call: 818-672-1288

Do you suspect that you have bad breath? I’m Dr. Michael Bjornbak of Sherman Oaks Dental, a full-service dental office in Sherman Oaks, California. I help our dental patients diagnose and overcome this unpleasant and potentially embarrassing condition.

Halitosis is caused by the bacteria that live on and around your teeth, gums and tongue. Breath mints and mouthwashes do not cure bad breath, they only mask the symptoms. Proper oral hygiene can cure many cases of bad breath. However, in some cases, bad breath is caused by more serious conditions. Sinus and tonsil infections, acid reflux, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney malfunction, and eating disorders are just some of the health issues that can cause bad breath.

If you have bad breath, the first thing to do is make sure you are cleaning your teeth, gums and tongue thoroughly. This does not mean you should brush as long and forcefully as possible. Brushing too vigorously can harm gums and contribute to gum recession. At Sherman Oaks Dental, we help patients of all ages learn safe and effective brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning methods.

And don’t forget regular professional cleanings. Our friendly dental hygienist is trained in the latest and most effective deep-cleaning procedures. Your teeth feel so good after being cleaned professionally!

To make an appointment for an exam, cleaning or consultation, call 818-672-1288. Your teeth are too important to neglect.

As your local Sherman Oaks dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth.

Sometimes mouth sores can be an issue, and while dentists often defer to an oral surgeon for extreme cases, we can help you make an assessment.

If you live in the Sherman Oaks area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; come and see me. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment is the best bet. A better understanding of your mouth sores can lead quickly to comfort and a resolution. If necessary, treatment and pain relief can be offered.

There are two types of mouth sores that are common; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobal mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods may offer you temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of a canker sores is not certain. Possible explanations range from a cut on the inside the mouth, and reactions to extreme temperatures or acids from food or drink, to fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or viruses, or combinations of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics may provide relief. There are some antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

As your Sherman Oaks dentist, I can’t do much to stop canker sores or cold sores in your mouth. I can discuss the health of your mouth, and examine any causes that make your mouth sore. In some cases a change in the way you care for your mouth can reduce the chances of getting mouth sores. If you are in the Sherman Oaks area, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, area give us a call at Michael Bjornbak DDS.

Our number is 818-672-1288.