Our Approach

All of us are living longer and expect our teeth to be right there with us; healthy, strong and looking great.

Here’s what we at P & W do to help this happen:

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is attentive dentistry. During regular checkups and treatments, we pay close attention to any worrisome signs–in the teeth, gums, jaw, TMJ and mouth–and attend to them before they turn into something more serious.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Less is more wherever possible. Minimally invasive means that we keep as much of a tooth as possible as we can to preserve its natural structure. Every time we diagnose and treat a patient, we think about the lifespan of a tooth, the lifespan of any proposed dental treatment and the lifespan of the individual.

Painless Dentistry

Sit back and get comfortable. If you’re nervous or fidgety, we are licensed by the State of California to provide oral sedation. For those who are anxious or fearful, we have nitrous oxide (laughing gas) available. And for longer, more extensive procedures for the surgery-phobic, we engage a licensed dental anesthesiologist who can safely put you under so you can sleep through the whole thing.

X-Ray Protocols

Today’s digital X-ray (radiography) technology is faster, safer and more comfortable than ever before. We follow ADA guidelines in protecting both patients and staff. That said, we only perform X-rays when they are absolutely necessary, judging individually on a case by case basis.

Our Services

We offer a comprehensive array of dental procedures performed to the highest standard such as cleanings, exams, fillings, implants, root canals, bridges and crowns as well as diagnosis and treatment of less common oral health issues. Alongside – and taking pride of place – is our superb esthetic dentistry department.  

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Dental Hygiene + Cleanings

Preventing cavities and gum disease to maintain optimal oral health involves regular professional cleanings and exams two to four times a year for most patients. Cleanings are handled by one of our friendly dental hygienists who remove the hard-to-reach debris, bacteria, plaque, and tartar that can cause gingivitis, inflammation, and decay. A cleaning appointment automatically includes enough time for checkup from the dentist.

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General Dentistry

Here’s where the dentist gets a good look in. During post-cleaning exams to assesses the overall oral health, we look for cavities, gum disease and signs of teeth grinding, review any pain issues and perform an oral cancer screening. If all is well, we’ll see you in 4 to 6 months. If we spot something requiring attention, we’ll create an individualized treatment plan with you to address it.

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Esthetic Dentistry

Your smile is our passion. Performing high level esthetic dentistry requires the eye of an artist, precision of an engineer and dexterity of a brain surgeon. As smile specialists renowned for beautiful, natural looking results, we love how esthetic dentistry can change lives to enhance happiness and confidence. Also known as cosmetic dentistry, this category includes teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, all-ceramic and porcelain restorations and full smile makeovers.

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Invisalign

Time to get your smile straight. Esthetics patients, orthodontics-veterans and orthodontics-newbies can all benefit from this advanced clear aligner system. In fact, many of our adult patients who had braces as a child or teenager may find that over the decades their teeth position and bite have shifted. You’re not alone and it’s never too late. As an Official Invisalign Provider, we personally supervise the process every step of the way.

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Implants for missing teeth

Stability, health, beauty and function. Dental implants for a missing tooth or teeth are often the preferred course of action because of the wide range of benefits that accompany them; they’re better for your oral health, gum health and stability while looking natural. However, implants are not necessarily for everyone. We can review your options together to reach the best solution.

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TMD in the TMJ

We’ve all got two.  ‘TMJ’ stands for temporomandibular joint, the moveable hinge where the lower jaw attaches onto the skull. Patients who suffer from ‘TMD’ (temporomandibular disfunction) experience pain in the jaw joint or surrounding muscles or even as a migraine. Once we target the cause–bruxism (teeth grinding), poor posture, injury are common–we’ll develop an effective course of treatment.

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Sleep + Airway Issues

Sleep right to live well. We know that there is a strong, proven link between sleep, oral health and full body health. Patients who struggle with fibromyalgia, insomnia or daytime drowsiness, have difficulty remembering things, struggle to concentrate, grind their teeth in their sleep or snore may have sleep disordered breathing due to a reduced airway space. As it happens, a properly trained dentist can play a huge part in addressing these sleep and airway issues. With extensive advanced training in this area, our team can diagnose, treat and manage these conditions for better sleep, optimal health and quality of life.

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IV SEDATION

Experience dental procedures with ultimate relaxation. IV sedation is ideal for patients who feel anxious about dental visits or who require extensive treatments. Administered by a licensed professional, IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation while you remain conscious and responsive. This method not only helps to ease anxiety but also allows for multiple procedures to be performed in one visit, maximizing your comfort and minimizing stress. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities, so you can rest assured that your dental health is in expert hands.

Our Evaluations

Targeted evaluations let us to know where you stand with your teeth. We in the practice are able to more expertly design a course of action and patients come away fully educated on their dental and oral health, armed with the knowledge and power to make informed decisions.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Evaluating your dental health comprehensively is the best way to determine how the system of teeth, gums, bite, and jaw are functioning so that any dental work performed will have the highest longevity possible. In evaluating, we perform a complete clinical and visual inspection, make models and take photographs of the teeth, gums and surrounding structures. Then we walk you through a "tour of the mouth" so you can see everything that we as dentists are seeing. Though most routine cases will not need such in-depth analysis, those with more complex dental issues (including esthetic concerns) can greatly benefit.

Smile Analysis

Required for esthetic work and Invisalign, the Smile Analysis looks at tooth position, tooth arrangement, tooth contour, tooth color and gum levels to ensure the best possible outcome. Working with both full face and profile photos, we can also calculate the smile modifications that will precisely suit the patient’s features, expression, personality and taste.

New Patient Evaluation

If you are looking for a new dentist, a new dental home, and value quality, ethical care in a comfortable setting, we would love to have you as a new patient.  To become a new patient, we will walk you through a New Patient Exam which involves the following: we will have you complete the necessary paperwork, do a clinical and visual inspection of the teeth, gums, and surrounding structures, do an oral cancer screening, update and evaluate any necessary radiographs (x-rays), and spend time answering any questions or address any concerns you may be having.  Should you seek further dental treatment after a New Patient Exam, we can create an individualized plan and address these needs.

URGENT Evaluation

Give us a call if you're experiencing an urgent dental issue that needs to be addressed in a timely manner, whether it's causing discomfort or not.  We would be happy to see you on short notice, whether you're an existing patient of the practice or a new patient. We can complete a Limited Exam, which expeditiously focuses on the area of concern.  Sometimes we can even provide treatment at this same time, depending on the issue and depending on time constraints. After a Limited Exam and addressing any concerns, a Complete Exam can be accomplished at a future date.

Word of mouth

To the rescue

“I chipped my tooth and was worried it was going to be a very lengthy process. But Dr. Wagner put me at ease and talked me through my options, both for the short and the long term. In a matter of a few hours, I was sporting a complete smile again.”
Raquel V.
Santa Monica, CA

Sparkling Clean

“Amazing hygienists, super enthused and ebullient. They keep you entertained or pick up quickly if you just need to zone out in quiet. Every six months I've come out feeling legitimately more confident and energized to go into the world.”
Adam S.
West Hollywood, CA
graphic of characters smiling

Your smile is your truth. Ours too.

We are ready to welcome you with a smile. We want to make you feel wonderful and calm, that everything will be fine. The next step is to make an appointment and join our patient family.

Make an Appointment

Licensed to practice in California