EXPERT
Dr. Susan Fredericks, D.D.S
Dentist
Dr. Susan Fredericks D.D.S is a top Dentist in Woodland Hills, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Susan Fredericks D.D.S is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Susan Fredericks D.D.S is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As an expert in their field, Dr. Susan Fredericks D.D.S is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Woodland Hills, CA, Dr. Susan Fredericks D.D.S is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of dental care
April 2020 Update
We have implemented new strategies in our office to protect our patients and staff. We have purchased an air purifier to decontaminate the air. We are also in the process of installing a new higher speed air vacuum to contain the aerosol. We will be receiving forehead thermometers to take temperature of all patients when they come in. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND TO PROTECT YOU!
When I entered the field of dentistry and established my own practice, HIV infections were coming to the forefront. At this time, in the mid 80's and into the 90's, there was no treatment for HIV. Basically, you got it and you died sometime later. During this, and forward to today, I have always told my staff, Treat everyone like they are HIV positive and have hepatitis too!! We are fanatic about hygiene. I would feel very comfortable sitting in one of my chairs and using my equipment on me.
April 2020 Update
We have implemented new strategies in our office to protect our patients and staff. We have purchased an air purifier to decontaminate the air. We are also in the process of installing a new higher speed air vacuum to contain the aerosol. We will be receiving forehead thermometers to take temperature of all patients when they come in. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND TO PROTECT YOU!
When I entered the field of dentistry and established my own practice, HIV infections were coming to the forefront. At this time, in the mid 80's and into the 90's, there was no treatment for HIV. Basically, you got it and you died sometime later. During this, and forward to today, I have always told my staff, Treat everyone like they are HIV positive and have hepatitis too!! We are fanatic about hygiene. I would feel very comfortable sitting in one of my chairs and using my equipment on me.
44 years
Experience
Dr. Susan Fredericks, D.D.S
- Woodland Hills, CA
- UCLA School of Dentistry
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Can food get stuck in dentures?
You can absolutely get food stuck in a denture. You can also get very heavy and discoloring calculus buildup on them. Dentures should be checked and professionally cleaned at least READ MORE
You can absolutely get food stuck in a denture. You can also get very heavy and discoloring calculus buildup on them. Dentures should be checked and professionally cleaned at least once a year. Calculus can cling to any surface, dentures, crowns, bridges veneers and implants and of course, your own natural teeth.
Susan Fredericks DDS MPH
Susan Fredericks DDS MPH
Does wearing dentures make your breath stink?
A denture is made of plastic and acrylic and therefore can absorb smells to a small extent. But if you ate garlic, your breath would smell of that too, regardless if wearing a READ MORE
A denture is made of plastic and acrylic and therefore can absorb smells to a small extent. But if you ate garlic, your breath would smell of that too, regardless if wearing a denture. It is important to keep a denture clean. Daily brushing and soaking overnight in a solution that cleans and refreshes should eliminate any problem or concern. Dentures do stink when they are not properly maintained!
Susan Fredericks. DDS MPH
Susan Fredericks. DDS MPH
Can a receding gum line be reversed?
Receding gums can be reversed, but usually only by a surgical procedure. If the recession is not too bad, the doctor can take your own tissue and reposition it apically. If it READ MORE
Receding gums can be reversed, but usually only by a surgical procedure. If the recession is not too bad, the doctor can take your own tissue and reposition it apically. If it is more severe, it may be necessary to do a connective tissue graft. If you are having recession at age 29, you may need to alter your brushing technique. Talk to your dentist about this.
Happy Holidays,
Susan Fredericks, DDS, MPH
Happy Holidays,
Susan Fredericks, DDS, MPH
What is the safest form of teeth whitening?
All delivery systems are safe, whether they are at home trays or in office whitening. However, there are significant differences in sensitivity. Both systems can make teeth sensitive. In READ MORE
All delivery systems are safe, whether they are at home trays or in office whitening. However, there are significant differences in sensitivity. Both systems can make teeth sensitive. In office bleaching delivers a high octane bleaching punch...the bleach is much stronger than you take home...35% Patients can have significant discomfort for 24 hours. But the whitening is done in 2 hours. Take home trays, you can get anything from 10% to 22% bleach. If your teeth get sensitive, don't wear the trays for a few days. The disadvantage...you have to be diligent and wear them. And with low power bleach, it might take you two weeks to get thereWearing the trays 90 minutes each day.
Dr. Susan Fredericks
Dr. Susan Fredericks
How does a child get a tooth extraction under anesthesia?
I would assume that by "Stubborn", it may imply a ankylosed tooth. This means the tooth may be partially fused to the jawbone. That being the case, it may be best to give the child READ MORE
I would assume that by "Stubborn", it may imply a ankylosed tooth. This means the tooth may be partially fused to the jawbone. That being the case, it may be best to give the child some light to moderate sedation as well as local anesthetic. If the roots need to be picked or drilled out, this could prove to be emotionally traumatic without some sedation. This will need to be done by an oral surgeon or a pediatric dentist. Both have training in sedation.
Are silver fillings safe?
Hello,
Dentists in California and other states have to collect silver filling waste and dispose of it in a toxic waste container. Silver fillings have mercury in them, which READ MORE
Hello,
Dentists in California and other states have to collect silver filling waste and dispose of it in a toxic waste container. Silver fillings have mercury in them, which is toxic to the human body. I do not do silver fillings anymore. Unfortunately, insurance companies like them as they are the cheapest material around. So, they are still frequently used. And the dental board still deems them reasonably safe. I find it fascinating that the only two save spaces to store mercury silver fillings are in toxic waste dumps and peoples mouths! I would strongly suggest you ask about other materials for fillings.
Dentists in California and other states have to collect silver filling waste and dispose of it in a toxic waste container. Silver fillings have mercury in them, which is toxic to the human body. I do not do silver fillings anymore. Unfortunately, insurance companies like them as they are the cheapest material around. So, they are still frequently used. And the dental board still deems them reasonably safe. I find it fascinating that the only two save spaces to store mercury silver fillings are in toxic waste dumps and peoples mouths! I would strongly suggest you ask about other materials for fillings.
What will be discussed at my periodontal follow up?
Not all surgeries are 100% successful. The doctor wants to see the result. The doctor will also tell you the perio disease is like high blood pressure. It is something you control READ MORE
Not all surgeries are 100% successful. The doctor wants to see the result. The doctor will also tell you the perio disease is like high blood pressure. It is something you control long-term, not have a procedure done and you are cured. Many people don't understand or grasp that it is something that needs to be managed the rest of your life.
How painful is a dental implant?
The short answer is it is not very painful. I have had a patient get as many as 10 implants in one appointment and tell me the day after post-op that all he took was 600mg of motrin READ MORE
The short answer is it is not very painful. I have had a patient get as many as 10 implants in one appointment and tell me the day after post-op that all he took was 600mg of motrin that night. Most patients report less pain from implant placement than from an extraction. Patients often anticipate great pain.That is not correct. However, the anxiety can be a force behind this. In cases like this, it is often best to be sedated for implant placement. You wake up and it's over.
Is ridge augmentation possible at my age?
Age is not necessarily a defining factor in ridge augmentation. It depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you have osteoporosis that is affecting your jaw, there are other READ MORE
Age is not necessarily a defining factor in ridge augmentation. It depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you have osteoporosis that is affecting your jaw, there are other treatments. If you are considering placing implants and there is not enough bone to imbed implant into, you may need augmentation to create enough bone to stabilize the implant(s). This would all be determined by an oral surgeon and with 3D X-ray scans. Augmentation can be done in several ways, including taking bone from hip or utilizing part of the fibula. You may want to get several opinions. Age, overall health, and medications are all factors to consider.
How many teeth can be in a bridge?
Like so many situations, it depends. If you are missing 2 teeth, your bridge would need to be at least 4 teeth in total, the 2 missing teeth and one tooth on either side to anchor READ MORE
Like so many situations, it depends. If you are missing 2 teeth, your bridge would need to be at least 4 teeth in total, the 2 missing teeth and one tooth on either side to anchor it. Under ideal circumstances, and very healthy anchor teeth, you could go with 4 missing teeth and two anchor teeth for a total of 6 teeth. Other alternatives are placing 2 implants. If the adjacent teeth to the 2 missing are in poor shape,(root canaled or periodontal bone loss), it may need to have 4 anchor teeth total. There are variables, but that is a ballpark!
How long should my child be brushing their teeth?
The recommended time is a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom. Get a small timer for them and leave it in the bathroom. Tell them to set it for 2 minutes and brush. This READ MORE
The recommended time is a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom. Get a small timer for them and leave it in the bathroom. Tell them to set it for 2 minutes and brush. This makes it a game!
How often should I mouthwash?
It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you have gum disease, rinsing twice a day, once after breakfast and once before you get in bed is best. If you have chronic READ MORE
It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you have gum disease, rinsing twice a day, once after breakfast and once before you get in bed is best. If you have chronic bad breath from post nasal drip, you might want to rinse 3 times a day...or more. Make sure you brush your tongue, too, as it often has lots of bacteria on it. Listerine rinse has essential oils in it that others don't. It's my favorite to prescribe, but there are a number of good ones.
Is tooth sensitivity a sign of decay?
Tooth sensitivity is the number one complaint of patients. It can be caused by several issues. The most typical reason for sensitivity is gum recession and exposure of the root READ MORE
Tooth sensitivity is the number one complaint of patients. It can be caused by several issues. The most typical reason for sensitivity is gum recession and exposure of the root surface, that is not like enamel and has nerve ending that react to hot and cold and sweet/sour. Typically, if an individual tooth has decay, it can gradually start feeling more sensitivity. Since your questions referred to your molars, it could be you are grinding your teeth and this is the problem. The best resolution would be to have a check-up.
How do I whiten my teeth once my braces come off?
This is a good question and a common problem. Maintaining good hygiene, while wearing braces can be a constant issue. Often, when braces are removed, patients notice discoloration, READ MORE
This is a good question and a common problem. Maintaining good hygiene, while wearing braces can be a constant issue. Often, when braces are removed, patients notice discoloration, often in an outline of where the bracket was bonded on. You can either do in-office bleaching, use trays and apply the bleach yourself, or do both. Doing both will probably get the best results. You may not be able to completely resolve and get perfect blending of color, but it will be a great improvement.
I wear dentures. My gums are aching! What can I do?
Losing all of your teeth and wearing full dentures is for most people, a very long miserable experience. Dentures are like popping in a plastic eyeball and saying this replaces READ MORE
Losing all of your teeth and wearing full dentures is for most people, a very long miserable experience. Dentures are like popping in a plastic eyeball and saying this replaces your eye. Dentures replace only 10% of your chewing function. Lower full dentures are particularly awful, as they have no stability. The tongue is constantly moving them around and lifting them up. Adhesives are of little value. The best course is to try to save your teeth, at least some of them.
There is a fairly new product out there the help the edentulous patient; it is the all on 4 implant retained denture. This is put in and not removable by the patient. The denture is attached to the 4 implants and does not press on the delicate lining of the mouth. The denture does not move around. Most patients are very happy with this treatment. The downside, it is costly. Even if you have dental insurance, it will cover only $2,000 out of approximately $22,000 per arch. The expectation is that the implants will last forever, the denture has a metal framework with a lifetime guarantee.....but the plastic teeth on the denture will need to be reset periodically. Most of the cost is upfront. It really is a quality of life issue. This treatment is so much better than the traditional denture .
In answer to your sore gums.....try to wear the denture as little as possible....hardly a great answer, but a common problem, with no great inexpensive solution.
There is a fairly new product out there the help the edentulous patient; it is the all on 4 implant retained denture. This is put in and not removable by the patient. The denture is attached to the 4 implants and does not press on the delicate lining of the mouth. The denture does not move around. Most patients are very happy with this treatment. The downside, it is costly. Even if you have dental insurance, it will cover only $2,000 out of approximately $22,000 per arch. The expectation is that the implants will last forever, the denture has a metal framework with a lifetime guarantee.....but the plastic teeth on the denture will need to be reset periodically. Most of the cost is upfront. It really is a quality of life issue. This treatment is so much better than the traditional denture .
In answer to your sore gums.....try to wear the denture as little as possible....hardly a great answer, but a common problem, with no great inexpensive solution.
How do I reduce plaque buildup?
Plaque build-up is more a question of individual body chemistry than anything else. Some patients could get their teeth cleaned 4 times a year with scrupulous care and hygiene READ MORE
Plaque build-up is more a question of individual body chemistry than anything else. Some patients could get their teeth cleaned 4 times a year with scrupulous care and hygiene and others, who are not susceptible to heavy build-up, once a year with marginal self-care. I know, it's not fair. Keep brushing and flossing, you can keep in good dental health, it will just be more work for you.
How to fix cracks in the teeth?
Most people have surface cracks in the enamel of their teeth. For most people, it's not a problem and not noticeable. If patients drink a lot of coffee or smoke, these surface READ MORE
Most people have surface cracks in the enamel of their teeth. For most people, it's not a problem and not noticeable. If patients drink a lot of coffee or smoke, these surface cracks can get stained and discolored. This is usually the problem. The simplest route would be to bleach the teeth, to make this less noticeable. However, bleaching becomes an issue that has to be maintained. The other solution is the veneer the front teeth. The veneers won't restain. This is a more expensive solution, but a more permanent one.
Is root canal the only way to treat a tooth cavity?
If a tooth has a deep cavity, either into or close to the nerve of the tooth, it will likely need a root canal. If a large amount of tooth structure is decayed, in some cases READ MORE
If a tooth has a deep cavity, either into or close to the nerve of the tooth, it will likely need a root canal. If a large amount of tooth structure is decayed, in some cases it is better to extract the tooth and place an implant, or a bridge.
The depth of the decay and the sensitivity or pain the patient is in, are the factors in determining whether a tooth needs a root canal
The depth of the decay and the sensitivity or pain the patient is in, are the factors in determining whether a tooth needs a root canal
Why do I have sensitivity in all my lower teeth?
The number one most common reason for sensitivity is recession of gums. This is very typical, especially with people who are adamant about good oral hygiene and scrub their teeth READ MORE
The number one most common reason for sensitivity is recession of gums. This is very typical, especially with people who are adamant about good oral hygiene and scrub their teeth and gums hard. Try a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and brush more gently!
