Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi knows the top reasons that his patients have come to him.  Many want to look healthy or appear younger and to simply look more attractive. 

Dr. Maddahi discusses why people come to his Beverly Hills office for porcelain veneers or tooth whitening, “Many have recently taken a photo or they have looked in the mirror and their teeth look bad.  Many realize that they just don’t smile in order to hide their teeth or they find themselves putting their hand in front of their mouth.  Some even restrict social activities because they feel their teeth look bad and are a bad reflection on them.”

Some are just inspired by what they see on television or what they see in other friends or relatives who have work done.  Dr. Maddahi continues, “They may see a makeover show and before that were hopeless.  They often see that another person had even worse teeth before and they see they can be helped.  The other thing is that sometimes my new patients have been putting off a visit to the dentist for several years.  They have an emergency and once they are here, they come to understand that dentistry has changed and that we can help them without any trauma that has been associated with dentistry.  Then they elect to take care of all their dental needs.”

One patient of Dr. Maddahi, Mrs. B., had this to say about how the dental work made a difference for her, “You can’t put it into words.  It makes such a change in your life.  It made a change not only aesthetically but functionally.  My previous dental work was replaced and aesthetically and functionally it totally improved.  Everyone notices.  ‘How much younger you look!’  I hear it all the time.  ‘You have to be a movie star to look like that!’   That’s a big improvement.  I want people to understand what a difference it can make.”

Isn’t that funny? People looked at pictures of a person who had cosmetic dental work done and they looked more intelligent? We can understand looking more wealthy and maybe more successful, but intelligent? That just goes to show how important that first impression can be!

A survey by the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry found that after people get a smile makeover from a cosmetic dentist that not only are they considered more attractive and popular but they have a better business persona as well.

What are the most common reasons a person chooses a beautiful new smile?  Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi knows the top reasons that his patients have come to him.  Many want to look healthy or appear younger and to simply look more attractive. 

Before and after photos of patients who had cosmetic dental work done were surveyed.  When asked for instant response to what they saw, of course attractive and popular with the opposite sex were improved, but the interesting factors were that people thought these after-photos were of people who were more intelligent, wealthy and more successful in their careers.  As a note, none of these before pictures had rotten or missing teeth showing or terribly bad dental health problems.

One patient of Dr. Maddahi has simply had her front six teeth replaced with porcelain veneers and the rest of her teeth whitened. She said, “The number of people who stop to tell me how great I look is really amazing. I am over 50 years old and yes, I also have a new hair-do, but it’s when I smile at them and say hello that I get the same response over and over. ‘I just have to tell you how great you look!’ I hear this all the time. Very few people have noticed that I have new teeth; it just creates a complete change in the way that I look. They often ask if I have lost weight – uh no (I wish!), or they tell me that I look so young.”

Call today to set up an appointment and get your new smile from Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, the choice Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist.

Our Dr. Maddahi never uses mercury. Why?

According to the IAOMT, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, “many people do not realize the “silver” amalgam fillings are 50% mercury. A large filling may contain as much mercury as a thermometer. Mercury vaporizes easily at room temperature, and in this state, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Inhaled mercury vapor is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. The World Health Organization has concluded that dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person’s body than all other sources of mercury combined. Mercury is a powerful poison. Published research demonstrates that mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic. No amount of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered harmless. Especially considering its cumulative effect.”

Dr. Thomas McGuire, DDS, has been an innovator and leader in preventive dental education for over 30 years. He states, “Silver (mercury amalgam) fillings are hazardous to your health. The reason they are is because poisonous mercury vapor is continually being released from these fillings and stored in the body.  It is scientifically proven that mercury is the most poisonous naturally occurring, non-radioactive, substance on our planet. Mercury is far more toxic than any of the other heavy metals, including arsenic, lead and cadmium. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is NO safe level of mercury! There is no ‘good or safe’ mercury.
 
“Thus, no matter what you have heard from a pro-amalgam dentist, or from the ADA, about the safety of amalgams, mercury is continuously released from them and they can never, ever, ever be considered ‘safe’ nor ‘harmless’. To even suggest that mercury, in any amount, is safe, or harmless, is inaccurate, misleading, and hazardous to the health of those who believe what this organization and its supporting dentists are telling them.”
 
See Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, today for testing and your solution to a mercury-free smile. He is your Los Angeles area mercury-free dentist.

Our Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, has found that the perception people have of you is actually affected by discolored teeth, poorly shaped teeth, or unattractive gums and is immediately changed when you have a smile makeover.

“I had one patient come in with her gums bleeding, teeth cracked, missing and broken.  In four weeks I did a full mouth reconstruction on her.  She was so elated. She sat there crying, saying you’ve changed my life, you’ve saved my life.’ There’s nothing that would replace that kind of acknowledgment from a patient.  That’s what I love to do.”  Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, is dedicated to creating beautiful, natural smiles. 

A very marked improvement can be made from a simple teeth whitening procedure.  Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Tooth dullness or staining is an indication that whitening should be considered. Smokers and those who drink coffee and/or tea on a regular basis accelerate the discoloration and require cleaning more often. These are among the most common reasons for teeth whitening.

Dr. Maddahi combines artistry and dentistry, creating beautiful, natural smiles for his patients.  “When I look at a patient, I am not just looking at their teeth.  I am looking at their whole face, how to make that smile to match their personality and the symmetry of their face.”  Further he says.  “I imagine you have seen people with dental work that is unnatural.  Perhaps the teeth are too thick or too long, and push out the lips or the teeth are small or the wrong shape or color.  I concentrate on creating just the right smile for my patients.”

Dr. Maddahi is one of Los Angeles’ leading cosmetic dentists.  He is very interested in what his patients want, what they suggest and are most comfortable with.  The choices are many, including porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, teeth whitening, cosmetic implants, bridges, recontouring, composite bonding, porcelain inlays, porcelain onlays and dentures.

Using his state-of-the-art digital cosmetic imaging equipment, he and the patient consult to find the best new smile for them. The display will show a computerized split image of the patient’s smile.  The top half of the screen displays the current smile and the bottom display is a digital simulation of the smile as it will be after the work has been completed.  This way they can make an immediate decision on the work to be done.  

Our Dr. Maddahi never uses mercury. Why?

According to the IAOMT, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, “many people do not realize that “silver” amalgam fillings are 50% mercury. A large filling may contain as much mercury as a thermometer. Mercury vaporizes easily at room temperature, and in this state, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Inhaled mercury vapor is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. The World Health Organization has concluded that dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person’s body than all other sources of mercury combined. Mercury is a powerful poison. Published research demonstrates that mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic. No amount of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered harmless. Especially considering its cumulative effect.”

Dr. Thomas McGuire, DDS, has been an innovator and leader in preventive dental education for over 30 years. He states, “Silver (mercury amalgam) fillings are hazardous to your health. The reason they are is because poisonous mercury vapor is continually being released from these fillings and stored in the body.  It is scientifically proven that mercury is the most poisonous naturally occurring, non-radioactive, substance on our planet. Mercury is far more toxic than any of the other heavy metals, including arsenic, lead and cadmium. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is NO safe level of mercury! There is no ‘good or safe’ mercury.
 
“Thus, no matter what you have heard from a pro-amalgam dentist, or from the ADA, about the safety of amalgams, mercury is continuously released from them and they can never, ever, ever be considered ‘safe’ nor ‘harmless’. To even suggest that mercury, in any amount, is safe, or harmless, is inaccurate, misleading, and hazardous to the health of those who believe what this organization and its supporting dentists are telling them.”

What is Serum Biocompatibility Testing? There are certain individuals who find they have headaches, trouble breathing, dizziness and even debilitating illnesses that have been discovered to be caused by dental materials to which they are allergic. One substance might be toxic to one body that is not toxic to another person.

Therefore, Dr. Maddahi recommends Serum Biocompatibility Testing for chemical sensitivity before selecting dental materials used for fillings and other dental work. See Dr. Kourosh Maddahi today for testing and your solution to a mercury-free smile. He is your Los Angeles area mercury-free dentist.

Our Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, expert Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, often recommends composite resin bonding for chipped, stained, or cracked teeth, and for teeth that need repairing because of decay. 

Because the dental bonding material can be compared to clay that a sculptor uses, Dr. Maddahi is able to sculpt beautiful, natural teeth to restore flaws.  Bonding can be used in the back teeth as well as in the front of the mouth, as correction for the chips and cracks in the teeth, to fill gaps, recolor or reshape teeth and to correct other unsightly blemishes on the teeth.

Composite resin bonding, which is commonly called dental bonding, makes use of an etching technique to microscopically increase the surface area of a tooth so that the composite materials can easily bond to the tooth structure that needs restoration. 

The surface of the exterior of the tooth is readied by applying a thin layer of plastic coating on the tooth.  Next the bonding material is placed and the dentist artistically sculpts the new look of the teeth.  A high-intensity ultraviolent light then hardens the coating and the dentist finely polishes the surface to give it a natural appearance.

The resin is available in many shades in order to match the color of your other teeth.  This material can also be used to fill cavities where possible, so that the filling is not noticed.  After the dentist creates a mold and places a temporary filling, dental labs can then create custom-made fillings that are very durable.  This is then bonded to the tooth in a second visit to the dentist. 

The result is a beautiful, natural new smile – rapidly and relatively inexpensively!

Oral health must be considered an important part of overall health but scientists are still studying how closely the two are connected.

To make sense of this, scientists are examining what happens when periodontitis is treated in persons who have other health problems. There’s evidence that diabetics are more likely to develop periodontitis (and more severe cases) than non-diabetics. Two conditions that occur together may be caused by a third factor. People who smoke or use alcohol are at increased risk for periodontitis and other conditions, such as oral cancer.

“If there were a cause-and-effect relationship, we’d expect that improvements to periodontal health would also improve other health conditions.”, says Beverly Hills Dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi.  “The results from initial studies are intriguing. Some studies suggest that treating periodontitis in people with diabetes can improve their blood sugar control, but other studies have not found this connection. The ADA supports and encourages further research into what remains a promising but inconclusive question as to the effects of periodontal disease on specific systemic conditions and diseases.”

What does this mean for you? Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, preventing periodontitis may turn out to be an important step in maintaining overall health. In most cases, that can be done with good daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular professional care.

Make sure to tell your dentist about changes in your oral health, including any recent illnesses or chronic conditions. Provide an updated health history including medication use, both prescription and over-the-counter products. And if you smoke, talk to your dentist about options for quitting smoking.

Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, explains, in depth, the relationship between illness and periodontal conditions.

The news lately has been filled with frightening stories that link oral bacteria and oral disease to a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. The subject isn’t really new. Dentists have long known that there is a strong relationship between oral health and general health. For example, tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs not only affect overall health but oral health as well.

“Persons who suffer with dry mouth—a lack of saliva—whether from age, disease or medications, are at increased risk for tooth decay.”, explains Dr. Maddahi.  “And if you have oral pain or can’t eat properly, you won’t get the nutrition your body needs to stay healthy.  It’s not news that the mouth is connected to the body. The mouth often times is the location used to diagnose, make a prognosis, treat and intervene on a host of diseases.”

For example, some researchers have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Other research has found that pregnant women with periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering babies that are pre-term, have low birth weight or both.

Dr. Maddahi further explains, “Although reports suggest that periodontitis may contribute to these conditions, you should know that just because two conditions occur at the same time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the other. These conditions and diseases are complex.  Oral health must be considered an important part of overall health but scientists are still studying how closely the two are connected.”

The primary, singular most important quality in a cosmetic dentist is knowledge. Gone are the days of routine fillings and bridges – today’s dentist is a technician with an array of high-tech tools and procedures who has the experience and the know-how for them to be healthy.

Located 15 minutes from Hancock Park, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, has elevated these requirements to a level of accomplishment and artistry that warrants acknowledgement and comment. Operating from his Beverly Hills dentist office in a service environment befitting his clients, he always begins his work with a skilled and highly and personal evaluation, establishing what is needed, and which technology will serve that individual – for perfect teeth.

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS, keeps his practice on the cutting edge – whether for cleaning, whitening, painless procedure in teeth reshaping (a painless procedure), dental implants or porcelain veneers – his careful research places the benefits of the latest technology and an artistic skill at the beck and call of his clients.

Teeth are easily discolored by coffee, cigarettes, wine and even medications. Discolored teeth can make a person hide their smile or make them appear older than their actual years. Teeth can be rapidly and effectively lightened using non-toxic composites and laser tooth whitening technology. Dr. Maddahi uses Zoom! whitening technology.  This gel process uses hydrogen peroxide and an activator, which together act to significantly whiten teeth. An in-office procedure is required as both the upper and lower teeth are whitened in a few hours. 

The effect of an unsightly smile, grey or yellowed teeth or the look of unhandled crooked teeth can be profound. First impressions are most often made with a smile.

Porcelain veneers enable teeth to be rapidly and effectively improved, whereas orthodontics can take years for full results and dentures have limitations. By enhancing the existing shape and color of your teeth, porcelain veneers can mean a desirable smile now.

Listen up while our Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, answers your most asked questions about dental hygiene and dental health. If you have more questions, just send them to us at info@drmaddahi.com.

Why are teeth sensitive, even if no decay exists?  “Sometimes the top layer of a tooth, the enamel, has been lessened or lost.  Being the protective layer of the teeth, if it is missing it allows heat, cold, acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing hypersensitivity and some discomfort. Receding gums can also be a cause of sensitivity.” 

Is it true that an electric toothbrush is more effective?  “An electric toothbrush has not been proven to clean better than a regular toothbrush. It may help those who have trouble brushing their teeth. Also, it is important to remember to replace your toothbrush every two to three months. And if you have a cold, you should switch it out once you are well.”

How often should I visit the dentist to have my teeth checked?  “Every six months is the typical interval to visit your dentist. But, if you have especially decay susceptible teeth, you might be asked to come three times a year. You should not only get a checkup but also get your teeth cleaned. I suggest a very vigilante attitude toward dental health due to teeth being so closely related to your physical condition and overall well-being.”

Why do I still need to come to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned if I brush my teeth three times a day? 
“Actually, a cleaning does more than your daily brushings do. Regular dental cleanings (along with brushing twice daily and flossing) are the main factors to prevent gum disease. Periodontal treatment deals with the health and care of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.  Periodontal disease occurs when the tissue that house the root of the teeth are inflamed by bacteria. The treatment for this is regular dental cleaning and, in more severe cases, full tooth scaling (scraping bacterial plaque and calculus from the tooth).  We also use state-of-the-art ultrasonic scaling equipment which is more thorough and less invasive than scraping; however it is not as comfortable a procedure for those patients with sensitivity issues.  Usually scraping is not needed if regular teeth cleaning has been done.”

What is the cause of bad breath?  “Usually the cause of halitosis is bacteria.  Feeding on leftovers and dead cells, anaerobic bacteria (those living and growing in the absence of free oxygen) cause bad breath. These harmful microorganisms attack the gums and teeth, producing a foul smell commonly understood to be halitosis.”