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Archive for June, 2009

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Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist Offers Contemporary Standards in Restoration

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Beautiful smile, beautiful teeth - white and sparkly, can say so much about a person. Healthy, successful, even happier is how people are perceived who have a beautiful, natural smile reconstruction. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, top Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, has warm and welcoming offices in Beverly Hills.
 
Cosmetic dentistry can be a quick solution for people who are in the need of an upgrade to their look. Whether for personal or professional purposes, porcelain veneers can take only a few days to completely improve that presentation. Even a quick tooth whitening, which takes about an hour, can make a complete change in a person’s smile.
 
Used to improve the appearance of teeth or to protect and restore a damaged tooth surface, porcelain veneers are the superlative solution to imperfect or unsightly smiles. The word veneer is French in origin, and in cosmetic dentistry it describes the application of a thin layer of restorative material to the teeth. They have the benefit of correcting flawed teeth, for example making them thicker and straighter, with or without the use of orthodontics.
 
There are several reasons that porcelain veneers are the veneer of choice. One of porcelain veneers’ advantage is that they are far less likely to stain. Additionally, they are the most durable material when bonded to tooth structure, and will not fracture like some composite veneers do, under strain.
 
With porcelain veneers it is possible to improve the alignment of teeth, without braces. Additionally, the form of a tooth can be modified as well as the color. But most notably porcelain veneers are the cosmetic dentist’s veneer of choice because they have a very life-like appearance due to their luster and translucency, factors that are not achievable with composites.
 
Patients of Dr. Maddahi have found him to create very beautiful and natural teeth. One described her experience as this, “It’s more than I expected and better than I hoped for. I thought my teeth would be big and not normal and Hollywood-style instead of perfectly shaped for my face. The color and shape is perfect for me.”
 
She continues, “Let me explain. This is the second time I have had veneers. The first was not the product I hoped for, so I came to see Dr. Maddahi. When he anesthetized I felt no pain what so ever – not even a prick. I felt nothing afterwards.  Any sensitivity went away in two days like normal every-day-dentistry should be. In the past, when I got crowns at a dental office it took months for the sensitivity to abate.  No heavy painkillers this time! The whole experience was non-painful, comfortable, and reassuring – the kindness from everyone here kept my mind off of any pre-conceived consideration I had.”
 
With Dr. Maddahi, it is not like any dental experience you have had before. Another patient shared her experience, “It’s not like going to the dentist! If given the choice between going to Dr. Maddahi and a hair salon I’d get my teeth done! My advice is ‘Don’t go to plastic surgery. Get your teeth done. You’ll look 10 years younger.’ Even the temporaries looked better and felt better than the permanents my former dentist put on! I followed directions and didn’t eat anything hard and had not one bit of trouble with them. Even if you have to borrow money – do it!”
 
Contemporary standards in professional and personal settings have come to expect a person to have a beautiful and natural looking bright, white smile. If you need to fix crooked or unsightly teeth, contact the office of Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist.

Why This Beverly Hills Implant Dentist is a Preferred Choice

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Bringing his patients new beautiful smiles, Beverly Hills implant dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, uses state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry in the administration of dental implants, offering the ultimate in top quality dentistry.

 

Where teeth are missing or severely damaged, Beverly Hills Dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, recommends dental implants over dentures or bridges as the permanent solution to missing teeth. In this procedure small posts are surgically installed to serve as artificial “roots”. Upon these implants new artificial crowns can be permanently mounted.

 

Any replacement teeth are carefully crafted and created to complement and match existing teeth exactly. These dental implants afford a freedom in eating, talking and smiling that makes them a very attractive option.

 

Dr. Maddahi fully educates his patients with their choices and his basis for recommendation, saying, “Missing teeth cause the obvious problems of diminished appearance as well as self-esteem for a patient. However, it may not be as apparent that missing teeth also affect an individual’s general health, as well as the health of remaining teeth. When teeth go unreplaced, surrounding teeth can also be lost. Additional problems can be caused by tipping or crowding of the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth.”

 

Partial or full dentures and bridges can be used to replace missing teeth, however there has been longstanding trouble associated with them. Dr. Maddahi explains, “Dentures can be unstable, and often leave a patient with painful sores caused by rubbing against the soft tissues in the mouth. Some people even have speech difficulties when using such devices.”

 

Dentures do not offer an effective resolution to the shrinking of the jawbone – atrophy – frequently a consequence of missing teeth. Cosmetic facial changes can be caused by atrophy, the function of the jaw can also be negatively affected by the missing teeth, a factor that implants resolve.

 

Additionally patients and their dentists report that the look achieved with implants has been found to be most comparable to natural teeth.

 

“Dental Implants are permanent. They are completely stable, providing a more natural look, feel and function,” says Dr. Maddahi. “Many of my patients are most relieved by the natural function of the dental implant. Freedom to eat what they want, speak freely without the embarrassment of missing teeth, or slipping dentures, and the ability to smile with confidence, brings them such pleasure. I most often recommend dental implants to any patient with missing teeth.”

 

An implant is made of a titanium cylinder anchored into the jawbone. Implants work based on the discovery that titanium can successfully infuse into bone, forming a functional and structural bond between the living bone and the replacement tooth. Dental implants are one of the most modern dental options, and there are cases of patients who have had successful implant supported teeth for over twenty-five years.

 

Refinements of the dental implant procedure have occurred over the years, during which dental implants have been improved again and again, achieving very high success rates. There is simply no longer the need for a patient to endure uncomfortable dentures and bridges.

 

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills implant dentist, provides step-by-step supervision of the entire implant procedure, ensuring the highest quality result. Because the implants that support the replacement teeth are integrated with the bone of the jaw, they are extremely stable and strong, allowing a patient to eat, smile and talk as if they had still had their own teeth.

 

Preventative Care in Dentistry Contributes to Optimum Health

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Preventative medicine is becoming more widely accepted and adopted as a successful route in keeping ourselves healthy. Wikipedia defines preventative medicine as, “Preventive medicine or preventive care is measures taken to prevent illness or injury, rather than curing them. Preventive care may include examinations and screening tests tailored to an individual’s age, health, and family history.” Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Kourosh Maddahi educates his patients about the wisdom of extending their preventative medical regimen to their mouths.

We know that a thorough and consistent oral hygiene program, when practiced daily, is a fundamental cornerstone to an oral preventative program. Mothers begin instilling this habit in their children from a very early age by teaching them to brush their teeth in the morning and before bedtime. Good oral hygiene is essential to both our visual image and our general health.

The absence of a daily oral hygiene practice can bring on a host of problems that begin in our mouths and can move to other parts of our bodies. Recent studies are linking heart attacks and strokes to gum disease. The American Dental Association states, “There is evidence that bacteria in the mouth which are associated with gum disease may be linked to heart disease, artery blockage and stroke.” Good oral hygiene coupled with regular checkups will keep your teeth and gums in optimum condition and potentially reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases.

Gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease, results in elevated levels of bacteria in the infected areas in the mouth. If left untreated the next stage of Gingivitis is called Periodontitis. At this stage there is a state of chronic inflammation wherein the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area, which ultimately results in bone and tooth loss. If oral hygiene is integrated into our daily routines, the chance of gum disease is drastically reduced as well as accompanying whole body risks.

The complimentary element to our personal hygiene is regular dental checkups. These visits to our dentist help keep our gums and teeth in optimum condition and also detect problems such as cavities, gum disease and oral cancer at an early stage. Diagnosing and treating oral cancer at an early stage is essential, needless to say. And seeing as gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults, visiting our dentist regularly will help keep this in check. Again, prevention is the key here – early detection ensures that we keep our teeth. When we retain our teeth we chew better, assimilate the foods we eat and enjoy better health.

A general guideline for adults and children is to visit a dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning every six months. If someone is at a greater risk for oral cancer it is advised that checkups be scheduled at smaller intervals so that their dentist can screen for it. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, when scheduling a patient’s next visit to his Beverly Hills Dental Spa, will take into account their use of tobacco and alcohol as well as whether they are pregnant, have diabetes, are at risk for oral cancer, have existing periodontal and gum disease or if they have poor oral hygiene.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi stresses the importance of a well-balanced preventive dental program. The basis to a beautiful natural looking smile is a combined program of daily hygiene and regular visits to your dentist for thorough and meticulous dental care. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, a caring Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, can then build on a healthy mouth to bring whatever aesthetic improvements his clients want and need.

Cosmetic Dentistry Plays a Major Role in Maintaining a Youthful Look

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

The beauty industry, ranking as one of the top industries in the world, is propelled by the quest to maintain the impression of youth for as long as possible.  Which brings us to consider what specifically contributes to a youthful appearance; what are the elements and conditions?

The highly respected Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, working out of his Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist spa, utilizes efficient cutting-edge technology and refined aesthetic standards to help his patients achieve and maintain natural, beautiful smiles; contributing significantly to their overall impression of youth. 

If we look at a person as a large canvas, we see that many elements are working together to communicate a unique visual story.  Their skin, hair, teeth, eyes, muscle tone, posture and physical agility come into play.  Each of these responds to the effects of aging and when attended to and improved will help us look younger longer.

The ultra violet rays of the sun cause a range of damage – from wrinkles and sunspots to cancer.  We now are aware of the wisdom in using sun block on our skin, wearing a hat and sunglasses to protect our eyes as well.  Erasing or diminishing the damage to our skin resulting from sun exposure can remove years from our appearance. 

A good diet including fruits, vegetables, healthy oils and ample amounts of water will most definitely keep the skin fed and moisturized, reversing a dry and dull-toned look.  Dermatologists, with new advancements at their disposal can help us reduce wrinkles, blemishes and the effects of the sun. Cosmetic surgeons can address wrinkles, sagging facial muscles, excess skin and hollowing facial planes.

If the hair framing a person’s face is dry, limp and lacking in luster it does not register a youthful and healthy condition.  Again, good nutrition and hygiene have a profound effect.  Regular haircuts and trimmings eliminate dead growth and allow the hair to move and flow.  The design of a haircut and how it interplays with the structure of a person’s face can help pull attention to their most attractive facial feature. 

One of the most dramatic improvements in a person’s appearance, reversing the negative visual impact of aging, is the enhancement of their smile.  As teeth age, they often become yellow, grey or irregularly colored.  In addition, some of our favorite foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, tomato-based foods, red wine and berry pie will cause our teeth to look dull and stained.

Teeth whitening is inexpensive, fast and pain free – and is the most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedure.  Beverly Hills tooth whitening specialist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, uses the leading whitener, Zoom!™ Advanced Power Plus Chairside Tooth Whitening System. In less than two hours, reclining in a comfortable chair, Dr. Maddahi’s patients have their teeth whitened up to eight shades lighter. 

To repair chipped, broken, uneven, poorly spaced or missing teeth, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi has many options at his finger tips.  His California dentist practice offers porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, implants and composite resin bonding which all contribute to a beautiful, natural smile and an overall expression of health and youth!

Cosmetic Dentistry Compliments Plastic Surgery

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Cosmetic Dentistry Compliments Plastic Surgery

As with the design and construction of any work of art, whether it is a painting, sculpture or novel – many elements come into play to bring forth the artist’s desired final expression. Some art forms require a close collaboration between a number of artists – as is the case with a film, symphony or play. Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, practicing in his Beverly Hills Dental Spa, enjoys collaborating with top cosmetic surgeons to create beautiful, natural smiles that compliment the surgeon’s work.

Cosmetic surgeons are striving to achieve balance, harmony, beauty and youthfulness. When they encourage their patients to also put themselves in the hands of a skilled, caring and gentle cosmetic dentist, their work is supported and brought to new levels.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi recommends that people, who are about to undergo plastic surgery, have their teeth and smile evaluated first. Often, if restorative dental work is found to be needed and is taken care of prior to the plastic surgery, the surgeon will have a very stable foundation to build upon.

As a simple example, by correcting misaligned front teeth – lines that have formed around the mouth will often relax; and because the cosmetic dentistry has reshaped the teeth, the lips can take on a fuller appearance creating a new canvas upon which the plastic surgeon can create further.

If cosmetic dentistry is not done prior to the cosmetic surgery, patients often find that the newly enhanced state of their face now demands a dramatic elevation in the quality of their smile. Once again we see how all elements need to work together to create the perfect whole.

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options to enhance the smile including porcelain veneers, ceramic crowns, cosmetic re-contouring and re-shaping, tooth whitening, composite resin bonding, implants, etc. The range in treatment can span from the repair of a single chipped tooth to a full mouth reconstruction.

Just as breakthroughs in technology have significantly changed the operating base for cosmetic surgeons, cosmetic dentists can now utilize and enjoy cutting edge equipment, which help them to administer to their patients in much shorter time and with higher quality.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi is always reaching for the most advanced equipment and procedures. To identify only a few of the innovative tools found at his dental spa - one can find digital x-ray technology, which reduces radiation exposure up to 90% over traditional methods; Cerec® equipment which allows him to design and mill a natural looking ceramic crown in under two hours; and an air drill which utilizes pressurized air and aluminum oxide (baking soda) to remove surface decay painlessly.

When two trained and experienced practitioners, such as a cosmetic dentist and a plastic surgeon, come together to create a finished product whose elements compliment and balance one another – we find a high level collaboration worth its weight in gold because each specialist elevates the work of the other.

Professionals working in the health and beauty enhancement field must have an artist’s eye. When that is combined with the most progressive technologies, the opportunity to help people refine their uniqueness is without limit.

Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, continues to be at the top of his field because of his commitment to educating his patients, utilizing the safest and most efficient technology, applying high aesthetic standards and by collaborating with practitioners who share his values and goals.

Same Day Cerec Crowns Utilize Quality Materials for Maximum Health and Beauty

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Whether you are a stay-at-home parent giving your young children the care they need - or at the top of the corporate ladder, your time is valuable. Multi-tasking has skyrocketed to new heights as we use our creativity to kill two, three or more birds with one stone. We are required to streamline mundane tasks so that we have time for those that truly enrich our lives.

At the Beverly Hills Dental Spa of Los Angeles cosmetic dentist Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, patients find the help they need in minimizing the time their general and cosmetic dentistry will take to accomplish. With the implementation of the most cutting edge technology and a fundamental operational policy of delivering the fastest service possible – Dr. Kourosh Maddahi offers a great alternative to traditional time consuming treatment.

What we have at hand is an example of eliminating “the middle man.” By having an advanced on-site lab equipped with cutting-edge technology, dentists now have the option of trimming weeks off treatment time. A traditionally made dental crown requires several visits to the dentist to capture impressions of the tooth, create temporary restorations and finally to adhere the permanent crown. External labs are depended upon for production, which add weeks to a process that now can take one or two hours.

When a dentist is committed to delivering the highest quality materials in the shortest amount of time, as is the case with Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, they utilize Cerec®. The Cerec technology is a simple three-stage procedure.

The first stage captures an image of the existing tooth by utilizing a special camera that takes an optical impression. Using CAD technology (computer aided design) the crown is designed chair side while a full color computer monitor avails the opportunity to watch as the new crown is designed right before one’s eyes.

Stage two is the milling process wherein the image of the newly designed crown is transferred to a state-of-the-art milling machine where two high-speed diamond burs mill the extremely precise crown out of a single block of porcelain resembling dice.

The final stage is the bonding of the newly milled crown to the tooth. Unlike prior usage of glues to cement the tooth – bonding reduces sensitivity and strengthens the tooth.

Because the porcelain used by Cerec is very tooth-like the result is a beautiful natural match. It is smoother in texture, which reduces wear to opposing teeth. The high grade ceramic material is most always compatible with tissue in your mouth and resists plaque.

Same day crown application of the highest materials available, applied gently and with beautiful aesthetic results - is what is available to you at the Beverly Hills Dental Spa of renowned cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi.

Biocompatible Dentistry Reduces Adverse Reaction in Patients

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

As public awareness continues to grow regarding the effects of pesticides, air and water pollution, smoking and many other hazards to our health –there is also increasing information and concern regarding how materials used in modern dentistry affect us. At the Beverly Hills office of Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, patients can be confident that materials used in the care and repair of their teeth will be in harmony with their bodies; biocompatible.

As dentistry evolves, materials available for dental restoration are continually being developed. In the past ten years dentistry has had as one of its goals – the development of materials that would as closely as possible duplicate natural tooth structure in both appearance and physical properties while minimizing the potential for negative side effects.

Simply put, biocompatible materials are those substances that will work well with your body and have the least reactive effect on it. Some materials, such as mercury, have been identified as having adverse reactions in a broad spectrum of people, while other materials are reactive to only individuals with sensitivities to them.

Dental Amalgam is a commonly used dental restorative material, first put to use in France in the 1800s. Used for fillings, it is a mixture of mercury and at least one other metal. Mercury is one of the most toxic metals found in nature. There has been a dramatic decline in the use of dental amalgam because of the increasing evidence of mercury’s negative effects on health as well as its visual disharmony (the metallic color does not blend well with tooth structure) and its pollution of the environment as a result of mercury emissions from dental practice amalgam waste and cremation of deceased.

Some dental materials used can cause physical aggravation in the form of headaches, breathing difficulties, dizziness and in extreme cases debilitating illnesses. Any foreign substance introduced into the body will cause an aggravation to the immune system. It is the immune system’s job to ward off foreign substances not normally found in the body. It is advised to determine which dental materials will produce the least reaction and highest tolerance by our immune system.

By using a serum blood specimen it is possible to get comprehensive information on what a person will be least reactive to. Testing is done to explore substances that will be used for composite fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers, cements, etc. Results from this test make up over thirty pages of evaluation, of approximately 9100 different dental compounds, revealing which substances tested are suitable to a patient and which are not.

When Dr. Kourosh Maddahi plans his approach to dental restoration and the materials he will utilize, aside from the high priority placed on biocompatibility, he also takes into consideration the size of the defect needing repair, the function of the area, the biting surface, strength, durability and his high aesthetic standards.

In choosing a dentist, it is essential to confirm that the practice does not use broadly known toxic materials such as mercury and has the means to test for those materials your individual immune system will not tolerate.

Whether you need porcelain veneers, implants, crowns or fillings – Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi combines his ultra-modern technologically cutting-edge equipment, his commitment to biocompatible dentistry - and the touch of an artist, to create beautiful natural looking teeth that are healthy and comfortable for you, now and in the future.