Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, whose dentist office is conveniently located in Beverly Hills, answers several of the questions most frequently asked about cosmetic dentistry.

What is high-tech dentistry and why is it important?
Dr. Maddahi’s office strives to stay up-to-date with the latest cosmetic dentistry technology, in order to best service his patients. Digital x-rays are a good example of this, as with digital x-rays not only does the patient receive 90% less radiation than conventional X-rays, they save time. In only three seconds the X-ray image transfers to the computer screen, and that’s important.

Is it possible to know what my new smile will look like before the procedure is performed?
With the use of state-of-the-art Digital Cosmetic Imaging, a patient is able to see what their new smile will look like. This makes it so much easier to see and make changes to the plan before any work is done.

I like to know a lot about my procedures before they begin. Is this a problem like with some other dentists? They always seem to be so rushed.
Dr. Maddahi insists on taking the time to explain everything to his patients. Additionally he wants to get any questions from them or hear any concerns they may have. His practice is based on a very open communication between his staff and patients and he and his staff are naturally very willing to provide for any special needs of their patients.

Can cosmetic dentistry handle the gaps between my teeth and my uneven teeth or do I need orthodontics?
Yes, with the use of porcelain veneers, Dr. Maddahi can repair an unsightly smile so there is no longer any gap, and the teeth are even. Additionally, the new smile will look natural and beautiful because of his outstanding artistry combined with the advanced equipment in the office.

Is cosmetic dentistry better than orthodontics?
Of course, wearing unsightly braces and retainers can be embarrassing and painful and orthodontic treatment often can take years. In most cases, Dr. Maddahi can create a natural-looking, comfortable smile instantly with porcelain veneers.

How are the unsightly stains on my teeth best handled?
Dr. Maddahi only uses Zoom!2 Chairside Tooth Whitening, which is an in-office tooth whitening procedure. The hydrogen peroxide gel, which is the main ingredient in the whitener, is at a much stronger concentration in the dental office than found in in-home procedures, so it whitens better and much faster. The Zoom! gel whitens both enamel and dentin, so you’ll be greatly pleased with the natural looking new color of your teeth.

How painful will my procedure be?
Dr. Maddahi endeavors to make every procedure he does as stress-free and painless as possible. It has been found that the speed of application is often the cause for the pain often found when getting anesthetic through a needle. Dr. Maddahi uses “The Wand” to apply local anesthesia more slowly.  He uses an air drill in place of metal drills whenever possible so the amount of pain is decreased.  And as a plus, in many cases with the air drill anesthesia is not needed at all.

Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, prides himself on using the newest, high-tech procedures and equipment to create beautiful, natural smiles.

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.  

This is a frequent topic when our Dr. Maddahi answers questions from the patients. What is it about this new item in cosmetic dentistry? Why are so many people thrilled to have dental implants instead of dentures?

Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, suggests dental implants as the answer to missing teeth.  Implants are stable and permanent, which make talking, eating and smiling more enjoyable.

Offering a more natural look, feel and function and because they are permanently fixed in the mouth, the use of dental implants instead of bridges and dentures has exploded in popularity over the past several decades.

The back story on implants is that the scientific research that allowed dental implants to come into being began in the 1950’s with the discovery that metal titanium had an ability to bond with bone.  This very strong bond to surrounding bone is a process termed “osseointegration”, coming from the Latin word “osseus” meaning “bony”.

After years of careful research and study, dental implants (titanium cylinders placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth) have been refined with high success rates. There are now patients who have had implant supported teeth for more than twenty-five years.  No more the need for dentures and bridges, it’s easier to eat, looks better and much more easily cared for.

”I tell my patients with missing teeth that they should consider dental implants.”, explains Dr. Maddahi.  “If you, like millions of Americans, have lost one or more teeth, you may be all too familiar with the unpleasant consequences. For many, missing teeth lead to an unattractive smile, embarrassment from loose dentures, and pain or difficulty with eating.  Traditional cosmetic dentistry can provide replacements for missing teeth using bridges, removable partials and dentures; however, each of these has its problems.”

Bridgework usually involves altering natural teeth to provide a stable foundation for support of replacement teeth. Partials and dentures can, at times, be very unstable, leading to denture sores or speech difficulties.  Another little known problem associated with tooth loss is a process known as ‘atrophy’, a shrinking of the jawbone that can progress over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial cosmetic changes.

Dental implants are an effective, safe and predictable solution to the problems resulting from missing teeth. Many patients report they like the look more, and state that the implants feel and function like natural teeth.

Dr. Maddahi likes to inform his patients of the basis of his choices. “Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as an anchor for a replacement tooth or crown or a set of replacement teeth.  Replacing missing teeth is important to an individual’s general health and to the health of remaining teeth. Chewing ability is lost when a tooth is lost. Unreplaced teeth can cause other teeth to be lost, tipped or crowded and create subsequent problems. There are also the obvious problems of poor appearance and loss of self-esteem caused by one or more missing teeth.”

For patients who have difficulty due to missing and broken teeth, our Beverly Hills implant dentist procedures offer freedom in smiling, talking and eating.

I remember my grandfather who had to take out his dentures each night and put them next to the bed. I once was at a rehearsal for a play and this poor man got so into his lines that his teeth literally flew out of his mouth! (He was playing the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol. I can’t imagine how careful he was from then on – he did a hundred shows that season!)

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, who is a leading implant dentist in the Beverly Hills area, has worked tirelessly for twenty-one years to bring his patients new, beautiful smiles. He insists upon using state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry when delivering dental implants, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening, offering the ultimate in top-quality dentistry.

Many people have newfound freedom with the permanence and stability afforded by dental implants. Yes, dentures and bridges are reliable and proven devices, but life is found to be much easier with implants. In this procedure small posts or artificial ‘roots’ are surgically fixed into the gum. On these posts, a new artificial crown or tooth is placed, instantly creating a freedom with eating, talking and smiling that makes them a very attractive option.

Where teeth are extremely discolored, misshaped or damaged, Dr. Maddahi uses porcelain veneers to craft a new tooth surface. This then enhances tooth form as well as sculpting a more pleasing or functional position. He also uses veneers to restore teeth with scratches, pits and chips, leaving the teeth looking more beautiful than ever but very natural. This veneer material is very durable and lasting.

To ensure that the new teeth match perfectly, Dr. Maddahi uses Shade Vision technology which will precisely analyze tooth color and shade. Ideally the existing teeth are whitened with the new Zoom! Teeth Whitening System, since teeth do discolor and stain over time. Wine, tea, coffee, cigarettes and certain foods can discolor the teeth, leaving them dull and appearing unhealthy or old.

Dr. Maddahi operates with this technology as a master technician and artist. He is acknowledged as possessing a rare artistic talent for dental makeovers.