Teeth Whitening at Home

At Dr. Suzanne Haeri's Los Angeles, CA, practice, patients may come to beautify their smiles. And one way to do so is through teeth whitening. You may choose to have an in-house whitening session or use an at-home kit. We'd like to take a moment to educate you about what the at-home kit entails.

Whitening Agent

You'll receive a solution that contains a whitening agent, either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These are the same active ingredients as the over-the-counter kits. However, the dentist can provide them at a higher potency. The potency is still within a safe range.

The whitening agent works by breaking down the pigment in the staining on your teeth. As a result, the stain then becomes less concentrated and not as noticeable.

How the At-Home Kits Work

Although the actual whitening is done at home, you'll need to visit our Los Angeles, CA, office to be a fitted for a whitening tray. Using a dental-safe putty, our practitioner will make an impression of your top and bottom teeth. The impression is sent to the lab and turned into multiple dental trays.

You receive the teething whiten agent and dental trays to take home.

As directed, you apply the agent into the trays and leave them rest of your teeth for the designated amount of time.

Once you finish the kit, we'll ask that you return to our office so our practitioner may view the results. If any areas didn't take as well as others, our practitioner may touch them up. You'll then have an evenly white smile.

Benefits of an At-Home Kit

Firstly, you don't have to make a visit to our office for each session. You can also whiten at a time that's convenient for you.

In terms of the whitening agent, you benefit from a solution that's stronger than the over-the-counter options. Additionally, unlike the over-the-counter options, the trays are customized for your mouth. Therefore, you're much less likely to have your gums exposed to the bleaching agent that can irritate them.

Teeth whitening in general has its share of benefits. For example, it can boost your confidence. If you once hid your teeth when you smiled, you can smile proudly. When compared to other teeth whitening methods, like veneers, it's a more cost-efficient solution. And we want to mention that teeth whitening can give you a more youthful appearance.

When you visit Dr. Haeri in Los Angeles, CA, you can benefit from a whiter smile. And you can complete the process almost entirely at home on your own time.

Book an appointment for an at-home whitening kit by calling us at 310-657-2200.

Same Day Veneers

If you want to restore the natural, youthful appearance of your smile in as few dental appointments as possible, consider same day veneers in Los Angeles, CA and Dr. Suzanne Haeri, a cosmetic & general dentistry specialist. If you have teeth that are stained, chipped or have large gaps, find out how veneers can help.

Veneers Explained

Veneers are thin tooth-colored materials dentists use to cover the front of your teeth. Along with enhancing strength and resilience, veneers improve the appearance of your teeth. Dentists customize veneers to the shape of your original teeth. During the procedure, your dentist bonds them to the natural enamel on your teeth, giving you long-lasting results.

Compared to crowns and bridges, veneers are less invasive. Additionally, many people choose veneers for their ability to enhance a smile quickly and painlessly. A veneer almost instantaneously brightens your smile, closes gaps and fills chipped or cracked teeth.

In most cases, it takes three scheduled visits to see results when you visit a cosmetic & general dentistry specialist like Dr. Suzanne Haeri in Los Angeles, CA. Same day veneers are popular because you see instant results in one day.

Difference Between Same Day Veneers and Traditional Veneers

Although all veneers are custom-made to fit your teeth, traditional veneers require several weeks for an outside lab to fabricate the design before they're ready for placement. However, advancements in technology now make it possible for dentists to use in-office computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to design and create veneers on the same day.

Computer software makes impressions of your teeth, and then the impressions are sent to an in-office unit to fabricate the design. So, you'll see a whiter and straighter smile in one day. Keep in mind your dentist may want to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure the bond between your veneers and your enamel is holding strong.

If you want to improve your smile with instant, lasting results, consider the convenience of same day veneers by visiting a cosmetic & general dentistry expert like Dr. Suzanne Haeri in Los Angeles, CA. Call (310) 657-2200 today to learn more about your veneer options.

Do I Need a Root Canal?

If you're experiencing persistent pain in your mouth, you might need root canal therapy from Dr. Suzanne Haeri in Los Angeles, CA. A specialist in cosmetic & general dentistry, Dr. Haeri is ready to get your teeth and gums looking and feeling their best.

When you hear the term root canal, it may invoke apprehension, tension – and sometimes fear. However, the procedure isn't the same – or nearly as painful – as it was years ago. Advancements in treatment and technology now make a root canal the equivalent of getting a cavity filled. So, do you need a root canal (endodontics)?

What Are Endodontics?

Endodontics deals with your teeth's nerves, and a root canal is the most well-known treatment in this field. When one of your teeth becomes infected, the nerves in your teeth are typically the culprit. To eliminate the infection, a cosmetic & general dentistry specialist in Los Angeles, CA, like Dr. Suzanne Haeri, may perform a root canal to remove the infected nerves.

When Is the Procedure Necessary?

The only way to determine for certain if you need the procedure is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. However, you should know some of the warning signs.

Recurring Toothache/Swelling

If you have a horrible, persistent toothache with swelling, it may be a sign you need the procedure. However, not all tooth pain requires the procedure. In some cases, incorporating meaningful oral hygiene into your daily routine can eliminate pain. If that doesn't work, it's time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haeri.

Bumps Around Your Gums

If you see a pimple-like bump around your gumline, it may be a sign you have a dental abscess. The bumps typically indicate a severe infection requiring immediate attention. Not only does an abscess induce incredible pain, but it also indicates pockets of pus are forming around your teeth – and it's also a sign your teeth are starting to rot.

Discolored/Darkened Teeth

If one of your teeth recently changed colors to a gray or black shade, it could indicate tooth decay is occurring because of an infection. In some cases, internal tissues around the root of your teeth are starting to break down, requiring your dentist to go in and remove the damaged nerves.

If you're unsure if you need a root canal in Los Angeles, CA, contact Dr. Suzanne Haeri, a specialist in cosmetic & general dentistry, by calling (310) 637-2200.