What is Sedation Dentistry?

Does the idea of visiting a dentist fill you with fear? Would you rather go through pain than visit a dentist? Dental anxiety can discourage you from taking care of your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, approximately 22 percent of people miss their appointments because they fear the dentist. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several solutions to help you find peace in the dental chair. Sedation dentistry is one of these solutions. For painless and gentle dentistry, you can trust Dr. Suzanne Haeri, a vastly experienced dentist who, through modern dentistry methods like sedation dentistry, offers solutions to all sorts of dental problems. With the help of her staff, Dr. Haeri serves Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Carthay, South Carthy, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Santa Monica, and Brentwood areas of California.

What Does Sedation Dentistry Involve?

Sedation dentistry helps patients feel relaxed during dental procedures. It is sometimes called "sleep dentistry," even though that’s not entirely accurate. The method does not induce full sleep but makes you less aware of your surroundings. That means you will still be able to respond to a verbal command or gentle nudging. While being treated, patients are usually awake, except those under general anesthesia.

Unlike other types of sedation, which are usually inhaled or taken as pills, a dentist will administer the sedation through your vein.

What is the Benefit of Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry helps ease anxieties and phobias for dental procedures, making you calm and comfortable. Dentists can work faster when a patient is sedated, resulting in fewer appointments. Many people are so afraid of dental procedures that they avoid visiting the dentist. Nevertheless, an experienced California dentist like Dr. Haeri will use sedation dentistry to help you feel more relaxed so you can receive the deserved care.

Are You a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Before a dentist in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Carthay, South Carthy, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Santa Monica, or Brentwood, CA, schedules your sedation, they will review your medical history and medication use. Older patients or patients with serious medical considerations may first consult with their primary care physician. Usually, good candidates for sedation dentistry are people who:

• Have moderate to high dental anxiety


• May require a painful dental procedure


• Have a strong gag reflex


• Need multiple procedures

Conclusively, anxiety should not hinder you from receiving the deserved dental care. If you feel anxious about going to the dentist, sedation dentistry can be of great help. Email Dr. Haeri directly at dr@suzannehaeridds.com or the office at info@suzannehaeridds.com to book an appointment. Dr. Haeri and her staff proudly serve Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Carthay, South Carthy, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Santa Monica, and Brentwood areas of California.

Diode Soft Tissue Laser

Dr. Suzanne Haeri provides a diode soft tissue laser in Los Angeles, CA, as an alternative to conventional gum surgery. This cutting-edge technology offers advanced treatments and results for patients.

Treatment will not injure dental hard tissue

The use of a soft tissue diode laser can be helpful for a variety of gum and bone conditions. This laser can prevent gum and tissue harm while improving the patient's comfort.

Soft-tissue lasers are safer than conventional methods and have less impact on the surrounding tissues, reducing the risk of postoperative infections.

Additionally, soft tissue dental lasers can provide a wide range of dental treatments without the pain and bleeding associated with scalpels. Dr. Suzanne Haeri can also use a diode soft tissue laser in Los Angeles, California, to help patients with various diseases and conditions.

 

Minimal local anesthetic is required

Soft tissue laser treatment is an option in California for those who are hesitant to undergo dental surgery.

Traditional methods include scalpel and tissue punch procedures. While these procedures are effective, they are often messy and painful.

The laser can improve your comfort and oral hygiene by limiting pain and bleeding.

 

Diode lasers are safe for use near prior dental work

Diode lasers are safe around full metallic crowns, amalgam restorations, and gold alloy restorations because they coagulate soft tissue and control moisture contamination and bleeding in California patients.

Dental lasers can be used to make a precise biopsy of a suspicious lesion or accurately uncover dental implants.

Lasers can also be used to decontaminate implant surfaces. These lasers work by creating rapid fluid movements, which disrupt biofilms.

 

Treatment is accurate and predictable

If you're looking for a faster, more effective way to perform soft tissue procedures, consider using a diode laser in Los Angeles, CA.

These devices are more powerful and precise than conventional scalpels, making them a superior option for a wide range of dental applications.

Diode lasers can be used for soft-tissue surgery, including periodontal and restorative procedures, and are less intrusive than traditional methods. In addition, they reduce the risk of infection, swelling, and bleeding.

 

Stitches and periodontal packs might not be needed

A soft tissue laser is an easy-to-use, non-invasive valuable procedure in oral surgery. It reduces swelling and postoperative pain and provides a brief healing period.

In addition, they provide a relatively bloodless surgical site and eliminate the need for stitches and periodontal packs.

Diode lasers treat a wide range of patients with minimal pain and discomfort and the ability to heal quickly.

Call (310) 657-2200 or (310) 854-0600 to schedule your diode soft tissue laser consultation in Los Angeles, CA, with Dr. Suzanne Haeri.

VELscope Oral Cancer Screening

Over 53,000 Americans get diagnosed with oral cancer each year according to VELscope itself. Here at Dr. Suzanne Haeri's dental practice in Los Angeles, CA, we believe it's important to get regular oral cancer screenings, since patients are much more likely to survive when cancer is detected early. When you visit our California office, we will perform a procedure known as VELscope oral cancer screening to ensure proper mouth health.

VELscope Oral Cancer Screening Details

The VELscope tool is essentially a blue light device that illuminates the mouth's tissues during a screening. This allows your dentist to see details in the tissue that aren't visible to the bare human eye. The tool is used in combination with the traditional screening methods to optimize the likelihood of early cancer detection. Early detection is vital for reversal.

Oral Cancer Information

At Dr. Haeri's dental practice in Los Angeles, CA, we are very experienced in working with oral cancer and strive to give patients the best possible treatment. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the mouth, tongue, lips, or other parts of the oral cavity. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include sores, lesions, or bumps that don't heal, red or white patches in the mouth, and pain or difficulty swallowing. Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and exposure to UV light from the sun. Those over the age of 50, as well as those who have unhealthy diets are also at an increased risk. To prevent oral cancer, it is important to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Regular dental check-ups and screenings are important, as is protecting your lips from UV rays with lip balm with SPF when you're out in that California sun! Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco products can also lower the risk of developing oral cancer.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, engage with the risk factors, or just haven't been screened recently, get in to see a dentist for a VELscope oral cancer screening. If you are interested in booking an appointment with us here at Dr. Haeri's dental practice in Los Angeles, CA, you can do so by calling (310) 657-2200 or emailing us at info@suzannehaeridds.com. We look forward to helping California locals optimize their dental health!

What is Bone Grafting?

According to the CDC, "Among adults aged 20 or older, about 90% have had at least one cavity." At some point in your life, you will likely need tooth repair. In the past, serious dental conditions often resulted in the total loss of one or more teeth. Bone grafting changed all that. Specialists like Dr. Suzanne Haeri in Los Angeles, California, use bone grafting to restore teeth to their former glory.

How Does It Work?

During bone grafting, Dr. Suzanne Haeri and others like her take healthy bone and graft it onto teeth and jawbones to repair severe damage. Bone cells can heal, as anyone who has ever suffered from a broken bone knows. Severe injury, however, is beyond the body's ability to heal by itself. When that happens, doctors take cells from healthy bones and graft them onto the damaged area. The graft replaces the part of the bone that can't heal, and the rest heals the same as any other fracture. This method can be used to treat any number of bone conditions but is most effective in dental operations because of how dental cells grow. These grafts may come from a donor or other parts of the patient's skeleton.</p>

Risks of Bone Grafting

Any transplant surgery has risks, and bone grafting is no exception. Surgery always carries the risk of a bad reaction to anesthesia, so it's essential to follow all of your surgeon's instructions before surgery. In rare cases, an infection can occur during surgery. For transplant surgery, conditions suffered by the original donor also carry an infection risk. These conditions are rare, and a good surgeon can mitigate many of them. If you have concerns, don't be afraid to ask your doctor what steps they take to protect your health during a bone graft.

About Dr. Suzanne Haeri

Dr. Suzanne Haeri of Los Angeles, CA, has been practicing dentistry for over 28 years. Her practice focuses on gentle dentistry informed by high levels of expertise. In addition to Dr. Suzanne Haeri's bone grafting, she also offers fillings, extractions, root canals, and diode laser gum surgery. Her practice ensures patients receive the correct care for their age and lifestyle. No patient is ever recommended a service they don't need, and all courses of treatment are designed to heal as effectively as possible.

Schedule An Appointment

Your dental health is essential. If you are experiencing jaw damage or tooth decay, it is time to discover a quality treatment plan. If your teeth need bone grafting, Dr. Suzanne Haeri of Los Angeles, CA, is the professional you can trust. Contact her office today to schedule your appointment.

What is Halitosis?

Most people experience bad breath from time to time. It’s one of those things that you may check throughout the day, popping in a piece of gum or mint to prevent lunch from interfering with your social life. When the foul odor from your mouth becomes far too common or you struggle to get rid of it even with excellent oral hygiene, you may need treatment for halitosis in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Carthay, South Carthy, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Santa Monica, or Brentwood, California. That’s where Dr. Suzanne Haeri can help from her practice, Suzanne Haeri Cosmetic & General Dentistry.

What is Halitosis?

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath, especially when that offensive odor is a common occurrence. It’s often a symptom of an underlying problem and requires attention from a dental professional.

Potential Causes of Bad Breath

Occasional halitosis is often caused by foods with strong odors like onions or garlic. When it becomes a routine occurrence and starts to interfere with your professional or social life, it’s time to check for some of these other potential causes:

• Poor oral hygiene


• Unclean dentures


• Dry mouth


• Diabetes


• Bacteria accumulation on the tongue


• Respiratory infection, bronchitis, or other illnesses


• Periodontal disease


• Tobacco and drug use


• Gastrointestinal disorders


• Liver disorders


• Kidney disorders

Periodontal disease is one of the most common causes of chronic bad breath in Los Angeles, CA, as well as other areas of the country. If you notice bleeding, red, or swollen gums, you should have your teeth and gums inspected by a dentist as soon as possible. The faster you treat periodontal disease, the less likely you are to lose teeth.  

Ready to Get Rid of Halitosis in Los Angeles, CA?

The first step to remedying bad breath is to double-check your daily dental care routine. If you’re already brushing your teeth twice a day, try keeping a toothbrush with you so that you can brush after every meal. Make sure you’re brushing your tongue as well as your teeth and are flossing daily. If you have dentures, thorough and routine cleaning is essential to eliminate foul odors.

You may also combat bad breath by drinking plenty of water and avoiding foods like onions. If those simple strategies don’t work, you may have a more serious dental condition that requires professional attention.

Scheduling an appointment with Dr. Haeri at Suzanne Haeri Cosmetic & General Dentistry is the best way to determine the cause and best treatment for halitosis in the Los Angeles, CA, area. Contact our team of compassionate professionals at (310) 657-2200 or (310) 854-0600 today.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is available to help people in Los Angeles, California, and the surrounding area, improve their oral health and prevent problems in the future. And fortunately, one of the services she provides is tooth extraction, in particular wisdom teeth removal. Let's discuss what you can expect from this procedure. 

Why You Would Need Wisdom Teeth Removal 

You may need tooth extraction on your wisdom teeth if you don't have enough space for your wisdom teeth to come in. In this case, they could become impacted or affect the positioning of your other teeth. 

In general, even if you aren't having issues, you may still want to have them removed because they no longer serve a purpose, and they're hard to take care of. As a result, they're prone to decay, which can spread to your other teeth. Not to mention, if you have bacteria around the gumline where your wisdom teeth are, it can be hard to clean. It'll remain there, irritate the gums, and lead to gum disease. 

What to Expect During Wisdom Teeth Removal

The first step of the process is to determine if you should have your wisdom teeth removed since not everybody needs to have this procedure. Then, our dentist will decide on the best way to remove them in your situation. 

For some people, wisdom tooth removal may be done using an elevator. In this case, tooth extraction is performed like other tooth removals. However, if the tooth hasn't broken through the surface at all or enough, our dentist may recommend surgical removal, which is when a practitioner makes an incision in the gums to remove the tooth. 

Why Choose Us 

We're available to those in Los Angeles, CA, and the nearby region, so we're a convenient option for many. Our dental specialist has extensive training and experience, which can give you peace of mind you're in good hands for this type of procedure. 

We understand that this process can be stressful, and our dentist tries to make it as comfortable for you as possible. One way we do this is by answering all your questions and trying to keep you calm. If we know you have dental anxiety, we can figure out a way to keep you more comfortable, such as by giving you a sedative prior to the treatment. 

When you visit Dr. Haeri, serving Los Angeles, CA, and the neighboring communities, you can have your wisdom teeth removed to prevent problems in the future. We'll do it in a manner that's most suitable for your situation and will take steps to ease your stress and discomfort. 

Book an appointment today by calling us at 310-657-2200.

Dental Hygiene for Diabetics

Dr. Suzanne Haeri in Los Angeles, CA, helps diabetics in the city and surrounding California area to improve their dental hygiene. Unfortunately, when you have uncontrolled blood glucose levels, it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth. Not to mention, diabetes can interfere with your body's ability to fight against any bacteria. Let's discuss how we can help. 

Common Dental Problems for Diabetics 

Your high blood sugar levels aren't just high in your bloodstream; they're high in your saliva as well. This can feed the bacteria that cause gum disease. In fact, it can feed any bacteria in your mouth, which can also increase your risk of tooth decay. 

With diabetes, you may have dry mouth. Since saliva is necessary for your mouth to clear food debris, bacteria, and fungi, these can build up in your mouth and lead to thrush or gum disease. 

Because diabetes affects your white blood cells, your body can't fight infections as well as someone without diabetes, which can lead to these oral health problems lingering. 

Importance of Routine Dental Care

Routine dental hygiene is a vital component of oral health for anyone, but it's especially vital for diabetics due to the fact that they're more at risk of oral health issues because of their condition. 

During regular oral health visits, our dentist can evaluate the health of your mouth and identify any problems early when they're more manageable. 

Besides screenings, we also provide a thorough routine cleaning. At this point, our hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth using a special dental-grade toothbrush and toothpaste. The cleaning will even target any debris or bacteria in between your teeth. This reduces the build-up of bacteria in the mouth, which can ultimately prevent diabetes-related teeth and gum problems. 

How We Help 

As a general rule, you need to have at least two visits per year with a Los Angeles, CA, dentist if you have diabetes. People who have serious cases of uncontrolled diabetes may need to visit the dentist more often, but your practitioner will provide you with recommendations when you visit. 

Routine visits include cleaning, x-rays, and thorough evaluation of the inside of your mouth to assess for problems. If any are detected, our dentist will inform you, and you and her can make a decision on how to correct the issue.

Part of your appointment will also include information about how to better manage your diabetes for better oral health. 

Dr. Haeri of Los Angeles, CA, helps diabetics have a lifetime of good oral health, despite their diagnosis. We work to find you a program tailored to your specific needs. 

Contact us today by calling 310-657-2200. 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

The very bottle that gives your child the nutrients he or she needs to grow and thrive, whether you give your little one formula or breastmilk. Both contain sugar that can feed bacteria in your little one's mouth and cause decay. Fortunately, you can prevent baby bottle tooth decay in the future with some pediatric dental hygiene education. Not to mention, Our Los Angeles, California, pediatric dentistry specialist, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, can treat it. 

What's Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby bottle tooth decay is from any sugary substances given to your child in a baby bottle that come in contact with his or her teeth. This could be either breastmilk or formula, or it could stem from juice or soda, 

The sugary drink gets on your child's teeth, and it will feed any bacteria in his or her mouth. These bacteria will continue to multiply in your kid's mouth. And as they do, they're also releasing an acidic waste that's decaying the enamel on your child's teeth. 

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay 

You can take steps to keep baby bottle decay at bay by never letting your child go to bed with a bottle in his or her mouth unless it has water in it only. Make sure you're wiping off your child's teeth with a clean washcloth or using a toothbrush, depending on his or her age. Do this at least twice per day as soon as your child's teeth come in. Once your little one has a tooth, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentistry professional in Los Angeles, CA, to look for any problems and receive any education about pediatric dental hygiene to keep your little one's teeth healthy.  

It's best to only put water, formula, or breastmilk in a child's bottle.  

Treating Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

The treatment for this problem depends on the severity of your child's tooth decay. Sometimes, it's enough to use a fluoride treatment that encourages remineralization. This is only effective when a cavity is extremely small. 

Other larger cavities may need a filling or cap. This begins with the dentist removing any decay and then placing a material in the tooth to stop any future decay. The cap will cover the entire tooth. 

Teeth that have severe damage or have developed an infection may need to be pulled. This will stop the discomfort for your child and prevent the issues from worsening any further or spreading. 

Dr. Haeri helps patients with baby bottle tooth decay and will work with you to prevent it from happening again. Our Los Angeles, CA, dentist will provide an appropriate treatment as well as education. 

Contact us today at 310-657-2200. 

Preventing Complications after Extractions

At the general and cosmetic dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we want all our patients’ teeth to look their best. Usually, this means preserving them and redoing old restorations. However, there are times when tooth extractions are medically necessary. In those cases, we work to ensure patients have a smooth recovery, and if they are to receive replacement teeth, they are in a good position to have them placed as soon as possible. In order to do that, we need our patients' cooperation to catch the early warning signs of a rare but serious complication, the dry socket.

 

When a tooth is extracted, a bit of jawbone at the base of the socket is exposed to the open air. Usually, this is not a problem, since a scab quickly seals it off. However, if the patient’s blood fails to clot, or the scab is removed prematurely, the socket will lose moisture and pathogens will be able to enter the body through it. The empty socket doesn’t usually take long to close and there is a short amount of time in which it could dry out, but if it does, the patient would be in severe pain and likely develop an infection.

 

Before performing an extraction, we’ll ask patients what medications they’re on so we’ll be able to predict if their blood will clot properly. After the extraction, we’ll need the patient to comply with post-surgery instructions to protect the scab. That means avoiding sucking through straws or eating anything sticky, either of which might pull the scab loose. If the scab does come off, a patient will be able to see so. They should rinse their mouth with salt water and set up an emergency appointment with us. We’ll be able to provide antibacterial medications and moisturizers to keep the socket from drying out as it continues to close over the next week.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Preventing Complications after Extractions

At the general and cosmetic dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we want all our patients’ teeth to look their best. Usually, this means preserving them and redoing old restorations. However, there are times when tooth extractions are medically necessary. In those cases, we work to ensure patients have a smooth recovery, and if they are to receive replacement teeth, they are in a good position to have them placed as soon as possible. In order to do that, we need our patients' cooperation to catch the early warning signs of a rare but serious complication, the dry socket.

 

When a tooth is extracted, a bit of jawbone at the base of the socket is exposed to the open air. Usually, this is not a problem, since a scab quickly seals it off. However, if the patient’s blood fails to clot, or the scab is removed prematurely, the socket will lose moisture and pathogens will be able to enter the body through it. The empty socket doesn’t usually take long to close and there is a short amount of time in which it could dry out, but if it does, the patient would be in severe pain and likely develop an infection.

 

Before performing an extraction, we’ll ask patients what medications they’re on so we’ll be able to predict if their blood will clot properly. After the extraction, we’ll need the patient to comply with post-surgery instructions to protect the scab. That means avoiding sucking through straws or eating anything sticky, either of which might pull the scab loose. If the scab does come off, a patient will be able to see so. They should rinse their mouth with salt water and set up an emergency appointment with us. We’ll be able to provide antibacterial medications and moisturizers to keep the socket from drying out as it continues to close over the next week.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Gum Disease and Implants

A dental implant is a big investment, and we want to make sure you get the most out of it. At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide implant-supported crowns to patients who are looking for a permanent solution to missing teeth and who want to rebuild their jaws and facial structure as well as their smiles. Dental implant placement has very high success rates, and implants usually last for years. But there is a situation in which they could be in danger, which is why we want our patients to be able to recognize peri-implantitis.

 

Peri-implantitis is what we call it when the gum tissue around an implant post becomes inflamed. In the months following an implant’s placement, it will fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. In order for fusion to be successful, there has to be sufficient bone mass to begin with, and the bone cannot continue to recede. But acid-secreting bacteria may colonize the gum pocket surrounding an implant, just as they do the gum pockets surrounding natural tooth roots. If this happens, their acid may erode the implant post and the bone, preventing the implant from stabilizing. If an implant cannot integrate or a previously integrated implant becomes loose, it has to be removed.

 

Peri-implantitis looks similar to typical gum inflammation. The gums may be red, swollen, and sore, and they may bleed when the patient brushes their teeth. Peri-implantitis can be stopped by a deep cleaning if the patient seeks help quickly enough. We carefully monitor implant patients during the integration process to ensure they are not suffering gum infections, but once osseointegration is complete, we rely on patients to come to us if they begin having problems. Maintaining regular oral hygiene appointments will help ensure gum pocket infections are caught before they become severe.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

What are Sealants For?

With the approach of the school year, many parents are eager to make sure their children’s teeth are in good condition. Toothaches are a common reason for children’s sleep and behavior problems, and general dentists can provide preventive care as well as repair. But one of the most common forms of preventive dentistry, the application of sealants, works for adults as well as children. At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office, we’re pleased to offer sealants for the protection of our patients’ teeth, and we especially want adults who have a history of tooth decay to know how they can benefit.

 

Sealants are shields that are applied to the grinding surfaces of the molars and premolars. Those teeth have multiple raised bits, called cusps, with indentations between them. The indentations commonly become caked in food debris, particularly starches, making them good spots for oral bacteria to grow in. These parts of the teeth can also be difficult to brush effectively, allowing the acid by-product of oral bacteria to settle into indentations and create bigger cracks. However, sealants smooth out the teeth’s grinding surfaces and create a barrier between the enamel and the food debris. They leave the teeth textured enough to fulfill their function, but slow the rate of decay.

 

Application of sealants doesn’t require preparation from the patient. After cleaning the teeth, we’ll apply a mild etching acid to them to increase their surface area. We’ll then paint the plastic sealant on in liquid form and harden it with a blue light. The patient will resume eating normally by the next day, and afterward, the sealant can last for as long as ten years as long as they maintain regular oral hygiene.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Protect Your Teeth from Staining

If you’ve gotten whitening treatment in our office, you’ve noticed your teeth are several shades lighter. With good oral hygiene, they should stay that way for years. But tooth discoloration is a normal part of life, and everybody’s smiles fade over time. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do to protect natural teeth from stains. At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we specialize in cosmetic care, and to protect our patients’ investment, we wanted to pass along some information about enamel and extrinsic stains.

 

An extrinsic stain is one which forms on the outside of the tooth. While intrinsic stains are often indicative of a health problem that may require significant intervention, extrinsic stains are usually only a cosmetic issue. For the most part, they can be blamed on tannins. These organic substances are present in some plant tissues, and are the reason why coffee, tea, and red wine are dark colored. They also build up on a person’s teeth, and cause the same stains. Dark colored soda and juice can have a similar effect, and their sugar is causing dark-colored substances to get stuck on the teeth. Other sources of tooth discoloration are smoking, soy sauce, and tomato sauce.

 

Although cutting back on staining substances can keep teeth whiter for longer, patients may not need to abandon coffee and tea entirely. Sipping these drinks through a straw can significantly reduce the teeth’s exposure to tannins. Regular brushing and flossing will also remove the sticky plaque that traps dark substances. If you do notice your teeth fading, we can provide a whitening touch-up in the form of in-office whitening or a refill for a take-home tray.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Loose Fillings

As both a general and cosmetic dental office, we at the South Carthay practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri are pleased to offer stable, naturally-colored fillings. Unlike the silver amalgam of old, modern fillings are indistinguishable from healthy enamel and won’t trigger a patient’s allergy to metal. But although fillings can stay in place for years, the seal holding them in place does eventually break down. We hope you keep up with regular dental appointments so you can get yours repaired before they become a problem, but since fillings can come loose prematurely, we want our patients to recognize them and seek treatment.

 

After decayed enamel is drilled away, a filling is made by sealing a bit of porcelain or resin into the hole. As the seal breaks down, saliva will get trapped in the cracks, causing the filling to seem to leak. Unfortunately, the same spaces can be occupied by bacteria, where they are safe from the patient’s brushing and can resume causing decay. As the seal continues to break, the filling may come loose and start causing the patient pain and difficulty biting down. If yours has reached this point, don’t hesitate to schedule an emergency appointment. In the meantime, you may be able to reduce your discomfort by applying a topical numbing gel.

 

Once we’ve removed a loose filling, we’ll be able to drill away further decay, if necessary. From there, providing a new filling is usually a simple matter as long as the patient is satisfied with the color of the rest of the dental crown. We shape fillings with tools called burnishers to ensure they won’t get in the way of the patient closing their teeth together. Fillings require the same daily hygiene as normal teeth and they’re a bit more fragile than natural enamel, so patients will have to be especially careful to avoid chewing on ice or anything else extremely hard. But when cared for properly, fillings can last for over a decade.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Use of Mouthguards

Prevention is an important aspect of dental care, particularly when it comes to injuries. A broken tooth could be expensive and difficult to repair as well as painful, and is often accompanied by damage to the mouth’s soft tissues. This year, from July 19-23, the federal government is recognizing National Youth Sports Week, so we thought this would be a good time to remind athletes of any age of the importance of wearing a mouthguard and how to determine which ones suit their needs.

 

Dental trauma is most likely to occur during contact sports, but it is a risk even during activities such as gymnastics and skating. Governing boards generally require that participants wear a mouthguard at least over their maxillary teeth, but injuries can also occur during amateur or casual play. Mouthguards come in three varieties: ready made, boil-and-bite, and customized, each offering an increasing level of protection. Ready made ones come in different sizes and customized ones are designed for one specific user, while boil-and-bite mouthguards are adjustable. The wearer boils them to soften them, and then puts them over their teeth and molds them with their fingers while they are cooling.

 

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are particularly popular among young athletes, whose teeth are still shifting. However, some additional oversight from a dentist may be necessary when fitting them over braces. Evidence shows that use of mouthguards reduces dental injuries by forty percent. Mouthguards and their containing cases need to be kept clean in accordance with their manufacturer’s instructions, and users should be careful to avoid leaving them in the sun or anywhere else extremely hot, or else their shape might be distorted the next time they are used. But overall, mouthguards are a simple way to protect your dental investment.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Acid Reflux and Enamel

Tooth sensitivity could be caused by many things. As a child you were probably taught to associate it with caries, and that’s certainly common. But as people get older, another common cause of toothaches emerges: acid reflux. At the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we value prevention as well as general maintenance, and we want our patients to enjoy dental comfort. That’s why we want to explain a bit about how lifestyle factors play into enamel erosion and how patients can protect themselves.

 

Enamel is incredibly hard, but it can still be eroded by acid. Tooth decay occurs when enamel is dissolved by the acid bacteria secrete as they metabolize sugar, but acid can also be regurgitated from a person’s stomach. Normally, the stomach is separated from the esophagus by a sphincter, but this sphincter can get stuck open, or a person may develop a condition in which it opens when they swallow. This would allow stomach acid to escape in gaseous form. What we call “heartburn” is really the sensation of stomach acid burning the esophagus on its way up, and when it reaches the mouth, it can do the same to the teeth. Due to their position, the ones in the back of the upper jaw are the most vulnerable.

 

People who suffer chronic acid reflux should seek the help of a gastrointestinologist, but there are a few things that might reduce the frequency of attacks. They may try reducing their consumption of alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes, garlic and onions, and red meat, and avoid eating anything in large quantities before lying down. They are also at greater risk if they smoke. We can provide patients’ teeth with additional protection in the form of sealants or fluoridation treatments. Increasing saliva flow by means such as chewing sugarfree gum will also help neutralize more acid.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Dental Bonding

Do you find yourself running your lips over a small chip in one of your teeth? Are you reluctant to smile in pictures because one of the gaps between your teeth seems too large, or one of your crowns isn’t as long as the others? We hope that’s not the case; everyone deserves a smile they’re proud of. But at the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide dental bonding that can be used for cosmetic improvements as well as minor repairs. The process is quick and far less invasive than replacing a whole crown.

 

Bonding is made out of a composite resin the same color as your teeth. (If you are also unhappy with your teeth’s color, we can whiten them before making any adjustments to their shape.) We use bonding to smooth over tiny cracks, called craze lines, and to add a bit more material to a crown that is uneven or where gum tissue has receded around, but the tooth is stable. Bonding can reduce the sensitivity of an exposed tooth root and may be able to replace a patient’s old metal fillings. To place it, we’ll first cover the tooth in a mild etching acid to increase its surface area. We’ll then apply the wet bonding material and harden it with a blue light.

 

When a patient makes a reservation just to have bonding placed on a tooth, they can usually be out of the office in less than an hour. If the patient is not suffering from sensitivity, placing bonding may not even require anesthetic. Although patients have to be careful not to overtax bonding by biting down on anything too hard, they should find it easy to care for. If a patient brushes and flosses their teeth regularly, bonding can stay in place and retain its original color for over five years.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Getting Crowns

We offer a variety of cosmetic dental services at the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri. If a patient has small cracks or chips in their teeth, we can provide ultra-thin veneers or naturally colored fillings to give them back a smile they’re proud of. But sometimes, teeth are damaged so badly that cosmetic care isn’t enough. In those cases, we provide patients with artificial crowns that we take care to ensure look and feel just as good as their original teeth. This week, we’re going to discuss the process of getting a crown and why they may be necessary.

 

Artificial crowns, or caps, replace the entirety of the outer part of the tooth above the gum line. They are used if a tooth has lost too much enamel to sustain a partial crown. Often, when a tooth is that damaged, it also requires root canal therapy to remove potentially infected pulp. Following the pulp extraction, the dentist will fill in the empty pulp chamber with a sealant, and then smooth the remaining enamel into a cylindrical abutment. An impression is then made of the patient’s mouth and sent to a dental laboratory, where a custom-fitted and colored artificial crown is fabricated out of a material such as porcelain.

 

While the permanent crown is being made, the patient will wear a temporary version. This could last for about two weeks. Once the new crown arrives at our office, the patient will be able to return to have it cemented in. Artificial crowns are vulnerable to decay, like natural teeth, and can be broken if the patient clenches their jaw in their sleep. However, with proper brushing and flossing, and with protection from night time grinding, an artificial crown can last for over ten years.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Halitosis

We specialize in cosmetic dental care at the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri. Maintaining a smile that you're proud of isn’t just a function of how it looks, but also of how it smells. We’ve all had moments when we suddenly realized that something we’d eaten was causing us to have bad breath. But what about halitosis, the chronic, lingering unpleasant smell that sometimes seems to come from our mouths for days on end? This week, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons for halitosis, and what can be done about it.

 

Halitosis can generally be traced to oral pathogens. Certain species of bacteria produce an odor when they metabolize food debris left over in the mouth. When those bacteria are on the teeth, they may contribute to tooth decay and gum recession, but there are a lot more of them hiding in the bumps on the tongue. They may not do much substantive harm there, but the white coat they form is probably responsible for a patient’s bad breath. People who wear dentures or retainers may also experience outbreaks of fungus, which emit bad odors for similar reasons, and people with nasal infections may experience discharge leaking onto the backs of their tongues.

 

One of the most effective things you can do to eliminate halitosis is to drink more water. Increasing your saliva output won’t just rinse away food particles and bacteria, it will also counteract the effects of acid. Saliva also contains antimicrobial enzymes for additional protection from infection. Scraping your tongue once a day will also remove build-up, and you can use mouthwash to scour the back of it. Following meals, you might also want to try sugar-free gum or candy to stimulate more saliva production and remove a small amount of debris if you can’t use a toothbrush, floss, or scraper right away.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Bite Checks

You may be familiar with twice-annual dental check-ups as a way to get your teeth cleaned and your fillings inspected. But that’s not all that happens at a check-up, and even if you think your mouth is free of decay, there are good reasons to keep your appointments. One of the most important aspects of a dental examination is the bite check. At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office, we provide for our patients’ general and cosmetic dental needs, and both of those depend on their teeth closing comfortably and completely together.

 

Bite checks are an opportunity for the dentist to check for malocclusions and damage from temporomandibular joint disorders (tmd). Malocclusions, which are misalignments in the teeth, may also be evident through x-rays, but a bite check would alert us if the patient’s jaws are coming together at an angle. TMD both results from and contributes to swelling in the joints where the lower jaw connects to the rest of the skull. Damage to those joints can result in difficulty opening the mouth, pain radiating from the head to the shoulders, and increased pressure on the teeth, causing them to move out of place, lose enamel, or crack.

 

During a bite check, we would ask a patient to demonstrate closing their teeth together. They should be able to close with the back teeth on both sides fitting into each other, and without the front teeth tilting outward. We can provide veneers to fix minor malocclusions on the front teeth, but teeth grinding induced by tmd will leave distinctive wear patterns, and a patient may need to wear a night guard during sleep to protect themselves from it. Correcting more serious malocclusions may require referral to an orthodontist, but we can still teach patients jaw stretching exercises to reduce the strain in their joints in the meantime.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.