Cosmetic Dentistry Options

Cosmetic dentistry has been around for a long time. This is because one of the first things a person notices about you is your smile. So many people want to be able to flash a smile they are proud of. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS offers several cosmetic dentistry options here in our Los Angeles, CA office.

Take a look at some of the cosmetic options here at our office:

• Veneers- A ceramic shell that is bonded to your existing teeth. Can improve the look of almost any dental imperfection. They are durable and can last up to 10 years.


• Lumineers- Similar to the veneer, but no prep work is needed to be done to the tooth. They can also last for over 20 years.


• Whitening- We have several whitening options to utilize, depending on the patient. We can perform whitening in as little as one hour in our office or give you a professional at-home kit.


• Snap-On Smile- This is a removable mouthpiece created just for you. They give you a perfect smile in a snap. Plus, you can take them out when sleeping or playing sports.


• Bonding- For gaps, cracks, misshapen teeth, discoloration, and much more, we can utilize dental bonding. This is the process of shaping tooth-colored composite resin to your tooth for a natural improvement.

If you are tired of hiding your smile and want a smile you are proud of, there is a cosmetic option for you. To set up an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA, call our office at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com. 

Do you Brush the Wrong Way?

Brushing your teeth should be something you do two or three times per day, so you should be familiar with the process. However, did you know that there are wrong ways to brush? Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA wants her patients to know some of the harmful ways of brushing so they can avoid these habits and subsequent problems.

The purpose of brushing your teeth is to scrub away the plaque that builds up during the day and night. Plaque is a thin, sticky layer of bacteria that is formed from food, drinks, saliva, and other debris. All that is needed to remove it is a light scrub with soft bristles.

This brings up the first way patients can go wrong when brushing: brushing too hard. Using stiff bristles or excessive force can do more than remove plaque; it can also remove enamel! This will wear down teeth, resulting in more cavities and sensitivity. You could also harm your gums.

Another common way people brush wrong is by brushing too soon. You read it right; you can brush your teeth too soon. While you should brush after meals, you need to wait a short amount of time, first. This is because there is acid in the food and drinks we consume which softens our enamel. You should wait at least thirty minutes after eating or drinking anything but water to brush your teeth. This is to give your enamel time to re-harden so it is not worn down.

Keep these tips in mind when you are brushing morning and night! To schedule your next cleaning and examination with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS, call our Los Angeles, CA office at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com. 

Dental Implants Installation Process

Dental implants are often considered the best tooth replacement option available. They are most similar to a real tooth than any other replacement option. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA offer dental implants to her patients because of this. Keep reading to learn about how dental implants are installed.

Dental implants are permanent replacement teeth for when a tooth is fully extracted, with no root structure left. They are inserted into your bone socket, so they are “implanted” like a real tooth.

The process of installing dental implants takes a few months. First, Dr. Haeri will place a titanium screw into the bone socket of the missing tooth. The healing process for this step can take between three and six months. During this time, Dr. Haeri will place a temporary crown so you can still use your teeth normally. Once the implant heals, an abutment is placed to act as the base of your new tooth. A custom-made crown is then permanently cemented into place. The brand-new dental implant is then set to last a lifetime.

If you are looking at dental implant options, be sure to consider the dental implant. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS in our Los Angeles, CA office, call us at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com. 

The Extraction Process

Our priority is to save your natural teeth; however, there are some cases where we just can’t. For instance, many times, wisdom teeth need to be extracted. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA wants patients to be prepared for extractions to facilitate a smooth and healthy healing process. Keep reading to learn about how an extraction is performed and what to expect afterward.

Depending on the complexity of the extraction, a local anesthetic or a general anesthesia may be used. General anesthesia will help you fall asleep until the procedure is over with. With a local anesthetic, you will be awake for the whole process. If the tooth is impacted, like many wisdom teeth are, we will first need to make incisions in the gum tissue. Bone tissue may also need to be removed to access the tooth. Forceps are used to rock the tooth back and forth until it is loose enough to be removed. Sometimes the tooth will need to be broken up into several pieces before the whole thing is removed. Afterward, the area will be cleaned and stitched up, if stitches are necessary.

A diet of soft foods will be necessary until your mouth heals a bit. You will also need to avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day following the extraction. More information for at-home care is available on our website.

Extractions can be necessary for a healthy mouth. To learn more about Dr. Suzane Haeri, DDS, call our Los Angeles, CA office at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com. 

Electric Handpieces

Updated technology is what allows us to provide our patients with the best care possible. One of the ways Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS has updated technology here in our Los Angeles, CA office is by using an electric handpiece.

Optimal health is always our goal for our patients, which means we need to be extending the best care we can. Using technology that allows us to perform procedures faster and more accurately saves our patients time and money. It allows us to properly diagnose conditions so that we can treat them accordingly. We keep this in mind, along with the safety of our patients when we choose to upgrade the technology in our dental practice.

One of the ways we have updated our technology is by using electric handpieces. Handpieces are what we use to drill out decay. In the past, air-driven handpieces were used. Air-driven handpieces were louder, they vibrated more, and they were slower. Electric handpieces allow us a smoother process for removing decay and allow us to perform the procedure quickly. The quieter sound is also better for patients who become nervous when they hear our equipment.  

We advance our practice and technology advances. To learn more about Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS and our Los Angeles, CA office, call us at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com. 

How to Keep Teeth White

Keeping teeth white can be difficult when your favorite foods include dark coffee or rich-in-color berries. Fortunately, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA has professional whitening options. In addition, we want to share some tips for keeping teeth white.

A professional whitening procedure will definitely kick-start your whitening; however, you will want to know how to keep teeth white after your procedure. To keep stains away at home, you should brush your teeth three times per day. Plaque forms just hours after brushing, so make sure you brush after each meal. Wait at least thirty minutes after each meal to brush to allow your enamel to re-harden.

Dark foods and drinks like blueberries, coffee, cola, and soy sauce can discolor teeth over time. When surface stains penetrate the enamel and darken the dentin, this is what discolors the whole tooth. It is a good idea to rinse your mouth after consuming dark foods and drinks. For dark drinks, using a straw will limit the amount of time the liquid is touching your teeth.

To find out more about our professional whitening, give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA, call our office at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com. 

Keeping Away Bad Breath

Fresh breath is desirable for everyone. You want fresh breath for yourself and you also want fresh breath for anyone you are close to. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS wants patients to know that fresh breath has a lot to do with oral hygiene. Keep reading to learn tips!

Bad breath is often caused by bacteria in the mouth. This is why it is important to keep up with your oral hygiene. Plaque can form on your teeth and tongue just hours after brushing. To keep it at bay, brush three times per day and floss at least once per day.

Bacteria will thrive in dry conditions, so it is also important to stay hydrated. Get your recommended amount of water in every day. Also, keep drinks that dehydrate you to a minimum. This includes drinks with caffeine and alcohol.

In addition to bacteria, there are also some more obvious foods that can stain our breath, like garlic. For occasions where you have stinky breath from something you ate, chew on some mint leaves or lemon rinds. These not only will help freshen breath, but they include the production of saliva. This will aid in staying hydrated and washing away bacteria.

Keep these tips in mind to keep away bad breath. To schedule a cleaning and examination with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS, call our Los Angeles, CA office at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com.