What is a Dental Bridge?

Patients with missing or damaged teeth can count on South Carthay’s Dr. Suzanne Haeri to provide them with replacements. One of the oldest solutions in dentistry for replacing compromised teeth is the dental bridge, which is why we want our patients to understand more about it.

A dental bridge is a series of artificial crowns which are connected to each other. They are constructed in a dental laboratory based on an impression of the patient’s mouth. A pontic bridge is one which rests on two natural teeth as its base. Each tooth has been reshaped in order to support an artificial crown, and an additional artificial crown is suspended between them. Bridges are also made in the form of partial dentures, or they may be supported by implants. Although it is discouraged for patients to have healthy teeth reshaped, bridges are a popular option when there are several teeth in a row which require new crowns or are missing and need to be replaced. The teeth used to support a fixed bridge may need to undergo a root canal prior to being reshaped if they have been damaged by infection.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Causes of Gapped Teeth

We’re happy to help patients with all sorts of dental cosmetic problems at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay practice. Among the most common problems patients seek help for are gaps between the front teeth. Also known as diastemas, gaps between the upper incisors can have several causes, some of which also require treatment.

There are a few options for closing the gap. Among our offerings are Lumineers, the extremely thin brand of veneers that reshape the fronts of a patient’s teeth and are available on the same day as the appointment. We also supply Snap-On Smiles, which are oral devices that slide over teeth instead of being permanently fixed to them. However, Dr. Haeri will need to examine the patient’s mouth and inquire about their habits before deciding upon a treatment plan. Sometimes, a diastema is caused by an overly thick labial frenum, which is the strip of tissue on the inside of a person’s lip. It may be blocking the teeth from closing together. Alternatively, a patient habit such as tongue thrusting may be pushing the teeth apart. Resolving this may require the assistance of a psychological counselor or of an ear, nose, and throat doctor if the problem is related to swallowing or breathing.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants

Do you frown in photos? Have you lost your desire to smile because of missing teeth? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS can restore your smile with dental implants. A dental implant is a surgical component that is placed into the jawbone to support a dental crown, a dental bridge, or a denture. Dental implants are natural-looking and are an excellent cosmetic option in addition to restorative.

Dental implants are just like your natural teeth. They have an intimate relationship with the gum which is why it’s important to be in good general and oral health before undergoing oral surgery. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, replace several teeth, or replace all of them if the damage is that severe. Dental implants can last for up to 10 years with proper oral care and maintenance.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200. 

Foods for Optimal Oral Health

Changes in the mouth begin with what we eat, therefore it’s important to be cautious of the foods that touch our plate. To prevent cavities and maintain optimal oral health, our diets should contain a variety of foods from each of the five food groups in the recommended amounts. These foods are grouped together because of the nutrients they contain. To help you get a better understanding, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS is here to tell you what to eat and what to avoid.

If a person snacks frequently, they increase their risk of developing cavities. Added sugars and acids damage tooth enamel and can cause it to wear down which is why they should always be avoided. Like every other part of our body, teeth need nutrients to function properly. You should consume fruits, vegetables, and dairy products that are rich in calcium to help restore minerals in enamel, fight periodontal disease, and bad breath.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200. 

Reasons for Filling Failure

Since we make a particular point of helping patients maintain their cosmetic care, we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office have followed developments in new technology for fillings. Some recently published research will help us to better understand why fillings fail and what technology provides superior results.

The new research examined smokers of both sexes and found that they had a much higher chance of early filling failure than non-smokers. It also found that men who drank alcohol had a higher risk of filling failure than those who did not. Another risk factor that was somewhat surprising was that filling failure tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. For these patients, regular dental check-ups are especially important.

The study’s most encouraging finding was that white fillings work just as well as amalgam ones. Unlike the old silver and mercury fillings, white fillings blend in with the patient’s teeth and avoid the issue of discomfort from temperature which sometimes occurs with metal. At Dr. Haeri’s office, we’ll work with you to ensure that your teeth are the shade you want them and that your fillings will be well-kept and aesthetically pleasing.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

We at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay office don’t just help you keep your teeth healthy and looking great, we also provide oral cancer screenings. When patients develop this dangerous disease, dentists are often the first medical professionals to detect it and form an important part of their care team. But we prefer to take a preventive approach, which is why we are educating patients on the connection between oral cancer and alcohol.

It has been known for a while that alcohol in combination with tobacco raises the risk of various kinds of cancer, but the above-linked study, conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, examined alcohol on its own. It found that alcohol is the cause of cancer in 5% of new cases, including oral cancer cases. Most people are unaware of the danger alcohol poses or think only heavy drinking or hard liquors are dangerous, but the study found no connection between cancer alcohol type and that moderate and light drinkers are also at risk.

Scientists have not yet figured out the exact reason alcohol causes oral cancer. But one encouraging finding of the study was that when people stop drinking, their risk of developing cancer in the aerodigestive tract (including the mouth) falls.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is one of the strongest minerals in the body and once it’s gone, it will not come back. A diet that is high in acidic foods and beverages, as well as one that is high in sugar, cannot only damage your waistline, it can damage your enamel as well. Enamel protects the teeth from the forces of chewing, biting, and other daily uses. To keep yours in tip-top shape, visit Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

Enamel erosion can occur for a variety of reasons, including bruxism, abrasion, and/or corrosion. If you brush your teeth too hard, the physical wear and tear can take a toll on tooth enamel. Lifestyle habits such as smoking and/or chewing tobacco can also damage enamel in addition to the foods we eat and drink. When we don’t brush our teeth and plaque is left behind, it can start to eat away at tooth enamel. To reduce your chances of losing enamel, eliminate highly acidic foods from your diet and drink more water throughout the day.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.