| Manufacturers estimate only 15 to 25% of | | | | to practice micro-dentistry, the removal of |
| dentists have a digital X-ray system in their | | | | small hard to get to fissure and pit decay." |
| office, and according to a 2004 study in The | | | | Prior to this technology the dentist had to |
| Journal of the American Dental Association, | | | | remove healthy tooth structure to clean out a |
| fewer than 12% of U.S. dentists rely | | | | small hole. Often dentists were programmed to |
| exclusively on digital radiography. But | | | | "watch" teeth like this because using the |
| Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh | | | | tools available would cause the loss of too |
| Maddahi, finds that this high tech device is | | | | much tooth structure to get out the decay. |
| fundamental now in cosmetic dentistry, and he | | | | Now with micro dentistry's air abrasion the |
| needs to have the details he gets from this | | | | decay is delicately removed without the large |
| essential tool. "In only three seconds the | | | | loss of healthy tooth structure. Dr. Maddahi |
| X-ray image will transfer to the computer. | | | | also employs the use of Digital Cosmetic |
| Using digital X-rays one has the ability to | | | | Imaging, which shows each patient a |
| magnify, colorize, and alter the density of | | | | computerized split image photograph of his or |
| the image.", explains Maddahi. "With digital | | | | her smile. On the top one half of the screen |
| x-rays not only does the patient receive 90% | | | | is their current smile and on the bottom is a |
| less radiation than conventional x-rays but | | | | digital simulation of their smile after the |
| this computerized system allows me to e-mail | | | | cosmetic dentistry has been performed. And |
| x-rays instead of having to hand carry them | | | | his Digital Bite Recorder is a computerized |
| to another specialist. No old school | | | | bite sensor that tells the cosmetic dentist |
| bio-hazardous x-ray solution is required; | | | | which tooth hits first and the amount of |
| therefore there is no negative impact on the | | | | pressure being exerted. Only 200 dentists in |
| environment. This also is important to me." | | | | the US have this equipment. We use it for |
| Dr. Maddahi also uses IntraOral Cameras, | | | | multiple crown cases. This way every patient |
| which are pen-shaped cameras that the dentist | | | | gets a stable bite without having to do |
| uses to show patients with clarity each tooth | | | | multiple adjustments. Laser dentistry is |
| and gum surface in the mouth. Another | | | | known to be the latest technological |
| important tool is a high-tech microscope. | | | | advancement in dentistry. It is used for soft |
| This high resolution state of the art 40x by | | | | tissue surgery, curing, and sterilizing with |
| 1600x Trinocular Compound Microscope allows | | | | the benefit of no anesthetic needed or just |
| the patient, the hygienist, and the doctor to | | | | topical anesthetic to get started. Dr. |
| digitally view moving bacteria from the mouth | | | | Maddahi's entire staff underwent training on |
| on a computerized video screen. This takes | | | | the soft tissue laser. "It is important for |
| the guesswork out of killing germs. Bacteria | | | | all my staff to understand the application |
| are the cause of gum disease, and going | | | | and value of laser dentistry for our |
| undetected can cause the patient to lose his | | | | patients.", Dr. Maddahi explained. "The |
| her teeth. Once Dr. Maddahi identifies the | | | | primary focus of looking after the patient's |
| specific bacteria in the mouth using this | | | | comfort using the least invasive procedures |
| special microscope he can specifically | | | | has kept him on the cutting edge of |
| diagnose the hygiene needed to get rid of it. | | | | technological breakthroughs. Our hygienists |
| When a patient simply needs decay removed | | | | routinely use the laser to kill bacterial |
| from a tooth, Dr. Maddahi can apply his | | | | caused periodontal disease for up to 60 days. |
| drill-free dentistry by air-abrasion which is | | | | The benefit to the patient is that it is more |
| like a mini sandblaster aimed to take the | | | | effective and less traumatic than |
| decay out of the tooth with a fine aluminum | | | | conventional methods because it uses the |
| oxide (baking soda) powder. Dr. Maddahi says | | | | power of light to vaporize soft tissue |
| drill-free air abrasion dentistry is every | | | | without bleeding. The precision of laser |
| patient's dream. "There's no whining drills, | | | | dentistry helps the patient heal with the |
| no burning smell (the teeth never get hot), | | | | least post-operative pain. Beverly Hills |
| no vibration, and no anesthetic required. | | | | cosmetic dentist Kourosh Maddahi uses the |
| It's almost no dentistry, as we knew it! This | | | | soft tissue laser to recontour gumlines for |
| drill-free dentistry goes hand-in-glove with | | | | the best possible smile makeover." Dr. |
| DIAGNOdent, a laser system that finds decayed | | | | Kourosh Maddahi, has been specializing in |
| areas prior to even seeing the hole on the | | | | creating beautiful, natural smiles for 20 |
| surface of the tooth, thereby locating | | | | years and is located in Beverly Hills at 436 |
| decayed areas that x-rays do not detect. Plus | | | | N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 202 and can be |
| drill-free air abrasion dentistry allows me | | | | reached at 310-888-7797. |