Tag Archives: cosmetic dentistry

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5 Signs it is Time to Replace Your Veneers

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Veneers are built to last a long time, but it can be difficult to keep your veneers looking prim and proper forever. They are made to look and feel like a natural part of your tooth. Shey are susceptible to the effects of damage and discoloration. While your veneers should give your mouth the second lease on life it deserves, they may need to be spruced up after a while. Let’s look at 5 signs it is time to replace your veneers.

5 Signs it is Time to Replace Your Veneers

Today, your dentist in Downtown Los Angeles will discuss the top 5 signs it is time to replace your veneers. This cosmetic dentistry procedure is completely painless, with absolutely no downtime or surgery required, making it easy to come back in for a repair later on.

You Stained Your Veneers

Certain types of food and drink can cause your teeth to get stained. Coffee and wine, for example, are two huge culprits. Unfortunately, this applies to your veneers as well. While they are made of porcelain, veneers can still get stained after a significant amount of time. If you are someone who likes to drink coffee or eat foods with tomato sauce in them, you might want to be on the lookout for discoloration.

There are Gaps Between Your Gums and Your Veneers

During the application process, veneers are placed directly over the front of your natural tooth and adhered to the tooth and gums using a dental bonding material. They should be secured there permanently for a long time; however, if there is some separation between the thin-shelled veneer and your gums, you should schedule a dentist appointment right away. This could be a sign of improper installation or even tooth decay that has managed to slip behind your veneer.

You Damaged Your Veneers

If you are someone who plays contact sports or has simply suffered a fall, you might see some damage on your veneers. The porcelain material that makes them up is strong, meaning that most veneers are durable and long-lasting. Falling and chipping your tooth can also cause your veneer to suffer the same fate, requiring immediate repair. Make sure to get in touch with your dentist as soon as you get hurt, as the quicker your veneers can be addressed, the easier it will be to treat your mouth without any permanent damage.

Your Veneers are Getting Dark

This is quite different from discoloration; darkening veneers mean that the discoloration on your natural teeth is so severe that it is showing through the shells. Dark veneers are often a sign of poor oral health. And you should schedule a consultation with your dental expert right away. Are your veneers suddenly dark and they were not dark before? Make sure to let the dentist know that these symptoms are new. You may need to have your veneers completely replaced.

Your Veneers Feel Rough

Veneers should be smooth and not jagged, giving you a nice aesthetic appearance. But do they feel rough around the edges or even on the surface? Then there might be something wrong with the material. They should never feel anything other than smooth and shiny, just like your natural teeth. Go ahead and get in touch with your dentist if you don’t like the way your veneers are feeling in your mouth.

Get a Pain-Free Solution to Dental Wellness Today!

Samaritan Dental Arts is your professional resource for porcelain veneers in Los Angeles. Get in touch with our experts today to schedule a personal consultation and we can help you determine whether or not your veneers need to be replaced. Replacement options are easy and affordable when you contact us today!

Woman smiling without side effects of teeth whitening

Common Minor Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

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Teeth whitening is the most common and popular cosmetic dentistry treatment in the world, and it has many major benefits. If you are dealing with yellowing teeth or dark spots in unsightly places, you could benefit from this affordable and pain-free procedure. Now, let’s look at some minor side effects of teeth whitening.

Common Minor Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

People who visit their local dentist in Downtown Los Angeles often ask about the after-effects of the teeth whitening procedure. Are there any dangers to be aware of? Is it always safe for adults looking to whiten their teeth? Below, we will review the common minor side effects of teeth whitening you may experience alongside all of the benefits.

Increased Tooth Sensitivity

For a short amount of time, you might be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Be careful while eating and drinking things that might be frozen or piping hot. There are specific kinds of toothpaste you can buy that will help lower your sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Still, you can expect this sensation to naturally fade away after a few days following your tooth whitening procedure.

Gum or Skin Irritation

If the bleaching agent used to whiten your teeth comes into accidental contact with your gums or your skin, you may experience a little bit of irritation. If you feel irritation or burning anywhere, you should notify your dentist immediately. It can be treated by flushing the area out with water. Any feelings of irritation should subside pretty quickly.

Discomfort – But Not Pain

If you are someone who already experiences natural tooth sensitivity, you might be in a little bit of discomfort after your tooth-whitening procedure. It is important to note that most patients do not report experiencing any pain, but there may be some discomfort as the teeth become more sensitive than usual for a short amount of time. If you have trouble eating, drinking, or even breathing while dealing with discomfort in the mouth, get in touch with your local dentist right away.

Tooth Tingling

Another interesting sensation you might want to expect is tooth tingling. Patients have said that their teeth and gums feel like they are tingling. But not in a way that is uncomfortable or painful. This is sometimes a side effect of the bleach used in the whitening agent, but it should not last very long. You can discuss these concerns with your dentist during your follow-up appointment if you are still experiencing tingling days after your tooth whitening procedure.

Throat or Stomach Pain

If you accidentally swallow some of the bleaching agents, you may experience burning or painful sensations in the throat and stomach. This usually does not occur, as the agent does not typically touch your tongue or get into your mouth. The agent is applied directly to your teeth and dried with a UV light, making no contact with any other part of your body. In the event the bleaching agent does get somewhere else, you should wash the area with water right away. If swallowed, contact the doctor immediately.

Get the Best Tooth Whitening Results at Samaritan Dental Arts Today!

You deserve to enjoy a smile filled with bright, dazzling teeth. If you want your teeth whitened the right way, visit us at Samaritan Dental Arts! We provide a wide range of high-end services and products to help you achieve perfect teeth whitening in Downtown Los Angeles. Worried about some of the minor side effects of teeth whitening? You can schedule a personal consultation with one of our dental experts right away. We look forward to helping you improve the health and look of your smile!

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Health Benefits of Smiling

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A big and beautiful smile is one of the most attractive traits of a person. But aside from having a great visual effect, did you know that smiling is good for your body as well? Indeed, there are plenty of health benefits of smiling to cover.

Health Benefits of Smiling

The many health benefits of smiling include pain relief, stress reduction, and a huge boost in self-esteem. Here is what our dentist downtown Los Angeles specialist wants you to know about the importance of a bright and happy smile.

Smiling Eliminates Stress

Are you stressed out and feeling a lot of physical pain and tension as a result? Start smiling! There is scientific proof showing that smiling can eliminate stress and fight off pain. When you smile, your brain releases a chemical known as neuropeptides, which can calm you down. Your brain will also release endorphins and serotonin, which regulate pain and help you to feel good. The next time you are feeling stressed out, try cracking a smile or watching a funny video.

Smiling Lightens Your Mood

Because your brain releases “feel-good” neurotransmitters when you smile, you can actually feel your mood changing. If you are feeling grumpy, you should smile for a few moments. It doesn’t even have to be a genuine smile, as a fake smile can have good health benefits as well. A fake smile can trick your brain into releasing those calming hormones.

Smiling Makes You Love Your Teeth

One of the biggest reasons why people refuse to smile is because they feel self-conscious about the state of their teeth. If you have a dental misalignment or discoloration, you will probably feel like hiding your smile every time you’re in front of a camera. If this makes you feel self-conscious, you can reach out to your local Los Angeles dentist to find a procedure that works best for you.

With teeth whitening and dental veneers, you can restore your smile back to its perfect, straight, and bright shine so you will feel more encouraged to smile.

You’ll Feel More Confident at Work

Smiling also does wonders for your own self-confidence and your ability to get promotions at work. A smile comes across as confident, which will definitely be noticeable by your coworkers and colleagues. Business studies have shown that positive emotions and smiles elicit more work in the workplace and greater teamwork efforts and better overall results.

Smiling Reduces Your Blood Pressures

In addition to making you feel more confident in yourself, you can also boost your physical health. There is scientific proof that smiling can reduce your blood pressure, strengthen your immune system, and give you more endurance.

Not only are you benefitting your physical health with a smile, but you are inspiring others to do the same. A smile is contagious, after all, and this is one of the few things that you do want to spread to others.

Get the Right Dental Treatment for Your Dazzling Smile!

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we believe that each and every set of teeth is a work of art. Whether you are worried about misalignment or discoloration, our friendly experts can provide the treatment needed to bring back your dazzling smile.

You can schedule an appointment to speak with your veneers Los Angeles specialists about the right cosmetic dental procedure for you. Porcelain veneers are an affordable and pain-free treatment that can cover up the imperfections and insecurities that may exist in your smile. Not only can veneers provide you with a quick smile makeover, but they are also a great way to restore confidence in the way you look. Get in touch with our Samaritan Dental Arts staff and schedule your next consultation to restore your dazzling smile!

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How Teeth Affect Your Confidence

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It’s no secret that a lack of oral hygiene can lead to some pretty drastic health issues. But did you know that having bad teeth can also put a damper on your self-esteem? Let’s take a look at how teeth affect your confidence.

Almost 33% of all American adults feel unhappy with their smiles and feel self-conscious when taking photographs. With visual looks being such a huge part of social life, it’s important for you to have a smile that you can feel proud of.

How Teeth Affect Your Confidence

Visit your local dentist downtown Los Angeles if you are concerned about whether your dental health affects your confidence. Keep reading to learn how you can keep your mental well-being and your oral health in good spirits!

Self-Conscious Habits

To find out whether your confidence is being affected by the state of your teeth, you might ask yourself what kind of habits you display when you’re about to have your picture taken, or when laughing with a group of coworkers.

One of the biggest tell-tale signs that someone is dealing with confidence issues due to their teeth is covering the mouth. If you cover your mouth with your hands, you might be suffering from some issues with self-esteem.

  • You may cover your mouth because.
  • Or you don’t want to be seen smiling in a photograph.
  • Or you are embarrassed while talking in a group of people, and you don’t want them to see your teeth.

You have tooth pain and you are trying to protect your mouth from exposure.

People cover their mouths for several reasons. If you don’t think your mouth looks as perfect as it should, you may feel compelled to keep it hidden. You could be dealing with something as simple and harmless as a misalignment, or you might have rot and tooth decay, which is causing discoloration.

Bad Oral Health? Or Just Cosmetic Issues?

A recent study in the UK showed that while many adults try to avoid showing their teeth when they smile, 22% of them completely avoid having their picture taken altogether. But what really causes people to cover their mouths?

In some cases, people feel self-conscious because their bite isn’t cosmetically perfect. This is a valid reason for feeling uncomfortable showing your teeth in photos or with friends. In other cases, however, it could be because the person is dealing with tooth decay.

Some of the most prominent symptoms of unchecked tooth decay include yellowing, tooth discoloration, and infection, which leads to swelling. All of these symptoms have drastic effects on your oral health, including your cosmetic appearance. It is understandable why it is hard to crack a smile when you don’t want to reveal the oral problems underneath.

Many people who lack confidence about their smile avoid going to the dentist out of fear or embarrassment. Make sure that you stay in touch with your local dental professional so you can prevent things from going from bad to worse!

Don’t Avoid the Dentist!

The worst thing you can do is keep your dental problems hidden from your dentist. Whether you are embarrassed about a crooked smile or yellowed teeth, it is important that you let your dental professional know about it. These cosmetic issues might hint at underlying oral health problems that can have some serious health effects down the line.

Remember that prevention is better than treatment. Restore a beautiful pearly-white smile with our cosmetic dentist Los Angeles and feel confident in your natural beauty again. You deserve to smile big and wide, no matter the state of your teeth! Visit our experts today and set your teeth on the track to better health!

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How Does Dental Insurance Work

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One of the most complicated parts about going to the dentist in Los Angeles isn’t the X-Rays,  checkups, or treatments. It’s dental insurance. Figuring out what’s covered, and for how much, is a really frustrating part of the process. Our specialists at Samaritan Dental Arts want to make this process as easy as possible in order to ease your worries. Dealing with insurance is not always simple. We are here to help you through the process. Check out our short guide about dental insurance, so you know what to expect next time you come in for teeth cleaning.

Knowing Your Plan Options

Understanding what’s available to you is the first step towards navigating the tricky insurance process. If you already have a dentist in Los Angeles you like, then you may be more inclined to go with an insurance option that you know they cover. Some plans are cheaper than others. You want to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck – without breaking the bank, of course.

If you don’t already have a dentist you love, you may have an even bigger opportunity to find an affordable insurance plan. You can navigate your search for a dentist by insurance costs, rather than searching for the dentistry office itself.

What Dental Insurance Covers

It’s important to get into the nitty-gritty when it comes to insurance. You need to know exactly what dental insurance covers so you know that you’ll be protected the next time you need to go in for a procedure. Dental insurance can cover options such as:

There are also a few things that dental insurance typically does not cover. Investopedia recently discussed the key things that you can’t expect an insurance company to pay for:

If you are looking to whiten your teeth or get veneers, this may not be covered. Thankfully, these procedures are affordable enough on their own and may not warrant insurance coverage anyway.

What About Deductibles and Co-Pays?

Some patients are lucky enough to have their treatments covered completely. Most people expect deductibles and co-pays. These are the remaining charges left over after your insurance company pays for a certain amount. For example, your co-pay may be $50, meaning that you will pay $50 out of pocket for each appointment, while insurance covers the remainder of the charges for your appointment.

Get in touch with your dental insurance company right away to understand exactly what deductibles and co-pays you have. Most insurance companies will 100% cover routine procedures such as annual cleanings and X-Rays. If you are in need of emergency treatment, that may be covered as well. Communication is key when navigating insurance costs and coverages.

Look Out For Maximums

Just like regular health insurance, dental insurance does come with a maximum. This means that after a certain number is reached, the insurance will stop paying for your appointments altogether. From then on, you must cover 100% of the cost. You can speak with your insurance company further to understand this in case you have extraneous dental needs. Look online for local recommendations, as some dental insurance plans have higher maximums than others.

Dentist in Los Angeles

At Samaritan Dental, we offer a variety of insurance and financing options to help cover the cost of your appointments. All of our treatments and services are affordable, and we work with you to come up with a plan that works best. To learn more about our services and payment options please reach out online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933.

The Power of Your Smile

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The Power of Your Smile

There’s a reason cosmetic dentistry is the most popular form of dentistry in the world. It’s not just to make you look good – it’s to make you feel good too! In fact, a confident smile is one of the most powerful acts you can have.

 

It’s amazing how much a smile can make an impact on a person, a group of people, and, most importantly, yourself. At Samaritan Dental Arts, we delve deep into a research project that shows just how important confident smiles really are.

 

The great medical, psychological, neurological, and social benefits of smiles are seemingly endless! Here’s just a few things that prove the power of your smile.

Smiles Predict Your Health

It’s true; the more you smile, the healthier and happier you may be. Researchers at UC Berkeley spent 30 years trying to predict the outcome of certain students’ lives based on their smiles (or lack of smiles). It turned out that the students with the brightest and most confident smiles had the longest-lasting marriages, the best scores on standardized tests, and the highest level of general happiness.

 

Next time you look in the mirror, smile wide – you could be predicting your own future happiness!

Smiles Can Determine Your Lifespan

Further studies have concluded that the lifespan of a person can be predicted by how widely they smile. Those who smile less don’t tend to live as long as those with great, bubbly smiles.

 

According to Wayne State University, those who don’t smile tend to live an average of 79 years, while those with great smiles can outlive them by an average of 6 years or more!

 

For a closer look at cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles, contact Samaritan Dental Arts today.

Smiling is In Our Nature

Did you know that humans are born smiling? It may not seem that way to the face of a crying baby, but we are a species that loves to smile. New technologies have even been able to show that babies can smile while still in the womb, too!

 

Ever notice how easily a baby can smile when they hear the sound of their mother’s voice? Or how easily things can make them laugh? This is because they know they are meant to smile. Humans are born with superpowers; we have the ability to strongly impact a social situation from the strength of our smiles.

 

Not to mention that smiling is one of the and most primal and basic types of human expression that has been around since the dawn of man. All humans across all cultures, societies, and environments all use the biological smile. It’s been around for centuries, and it has been a universal form of communication for thousands of years.

We Smile Quite Often!

About 30% of all humans smile over 20 times a day, whether in response to a great joke or a pleasant morning. And often, our smiles can impact others’ smiles, too. Only 14% of the human population smiles less than 5 times a day, marking it as quite the rarity.

 

The most frequent smilers? Children! Babies and toddlers will smile over 400 times per day! They love flexing their superpowers, and they smile quite often as they learn how to control and influence their facial expressions.

Smiling is Always Rewarding

Our brain interprets the smile as something that always brings us a reward later on. It is similar to the experiments on classical conditioning, but it happens naturally within the brain.

 

Think about how good it feels when you eat a piece of chocolate. The chocolate stimulates the brain and gives you a sense of pleasure for a short while. Now imagine this: A single smile provides the brain with up to 2,000 times the amount of pleasure and satisfaction as a piece of chocolate. Not to mention the mental and physical health benefits are multiplied as well.

Improve Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Angeles!

Having a big and confident smile can have serious positive effects on your overall health and well-being. Having misshapen, discolored, or misaligned teeth can definitely strike down your self-esteem and keep you from smiling as much as you might want to. At Samaritan Dental Arts, we can provide high-quality cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles to improve your smile in a painless and affordable way. For more information, contact us online. Or, give us a call at (213) 986-2933 to schedule an appointment. Our friendly staff members are here to help!