News

In our daily lives, we all experience stress and anxiety. Work, family, and hectic schedules can create a great deal of pressure.  Most people have heard about the impact this tension can have on your body, including insomnia, ulcers, and panic attacks. Did you know that stress also impacts your mouth? In fact, stress can contribute to a variety of issues like:

Bruxism/Grinding
Also known as clenching or grinding, bruxism is often an unconscious action that can happen while you sleep. Bruxism can lead to fractures, uneven tooth wear, and alignment issues. At his North Hollywood dental office, Dr. Tajik recommends treating for Bruxism with a special mouth guard that helps relax the jaw muscles and prevent the habitual grinding of teeth.

Canker sores
Though these small sores are harmless, canker sores can cause a good deal of pain. Stress can also activate dormant viral lesions such as herpes which lead to unsightly sores that can be painful and slow to heal. An effective method of treating these sores and reduce their occurrence is laser treatment with Diode lasers.  Low-intensity laser therapy can significantly lower the incidence of local recurrence of herpes simplex infection and even eliminate it. Dr. Tajik utilizes a Biolase Diode Epic X laser designed specifically for this purpose.

Dry mouth
If you don’t produce enough saliva, the condition is called dry mouth. Not only can stress contribute to dry mouth, but certain antidepressant can produce dry mouth as a side effect of the medication.

(more…)

Undiagnosed sleep apnea is a hidden health crisis costing Americans over 100 billion dollars  according to the Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and while this is a medical condition often diagnosed by your physician, your local dentist can prescribe and develop the oral appliance required to treat it.

A new study at University of Georgia of over 15,000 people with multiple dental fillings has concluded that mercury based amalgam fillings commonly referred to as silver fillings, can lead to increased mercury levels in the blood.  Mercury, a heavy metal known to be toxic at high levels, can cause heart, brain, lung, kidney and immune system impairment. Furthermore, new research suggests that methyl mercury may cause damage even at low levels.

“As toxicologists, we know that mercury is poison, but it all depends on the dose. So, if you have one dental filling, maybe it’s OK. But if you have more than eight dental filings, the potential risk for adverse effect is higher,” says study co-author Xiaozhong (John) Yu. If you have multiple silver dental fillings and are also exposed to mercury from other sources, such as seafood or work environments, you are most at risk.

In United States, the average American has about three dental fillings, with a quarter of the population having 11 or more fillings. If you are a pregnant women, a parent with children under six with silver fillings or generally concerned about your mercury fillings affecting your health make an appointment with your dentist at Modern Smiles in North Hollywood so we can discuss replacing your mercury based fillings with new dental fillings that could actually REPAIR tooth decay.

At Modern Smiles Dental Practice in North Hollywood, our professional dentists use a new class of composites, made of bioactive glass, that help repair tooth decay by releasing fluoride, calcium and phosphate; components that are all key to the formation of the inner tooth structure. In additions, the newer bioactive glass based fillings actually replenish these minerals that were lost due to tooth decay and can prevent bacteria from further infiltrating the tooth by filling in the gaps with minerals such as fluoride which is bactericidal.

To learn more about Dr. Kasra Tajik and Modern Smiles, please contact our office today.

A new systemic clinical review from the American Dental Association and American Academy of of Pediatric Dentistry have reaffirmed that Sealants are a very effective treatment in prevention of decay in children or adults. Dental sealants are a thin and tooth colored resin material that fill in and adhere to naturally occurring deep grooves that are hard to reach  with a brush and protect them from developing decay. This simple procedure requires  no drilling or anesthesia and is very comfortable and easy to perform.

“Sealants are a proven and effective therapy for preventing cavities in children and teens. Oral disease can greatly impact one’s concentration and self-esteem” was said by lead author of the study, Dr. Wright DDS. Some of the other significant findings of the study concluded that sealants should be routine part of the cavity prevention and that children with sealants are 80% less prone to cavities compared to those without them.

Our professional dentists at Modern Smiles in North Hollywood incorporate a variety of preventive strategies, such as Sealants and Laser Decontamination, for reducing dental disease in children and teens. If you are concerned about your oral health or your family’s make an appointment for a comprehensive dental exam at our state of the art dental office in North Hollywood. Our completely digital workflow together with our compassionate dentist will ensure an efficient and comfortable process from start to finish. At Modern Smiles we strive to provide your family with a lifetime of healthy and beautiful smiles.

Whitening is one of the highest sought after treatments at our Dental Office in North Hollywood and with advances in whitening technologies we can achieve dramatic results in a short period of time and painlessly. Both take home and in office whitening procedures utilize a similar key ingredient, either Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide, to remove surface stains and color from tooth.  Carbimide is a more complex and bigger molecule that breaks down to form Hydrogen Peroxide and therein lies its advantage of causing less sensitivity and irritation to the surrounding tissue. However, Carbimide Peroxide requires a longer treatment time to achieve similar results, but both agents have been proven to deliver similar long lasting results if used properly.

What does make a significant difference in effectiveness of these agents is how they are applied. For take home kits, a custom designed and shaped bleaching tray with proper reservoir space for the bleaching material is critical in obtaining effective results and protecting the gum tissue from a chemical burn. At a study done in the Indiana University School of Dentistry confirmed this finding as a critical factor in achieving significant and long term results. Furthermore, properly cleaning the teeth to remove the oils, bio-film and smear layer that forms on teeth from our saliva, bacteria and food can impact how well the bleaching agents work.

In office professional bleaching techniques such as Zoom or Biolase Laser address the shortcomings of the take home methods and achieve proper contact between agent and teeth while protecting the soft tissue. The pre-bleaching prophylactic cleaning removes all surface contaminants to allow for uniform penetration and contact area between the bleaching agent and tooth surface. In addition, the gum are covered by a layer of protective dressing which prevents any damage to the sensitive gingival tissue. The occasional sensitivity experienced after an intensive whitening session by some patients is also addressed at Modern Smiles dental office in North Hollywood by our experienced Dentist, Dr. Tajik.  Dr. Tajik utilizes a dual action desensitizing agent that is applied to the teeth before the treatment to maximize patient comfort during and after whitening. This is a crucial step in the process that is often skipped by novice or inexperienced providers.

The latest advancement in bleaching is the use of Diode lasers as an accelerator to achieve even more dramatic results in about half the time. The shorter duration is further beneficial by reducing the amount of time teeth are exposed to the bleaching agent hence less drying of teeth outer enamel layer.

To learn more about whitening and how to properly achieve your desired smile, contact us at 818.763.9353 or book your appointment online.

There are many exciting innovations in dental materials and technologies these days, such as digital impressions , lasers, or same day crowns, but none are as compelling as a nasal spray anesthetic that can replace the dreaded needle! And finally after 100 years of needle injectios, St. Renatus, LLC, a privately held company based in Fort Collins, Colorado has obtained FDA approval for manufacturing of a nasal cavity spray that can anesthetize 10 of your upper front teeth without any needles. Although the remaining 22 teeth will still need the traditional method of anesthesia, this is a great step forward in making dental treatment as comfortable as possible. We are excited about incorporating this technique into our dental office in North Hollywood and available to our patients as soon as possible.

You can learn more about this innovation here.

In the past decade we have seen an explosion of research into the clinical applications of lasers in dentistry. Once regarded as a complex technology with limited uses, there is a growing awareness of the usefulness of lasers in modern dental practices. Here at Modern Smile of North Hollywood Dr. Tajik incorporates lasers as adjunct or alternative treatment options to traditional approaches. The particular laser technology used by Dr. Tajik , the diode laser, has become the most commonly utilized laser in dentistry. Diode lasers have numerous advantages over traditional surgical techniques including faster healing, less pain, and new applications such as TMJ treatment and teeth whitening.

Furthermore, for our patients, the use of lasers means less post-operative pain and therefore less need for medication. Not only that, but our dental office benefits too, because satisfied patients are the best way to ensure success.

Some Commonly Performed Procedures

Pocket Disinfection:
Scaling and root planing, also knows as a deep cleaning, is a commonly performed procedure to treat periodontitis and gum disease.  Although this disease has a bacterial etiology, little of the conventional technique is directed toward the causative microorganism colonies, many of which are trapped within the granulation tissue and diseased epithelial cell layer. High doses of powerful adjunctive antibiotics such as Arestin can be used to address the causative bacteria in conventional therapy, However, pigmented anaerobic microorganisms including Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis can be difficult to eradicate with this method. The wavelengths of diode lasers are well absorbed by these bacterial types. Photonic energy penetrates into granulation tissue and diseased epithelium and causes these microorganisms to warm to coagulative temperatures and dramatically reduce their number and ability to form colonies for up to 90 days

Gum Contouring:
Dental aesthetics involve much more than just teeth. The gums are a major factor in complementing the height, width, coronal form and to an extent, color of the teeth and how your smiles appears. Hyperplasia  or overgrowth of the gums occurs from a variety of events and conditions such as prior episodes of periodontal disease, food impaction, pathological lesions, and orthodontic appliances, among others. A diode laser is a very useful instrument in gum reshaping or contouring gingival tissues back to normal size and shape. Restorations of any type are enhanced when placed in a  properly shaped and treated gum line. Not only the quality of the restoration is enhanced but also the physical properties of the restoration and their longevity is optimized. Ideal impressions can also be achieved consistently when the gums are healthy and properly contoured.

Oral Lesions and TMJ Pain:
Many ulcerative and inflammatory lesions are easily managed with the diode laser. Due to the lasers ability to penetrate and target pigmented viral or bacterial agents originating under the skin  it is now possible to treat conditions such as aphthous ulcers, herpetic lesions both of the lip and intraoral tissues, angular cheilitis, denture sores, inflammation of the mucosa, and TMJ pain. Most of these lesions can be rendered pain-free in a matter of minutes with diode wavelengths without contacting the lesion and without the need for any local or topical anesthesia. TMJ disorders cause tenderness and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — the joint on each side of your head in front of your ears, where your lower jawbone meets your skull. This joint allows you to talk, chew and yawn. Between 5 and 15 percent of people in the United States experience pain associated with TMJ disorders, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health. Women are more likely than men to develop TMJ disorders. In most cases, pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders can be alleviated with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments such as laser therapy.

Patients who visit our North Hollywood dental office with painful lesions or TMJ are overwhelmed by the simplicity and relief provided by diode lasers without the need for prescription medications which are of little immediate benefit.

Lasers have enabled clinicians to provide a new level of modern dentistry that was not possible in the past. To learn more about how we utilize lasers to provide the best possible dentistry here at Modern Smiles in North Hollywood call our office or book an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you.

We are excited to announce that we are giving away FREE teeth whitening kits to our patients – for life! All you have to do is maintain your routine teeth cleaning and examinations at Modern Smiles every six months. Our Hollywood cosmetic dentistry practice is offering this special gift as a ‘thank you’ to our loyal patients who are committed to improving their oral health.

At each of your teeth cleaning appointments, Dr. Kasra Tajik will give you a brand new tube of teeth whitening gel to use with a custom-designed mouthguard. Now you can keep your smile fresh and sparkling white in-between office visits!

To learn more about Dr. Kasra Tajik and our free teeth whitening kits, please contact our office today.

Dr. Kasra Tajik encourages his cosmetic dentistry patients to take an active step toward cavity prevention with adult sealants.

North Hollywood, CA – Dr. Kasra Tajik, a cosmetic dentist in North Hollywood, stresses to his patients at Modern Smiels the importance of visiting a dentist twice a year for regular oral exams. Some patients assume that because they are not experiencing any pain, there is no problem with their teeth or gums. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, says Dr. Tajik—especially when it comes to amalgam (metal) fillings, older filings, and old sealants.

Dr. Tajik says that fillings – particularly the older metallic amalgam fillings – often crack or leak, causing cavities to form underneath the filling. He notes that in addition to the cosmetic advantages of having older fillings or sealants replaced with tooth-colored material, replacing older fillings and sealants gives the dentist an opportunity to make sure there is not a cavity hidden beneath. Much of the time, when these buried cavities begin to hurt, a root canal or a crown is required to fix the problem, and Dr. Tajik says that he has rarely taken out an amalgam filling without discovering a cavity beneath it.

Cavities are caused by bacteria, and if a filling or sealant is cracked or leaking, bacteria is able to grow beneath it. However, Dr. Tajik says that older materials, leaks, and breaks are not the only reasons adult patients should consider new sealants. In a recent blog post titled “The Benefits Of Adult Sealants: Cavity Prevention,” Dr. Tajik notes: “As we grow older our teeth wear down, the enamel becomes thinner, and the teeth are more prone to cavity formation.” The molars are most vulnerable to new cavity formation in adults due to the fact that teeth in the back of the mouth are more difficult to thoroughly clean. As the grooves on the surface of these teeth deepen, the risk for cavities increases.

“For our adult patients who have deep grooves and crevices on the surface of their teeth, we offer preventative restorations that function similar to a filling that seals these spaces where cavities usually begin,” says Dr. Tajik. These adult sealants are made with a discreet tooth-colored material and the application is typically a simple in-office procedure. According to Dr. Tajik, adult sealants serve a very similar purpose to fluoride treatments – active cavity prevention to reduce the likelihood of needing significant dental work in the future.

About Kasra Tajik, DDS

Dr. Kasra Tajik is a graduate of the USC School of Dentistry and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He practices cosmetic dentistry in North Hollywood and New York City and is the inventor of the Smile Facelift®. In addition, Dr. Tajik serves as an active member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is available for interview upon request.

To learn more about Dr. Tajik and his North Hollywood practice, please visit elitesmilecare.com or facebook.com/pages/Elite-Smile-Care/177720305672052.

Contact:

Kasra Tajik, DDS
10545 Victory Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818) 945-0711

Rosemont Media
tom@rosemontmedia.com
(858) 200-0044
www.rosemontmedia.com

Even though cavities are most commonly associated with children and teenagers, people are vulnerable to cavities regardless of their age. Some adults, due to a combination of good oral hygiene and genetics, may have gone through the first part of adulthood without a cavity—and these people are fortunate. However, as we grow older, our teeth wear down, the enamel becomes thinner, and the teeth are more prone to cavity formation. Molars pose the greatest risk for cavities because the back teeth are more difficult to brush and keep clean.

For our adult patients who have deep grooves and crevices on the surface of their teeth, we offer preventative restorations that function similar to fillings by sealing the spaces where cavities typically begin. The material we use for these adult sealants is tooth-colored, very discreet, and patients rarely need an anesthetic during the application process. In the same way that fluoride treatments can help prevent cavities, adult sealants serve as cavity prevention for the molars as our teeth weaken with age.

To learn more about Dr. Michael Kosdon and Modern Smiles, please contact our office today.