Your car or SUV's an investment, one that drives your livelihood and your life, transporting you safely to work in Beverly Hills, your children to school in Santa Monica and your family on everything from errands around Los Angeles to vacations across the country. But it can't do what it does without basic maintenance. When a tire gets a hole, you patch it. If it's flat, you fill it. When one's old and bare, you change it. Tires are essential. So are teeth.

Your teeth take care of you, allowing you to properly and painlessly eat the food that fuels the body. But, do you take care of your teeth? 73% of women and 66% of men see a dentist at least once a year for basic maintenance. But, what about a lost tooth? Should you do something about it? Millions of American adults think so.

For information on dental implants in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica as a replacement for any number of missing teeth, contact dental implant specialist, Dr. Azar-Mehr. Professor of Clinical Dentistry at USC.

Dental Implants - Necessary or Narcissistic?

More and more Americans are opting for dental implants. In fact, according to "Benefits and Behavior: Spotlight on Dental" - a recently released study conducted by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) - 70% of women and 61% of men see tooth replacement as a medical necessity. And, 5 out of 5 dentists agree, viewing dental implants as a standard of care for tooth loss due to periodontal disease, injury, accident or tooth decay.

Developed over three decades ago in Sweden, a dental implant is a prosthetic tooth that will never decay. Compared with a real tooth, dental implants feel real, look better and last longer. Implant Fixtures are made from a titanium alloy, and they support dental restorations which are matched to your natural teeth in terms of size, shape, color and contour. And, because Implant fixtures fuse to the jaw bone, they're secure and long lasting, just like healthy teeth.

Dental implants aren't simply cosmetic and you aren't narcissistic for considering them. In fact, the same Guardian study found that 89% of Americans see the connections between overall health and dental hygiene. The failure to do something about gaps due to tooth loss can indeed be hazardous to your health. And, besides, looking good results in feeling better while doing nothing results in risks to your dental health.

Health Risks of Tooth Loss

At one time, you had 32 permanent teeth. Over time, though, due to injury, infection, accident or neglect, they've proven to be not so permanent. The results? For now, nothing, maybe. Possibly, though, you're experiencing a little pain, some difficulty eating, an annoying speech problem or embarrassing bad breath. Hopefully, that's all, because there are health risks associated with the failure to replace a lost tooth:

• Bone loss and the appearance of early aging: lacking the stimulation provided by a healthy tooth, bone loss can occur in the jaw and facial muscles can sag, altering the look of your face and aging you beyond your years
• Digestive problems: the jaw's biting force can become unevenly distributed, and your ability to effectively chew food can become compromised, leading to digestive issues due to impartially chewed food passing into the body
• Additional tooth loss: as the gums recede, perfectly healthy teeth can fall out
• Ineffective, unattractive teeth: left unsupported, previously healthy teeth can shift and tip

Dental implants are not for everyone as you must be in good general health, possess healthy gums and have enough bone in the jaw to safely support anchors. Additionally, you must be dedicated to basic maintenance - brushing and flossing - and continue to maintain regularly scheduled cleanings and check-ups. Type II diabetes and smoking can slow the healing process and reduce long term success.

Millions of adults have lost teeth. More and more men and women are doing something about it with dental implants, and in the process, are not only taking care of their teeth, but of their overall health. Smile. It's okay. It's not vain. It shows confidence and it's good for you. And, yes, it's essential.

If you would like to learn more about dental implants in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica, contact Dr. Azar-Mehr Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation, or call 310-443-3030.

General Dentistry

The doctors Azar-Mehr each have over 20 years of experience in practicing and teaching dentistry. Both of our Los Angeles dentists offer general dental care for patients of all ages. General dentistry includes the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to your oral health needs.

• Dental exams
• Routine and deep teeth cleaning
• Amalgam and composite fillings
• Sealants
• TMD/TMJ therapy
• Pediatric dentistry
• Home dental care instruction
• Mouthguards

For more information on our general dentistry services, or to make an appointment, please call 310-443-3030.

Restorative Dentistry & Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the advanced branch of dentistry that deals with the replacement of missing teeth and related mouth or jaw structures by bridges, dentures, or other artificial devices. Choose one of the links below to learn more about our Los Angeles prosthodontic services:

• Crowns and bridges
• Dentures and partial dentures
• Dental implants

Dr. Parviz Azar-Mehr is a prosthodontist with over 20 years experience in practicing and teaching prosthodontics. Currently, he is Professor of Clinical Dentistry in the Department of Post-Doctoral Education, Advanced Prosthodontics, of the School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California ("USC"). His advanced training and clinical experience make him exceptionally qualified for not just tooth replacement, but also general dentistry, restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are not born with beautiful teeth, you have a choice to change your smile. With the miracle of modern cosmetic dentistry we can create the beautiful smile of your dreams. This is what cosmetic dentistry can do for you:

• With Cosmetic dentistry, we can change the color of your teeth.
• With Cosmetic dentistry, we can straighten your crocked teeth.
• With Cosmetic dentistry, we can close the gap between your teeth.
• With Cosmetic dentistry, we can change the shape of your teeth.

In short, with cosmetic dentistry, we can give Los Angeles dental patients a beautiful smile, enhance their self image and help them enjoy looking at the mirror.

With cosmetic computer imaging, you can see the result of the proposed cosmetic procedure on the computer screen before committing yourself to the treatment, and you can have your input in the design of your smile.

Replacing missing teeth promptly is essential to your overall dental hygiene, as a gap leaves the remaining teeth unsupported. If left unsupported, the remaining teeth may drift along the jaw line, reducing the spaces between them; they may become weaker, making brushing and flossing more difficult. Missing teeth can jeopardize the integrity of the jaw line and change the shape of your face. Missing teeth can make you look older and less healthy.

Dental implants from Los Angeles dental implant specialist, Dr. Azar-Mehr, can replace any number of missing teeth (even all your teeth)permanently. An anchor, such as a metal screw, is attached directly to your jaw bone. Once your jaw and gums have healed fully from implanting the anchor, the bond between the bone and anchor becomes very strong, and then a prosthetic tooth is attached to the anchor.

The prosthetic tooth is crafted to look just like your natural teeth, matching them in size, color, contour, and shape of your natural teeth. Your smile will be fully restored and may even look better than before. You will also find it easier to eat food.

Dental implants require enough supporting bone in the jaw to safely attach the anchor or anchors. Your prosthodontist will be able to discern whether you have to have enough supporting bone; if you don't, a graft will give you the support needed.