Your financial responsibility for your Los Angeles dental services, including your different options for payment, will be clearly explained before your dental treatment. Questions about the cost of various dental services will be answered following your examination.

• Our office accepts cash, personal checks and credit cards for all dental services.
• Payment is expected when dental service is rendered unless previous arrangements have been made.
• Payment plans can also be arranged through the dental office with one of several financial institutions.
• Dr. Azar-Mehr's staff will complete insurance forms and bill the insurance company as a courtesy to patients; any balance not paid by the insurance company is the responsibility of the patient.
• The dental office staff will also estimate insurance coverage and let the patient know, in advance, the estimated coverage.

Dental Insurance

We accept reimbursement from one or more dental insurance plans provided by the companies listed below:

• Delta Dental
• Delta Dental PPO
• Aetna
• Cigna
• Mutual of Omaha
• GEHA
• Golden West Dental
• The Guardian
• First Dental Health
• United Concordia
• Blue Cross
• Blue Shield
• Ameritas Health Net
• Principal
• Met-Life
• Dental Benefit Providers of California Including Blue Cross, Southern California Drug Benefit Fund, UFCW Employers Trust

This list changes regularly, and special effort may be made to accept your insurance if it is not listed above. Please contact our office to inquire about your insurance plans acceptance.

Knowledge

We are Los Angeles dental professionals committed to keep up to date with the ever-changing advances in dental science. In fact as teachers at the USC School of Dentistry we are required to stay in the cutting edge of research and new developments in modern dental technology.

Experience

Having over 25 years of experience in dental practice and teaching of dentistry we have committed ourselves to the use of our knowledge and experience in providing the most appropriate treatment plan for each individual patient. We know that the most treatment is not the best treatment for everyone.

Commitment to Excellence

We are unconditionally committed to excellence in every thing we do. We are committed to have the most modern dental office in Los Angeles so that we can provide our patients with the best that dentistry can offer today.

Patient Care

We understand that each patient is an individual with physical, emotional and financial requirements. We are committed to listen to our patients and design a treatment plan for each individual patient according to his or her requirements.

The objective of each treatment plan will be:

• To keep our patient out of pain.
• To keep his or her dentition healthy.
• To increase the service life of his or her dentition.
• To improve his or her chewing ability and speech.
• To provide our patients with a beautiful smile.
• To help our patients save money in the long run.

We are committed to care for our patients in a pleasant, and relaxed atmosphere.

Patient Education

The corner stone of our practice is our patient education system. We are
committed to educate our patients and explain advantages, disadvantages, costs,
and time requirement for every dental procedure. We encourage our patients
to ask questions. We want our patients to make educated decisions about his
or her dental treatment. at each dental visit we explain the procedure before
the initiation of the treatment. Most important we are committed to keep our
patients happy so they feel comfortable in referring their friends and loved
ones to our practice.

Parviz Azar-Mehr DMD,

Han Young Azar-Mehr DDS

Every instrument that is used for dental treatment is either disposable or heat sterilized by Autoclave which is the same procedure used in hospital operating rooms.

Dental instruments are stored in sterilized packages, which are opened in front of the patient.

Dr. Azar-Mehr's dental practice exceeds the established guidelines of the dental industry for cleanliness, sterilization and infection control.

Your First Visit

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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.

Bad breath can be more than just an embarrassment. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be a symptom of gum disease and other ailments that, if left untreated, can lead to serious dental and health, as well as social, issues.

The first step in treating bad breath is properly diagnosing the cause. Dr. Azar-Mehr uses the advanced technology of the Halimeter® to scientifically identify the level of odor causing bacteria which helps determine the cause and subsequent treatment of bad breath.

The Halimeter® is specifically designed to detect the levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) caused by bacterial growth. Dr. Azar-Mehr uses the Halimeter® to determine the levels of VSC parts per billion. From this accurate measure of VSC, Dr. Azar-Mehr can properly identify the cause of the halitosis and can administer or prescribe appropriate treatment.

Persistent bad breath, not associated with smoking or eating of certain foods, is almost always a symptom of dental problems. Masking the odor with mints, gum or mouthwash does not correct the problem. Bacteria, in the form of plaque or tartar, can build up in the mouth when teeth and the tongue are not brushed consistently or properly and when teeth are not flossed. Halitosis is commonly a symptom of gum disease or food particles trapped in faulty dental restorations, or it may be the symptom of a more serious oral or general disease that requires prompt attention by a dentist or physician. On rare occasions, chronic halitosis is the symptom of a general health issue, and your dentist will refer you to a general health practitioner for treatment.

Temporomandibular joint - disorders (commonly known as TMJ or TMD) afflict millions of Americans, mostly women. Although some have only one-time bouts with TMJ, others suffer from many symptoms for years, symptoms that often worsen with time. As with most disorders, TMJ is best relieved by early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Appropriate treatment varies with the cause and symptoms of the TMJ, the symptoms, and how far it has progressed.

The temporomandibular joint lies above and behind the ears on either side of the head, where the lower jawbone meets the temporal bone of the skull. The joint works constantly, when you chew and when you swallow, when you open your mouth to speak or yawn. TMJ disorders can bring:

• headaches
• facial pain
• tenderness in the jaw
• clicking and grinding noises in the jaw
• difficulty in opening the mouth (as if the jaw were locked)
• an uneven or uncomfortable bite
• trouble chewing certain foods
• aching in or near the ear

TMJ usually arises from the grinding or clenching of teeth (called bruxing), especially during sleep, of which you are likely to be unaware, but your dentist may detect it by looking at the wear on your teeth. To prevent bruxing, your dentist may recommend relaxation techniques or fashion a night guard - a shield to be worn in your mouth to keep your upper and lower teeth from touching.

Another frequent precursor of TMJ is uneven bite, which can occur if one row of teeth is higher on one side than on the other. When that happens, the ordinary grinding of the teeth during chewing stresses your two temporomandibular joints unequally. One joint overcompensates for the other, just as when you have a pebble in a shoe, you will probably limp, favoring the foot without the pebble. To fix your bite and prevent TML, the dentist may balance the biting surfaces of your teeth. Replacing missing teeth, fillings or crowns or may help significantly. In some cases, a bite plate fashioned for your mouth can help by removing uneven stress on teeth and jaws, thus realigning your upper and lower jaws.

Although some sufferers from TMJ may need nothing more than ordinary ibuprofen tablets to minimize pain and inflammation, the most serious cases require surgery to fix the joint. Regardless, prior to any attempt at treatment, a thorough examination by an experienced dentist is necessary.

To whiten stained or otherwise discolored teeth, Los Angeles teeth whitening specialist, Dr. Azar-Mehr, uses one of the many special bleaches that have been developed for this purpose, varying the strength of the bleaching agent according to the condition and sensitivity of the teeth. Repeat applications of the bleach are necessary, usually in three or four weekly visits to the dental office. When the whitening is complete, the dentist seals the teeth to preserve their new white color for a long time.

Do you want to keep your smile beautiful, white and healthy? With a few minutes a day and a couple of visits Dr. Azar-Mehr's Los Angeles dental practice each year, you can. It's all about prevention. Brush your teeth often, floss your teeth well, and get your teeth cleaned professionally at the dentist's every six months. That's what Grandma told you when you were a child, and Grandma was right. If you keep following her advice, you'll probably keep your original teeth a lot longer than she did.

Why is it vital to visit the dentist for periodic cleanings? First, that makes it easier for your dentist to ensure the health of your teeth. Cavities can be detected and repaired promptly. Second, and just as importantly, regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar that not only detract from the luster of your teeth but also eat away at your dental health, promoting tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

Crowns, bridges and partial dentures don't diminish the need for regular cleanings. If anything, they make the need greater, for you should want to make sure that they stay strong, firm and in place. The last thing you should want is to have them damaged.

Daily brushing and flossing will make your teeth cleanings easier. View the few minutes a day you spend taking care of your teeth as a cheap investment of time to keep the teeth healthier and easier to clean.

Mention of "root canal" evokes images of severe pain so commonly that people often complain about other pains by saying, "I'd sooner have root canal." In truth, however, root canal is maligned unfairly. Advances in technology, and the experience of Los Angeles prosthodontist Dr. Azar-Mehr, have made root canal far less painful than its reputation suggests. Ironically, root canal is designed to minimize the pain from an infected tooth, it does not produce the pain.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth gets infected. The pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth, home to connective tissues, blood vessels and nerves. The pulp goes from the crown of your tooth to the tip of the root in your jawbone. Normally, the tooth itself protects the pulp, but if the tooth is damaged by a very deep cavity, or a crack, or trauma from repeated repairs, bacteria can reach the pulp. Then the bacteria grow from the crown towards the root, pus accumulates at the root tips, and the mouth becomes painful and sensitive to hot and cold. Not all pulp infections bring pain; sometimes they spread so slowly that the patient feels nothing.

Root canal treatment occurs in three stages: First comes the diagnosis. Next comes the root canal itself, in which a dentist or an endodontist (a dentist who specializes in treating the inside of the tooth) removes the pulp (and thereby also the infection), and cleans the inside of the tooth preparatory to filling it, sometimes applying antibiotics to thwart further infection. A temporary filling is placed at the crown opening. Finally, in a subsequent appointment, a crown is installed to seal the tooth and protect it from further damage or infection.

Dentists and endodontists in the United States perform about 14 million root canals per year, with a 95% success rate. Excellent oral hygiene after your root canal can help ensure success and prevent reinfection. Keeping your original teeth should always be your main objective. An untreated infection inside a tooth will only worsen over time; the pulp cannot heal itself. Without treatment, you may eventually lose the tooth, and require a bridge or other costly restoration. Protect your teeth by getting treatment as soon as learn that you need it.