Dr. Maddahi Dentistry May 2017

Dr. Maddahi Dentistry May 2017

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi

An t i - Ag i ng DENT I STRY

C O S M E T I C & A N T I - A G I N G D E N T I S T R Y

May 2017

Investigative Dentistry

EDITION

PIECING TOGETHER THE CLUES TO FIND THE SOURCE OF PAIN AND DISCOMFORT

Dentistry is an ever-changing landscape. Since I began practicing dentistry in 1987, technologies and methodologies in the industry have advanced by leaps and bounds. Many of these technologies have made investigative dentistry — that is, discovering the root cause of any given dental problem—much easier. Of course, “easier” is a relative term. It can still be highly challenging to find the root cause of an issue, but with the right tools, coupled with the right approach, we have access to more answers than ever before. Investigative dentistry is made up of two main factors. One of those factors is better technology. Today, we can use lasers, 3-D imaging, digital bite recorders, digital X-rays, and so much more to pinpoint the site of pain and discomfort or uncover other potential issues the patient might not be aware of. Through these technologies, we can develop a complete view of what is going on inside a person’s mouth. And that view can make all the difference in identifying the root cause of a problem. However, having a clear image is only part of the equation. Another factor of investigative dentistry has much to do with lifestyle. There are many societal factors that can influence your smile. Many people want bright, white teeth. To get the results they want, they use products that often rely on harsh chemicals. These chemicals include different kinds of peroxides which, over time, can lead to uncomfortable tooth sensitivity. Another aspect of lifestyle has to do with personal health and nutrition. More people are drinking green tea. It’s been praised as a healthy alternative to other kinds of teas and beverages in general. What many people don’t realize, however, is that green tea can stain worse than coffee and other teas. Because more people are drinking green tea, more people are seeking out teeth-whitening options, leading to more issues of sensitivity. Nuts and seeds are another major culprit of pain and discomfort. Like green tea, more people are turning to nuts and seeds as a healthy snack throughout the day. I’ve seen whole almonds and raw cashews cause serious damage to patients’ teeth, including cracked veneers and broken crowns. These patients had no idea nuts could cause so

much damage. And it’s not damage that occurs in an instant, though it can; it’s damage that can occur over weeks and months, going unnoticed until you are in pain. There has also been a noted increase in the number of people who clench their jaw and grind their teeth. These acts can lead to tooth sensitivity, pain, and other issues through the jaw, head, and neck. If clenching and grinding isn’t properly diagnosed and treated, it can cause a lot of damage that will eventually need to be corrected. Because many people clench and grind their teeth at night while sleeping, they don’t know what’s happening. They suffer through pain and may think it’s just a headache when it’s something very different. When I approach an investigation, I look at new trends in lifestyle and nutrition. I look at a patient’s habits, diet, and other things they may be doing that can affect the totality of the mouth — the bone, the gum tissue, and the teeth. I take this information and bring it together with our digital imagining. When all the questions are asked, more often than not, we arrive at the answer, and we can correct the issue at its source. - Dr. Maddahi

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virtually unchanged to this day. For many decades, vinyl records enjoyed being the only game in town. And literally every piece of audio someone wished to record and distribute, from music and spoken word to sound effects and instructional programming, was recorded onto and sold on a vinyl record. The evolution of musical formats can be traced simply enough by following the trend of downsizing. In 1964, the 8-track tape was introduced, followed by the compact disc in ’82 and the advent of the MP3 in ’89. Each subsequent medium offered better sound quality while taking up less space. As with nearly all outdated technology, vinyl records and the sound systems associated with them soon began to find their way into garbage bins.

In December of 2016, vinyl records, a medium once thought extinct, outsold CDs and digital albums for the first time since 1988. For the last decade, digital music has been the mainstay of the recording industry, so what happened in 2016 that suddenly turned this around? Why would someone choose to spend their hard-earned cash on a musical medium that’s larger, heavier, and potentially more expensive than a digital download? To understand the vinyl resurgence, you must understand the foundations of the format. The LP, or long play, was pioneered by RCA Victor in 1930. The format was further refined by Columbia Records in 1948, culminating in the pinnacle of sound recording and transfer technology which remains Why Vinyl? EVERYTHING COMES BACK AROUND

With so many indisputable facts against the format, how did LPs manage to make a comeback?

First and most importantly, vinyl has been embraced by many artists, big and small, due in large part to the nostalgia associated with the format. With more and more big names releasing projects via record, the industry received a much-needed shock to the heart. Second, the aesthetic component — namely the fact that records offer a much larger canvas for album covers, as well as more room for lyrics and inserts —means records can easily serve as centerpieces for décor. Finally, there is an argument for the overall sound quality of records being superior to any competing format, though this is often disputed by enthusiasts of other formats.

While the sound quality debate has yet to be concluded, the war between digital and physical media seems to be over — for now.

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

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THE FACTORS BEHIND ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ DENTAL ISSUES Dentistry Impossible

Occasionally, a case will come along that confounds most dentists. While dental technology and treatment have advanced to address a vast number of different issues, there are many situations that require much more than the obvious — cases you might call “impossible.”

But are there truly impossible cases in dentistry?

No two smiles are exactly alike. From the bone structure, through the gums, and into the teeth, there are differences. Sometimes, those differences are subtle; other times, they are significant — it varies from patient to patient. Because of this, every patient must be treated and cared for as an individual. There is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment when it comes to dentistry. Because of these factors, the word “impossible” isn’t always the best term to use. Some cases are more complex than others. For example, an exam ahead of a seemingly simple treatment may reveal a more extensive issue, requiring more work. Alternatively, there are many instances where patients may need significant dental treatment through no fault of their own. They may have gotten into an accident or suffered trauma to their jaw or teeth. There are also individuals who are prone to dental problems as a result of genetics, problems that can range in severity.

• • •

Poor dental treatment

Misdiagnosis

Allowing problems to persist untreated

It can be a combination of factors. If someone was misdiagnosed and received poor or improper treatment, they may be more likely to put off dental work in the future, out of fear or lack of trust. The important thing to remember, however, is that you do not have to live with pain caused by dental problems. Treatment — and relief — is just a phone call away. Have a Laugh

When “impossible” cases do arise, they typically fall into three major categories, including:

EASIEST

Chickpea Curry

Ingredients •

1 tablespoon olive oil

•

2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt- added chickpeas, rinsed and drained 3 tablespoons ketchup Salt and pepper, to taste Chopped cilantro (optional) Lemon wedges (optional)

• • • •

1 large yellow onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick Pinch of ground cloves

• • • •

Instructions 1. In a large straight-sided skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. 2. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until dark brown around edges, for about 6 minutes. 3. Add garlic, curry, cinnamon, and cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 30 seconds. 4. Add chickpeas, ketchup, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover and increase heat to medium-high; cook until sauce is slightly reduced, for 5 minutes. 6. Serve with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges, if desired.

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Dr. Kourosh Maddahi

www.drmaddahi.com

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C O S M E T I C & A N T I - A G I N G D E N T I S T R Y

INSIDE 436 N. Roxbury Dr. #202 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

EDITION

page 1

A Look at Investigative Dentistry

page 2

Get on the LP Express

page 2

Before and After Photos

page 3

Are There Impossible Cases in Dentistry?

page 3

Easiest Chickpea Curry

page 4

The Great Inca Citadel

THE GREAT INCA CITADEL Visit Machu Picchu This Summer

If you’re thinking of visiting the enormous agricultural terraces and fantastic stone constructions of Machu Picchu, it’s best to go in early summer, right as the rainy season ends. That way, you won’t have to deal with the battering rain or the rather large crowds that formduring the peak season of July and August. Both of these could potentially muddy the experience of such a historical location. Fly into Cusco, then immediately take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, colloquially known as Aguas Calientes.

Before Columbus landed on what he thought was India in 1492, and before Pizarro later wiped themout, the Incas controlled the largest empire on the North American continent —andmaybe the biggest in the entire world. The religiously and culturally diverse civilization spanned a huge portion of western South America, comparable to the most robust territories of Eurasia. Nowadays, not much remains of the Inca Empire, save for some ruins and the otherworldly constructions of Machu Picchu. The Inca citadel, probably built as an estate for the Inca Emperor Pachacuti, still stands after over 500 years, and the blocks of polished stone overlook intense, vertigo-inducing views, considered by some to be among the most beautiful in the world.

It’s a scenic 3.5-hour trip running along the Urubamba River, through the fabled hills of the Inca, with breathtaking canyon walls rising above on either side. Spend a night or two in the town getting acclimated to the 6,700-foot elevation, then head to Machu Picchu for some exploring before you return to Cusco. This way, you’ll be able tominimize the unpleasant —and sometimes dangerous —effects of altitude sickness that such heights can bring. Youmight find yourself dizzy frommore than the altitude, though. The views are world class, and the feeling of being in such an ancient place imbued with cultural importance is electrifying.

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