Archive for dr sam

The Perfect Tooth Color

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Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Question:

Dr. Sam, what is the perfect color for my teeth?

Answer:

The perfect color for your teeth is subject to your opinion. You may love your teeth to be too white because it looks great to you and but maybe not to your friends. The Hollywood crowd seems to like teeth that are so white; their smile overwhelms their face.

All that you can see is big white teeth glaring at you when they smile. It looks artificial and somewhat too desperate to look striking.

However, a patient can have white teeth that have translucency built into the porcelain so the color density is more natural. This level of care requires far more skill by the dentist.

The Perfect Color for Teeth

The perfect color to your teeth would be a combination of skin color, eye color, shape of your face, thickness of your lips and how much you smile. As an example, if you have thick lips, it would be better if you picked a shade that was whiter because your thick lips cause the teeth to look darker. Thick lips stop the light from reflecting on the teeth thus making them appear darker.

In my office, all factors are considered and are very important in order to give you the perfect color for your individual facial characteristics. The color is only part of the equation as the shape of the teeth can greatly affect the over all results. You may have the perfect color but you still don’t look good because the shape is wrong for your face.

Most dentists take an impression and send it to the lab to make the teeth. The lab just makes the teeth in a standard form. The teeth are standardized and not customized. Why have teeth that are shaped and shaded like everyone else? It is better to work on your specific characteristics and enhance your best features by specifically shaping and angling your teeth personally.

I take about 20 full-face photos from all angles and 20 close up photos that are displayed on a big screen. My ceramist and I work on developing the perfect shade, the shapes of your teeth, the color depth and the translucency to fit your face. The results are worth the effort.

Categories : Blog, Teeth Whitening
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All Veneers Are Not Alike

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Friday, November 13th, 2009

Question:

“Dr. Sam, what are the best porcelain veneers?”

Answer:

Porcelain dental veneers (also called dental veneers or dental laminates), consist of custom made shells of tooth colored material. They’re designed to overlay the surface of your teeth.

All veneers are not alike. That’s why Dr. Sam Muslin offers you a selection of the choicest dental veneers. For example there are:

  • Thin shell veneers that possesses the qualities of your own teeth
  • Traditional porcelain veneers
  • No drilling, no grinding, no preparation veneers

The procedures used by Dr. Muslin include using his own ceramist to create the veneers, the most current veneer placement technology and the doctor’s own skill in placing the veneers so the teeth don’t feel “fat” (a common veneer makeover issue).

Veneers are Your Decision

As most procedures affecting your appearance, the decision to consider dental veneers is very personal. Some of the reasons you might have are:

  • You prefer your teeth to be another shape
  • You feel your teeth lack strength when biting or chewing
  • You want a dazzling white smile
  • Your teeth are discolored
  • Your teeth are worn down, chipped or broken
  • Your teeth have gaps or are uneven

sama All Veneers Are Not AlikeFor example, Dr. Muslin’s patient in this photo expressed dissatisfaction with the shape of her teeth. She also felt her teeth lacked bulk.

By reshaping and contouring the gums and making and fitting the veneer, Dr. Muslin created a striking difference in his patient’s smile and teeth appearance.

The teeth appear fuller and the inward taper is gone. The patient was very happy with the results of this porcelain dental veneer process.

A Three Step Process to Dental Veneers

  1. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning- It’s important to tell the dentist what your goals are. The dentist will examine you and then you both can discuss what’s most appropriate.
  2. Preparing for the Procedure- Impressions will be made of your teeth and your teeth will be prepared for bonding.
  3. Bonding and Fitting- Prior to placing the veneers permanently on your teeth, the dentist will test, adjust and refit to get the perfect look and shape of the veneer and the cement used to bond it to your natural teeth.

A follow up visit may be scheduled to check on your dental health with the new veneers.

Contact Dr. Muslin

If you feel you might need dental veneers but are uncertain about how to proceed, contact Dr. Sam Muslin. His staff will arrange an appointment for you.

You and Dr. Muslin can discuss whether or not you’re a veneer candidate. You’ll be able to make a confident decision that matches your wants and the counsel of a true expert in the cosmetic dentistry and dental veneer field.

Call now at (310) 829-6796.

Categories : Blog, Porcelain Veneers
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Fixing Overbites

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Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Question:

“Dr. Sam, I have a big overbite and my lower teeth are hitting the back of my upper teeth real hard.  My dentist wants to grind the back of my upper teeth to help my bite……. Is this a good idea?”

Answer:

Let’s Define a Deep Overbite

A deep over bite is when the upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth when the patient bites their teeth together.  Generally, the lower jaw is pushed back and appears small and additionally the entire face looks short and round because of the over bite.  The bite actually impacts the entire face and can also have a profound effect on the head and neck.  Patients with deep overbites generally get headaches but there are variables between patients.

Scott for Presentation Fixing Overbites

Overbite Case Study

Should the Dentist grind the back of my upper teeth?

Generally . . . NO!  Grinding the backs of the upper teeth only makes the overbite even deeper or worse.  Additionally, it is not stable, meaning that the teeth will shift over time.  The best treatment for a deep over bite is to correct the problem.  Sometimes braces or orthodontics can be a solution and other times, building up the back teeth is another possibility.  Today, we have to think long term.  We have to realize that we may very well live to 90 years of age and have to get dental care that has your long-term interests in mind.  Many patients make decisions based on finances and will go ahead with the tooth grinding for temporary relief and deal with the over all health problem later when they may be financially more capable. 

 The Age of the Dental Patient

There are many factors in deciding if to grind teeth, put braces on them or build them up.  It requires a thorough examination of the length of the roots of the teeth, the strength of the bone, the time available and overall goals of the patient.  Example:  A younger patient may like the color and shape of their teeth and refuses to wear braces.  This patient may do better with a bite lift using porcelain over the back teeth.  It is generally better for patients to have braces but sometimes it requires both braces and porcelain to reach the best bite position. Other times an older person may also want whiter and longer teeth, in which case porcelain may be the best choice. 

 Porcelain Bite Lift vs Orthodontics

Orthodontics takes a year or two or three.  A porcelain reconstruction takes only a couple of weeks to a month or two, depending on the difficulty.  The porcelain reconstruction costs more but it has much greater potential as the shade of the teeth can be made whiter, the teeth can be made longer if they are worn down, the old fillings and crowns are replaced and infected gums can be treated simultaneously.  The braces have the advantage if the patient is satisfied with the shape and color of their teeth and have few restorations, the teeth can be moved in the best position. 

 Adult Dentistry

Many adult patients want to get their dental health improved by removing their old mismatched fillings and crowns while lifting their bite and getting straight white teeth at the same time.  The entire upper arch can be treated in only 2 weeks and the same for the lower.  The patient needs one half of a day for the first appointment and half of the day for the second appointment a couple weeks later.  The patient can have almost any level of cosmetic improvement instantly.  It can be a rejuvenation of their entire face without surgery.

Categories : Blog, Overbites
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Cheap Porcelain Veneers

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Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Question:

“Dr. Sam – Why should I not get my veneers from my general dentist? He is just so much cheaper. Will veneers from a specialist, such as yourself, be so much better?”

Answer:

The least expensive porcelain veneer is one that lasts and looks natural for many years.  The patients enjoy the benefits of the work of a true professional.  My first porcelain veneer patient was done over 25 years ago and is still functioning perfectly.  It is my Dad and he is 87 years old.

The dentist you choose depends on how much you care about the results.  Dentists that are working on everything have trouble developing a focus on anything.  Many patients have tried the cheaper route and are getting their veneers replaced because they hate them.  They think they are fake, bulky and break too easily.  When you think about it, you are going to be wearing the porcelain veneers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Some of these patients are so frustrated that they are afraid to eat because another one will break or fall off.

Others that chose the cheap route have teeth that do not look very natural.  Everyone that sees you knows you picked a cheap dentist.

Have you thought about having one of your front teeth break just before a big party or a job interview or important meeting?  These patients can tell you that the money they saved was not worth it.

Dentists can use less expensive techniques, cheaper dental labs, cheaper type of porcelain veneers and be far less skilled in bonding them to your teeth.  Today, the patients are more particular about how their porcelain veneers will look.  They look a photos of patients in my office and let me know which style or look that they like and don’t like.  They have seen cheap veneers on their friends  or on other people and do not like what they see. They are not going to make the same mistake that their friends made and enjoy the compliments they receive on their smile.

There are many dentists that you can choose to treat your smile.  The techniques and the technology matter more than the money but the most important element is the artistic and technical skill of your dentist.

Categories : Blog, Porcelain Veneers
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Black Rims around Porcelain Crowns and Porcelain Veneers

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Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Question:

Dr. Sam, I am considering crowns and porcelain veneers. However, my friend had some done and now has black rims at the bottom of her teeth. This looks awful. Is this normal?  – From Linda, Santa Monica

Answer:

It is very unfortunate when there are black rims around porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers.  This should NOT happen! 

The black stain around the rim of the crown or porcelain veneers is contamination.  The bonding technique was a failure as there was something that was not completed thoroughly.  

In all fairness to the dentist, it is very difficult to bond porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers at the gum line.  Any tiny speck of blood or spit or fluid from the gums will cause the margin of the restoration to turn black. 

 How to Remove Black at the Gum Line

The only way to remove the black rim at the gum line is to replace the restorations.  It is unfortunate to have to start over, but it is the only way to remove the black rim.  The restorations must be removed, the teeth must be properly cleaned and the dentist has to meticulously bond each restoration perfectly.  The dentist needs to be using magnification.

Magnification to Remove the Black Line at the Gums

Magnification dentistry allows the dentist to see better than the naked eye.  I have been wearing powerful custom made telescopic eye-wear to visualize the most minuet details. 

The tiny bits of moisture or contamination at the gum line that are on the tooth cannot be seen with the naked eye, so black lines at the gums are the result of inadequate technique by the dentist.  It takes a special dentist to be able to use magnification properly and to be able to afford the very highest quality lenses and camera systems. 

The telescopic magnifying eye wear magnifies about 4 times but the tiny cameras that go inside the patient’s mouth magnify 25 times!  It is an instant improvement in quality if the dentist can successfully utilize the high tech magnification systems. 

Failure Rate and Magnification

Black lines at the gums as well as porcelain veneers and crowns that come off are a result of micro leakage.  The bond is supposed to stop leakage but must be perfect or leakage will occur at any area where the bond is inadequate. 

It has been estimated that 35% of American dentists will not be able to consistently bond dental restorations and American dentists are considered the absolute best in the entire world. 

Magnification dentistry reduces the failure rate but nobody is perfect.  The best multimillion-dollar baseball players only are successful at best, once out of three times at bat!  The best football quarterbacks make huge mistakes and throw interceptions or fumble the ball that loose championship games.  Dentists that use magnification will have a higher success rate then the best baseball players in history.

Considering Crowns and Porcelain Veneers

The most important choice is not if you choose crowns or porcelain veneers but the dentist that you choose. 

The dentist is by far the most important part.  They only way to choose a dentist is to look a photos of their patients that are enlarged.  You need to see at least 10 “before and after photos” of their patients, including full face photos that match.  Dentists that have the “before” photo taken with a cheap camera and the “after” photo taken by a professional photographer are NOT presenting their work in a valid manner. 

Dentists that have photos of the face in one position and have the “after” photo in a completely different position are not allowing you to honestly evaluate their work.  Avoid these dentists.  To see the best “before and after cosmetic dentistry photo gallery” ever presented by a dentist of his own work on his own patients, visit the galleries on our various websites.

Categories : Blog, Dental Crowns, Porcelain Veneers
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Can Instant Braces Straighten Teeth – Or Is It A Cover Up?

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Friday, October 9th, 2009

Question:

“Dr. Sam, my teeth are very crooked. I understand that I can get “instant braces” porcelain veneers to make my teeth look straight – but is this a good solution as my bite will still be off – but covered up?” –  Angie, Los Angeles.

Answer: 

The Skill of the Dentist

All dentists are not alike and there is a huge range in skill between cosmetic dentists in Los Angeles.  Many patients may pick a “coupon dentist” because they get a discount, which has been a big mistake for so many patients.  The skill of the dentist will directly determine the quality of your work.  Poor quality porcelain veneers are far more dissatisfying than paying more to get fine quality. 

Correcting Bites with Porcelain Veneers

Some dentists have the ability to improve and in some instances correct the bite with porcelain veneers.  These dentists have reached technical skills that few dentists will ever achieve.  Theses dentists can improve your bite and give you “instant braces” at the same time.  Porcelain veneers can be made to lengthen the bite, reshape the teeth, build new cusps of the teeth, change the color of the teeth and provide smooth right to left guidance to the bite.  The ultimate level of dental care using porcelain veneers, “instant braces”, cosmetic dentistry and maximizing dental health is Face Lift Dentistry®.

Bad Bites Break Porcelain Veneers

If the “instant braces” make your teeth look straight and the dentist was unable to balance the bite, the end result is generally,  broken porcelain veneers.  Some patients need to wear a night guard to improve the bite while grinding their teeth at night and to protect the new porcelain veneers.  Porcelain veneers can be made to look natural and make the teeth look perfectly straight and yet not change the bite at all.  In these instances a night guard may be the best solution to protect the porcelain veneers from breakage.  However, bonding the porcelain veneers into position with better technique minimizes   porcelain veneer failures or breakage.  The worst thing that can happen is to have a porcelain veneer break just before a very important event in your life.  It is not a health risk but definitely embarrassing.

Crooked Teeth and a Bad Bite

Is it a good solution to get instant braces and yet still have a bad bite?  Yes it is a good solution because having straight teeth is a very comforting and a very confidence building procedure.  Some patients may not be able to afford to change their bite but still want straight looking white teeth and for these patients “instant braces” are a great ideal.

We have had senior citizens or baby boomers want whiter teeth even though their bite is bad.  They get the white teeth and just live with the bad bite.  Others prefer to fix their bite and leave the teeth crooked, as their primary purpose is health.  The goal of the patient determines the level of care. 

Bulky Fake Looking Porcelain Veneers

There are so many fake and bulky looking porcelain veneers being placed on patients that many other people that are considering getting “instant braces” are turned off to the idea because of the bad porcelain veneers placed on their friends.  Patients get the wrong idea that porcelain veneers do not look natural.  The dentist just lacks the ability to deliver natural looking porcelain veneers and is just doing their best.  There best is not good enough and unfortunately, porcelain veneers and “instant braces” get a bad reputation.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Porcelain veneers can be undetectable from natural teeth.  They can look incredible if the right dentist is doing the treatment.

Categories : Blog, Instant Braces
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News and Awards

Dr. Sam Muslin received the 2009 "Best Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles" award from LAs Best, featured in the Los Angeles TImes.