A Celebrity-Ready Smile In 3 Steps

Skill, experience, and technology define the exceptional smile treatments available at Total SmileCare in Beverly Hills. Dr. Giri Palani, renowned dental implantologist and cosmetic dentist, will improve your appearance and your self-confidence through beautiful aesthetic treatments.

During your customized and complimentary consultation, Dr. Palani will listen to your smile goals, assess any dental needs you have, and create an individualized plan to accentuate your natural smile and melt the years away with a brighter, more even smile.

There are three primary cosmetic treatments Dr. Palani uses at his Beverly Hills office for exquisite smile designs.

1. Lumineers or Veneers - made of durable, tooth-shaped porcelain, these two options provide our cosmetic dentist the ability to literally re-shape your smile. While this treatment may require more than one visit, you'll be amazed at the beautiful results.
2. Invisalign - a longer system of straightening your smile, these clear brace alternatives can be part of a larger overall makeover treatment.
3. Teeth Whitening - the simplest of the three procedures, whitening can change the color of your natural tooth enamel, brightening your smile and making you look younger almost instantly!

We invite you to learn more about the cosmetic dental services available, and to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Giri Palani. Call us today at (310) 894-8301 or visit our website at www.cosmetic-dentist-beverly-hills.com.

Floss Your Way To Better Health!

Floss Once A Day!

Dr. Giri Palani follows the ADA recommendations that you floss your teeth at least once per day. Whether you choose to make this a part of your morning or evening routine is up to you; it is how you floss that is important.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing is the only way to get the debris that settles between your teeth as well as any bacteria. If food is left to settle, it turns into plaque and is a job that only your dentist can handle. Even extreme amounts of brushing your teeth will not effectively get rid of all of the debris between your teeth, which is why flossing is so important.

Choose Your Favorites

There is no hard and fast rule about the type of floss that you must use; whatever feels good to you is what you will be the most likely to use on a daily basis. You can choose between waxed and unwaxed floss and various interdental cleaners to get in between your teeth. The interdental cleaners can be brushes or sticks that easily get between your teeth.

Look for the ADA Seal

The best products to purchase are those that have the ADA seal on them. These products tend to be safer to use in your mouth as well as the most effective at removing debris, bacteria and plaque. Each product will have a reason for the ADA seal, which will help you decide which product you are most comfortable using with your daily brushing and flossing routine. 

For more dental health information, and information on cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills, visit our website at www.cosmetic-dentistry-beverly-hills.com.

What is Gingivitis?

Prevent Gingivitis -
Keep Your Beautiful Smile!

Gum disease starts with gingivitis; an inflammation of the gums (gingiva). It occurs when bacteria creates plaque and the plaque develops under the gumline on the roots of the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into the more serious periodontitis which can eventually lead to a loss of teeth.

Patients with gingivitis will have red and puffy gums, and they generally will bleed during brushing and dental exams. Many times gingivitis can be treated simply with better oral hygiene - longer and more frequent brushing and daily flossing. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:

1 - Bright red or purple gums

2 - Tender or painful gums

3 - Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing

4 - Bad Breath (halitosis)

5 - Inflamed gums

6 - Gums that are receding or soft

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Dr. Giri Palani and his hygienist check for symptoms of gingivitis at your regular cleaning and exams, and will remove any buildup of calculus (hardened plaque) around the gumline so that gums can remain healthy. It is important to have regular dental checkups to keep dental disease and decay in check and be treated for any initial signs of disease. Learn more about preventive dental care.

To learn more about preventive care and the importance of oral health in creating a beautiful smile, visit our website at www.cosmetic-dentistry-beverly-hills.com or call us at (310) 894-8301 to schedule your dental checkup!

Dental Implants - Merging Art & Science

Dental Implants - Creating A Beautiful Smile

Implant dentistry merges art and experience with science to create naturally functioning replacement teeth. A dental implant serves as a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once placed. Implants are made of titanium, which has a special property of fusing to bone. This fusion is called “osseointegration” and is the basis of dental implant success. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device. 

When teeth are lost, the bone that supported those roots is lost too. Placing implants stabilizes this bone, and prevents bone loss. Implants help maintain the jawbone’s shape, and supports the overal facial structure of the skeleton. Dental implants help you eat, chew, talk; all in a completely natural fashion. Are Dental Implants for you?

At Total SmileCare, Dr. Giri Palani is your dental implant expert. Certified by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), he lends his expertise to creating beautiful smiles. Call us today at (310) 547-1128 to schedule your personalized consultation with your Beverly Hills dental implant doctor.

5 Ways to Improve Your Smile!

Improve Your Smile in 5 Ways!

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their smile. There are five main ways to improve your smile for a natural and beautiful effect.

1 - Composite bonding: Using tooth colored composite material, your dentist can apply this to the surface of the tooth to repair chipped, broken, discolored, or decayed teeth.

2 - Composite fillings: These fillings are tooth colored and require less tooth removal than traditional silver (amalgam) fillings. Many people choose to have their amalgam (silver) fillings replaced with composite for a more natural look.

3 - Dental Veneers: Composite or porcelain veneers are adhesively bonded to the anterior (front) of the tooth to repair chips and cracks, or to correct severe tooth discoloration. 

4 - Teeth Whitening: Our teeth often become stained from smoking, foods, and poor oral hygiene. Using specialized whitening bleach either in the office or a lower-strength product at home, lightening your teeth can take years off your smile.

5 - Smile Makeover: These involved a comprehensive assessment of your oral health and your smile goals to improve your overall appearance. During a smile makeover, several dental procedures may be required to achieve the look you want.

Dr. Giri Palani will help you create the smile of your dreams in our Beverly Hills, CA dental office. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, visit our website or call us at (310) 547-1128.

Missing Teeth - Restoring Your Smile!

Restore Your Smile & Improve Your Health

Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 is estimated to have three or more decayed or missing teeth? Your dental care and oral health are necessary to maintaining your overall health and wellness. Untreated dental disease in decaying teeth can lead to more serious health issues, including infection or damage to your bones and nerves. Learn more about preventive dental disease

If you are missing one or more teeth, or have teeth that need to be removed, there are many ways to restore your oral health and your beautiful smile. At Total SmileCare, Dr. Giri Palani offers several dental methods to restore your smile.

Dental Bridges - your existing teeth are literally used to build a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges can be a good option for people that have areas of decay on the adjacent teeth to the missing area, since bridges can be more invasive for surrounding teeth. Learn more about dental bridges.

Dental Implants - implants are a great option for restoring missing teeth. Dental implants set into the jawbone (to mimic the tooth's root) and a natural looking porcelain crown is placed. Implants act like a natural tooth and are a beautiful addition to your smile. Are dental implants right for you?

At Total SmileCare, Dr. Giri Palani will meet with you for a personalized consultation, to evaluate your dental needs and the goals you want to achieve. From professional cleanings and regular check-ups to complex smile makeovers, Dr. Giri Palani can deliver the cosmetic dentistry you are looking for. Call us today at (310) 547-1128.

CEREC Crowns - One Easy Appointment!

No Temporary. No Messy Impressions. One Easy Appointment.

CEREC® is an advanced dental technology that is utilized for the restoration of decayed, cracked, or chipped teeth. CEREC® can create full crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers. The CEREC® machine crafts a restoration in a matter of minutes, and these restorations are made of compressed porcelain. It is for this reason that they are stronger than laboratory restorations, which are layered porcelain. The most beneficial feature of receiving a CEREC® restoration is that it is accomplished in one visit. In addition to the benefit of a one visit restoration, there is no uncomfortable impression material to bite on or temporary to wear.

Procedure
The procedure for placement of a CEREC® restoration is very simple. The first step is to remove all decay from the tooth. The doctor will then shape the tooth in preparation to take a digital picture. The tooth is then sprayed with a very fine powder. This allows the digital camera to take an acceptable image. Once this image is captured, the tooth will appear on a computer screen in 3D. This will allow the doctor to design the restoration right in front of you. Once the design is completed, the CEREC® will mill the restoration. This step takes approximately 15 minutes. You can actually watch this process if you would like. When the restoration is finished milling, the doctor will place the restoration. The entire process should take just over an hour.

If you're interested in learning more about CEREC restorations, or our other cosmetic and restorative treatments, please contact Dr. Palani at his Beverly Hills, CA office at 310-547-1128.

Your Cosmetic Dental Questions Answered

Cosmetic Dentistry can truly be for everyone. Whether your goal is to improve your overall oral health, or to enhance your beautiful smile, Dr. Palani has a treatment that will meet your needs! Read belowf or some of our frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry.

I don’t like my teeth or my smile – what can I do?
A wide variety of options are available to improve tooth function and how your smile looks. Check out our “Cosmetic Procedures” section to see how other patients with similar problems were helped, and call our office in Beverly Hills, CA to get started on your new smile.

 

How much does it cost to get a great smile?
Like most services, cost varies based on the amount of time required and the difficulty of the procedure(s). Generally, improving a smile requires a combination of treatment options such as bleaching, reshaping gums, and using bonded materials (resin or porcelain) to improve the appearance of the teeth. A great way to start is by having a consultation with Dr. Giri Palani to determine how you can reach your goals. Improving your smile is an investment in you.

I have dental insurance. Will it pay for my new smile?
Most dental insurance has very low total benefits per year, which may offset the cost for regular checkups, but probably won’t pay toward cosmetic services. Insurance is a business; thus, your carrier will often contract to pay for the least expensive option instead of the best solution for your particular needs or desires. Dr. Palani will work to maximize your benefits, and may have suggestions for alternative methods of financing so you can obtain the treatment of choice.

What are some benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
A great smile should improve your self-confidence, which can have a positive impact on the social and professional aspects of your life. Cosmetic dentistry is not just about pretty smiles though. New techniques and materials are available for back teeth as well as those seen when you smile. Now your mouth can look great, get healthy, and function better, all at the same time.

Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?

Call us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Giri Palani to discover your smile makeover!

Your Cosmetic Dental Appointment: What Do You Need To Know?

While we all feel we know a beautiful smile when we see one, there is no perfect smile. That's because each person has a different perception of what is beautiful; you and your cosmetic dentist may even have a difference of opinion. So it's important that you discover what you really like and then communicate that to your dentist.

The Dentist's Perspective
Studies have been conducted to determine what dentists and other dental professionals see, and what the patients see, when looking at a beautiful smile. While non-dentists typically focus on a single element, cosmetic dentists like Dr. Giri Palani in Beverly Hills, CA look at the entire complex – the lips, gums, teeth, bite, face, personality type, hair and skin color, and more. They examine the smile and analyze the length of the teeth, how the teeth line up with other facial features, gum-to-lip distance, and other characteristics.

Your Perspective
To get the most positive results from your experience with Dr. Palani, communicate clearly, from the beginning, and have a good understanding of what you want from your smile. As materials and techniques have improved over time, our aesthetic has made way for the more naturalistic result. Dr. Palani's patients are often pleased with teeth having a sense of regularity and alignment, more like nature intended...[Read More]

Your Smile Makeover Consultation
A smile makeover consultation between you and Dr. Palani will consist of a conventional evaluation and an esthetic evaluation. The conventional part of the consultation will be a physical examination of your teeth, gums, and bite, and the taking and evaluation of x-rays. The esthetic part of the consultation will be more subjective, and this is where communication between you and Dr. Palani is important.

The only way to get what you want in a smile is through open, honest, and clear communication between you and the cosmetic dental professionals at Total SmileCare. Ready to embark on your smile journey? Schedule Your Appointment online today!

Transform Your Smile From the Inside Out

Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. Most think of tooth whitening or veneers when cosmetic dentistry comes to mind, but a cosmetic dentist can provide much more. A skilled, experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Palani can help to improve your appearance, your smile, even your self-esteem, and confidence. Today, cosmetic dentistry has continued to evolve to where cosmetic dentists can address functional and esthetic patient concerns.

Patients who have undergone treatment are often transformed from the inside out because knowledge in the dental profession is constantly growing. It means striving for a smile that connects. The changes that Dr. Palani can make to your smile, through a wide variety of procedures, techniques, and the newest materials, are remarkable.

Today's cosmetic dentistry includes tooth whitening, bonding, tooth-colored restorations and fillings, porcelain veneers, orthodontics, dental implants, and more. You may be surprised by how dentistry has evolved and what can be done by an experienced cosmetic dentist. We invite you to notice the difference in cosmetic dental treatment in Beverly Hills, CA. Book your appointment today!

6 Ways Waterlase Dentistry Improves Your Dental Care

At Total SmileCare, Dr. Giri Palani uses Waterlase Technology to improve patient comfort and increase the efficiency and precision of dental treatment. There are many ways that Waterlase has provided a more relaxing dental experience, but we have chosen six to share with our readers today.

1. Patented Hydrophotonic™ Technology
Waterlase® Dentistry uses a patented technology combining YSGG laser energy and a spray of water, a process called HydroPhotonics™, to perform a wide range of dental procedures on teeth, gum and bone more comfortably. Typically, Waterlase Dentists use fewer shots and less anesthesia reducing patient anxiety and providing a more relaxing dental experience.

2. Fewer Shots & Less Anesthesia
Waterlase® is a versatile tool that allows dentists to cut teeth, bone and gum tissue with less trauma and do procedures that can't be done with traditional tools such as the drill and scalpel. Your Waterlase® dentist will determine what type of treatment is appropriate for your needs.

3. Proven Technology, Comfortable Care
Lasers have long been the standard of care in medicine for many surgical and cosmetic procedures such as LASIK, wrinkle removal, hair removal and many others. The Waterlase® was approved for hard tissue procedures in 1998 and since has been cleared for numerous additional dental procedures. Thousands of dentists around the world have performed millions of procedures with less need for shots, anesthesia, drills and post-op numb lips.

4. Patient Comfort
Heat, vibration and pressure are the primary causes of pain associated with the use of the traditional dental drill. Since cutting both hard and soft tissues (teeth and gums) with the Waterlase® does not generate heat, vibration or pressure, many dental procedures can be performed with fewer shots, less need for anesthesia, less use of the drill and fewer numb lips! Additionally, using the Waterlase® for gum procedures reduces bleeding, post-operative pain, swelling and the need for pain medication in many cases.

5. Fewer Dental Visits
Since you often do not need shots or anesthesia, a Waterlase® dentist can perform cavity preps in all areas of the mouth in just one visit. This technology also gives trained Waterlase® dentists the ability to perform many procedures that were previously referred to specialists.

6. Versatility
The Waterlase® is extremely versatile. It can be used for a wide range of hard and soft tissue procedures. From decay removal, cavity preparation, root canals, smile design, gum and bone surgical procedures and many others.

To learn more about Waterlase, or our other dental technologies that we use for our dental implant patients, Smile Makeover cases, and restorative treatment appointments, please visit our website or call our Beverly Hills, CA office at 310-547-1128.

Veneers for your Smile Makeover

At Total SmileCare in Beverly Hills, CA and serving Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Dr. Palani often uses veneers in his smile makeovers. Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Veneers are a very thin ceramic shell that covers your existing tooth structure. In placing these new veneers on your teeth, you are able to fix the look of issues such as staining, cracked teeth, spaces, misaligned teeth, chipped teeth and many other issues.

In terms of the process to place veneers, it is a process that takes approximately two to three visits. In the first visit, Dr. Giri Palani, your dentist in Beverly Hills, CA will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by placing the veneers. Once we have put a plan in place, we will carefully prepare the teeth for the placement of the new veneers. As we complete this piece of the process, the next step is to take an impression of the newly prepared teeth. This impression will be sent to our laboratory for the final product to be fabricated. We only utilize the highest standard laboratory for fabrication of all of our work. This process at the laboratory takes between 10-14 days. While the new veneers are being fabricated at the lab, we will provide you with a beautiful temporary solution to wear for this time.

As the veneers are finalized, we will make every effort to make sure that your new veneers will feel just like your natural teeth. We will bond them into place ensuring that you can enjoy your new smile for a very long time! For more information on your cosmetic dental makeover, please contact our office today!

A Beautiful Smile in 6 Treatments

Your smile is often the first thing others notice about you, and can drastically affect the impression they carry of you. Feeling confident with straighter, whiter teeth, even correcting an aesthetic problem that has been with you for years, communicates strength, poise, and self-assurance to those you meet.

Cosmetic Dentistry can help you achieve the smile makeover you've been looking for. Here are 6 common ways that your cosmetic enhancments can be achieved:

1) Dental Bonding
This technique is composed of a ceramic resin that is brushed onto the tooth and hardened with intense light. Tooth bonding can repaire decay damage, improve alignment, and fill gaps between teeth.

2) Dental Crowns
After the tooth surface is cleaned and prepared the crown is placed to cover the remainder of the tooth, improving the tooth's look, shape, and alignment. Dental crowns (caps) can restore fractured teeth, cover a discolored tooth, and has many other restorative applications.
 
3) Dental Bridges
Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth in both a cosmetic and functional fashion. A bridge structure is one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by natural teeth, crowns, or implants, on each side of the bridge.

4) Dental Implants
Implants may be the best option for replacing a single or multiple missing teeth. Implants are the closest dental structure in durability to natural teeth and have greater cosmetic appeal.

Dr. Palani has extensive experience with the placement of dental implants and has the prestigious honor of being named a Fellow in the Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI). For more information about dental implants, please click here.

5) Teeth Whitening
Whitening is the act of lightening teeth and therefore making them more attractive. Teeth whitening can be used to whiten stained, discolored, or dull teeth to improve your smile. Whitening is one of the most cost effective ways to improve your smile and is relatively painless. There are two primary methods of teeth whitening; in office and at home trays.

6) Dental Veneers
Veneers are a porcelain or ceramic cover for the visible portion of teeth to dramatically improve the esthetics of your smile. Veneers usually require a couple dental visits. Veneers require less tooth material removal and the procedure is more comfortable than crowns.

For more information about achieving your smile makeover, contact Dr. Palani at his Rancho Palos Verdes, CA or Beverly Hills, CA cosmetic dentistry office today!

Introducing Dr. Giri Palani

Giri Palani, DDS, FICOI, has been highly trained at some of the world's most outstanding medical facilities. He is known as a leading dentist at the forefront of Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, and serves patients in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and Beverly Hills, CA.

After graduating from Marquette University School of Dentistry, Dr. Palani completed a rigorous Hospital Dentistry Program at world renowned Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, learning from and working with some of the top Oral Surgeons, Cosmetic, and General dentists in Los Angeles.

As a top resident at Cedars-Sinai, he was selected to serve as Chief Resident at the prestigious Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at UCLA. During his time as Chief Resident at UCLA Dr. Palani honed his skills in Implant and Aesthetic Dentistry. This advanced training and expertise in dental implants have allowed him to rehabilitate numerous healthy and beautiful smiles.

To learn more about dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and the dental team at Total SmileCare, please visit our website at www.drpalani.com or call us at 310-547-1128.