Shahen and the crew
Dr. Shahen Rostamian
My Philosophy
My dental philosophy speaks directly to my core belief and is, to many, the Golden Rule:Do for others what you want them to do for you. For that reason, I strive to make the dental experience enjoyable. You are visiting a FRIEND, who is a dentist.
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your being, so we will always keep that in mind, and we will use biological methods and treatment modalities. My Woodland Hills dentist office is a NAG-FREE zone. I offer suggestions, but I respect your choices no matter what the circumstance.
I will help you mostly by sharing my knowledge in helping you, your family, and your children PREVENT problems through natural and easy home techniques. If treatment is necessary, we will proceed with a TENDER touch.
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your being, so we will always keep that in mind, and we will use biological methods and treatment modalities. My Woodland Hills dentist office is a NAG-FREE zone. I offer suggestions, but I respect your choices no matter what the circumstance.
I will help you mostly by sharing my knowledge in helping you, your family, and your children PREVENT problems through natural and easy home techniques. If treatment is necessary, we will proceed with a TENDER touch.
Prevention > Treatment
The two most common reasons for dental problems (tooth decay and gum infection) can be prevented with simple techniques.
Both tooth decay and gum infection are connected to microorganisms such as bacteria. There are ways to change the FLORA of the mouth to create an environment that will help prevent tooth decay and gum infection.
Preventing tooth decay anad gum infections are always easier, less costly, and more fun than getting dental treatment.
We can work together to prevent these dental problems before they arise, so going to the dentist can be enjoyable, like getting a haircut or manicure.
Both tooth decay and gum infection are connected to microorganisms such as bacteria. There are ways to change the FLORA of the mouth to create an environment that will help prevent tooth decay and gum infection.
Preventing tooth decay anad gum infections are always easier, less costly, and more fun than getting dental treatment.
We can work together to prevent these dental problems before they arise, so going to the dentist can be enjoyable, like getting a haircut or manicure.
For Anxious Patients
Imagine not feeling that annoying sensation of waking up on the day of your dental appointment and wanting to cancel.
We can change the way you feel about dentists by sharing ways to prevent dental problems.
If you are dealing with a problem in your mouth but canít get yourself to walk in to a dental office, you are not alone. In one study, 36% of people reported avoiding the dentist due to anxiety.
Lets change that!
We can change the way you feel about dentists by sharing ways to prevent dental problems.
If you are dealing with a problem in your mouth but canít get yourself to walk in to a dental office, you are not alone. In one study, 36% of people reported avoiding the dentist due to anxiety.
Lets change that!
Metal Free
No Heavy (toxic) Metal!
Most people arenít aware that they may be allergic to metals used for dental restoration. To avoid this problem altogether I have chosen to use metal free restorations and fillings. These restorations do contain trace elements of metals but they are so small as to be measured by parts per million and therefore do not cause an allergic response in people. Besides, they are more aesthetic and naturally translucent.
For fillings, I use BPA free composite material for the most biologically safe outcome. We do not use metal fillings.
My favorite crown restoration is called E-max because it is both very strong and able to be bonded to teeth in a special way. Much like a veneer, we use bonded crowns with biosafe adhesive and resin cement to permanently attach crowns to teeth. Bonded crowns will never fall off of a tooth.
Most people arenít aware that they may be allergic to metals used for dental restoration. To avoid this problem altogether I have chosen to use metal free restorations and fillings. These restorations do contain trace elements of metals but they are so small as to be measured by parts per million and therefore do not cause an allergic response in people. Besides, they are more aesthetic and naturally translucent.
For fillings, I use BPA free composite material for the most biologically safe outcome. We do not use metal fillings.
My favorite crown restoration is called E-max because it is both very strong and able to be bonded to teeth in a special way. Much like a veneer, we use bonded crowns with biosafe adhesive and resin cement to permanently attach crowns to teeth. Bonded crowns will never fall off of a tooth.
Mercury Safe
Mercury-Safe has to do with special care while removing metal fillings when the need arises. During the mercury filling removal process (also known as amalgam fillings), there is a release of mercury gas that can be absorbed by the body through the lungs. That mercury vapor may cause toxicity symptoms, especially in people who have a specific gene type. I have chosen to take special care in removing these silver fillings using a specific protocol.
The mercury filling removal protocol that takes place in our Woodland Hills offices includes a rubber dam, high volume vent and other steps, to reduce the amount of mercury exposure to as close to zero as possible. I do this for my patients sake and also for my staff and myself. Mercury poisoning is a common problem among dentists, and is the cause of many neurological and psychological issues that dentists deal with later in their careers.
Should I Have My Amalgam (Mercury) Fillings Removed If I Plan to Get Pregnant?YES. You should have your fillings removed before becoming pregnant!
According to QuickSilver Scientific, inorganic mercury transfers through breast milk and methyl mercury transfers across the placental barrier. Therefore, only a very mild detoxification that does not mobilize mercury is recommended while breast-feeding or during pregnancy. Blood has been shown to have higher mercury levels in fetuses than the mother. Amalgam fillings should not be tampered with during pregnancy. Again, you should have your fillings removed before becoming pregnant!
The mercury filling removal protocol that takes place in our Woodland Hills offices includes a rubber dam, high volume vent and other steps, to reduce the amount of mercury exposure to as close to zero as possible. I do this for my patients sake and also for my staff and myself. Mercury poisoning is a common problem among dentists, and is the cause of many neurological and psychological issues that dentists deal with later in their careers.
Should I Have My Amalgam (Mercury) Fillings Removed If I Plan to Get Pregnant?YES. You should have your fillings removed before becoming pregnant!
According to QuickSilver Scientific, inorganic mercury transfers through breast milk and methyl mercury transfers across the placental barrier. Therefore, only a very mild detoxification that does not mobilize mercury is recommended while breast-feeding or during pregnancy. Blood has been shown to have higher mercury levels in fetuses than the mother. Amalgam fillings should not be tampered with during pregnancy. Again, you should have your fillings removed before becoming pregnant!
Antimicrobial Approach to Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by microbes.
In my experience people are usually told they have gum disease by their hygienist or dentist, without really having it explained in a way that can help them fight the problem on their own. The news is usually followed by a guilt trip about flossing more. But there are a few suggestions that can help people fight and prevent periodontal disease on a much deeper level (excuse the pun).
Gum recession and bleeding is caused by your OWN immune system. Because of the presence of unhealthy or “bad” bacteria, your body reacts. If we kill the bad bacteria and invite good bacteria (similar to gut bacteria that can be good or bad; the reason why people take probiotics) we can solve the problem. Best of all, the solution to preventing periodontal disease doesnít involve a lot of treatment in the dental chair. It is best solved with some easy at-home steps that we’ll suggest you take.
“Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach him how to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.”
In my experience people are usually told they have gum disease by their hygienist or dentist, without really having it explained in a way that can help them fight the problem on their own. The news is usually followed by a guilt trip about flossing more. But there are a few suggestions that can help people fight and prevent periodontal disease on a much deeper level (excuse the pun).
Gum recession and bleeding is caused by your OWN immune system. Because of the presence of unhealthy or “bad” bacteria, your body reacts. If we kill the bad bacteria and invite good bacteria (similar to gut bacteria that can be good or bad; the reason why people take probiotics) we can solve the problem. Best of all, the solution to preventing periodontal disease doesnít involve a lot of treatment in the dental chair. It is best solved with some easy at-home steps that we’ll suggest you take.
“Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach him how to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.”
Coconut Oil and Other Great Natural Products
I have recently decided to tell my patients about using coconut oil in their oral hygiene routine as an adjunct to regular brushing and flossing. The technique is referred to as “oil pulling”, and I do it myself.
There is something called lauric acid in coconut oil which has been shown to kill oral microorganisms (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21333271). Besides the great effect of killing microorganisms, coconut oil helps to break up the biofilm on teeth that bacteria like to attach to.
I generally ask my patients to rinse with coconut oil once a week or before they have a date because in addition to the antimicrobial effects, it also helps to freshen your breath. Note: please do not swallow coconut oil after you have rinsed with it because it will contain saturated fats as well as your mouth bacteria.
There is something called lauric acid in coconut oil which has been shown to kill oral microorganisms (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21333271). Besides the great effect of killing microorganisms, coconut oil helps to break up the biofilm on teeth that bacteria like to attach to.
I generally ask my patients to rinse with coconut oil once a week or before they have a date because in addition to the antimicrobial effects, it also helps to freshen your breath. Note: please do not swallow coconut oil after you have rinsed with it because it will contain saturated fats as well as your mouth bacteria.