Conversations with Dr Dalit and Dr Marlene

Our amazing doctors were interviewed by a large local magazine called Voyage LA. Take a look at the interview and the candid honest responses from our amazing dentists here at Silicon Beach Dental.

 Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalit Yadegaran & Marlene Gadano. 

Hi Dalit Yadegaran & Marlene Gadano, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today? Dalit’s response: As a kid, I hated going to the dentist. I remember hating everything about it from the taste of dental products, to the cold atmosphere, and especially being told I had cavities each time I went, even though I brushed and flossed diligently. That frustration sparked a deep curiosity in me. Why was I still getting cavities despite doing everything “right”? I felt like I was judged by my dentist and he just saw me as a money sign to bring income into his business. I didn’t want anyone else to feel that way – judged and misunderstood during what should be a routine and educational health visit. 

That desire to change the dental experience is what drove me to work hard and ultimately get into dental school. After passing my boards, I pursued my passion within Cosmetic Dentistry. I enrolled in an intensive Comprehensive Esthetic and Restorative Residency, where in dentistry, every millimeter of the mouth matters. I have always wanted to set myself apart by using the highest quality materials and delivering work I am proud to put my name on. Every filling, every veneer I place, is a reflection of my standards. It is my signature. 

Today, at SiliconBeach.Dental, we have built a practice focused on creating a more comfortable, personalized experience. We don’t judge patients and we don’t treat them like cattle coming in and out of our door. Instead, we are committed towards treating each client like an individual. Every patient has their own story, and our treatments are customized to meet their unique needs. 

Now, as a first-time mom, my mission feels even more personal. I never want my daughter to grow up dreading the dentist the way I did. I want her to look forward to her visits, just like so many of my patients do today. 

Marlene’s response: I was raised in Southeast L.A. by young parents who sacrificed their opportunities for a higher education in order to work and support me. Growing up, I saw how they were able to turn their extenuating circumstances around through hard work, patience and resilience. I thus learned from a young age to appreciate the journey of growth and life, and to always see the value in the work that you do. I felt called to a career in health while I was at UCLA for my undergraduate studies, where I majored in Psychobiology. As I was exploring the different paths in healthcare, I happened upon a fun workshop by the pre-dental student club where we essentially sculpted colorful wax into the shape of teeth. As someone who loved to draw as a pastime, I realized that dentistry could be a very fulfilling career that was both science-based and artistic. My intrigue grew when I became involved in scientific research, particularly a project on TMJ disorders that I conducted while abroad in Beijing University, China. I continued on at UCLA for another four years for dental school, where I had the opportunity to learn about the true breadth of dentistry- from all of its specialties, to material sciences, to the oral-systemic health connection. 

Along this journey, I married my best friend and after dental school, we moved to the Central Coast of California so that we could experience a more nature-oriented lifestyle. There I was able to practice a broad scope of dentistry, from oral surgery, to cosmetics, to pediatrics, with an awesome team. Despite being out of school, I have Outside of work, I have stayed up to date by setting aside time to go to coffee shops or cozy up at home and read the latest dental articles and journals. I also invest in live in-person courses by renowned dentists so I can learn from the best. 

Now here at Silicon Beach Dental, I have been able to hone in on what I enjoy most in dentistry and serve in the area where my dental career began. Outside of work, my husband and I still try to spend time in nature by going to the beach with our dog Rusty, but we also love spending time with friends and family. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect? Dalit’s response: Becoming a dentist didn’t just happen with the snap of a finger. It took years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Dentistry is one of the most rigorous and competitive graduate programs to get into. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from UCLA, I went on to complete another four years at Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine. 

I chose Western because their curriculum felt years ahead of its time. They emphasized modern, high-tech dentistry and used computer simulators to help us develop our hand skills before ever working on a real patient. That innovative approach really resonated with me. But the journey wasn’t easy. Eight years of intense schooling meant missing out on a lot of social events and life milestones. Still, I accepted those sacrifices because I was committed to chasing my dream and changing the typical dental experience. 

After graduating, another challenge emerged: finding a dental practice that aligned with my values and high standards. I worked in several offices before I finally found the right fit at SiliconBeach.Dental. Here, our philosophy is simple – we treat every client like family. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and work collaboratively as a team, with the shared goal of creating an empowering, convenient, and comfortable experience for our patients. Our office doesn’t look, smell, or sound like a traditional dental office, and that is intentional. We have reimagined what going to the dentist can look and feel like. 

Marlene’s response: Dentists are humans too! I went through a health journey when talking with my patients. I did not grow up with much oral health awareness and ate a very acidic and spicy diet, so when I started to finally feel and see the signs of chronic acid reflux, or “heartburn”, I realized that I needed to audit my daily habits to heal my stomach and protect my teeth. At first I felt embarrassed for not having realized what was going on for so many years, but now I see that experience as such a valuable lesson. Chronic stress and our modern diets have both contributed to many dental issues- erosion from acid reflux, wear from clenching and grinding, jaw pain… the list goes on. I have made it my goal to help my patients catch on to these issues before they cause permanent damage and empower them to combat it. Knowing what it’s like to have cavities filled, alter your lifestyle and wear a night guard due to TMJ issues helps me relate to my patients’ experience. Every dental journey is unique and personal- my goal is to make anyone in my dental chair feel safe and supported along the way. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work? Dalit’s response: My purpose every day is to create the opposite experience of what I had growing up at the dentist. I strive to help each client in my chair feel seen, understood, and genuinely cared for. One of my priorities is educating patients on why they may be getting cavities – even if they brush, floss, and don’t eat candy. Cavities can be linked to a variety of factors including diet, lifestyle, and your overall health. I review my patients’ medical and dental history prior to meeting them for the first time. This provides a starting point for me as I work like a detective to understand their personal ‘why’ factor. Certain medications can lead to more tooth grinding, while some medical conditions can put you at a higher risk for dry mouth, and in turn, this can lead to a higher chance of getting cavities because you have less saliva to act as a protective barrier around your teeth. 

Dental health can provide a window into your future whole-body health. For example, gum disease has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. Once we understand the root cause of cavities, I create a personalized treatment plan for my patients, to prevent future issues linked to their oral care and entire body. The mouth is the door to the rest of the body, and I want my patients to understand that connection to the fullest. Education is the foundation of that transformation. 

As i previously mentioned, my passion lies in minimally invasive Cosmetic Dentistry. I see each smile, each tooth, as a canvas where I can create harmonious, functional art. My eye for detail and design was shaped early on during the many hours I spent in my father’s textile warehouse, where I developed a deep appreciation for color, texture, and symmetry. I helped create a fashion line with my older brother during that time. With everything I do, I try to bring my creativity to the table. This includes teaching flower bouquet making workshops while i’m not at the office, hosting and setting tablescapes for holidays and celebrations, dressing my daughter, and even plating a meal for my husband. Dentistry allows me to connect my right creative brain with my problem-solving left brain. Today, that background fuels my love for enhancing smiles in a way that is both beautiful and natural. Dentistry is art, and I work every day to be the best artist I can be. 

I am known for my minimally invasive approach. Tooth structure is precious. Once it’s removed, it doesn’t grow back. That’s why I am committed to preserving as much natural tooth as possible. There is a misconception that veneers and crowns require teeth to be shaved down to nubs. With biomimetic and minimally invasive techniques which i practice by, that is not the case. My goal is to deliver results that are durable, beautiful, and enhance your natural tooth. 

What I am most proud of isn’t a procedure or a before-and-after photo, it is when my patients no longer get cavities. That kind of result comes from the time we invest together in prevention and education. Seeing my patients empowered and confident in their oral health routines is incredibly rewarding. 

And of course, one of the biggest compliments is when a patient refers their friend, co-worker, or family member to me. That trust means everything and it is a responsibility I never take lightly! 

Marlene’s response: What some patients don’t know is that as your dentist, I am not just interested in your teeth or how much you floss. UCLA trained me to be very thorough in my examinations, from checking for any swellings in the head and neck to asking about diet and medical conditions. Many patients see their dentists more often than they see their medical doctors. Common inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases or high blood sugar also contribute to gum disease, which if uncontrolled can progress to bone loss or even tooth loss. And this relationship goes both ways, where chronic gum inflammation due to plaque buildup contributes to inflammation in the body. So while many of us grew up thinking that a dentist’s role is just to help us have lighter teeth and fix our cavities, the reality is that we have the opportunity to help patients improve their health outcomes and quality of life. I understand that not everyone feels comfortable opening up to their doctors, especially in a traditional clinical setting. At Silicon Beach Dental, with its fun, modern design and relaxing music, I see that patients feel more at ease and motivated to talk about their dental goals. 

I am able to spend time getting to know my patients from their very first appointment, create a game plan that they feel comfortable with, and see them progress over time in a positive direction. When a patient is looking to improve the esthetics of their smile, I am happy to offer them solutions that preserve as much of their tooth structure as possible so that they can smile more confidently while keeping their teeth strong. And while I do find so much joy in a good smile transformation, I feel the most fulfilled when I see that I have made a long-term difference in the way that someone feels in the dental chair and thinks about their oral health. 

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts. Dalit’s response: Sure! I believe risk-taking is essential for growth. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, challenges your limits, and opens the door to new opportunities. While it’s not always easy and things don’t always go as planned, every risk comes with a chance to learn something valuable. 

For me, taking risks has meant stepping into the unknown with a deep sense of purpose. Whether it was pursuing one of the most competitive careers, choosing to take rigorous and expensive continuing education courses, or navigating career moves to find the right practice that aligned with my values, it has all involved risk. Dental school teaches you the bare minimum about how to be a dentist. I continually invest in myself towards learning and growing more and more in an ever-evolving career and in a world where AI is integrating into our daily lives and careers 

I have come to see risk not as something to fear, but as something to respect. Even when outcomes aren’t perfect, the process always builds resilience, confidence, and clarity. Taking risks is how we grow and how we uncover what we are truly capable of. 

Marlene’s response: As with any profession, growing and putting yourself out there is not an easy process. The world of dentistry is both big and small, and has its fair share of legends and famous figures. Getting better at what you do requires connecting with others in your field, asking questions and being honest with yourself. Being stagnant and comfortable is an option in dentistry, but if your goal is to offer your patients the highest level of care you can never be either of those things. Dentistry is always advancing, which is why we are required to be lifelong learners. Applying new skills, connecting with specialists and tracking your progress are all aspects of growth that can be uncomfortable – all require you to be vulnerable and possibly get out of your routine. But as long as we are prioritizing our patients, this is what makes dentistry exciting. 

When connecting with dentists who are close to retirement, I find that the ones who are the happiest are the ones who make quality connections with their patients, maintain a positive outlook and who never stop learning. 

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Does Dental Insurance Work?

Why We’re Not In-Network With Every Dental Insurance Plan

Many patients ask: “Why doesn’t my dentist take my insurance?” The answer comes down to how dental insurance really works—and why it’s very different from medical insurance.

Dental Insurance Isn’t Like Medical Insurance

Medical insurance is designed to cover major health events. Dental insurance, on the other hand, usually works more like a coupon or discount plan. Most plans have:

• Low annual maximums ($1,000–$2,000 per year)

• Limits on how often services are covered

• “Downgrades” to cheaper alternatives, even if better options exist

These restrictions are designed to save the insurance company money, not to put patients first.

Why We’re Out-of-Network With Some Plans

Being “in-network” means the insurance company sets strict fees and rules. Unfortunately, those restrictions often:

• Limit the quality of materials or labs we can use

• Encourage quick fixes instead of long-term solutions

• Put the insurance company’s bottom line ahead of your health

By staying out-of-network, we can recommend the best treatment for you, not the cheapest option on a spreadsheet.

What This Means for You

Even if we’re out-of-network, many plans still offer great reimbursement, and our team will help you maximize your benefits by filing claims on your behalf. Patients are often surprised that the difference in cost between in-network and out-of-network is smaller than expected.

✅ Bottom line: We put our patients first—not insurance companies. Choosing an out-of-network dentist means you get care focused on your long-term health and smile, not what saves the insurance company money.

Dr Fung teams up with USC-Keck for COVID19

Due to Dr. Fung’s expertise in 3D printing, he has helped local hospitals including USC-Keck with 3D printing personal protective equipment such as masks, face shields, ventilator parts, and most recently, is heavily involved in the development of COVID19 test swabs.

The following is an excerpt from three articles at USC noting Dr. Fung’s involvement.

COVID19 Test Swabs

Showcased is a design Dr Fung worked on with SprintRay to help with the shortages of nasopharyngeal test swabs like those from Puritan on the left.

There are two ways we can get through the disruption caused by COVID-19, said Lawrence Fung, BS ’07, DDS ’11, MBV ’15.

“We can sit at home and complain and feel sad for ourselves and stress over things,” he said. “Or we can get up and say, ‘You know what? I’m not going to stand by. I’m going to do something.’”

The morning after “shelter in place” orders closed his private dental practice, Fung started thinking about what that “something” would be.

As a U.S. Navy veteran and graduate of USC Marshall’s Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program, the idea of serving others was second nature to him.

For the past year, he has been using a 3D printer in his practice and doing printing, research and development, and consulting for a printing company. When he saw a news story about ventilator parts being printed for hospitals in Italy, he realized: “This is the way I could help.”

He began making the parts, and tapped his Trojan network on Facebook and LinkedIn. Could someone connect him with the people who could get these parts to the medical professionals who needed them?

“It was amazing to pull from the Trojan Network and get connected to people who I never would have crossed paths with."— Lawrence Fung BS ’07, DDS ’11, MBV ’15

A dentist anesthesiologist George Jaber DDS ’13 had some bad news: The parts were only helpful in Italy. We have different systems in the United States.

“Well, that sucks,” Fung thought. But he quickly pivoted. “What can you guys use?” he asked.

The answer: N95 masks. Fung swung into action.

“It’s really easy to find an object and print it,” Fung said. He found a design for a 3D printed mask on the internet and consulted with Jaber and another important advisor, Henry Wu, BS’08, MD ’12, a fellow member of the USC Board of Governors. After sourcing filters from surgery ventilators,  he had a working prototype in 48 hours.

Point Person

The Trojan Family Network once again has shown its full worth.

In addition to his robust Marshall and veteran community ties, Fung maintains his USC School of Dentistry connections and sits on the Board of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry and the USC Board of Governors. He also gives back by serving as the team dentist for USC Athletics.

“It was amazing to pull from the Trojan Network and get connected to people who I never would have crossed paths with,” Fung said. 

For example: Viterbi alumnus Amir Mansouri MS ’13, Ph.D. ’16, co-founder and CEO of SprintRay Inc., a 3D printing company, provided engineering and production support for the project and volunteered to produce more than 1,000 printed parts per day.

Burbank Dental, a dental laboratory that has a partnership with the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry, also provided engineering and production support. “They were gracious enough to retool their dental lab to help 3D print the initial prototypes,” Fung said.

In another example, his network connected him with a manufacturer of parts for fighter jets because their gaskets could be used in his printed masks.

USC alumni and other friends who are CEOs and COOs at local hospitals, including Keck Medicine of USC, gave him feedback and connected him with innovation groups within hospitals.

“They never would have picked up my phone call if it weren’t for the USC network,” Fung said.

Practical Solutions

Just as quickly as he had begun, Fung rolled off the mask project once the mask shortage came under control.

“Even though the design worked, it was not meant to be a replacement for the N95,” he said. “It was meant to bridge the gap, to give providers something until the shipments of N95 came in.”

Here’s why: It takes two hours to print a mask, making scalability difficulty, and the materials are very expensive. It costs $200 to make one mask the way Fung was doing it. The disposable N95 retails for about a dollar a piece.

Fung is not selling what he prints. Like all the Trojans involved in this project, Fung is donating his resources and time. He is simply serving as a point person to get what he makes into the hands of those who need it.

“I’m just connecting people,” he said. “I tell people to donate to the hospital or the manufacturer the hospital get parts from. I have general medical and business expertise, but the hospitals and manufacturers are the experts.”

Everyone Can Help

Now, at the request of local hospitals, Fung is printing face shields and test swabs for COVID-19.

He is heavily involved with Shawn Chapman, leader of the Keck+Sunweaver Creative PPE effort to produce extra PPE for Keck Medicine at USC Hospitals. 

Keck needs help with its COVID Emergency Response Fund. Any donation helps. Whether it’s an individual giving $20 or a rubber supplier donating 100 masks, it all adds up. “It’s the power in numbers,” Fung said.

As Fung pointed out, everyone has the ability to help in any number of ways during these challenging times.

“It could be as simple as checking on a neighbor, or calling someone you haven’t talked to in a while, or asking a UPS delivery person how they are doing,” Fung said. “Little things like that are what I’m hoping to inspire.”

Contact for Lawrence Fung:

Hello@siliconbeach.dental 

A Note from Keck Medicine:

By helping to contribute to our Keck Medicine of USC COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, you will ensure that our essential medical workers can focus on taking care of our community, while knowing that we will take care of them. This fund provides immediate support to protect our healthcare workers with masks, gloves, gowns, testing kits, ventilators and face shields. We are looking for our industry partners to support us with in-kind donations of the essential PPE items mentioned above, or unrestricted gifts that will go towards this fund and supporting the critical needs and shortages we are facing as a health system.

https://www.keckmedicine.org/coronavirus-donate/  (Includes information on the fund as well as a wealth of other information about the virus and our efforts) 

https://ignite.usc.edu/project/20644  (Includes information on the 4 funds the university has set up to respond to COVID efforts)

Original Article Links

https://usctrojans.com/news/2020/3/30/usc-ripsit-blog-trojan-family-steps-up-in-time-of-need.aspx

https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/power-numbers

https://news.usc.edu/169081/usc-alumni-covid-19-medical-supplies-masks-ppe-doctors-nurses/

COVID-19 Prevention and Control Office Protocol

Hello Silicon Beach Dental Family,

It’s Dr. Lawrence Fung writing to you! First and foremost, I wanted to express my upmost gratitude for being such amazing patients and friends of ours.  We understand that you have many options for your dental needs and we are very thankful for your trust in us.

At Silicon Beach Dental, the health and safety of our employees and patients have, and always will be our top priority.  As many of you know, our practice takes cleanliness, infection control and patient safety very seriously prior and during this coronavirus outbreak. 

From the moment you book an appointment online with us, most of your patient experience will be done digitally. We will be adhering to this as much as possible mainly to reduce contact and maintain social distancing without decreasing your patient experience. For new patients and existing patients, you have the option to fill out your forms online, book and rebook on our online portal. We also offer contactless payment options as well. One unique change is that we have incorporated thermal cameras from Flir, the technology that is used to screen body temperatures in airports in our office along with contactless thermometers. We will also be providing COVID19 screening forms to all of our patients before they come in to help assess their risks levels as anyone who is at high risk will need to be reappointed 14 days out.

Please download pre appointment screening forms here

At our practice, our hospital grade sterilization center is in the middle of the office behind a glass wall to ensure that you are able to see the amount of detail we provide for sterilization.  In the treatment rooms, aside from our staff wearing personal protective equipment, we will be providing our patients with the same.  When you enter the treatment room, the instruments and products used for your visit are enclosed in the sterilized packs and not opened until you are seated.  You will also notice that we have barrier tape that is placed throughout the room and is replaced between every patient to protect against cross contamination.

During any routine dental procedures (such as fillings), we utilize various isolation techniques such as a dental dam or the high vacuum suction devices such as an Isolite- to keep the aerosols from entering the environment that can also cause cross contamination.  In order to decease aerosol contamination, our office has six visible HEPA air purifiers. You may have questions about other things you have seen on the internet, UV sterilization (although we do have a unit for this) , negative pressure suction devices. We are only going with research proven methods to ensure we provide the highest safety standards without the need to increase our fees significantly to provide the same level of safety and quality. Dr Fung due to his involvement with local hospitals including USC-Keck on consulting for 3D printing , he will be sure to incorporate any hospital driven COVID19 changes as soon as possible to keep our staff and patients safe. T

https://usctrojans.com/news/2020/3/30/usc-ripsit-blog-trojan-family-steps-up-in-time-of-need.aspx

On the bottom of this message will be a few links I have included to show the types of products we have in our office that we use for your protection.

I hope this helps alleviate any concerns.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me personally if you have any questions at hello@siliconbeach.dental.

Dr. Lawrence Fung

https://www.flir.com/

https://www.pattersondental.com/Supplies/ProductFamilyDetails/PIF_412594

https://www.zyris.com/

https://www.metrex.com/en-us/products/surface-disinfectants/caviwipes

https://www.cardinalhealth.com/en/product-solutions/medical/infection-control/sterile-processing/sterilization-pouches-tubing-and-covers.html

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Digital Smile Design

Ever wanted to see what it would look like if you were able to design your smile? If architects can draw up designs for the final outcome, us cosmetic dentists can do the same with a few technological aids. 

For a flat rate of $80 per tooth desired to have changed, working from a 2D photo and 3D scans of your teeth, we can create together a highly esthetic yet conservative restorative treatment plan for teeth based on your desired smile.

The total amount of time needed for this appointment is as little as one hour and we are able to get the first initial proposal in as little as 24 hours. 

From the final agreed upon digital proposal, we can fabricate the desired outcome with desktop stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and do an intra oral mock up.  Digital smile design is perfect for patients to visualize and understand your comprehensive treatment options.  

From the following is an example of the process. Images except those watermarked are taken from Form Labs, a 3D Printing company.

https://formlabs.com/blog/digital-smile-design-with-3d-printing/

Example of a 3D scan of the patients teeth and the digital smile design mockup super imposed on the digital model.

A putty impression of the 3D printed digital smile design.

Here the putty copy of the digital smile design is being applied directly into the mouth.

Example of a mock up try in, see instantly the proposed changes.

Composite Veneers - Alternatives to Porcelain

In this most recent case, Dr Lawrence was able to restore the patients worn teeth without the need to shave teeth down.  In this case, due to the nature of the wear, we were able to do an additive process-- adding composite bonding to the face side of the patient's teeth.  Porcelain veneers are also a great option for these cases but they do require some slight reduction of the teeth.  The patient at this time was not ready to have her teeth prepped down for veneers and so composite veneers in this situation was the most ideal treatment option.  The cost per composite veneer ranges from $1000 per tooth.   If you are in Culver City and adjacent areas looking for composite veneers reach out to Dr Fung, Dr Marlene or Dr Dalit for a consultation to see if you are a good candidate for this conservative cosmetic dental treatment option.

Before

After

Special thanks to Dr. Rana Shahi for performing the gorgeous esthetic crown lengthening gum surgery before we had restored the teeth with composites provided by Ivoclar Vivadent USA. This case shows what we can do for minimal invasive cosmetic dental options for the surrounding Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey and Venice beach areas.

Charcoal Toothpaste?

Looking for alternatives to regular teeth whitening?  At Silicon Beach Dental, the types of teeth whitening we offer is take home custom bleaching trays and in-office teeth whitening which are great ways to whiten your teeth but not necessarily the most cost effective for regular maintenance.  In the following link, Dr Lawrence talks about some whitening alternatives including the use of charcoal toothpaste.

““It’s recommended to avoid any type of whitening toothpaste or charcoal toothpastes if patients have a ton of tooth recession [or] sensitivity,” cosmetic dentist Lawrence Fung, DDS, founder of Silicon Beach Dental in California, tells Teen Vogue. “My recommendation on charcoal toothpaste is to use it like everything else: in moderation.””

— https://www.teenvogue.com/story/hello-products-activated-charcoal-fluoride-free-whitening-toothpaste-review

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/hello-products-activated-charcoal-fluoride-free-whitening-toothpaste-review

Are You Afraid of the Dentist?

Well fear not, there are many things you can do to help alleviate that fear.  In this article that was recently published in the NY Post, I touched upon a few things that can help you take back control of your oral health!

“While going to the dentist can be scary, some of the ways you can help alleviate those feelings is by seeking a dentist who truly places a high emphasis on creating a welcoming environment to make you feel comfortable. When seeking a dentist, be sure to take a look at their bios and have an office tour to see if the place is welcoming.”

Foods We Dentists Love But Avoid

Recently Dr. Lawrence Fung was quoted in Readers Digest again.  In this article he amongst other dentists from around the country talk about foods they love but do avoid.  Hopefully the article linked here sheds some light on foods to avoid!

“15 Foods Dentists Never Eat—and You Shouldn’t Either”

https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/foods-dentists-never-eat/
“It's not just gummy bears, but all gummy-style candies should be avoided like the plague because they ruin teeth says Lawrence Fung, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at Silicon Beach Dental and spokesperson for Hello "Naturally Friendly" Oral Care. "They are terrible for your teeth since they stick to all areas of the tooth and the longer the contact the sweets have with the teeth, the more acid gets produced by cavity-causing bacteria."

9 Surprising Foods That Prevent Tooth Decay

Recently we were quoted in Readers Digest on a story about some foods that are great ways to prevent tooth decay naturally.  The following is an excerpt from the piece courtesy of RD.  

https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/foods-that-prevent-tooth-decay/

“Plain yogurt is loaded with calcium, vitamin D, and immunity-boosting probiotics, so you may not be surprised to find dairy on our list of tooth decay-fighters. However, you'll be excited to learn that yogurt has both mouth-healthy and gut-healthy properties, says Lawrence Fung, DDS, a cosmetic dentist located in Playa Vista adjacent area of Culver City and spokesperson for Hello Oral Care, a natural-focused dental hygiene company. "Since our teeth are made up of calcium, foods containing calcium are great at building up our teeth's enamel," he explains of how to prevent cavities. "To help increase the uptake of calcium in our teeth, foods that contain vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus can help as well."

Happy New Year!!

We just wanted to say thank you to all of our patients and friends for an amazing first year!! Here is to many many more!!

Oral Health During Pregnancy Tips

Pregnancy can be pretty daunting for new and existing mothers.  The body goes through some significant temporary changes and the status of your oral health is usually one of them.  Some of the common conditions that occur during pregnancy are the following

1.  Gum disease- During pregnancy, more attention than usual needs to be given to your teeth and gums.  Brushing twice daily, flossing once a day will keep gum disease at bay.  Pregnancy gingivitis (swollen easily bleeding gums) is very common, but regular home maintenance and two, maybe even three visits to your dentist office for a cleaning can help.  

2. Enamel erosion- Morning sickness which is common with pregnancy aside from causing the nausea, the acid if not buffered by rinsing with water or fluoride mouthwash can cause enamel to erode away.  

3.  Dry mouth- Be sure to drink plenty of water during pregnancy.  A dry mouth decreases your body's natural way of buffering and so it places you at higher risk for decay and erosion.  

In our practice, we recommend all women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant to be on a three month recall, as there is research evidence linking periodontal disease and risk of complications with pregnancy.  If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant and have more questions about oral health maintenance during these times, don't hesitate to reach our to the office at 310-929-7200 or you can email Dr. Lawrence at hello@siliconbeach.dental

Single Missing Tooth Replacement Options

Missing a tooth yet you are not ready for an implant?  We get it, there are many factors to getting a tooth replaced.  Cost being one of them.  What about a bridge you ask?  A bridge can be a great option however they are usually the most invasive option to replace a missing tooth.  The least invasive option is to have a denture that comes in an out, but those can be cumbersome as well.

So what other options you have?  You may want to ask your dentist about a Maryland bridge.  A maryland bridge can be a great option to replace a front tooth that requires very little or in this case, no drilling.  There is usually a wing attached to one or both sides of the replacement tooth and it is bonded to the adjacent teeth.  These can be great short or long term temporaries that allow for the spacing to be maintained between the teeth so you can always have the option to pursue an implant whenever you are ready.  Feel free to contact the office to see if you are an ideal candidate for this conservative, cost effective, yet esthetic missing single tooth replacement option.  

We’ve Been Featured!!

We’re happy and proud to announce that our office has been selected for the national magazine Best Practice.  We are so thankful for our patients and the support we have had throughout our journey so far!  Feel free to download a link to the digital version of the magazine!

Bitcoin at the Dentist?

An exciting announcement from SiliconBeach.Dental!!!!

We will be one of the very first and few dental practices in Los Angeles to be accepting Bitcoin!

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a form of online payments that can occur only between a merchant and a customer.  These digital cyptocurrencies are stored in a “digital wallet”, and with these digital wallets bitcoins can be transferred.  

Why accept Bitcoin at SiliconBeach.Dental?

At SBD, we are all about challenging the status quo.  Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are to do the same.  With Bitcoin being a decentralized form of currency, transactions fees are extremely low if not free.  Bitcoin also is anonymous, although it has received a bad rep for some of its uses, it provides privacy and protection to third parties having access to personal financial data with traditional currency systems.  

http://money.cnn.com/infographic/technology/what-is-bitcoin/

The Test Drive

Excellence in function and aesthetic dentistry is never achieved by accident.  It is with heavy planning in the form of data collecting, diagnosis and communication that leaves to highly predictable outcomes that helps us meet and exceed our patient’s aesthetic expectations. 

Whenever someone comes to our office as a new patient, your first visit is for data collection.  The goal of data collection consists of acquiring medical and dental information.  We obtain prior dental history, photograph your existing dental condition, check for oral cancer, establish caries risk, evaluate how the teeth come together, and the health of the periodontium (the gum and bone, supporting structures of the teeth). 

Aside from gathering clinical details, the most important data we collect is the needs and desires of our patients.   From there, we establish whether our office is the best solution for your needs.   Existing and new patients that have cosmetic needs will get the opportunity using photography and digital smile design to get a preview of any requested or proposed changes. 

So what is digital smile design?  Digital smile design utilizes your photographs, from there we can alter the teeth shape and color in accordance to your desires.  From there we can preview the proposed changes digitally.  After the patient signs off, we will then send molds of your teeth and the appropriate photographs to a ceramist who will then create in wax (diagnostic) the proposed changes.  Once we receive the diagnostic wax-up back, we will then do a test drive in the mouth, using temporary material you will get to evaluate the proposed changes while staying in a reversible state. 

The following video highlights the process of evaluation to diagnostic wax-up to the test drive. 

Composite Veneers

I commonly get asked by patients-- I want to change the shape and color of my teeth but I don't want my teeth shaved down or I'm on a budget.  In the past, dentistry may have been a bit more black and white, but there is a new grey area...maybe grey is the new black? 

Dental composites have been around since the 70's.  Prior to that, silver amalgam filings (and arguably up to recently) have been consider the gold standard.  Today, dental composites are much stronger, esthetic, and economical than before.  Dental composites when used correctly with the right situations, can be a very long lasting, esthetic, highly functional alternative to more costly materials.  In the following link, see how our practice is able to provide dental composites as an alternative to traditional porcelain veneers.  

If you are located in Culver City, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Los Angeles and looking for a dentist that can do composite veneers be sure to book a consultation with Dr Fung, Dr Marlene or Dr Dalit at Silicon Beach Dental to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure!

Blending Art and Science

In this photo, a preparation was scanned and a 3D model was printed. The STereoLithography (STL) file was sent to two separate labs with two different price points. Both labs were given the same amount of time to work on the restoration and each unit was tried on the same model to check for the accuracy of fit. The results are clear as shown by the restorations on the right side--a high quality lab technician is irreplaceable, irrespective of the costs.

At SiliconBeach.Dental, we are very proud and honored to work with such an amazing team of staff and network of specialists.  There is one team member that rarely gets the credit they deserve, our lab technicians.  In dentistry, crowns, veneers, dentures, and partials are made in a laboratory by a technician.  

A highly skilled lab technician is able to blend the eye of an artist with the precision of a scientist.  With the use of CAD/CAM technology, 3D Printing, digital scanning, 3D facial analysis, cloud computing and digital photography,  these artists can create restorations that truly mimic what nature had given us.

Thank you Makomic, Beverly Hills Dental Lab, and Ultimate Styles for helping me provide the best for our patients from Playa Vista, Culver City, Fox Hills, Ladera Heights, and many other neighborhoods within Silicon Beach.  

http://www.makomic.com/

http://www.beverlyhillsdentallab.com/

http://ultimate-dl.com/

Sincerely, 

Dr. Lawrence Fung, DDS