Sandra shares her Invisalign experience with Dr. Partovy

Recently, Sandra, a patient of Dr. Partovy's, recorded a patient testimonial here in our office. Watch as Sandra describes her Invisalign treatment experience at Maxella Dental. We are glad to have helped Sandra obtain a better-looking smile!

Our offices are conveniently located in Marina Del Rey and Tarzana, California, and provide comprehensive dental treatment for the whole family.

Visit our web site or give us a call for a consultation to determine if Invisalign treatment is right for you!

Dr. Partovy featured in Invisalign video!

Check out this cool and interesting video about Invisalign and what patients can expect from the treatment. Notice anyone in particular? That's right! Dr. Partovy himself!

Did you know Dr. Partovy was Marina Del Rey's premier Invisalign provider in 2009? If you have been thinking about Invisalign treatment, please give us a call!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What are you up to in January?

BRRRR! It may still be chilly (and rainy!) here in southern California, but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Dr. Partovy wants to know: What are you doing in January? What have you accomplished this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office and ask how! Have a great weekend!

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What puts you at ease in our office?

Dr. Partovy understands not everyone is thrilled to see their dentist. But he wants you to know his team strives to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Partovy himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Dr. Ray Partovy, Marina Del Rey's Premier Invisalign® Provider

Dr. Partovy, Marina Del Ray's premier Invisalign provider in 2009, has been successful in giving amazing smiles to both teens and adults. Dr. Partovy and his team will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign's clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, without disruption to your daily life! These services include:

* Overly crowded teeth
* Widely spaced teeth
* Overbites
* Underbites
* Crossbites

Now, thanks to Dr. Partovy, nothing comes between your lifestyle and having an incredible smile. With Invisalign, you can be as active as you like because Invisalign won't hold you back, remove your aligners for special events, eating and brushing and feel more confident everywhere you go. Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. No wonder Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people!

It's easy to see if you're a candidate for Invisalign treatment. Give Dr. Partovy a call to set up a consultation. Happy New Year!

Beware of those Christmas goodies!

Dr. Partovy knows maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas? With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or Christmas pudding, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth. Then, you start getting cavities.

Instead, our friends at the American Dental Association, or AAO, recommend nuts or dried fruit, which are a nice alternative to sugars and have a greater nutritional value—and can satisfy your sweet tooth! Both nuts and fruit are a great source of fiber and act as an appetite suppressant. In addition, nuts are a great source of Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9, nutrients that contribute to a healthy immune system. Nuts are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked with reducing heart disease and lower blood pressure. If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this Christmas or holiday season, remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary treats.

Call us if you have any questions! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

A great article about changes in dentistry, from Dr. Partovy

The world around us is always changing and evolving, whether it’s the latest gadget you ordered online or the high-tech braces on your teeth! Recently, Dr. Partovy and his team read an article in the New York Times about dental implants, and how they are becoming increasingly favored over bridges to replace lost teeth. One thing to remember about dental implants is that they need to be cared for just like your regular teeth; daily brushing and flossing are a must!

Call us today to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Drs. Partovy or Baum to discuss your implant options.

Happy Friday!

Dr. Partovy and team want to know: What do you love about the holidays?

The holiday season is upon us, and as the team at Ray Partovy, D.D.S. reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask: What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

--Dr. Partovy and team

A couple of recommendations for our doctors...

We love our patients, and we enjoy getting their feedback about our service. Here are a couple patient testimonials that made us smile. If you'd like to write a review about our doctors or staff, you may do so here on the blog or on our Google listing.

"Dear Dr. Partovy,
You were so patient and understanding when I came to see you last week. I had a very comforting first visit with you. I realize you have made the filling look great and appreciate what you have done for me."
- Deone J.

"Dear Dr. Baum,
I want to thank you for the excellent care and dental work I recieved from you last week. Both you and your entire staff deserve recognition for the high level of service you provided me.

In addition to my satisfaction with the cleaning and filling I received, I want to share with you and others that I am amazed at how well the in-office teeth whitening worked. I highly recommend it to anyone that would like to feel proud about their smile.

Thank you again, and I look forward to referring all of my friends to your dental group."
- Michael Wagner

What did you do in November? We'd love to know!

Believe it or not, we’re almost in December – and in full holiday mode! But before you go celebrating, Dr. Partovy and his team want to know: Did you do anything exciting this month? Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? If so, we'd love to hear all about it!

You may share your stories with us here, on our social networks or by giving us a call!

--Happy Thanksgiving, from Dr. Partovy and team

Getting you through flu season, from Dr. Partovy and team

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in Fall, but this year it seems to have started much earlier and with the number of patients canceling appointments because of flu and H1N1 symptoms our practice is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!

--Dr. Partovy and staff

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What are you up to in November?

October has come and gone, and—believe it or not—we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? How much candy did you get? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way! We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, Dr. Partovy and staff would love to hear all about it.

Getting Married This Fall? Let Dr. Partovy Give You a Brighter Smile!

It’s Fall. Leaves are turning shades of orange and red, the wind is picking up and getting cooler, and pumpkin patches are full of bright orange pumpkins. Families gather together, kids head out trick-or-treating, and as always, wedding bells are ringing. That's right, Fall is one of the best times of year to tie the knot! If you are gearing up for a wedding this Fall, consider matching that white dress to a perfectly white smile!

Dr. Partovy offers in-office tooth whitening for the bride, the groom, or the entire wedding party! You get the girls together to get their nails done, and now you can get them together to get their teeth done!

In-office whitening is the quickest, most effective way to achieve whiter teeth. Because we are dental professionals, we have the expertise to use higher percentages of whitening agents than the at-home systems allow. So you can get a brighter white, usually in just one visit!

Give us a call and let Dr. Partovy add some extra sparkle to your “I do”!

Write a Review of Dr. Partovy or Dr. Baum!

Whether you have visited Dr. Partovy or Dr. Baum for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about your experience with us! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here or here.

Thank you!

--Drs. Partovy and Baum and staff

Ghosts, Goblins and National Orthodontic Health Month!

Trick-Or-Treat! In honor of Halloween, the American Association of Orthodontists has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips and treats for a ghoulishly good time!

BOO! Dr. Patovy's Spooky recipes for a “braces friendly” Halloween


Frightfully Fabulous Cupcake Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup warm water
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup superfine sugar
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 can of chocolate frosting or store-bought chocolate mousse
1 container of whipped topping

Assorted “braces-friendly” candy pieces such as chopped peanut butter cups, chocolate bars and melt-in-your-mouth candies.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fill a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.

Combine cocoa powder, water, and mix until smooth. Fold in mayonnaise. (Make sure cocoa mixture is not to hot to prevent breaking of mayonnaise). Add vanilla and whisk until smooth.

In mixer, combine sugar, cake flour, baking soda and salt and mix slowly until well incorporated. Add wet cocoa mixture, mix on medium-high until well blended. Scrape down the sides and blend for 30 seconds.

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 way full of batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.

Slice each cupcake in half, horizontally, and serve the halves with chocolate mousse or frosting, whipped topping, and assorted candy pieces. Kids build the sandwiches by spreading one-half of a cupcake with mousse/frosting or whipped topping, sprinkling on candy pieces and placing the other half of cupcake on top.


Halloween Safety Tips

•Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
•Carry a flashlight
•Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
•Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
•Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in


Be sure to visit our web site, and have a great rest of Happy National Orthodontic Health Month!

Cosmetic dentist. General dentist. How are they different?

We at Maxella Dental like to tell our patients that with us, you get two dentists for one. You get the care and attention to your good oral health that any good general dentist provides. But on top of that, you get a dentist who understands the impact of a bright smile and straight teeth.

Cosmetic dentists undergo extra training to stay on the leading edge of restorative techniques. We can whiten teeth, perform implants, add veneers, even straighten minor crooked teeth. All the while, we’re keeping an eye on your dental health. Your teeth will be in great shape, and your smile will be stunning!

National Dental Hygiene Month

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is here, and Halloween is coming soon, but now it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating these candies, be sure to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering the connection between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see Dr. Partovy every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make a resolution to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!

--Dr. Partovy

Answering all your burning questions about mouthwash

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride - fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Antiseptic - an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.

• Combination - a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.

• Prescription - for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)


If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask Dr. Partovy at your next dental appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

Invisalign Tips

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invialign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.
--Dr. Ray Partovy

Professional Whitening Trays at Maxella Dental

You've seen the toothpastes and mouthwashes aimed at giving you a whiter smile. These in-home products can help reduce stains from coffee, tobacco, tea, wine and other heavily pigmented foods, but they will not dramatically change the color of the teeth.

We're sure you have also seen the over the counter whitening strip kits. While these can work well for young adults and teens, their effect for adults is often not as effective. These strips only treat the front six or eight teeth, and cannot whiten your entire smile.

So what is the answer? One of the methods we offer at Dr. Partovy's office is professional custom whitening trays. These are an easy way to whiten all of your teeth and allow you more control of the whitening process. Once we create your trays in the office, the whitening kit can be used in-home, and comes with custom whitening gel in various strengths depending on the sensitivity of your teeth.

These trays are comfortable to wear, and the application time is only about 15 to 30 minutes. If you have been considering a teeth whitening solution, give us a call at 310-776-9537 today!