Questions with Dr. Hotait
I come from a family of dentists, so I grew up around the field and I got to see the impact that the profession has on people. It was difficult at times, but the reward was that I got to see dentistry from the perspective of the doctor as well as the patient. It was something I was always amazed by.
As I got older, I started appreciating the psychology behind a smile. It's amazing how many people don’t smile, and I can only imagine how much that impacts a person’s life on a daily basis. If we can change that, it’s a lifelong gift to give someone, and the feeling that comes with that is priceless. That’s my way of impacting the world, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. It's been a great journey.
I’m new to LA, but I owned multiple practices over the past nine years in Chicago. I got married a year ago, and my wife and I decided to move here to raise our family. We’ve both visited many times, and we love the city and the weather here.
I attended dental school at the University of Detroit Mercy. After graduating in 2009, I moved on to do an advanced training program for a year in implantology, bone grafting, and the treatment of gum disease at the University of Indiana. Then I moved to Chicago, where I was very successful, and now I’m in LA.
I took over my practice from two dentists who had been serving the community for quite some time, with an excellent reputation. My team and I made an oath to each other that we will continue to serve the community at the highest standards of care and comfort above all else, and we hold each other accountable to that oath. I’ve been blessed with an associate general practitioner and a team of specialists in orthodontics and oral surgery, as well as a support team of dental assistants with tremendous certifications. Some of them are actually doctors in other countries.
Our common goal is to provide the highest standard of care, including the best products, the best materials, the best labs, the top implants, etc. All of our products are hand selected after a thorough review of the literature to find what is truly best. We go above and beyond, and we never compromise on that.
Dental fear is rooted in multiple areas. Fear of the needle is especially common, so we partnered with a compounding pharmacy that builds us a unique topical anesthetic that is a lot different than the gel that most offices use. We use that on all our patients, no exception, and we have found that it significantly reduces discomfort.
For more fearful patients, we offer oral sedation along with laughing gas (nitrous oxide). They take medications the night before and the day of the procedure, and then when they come in, we put them on laughing gas and they have a nice little nap while we work.
For our extremely anxious patients, we also offer IV sedation to put them fully to sleep during their procedure. We cover the full range of fears and phobias to craft an experience that encourages patients to come back.
I owned a CEREC machine, which allowed me to do restorations in-house, and it’s a great technology that offers extreme convenience. Unfortunately, the quality simply isn’t the best. I can’t advertise that we’re doing the best if we’re not actually offering the best. To me, the best is working with world-renowned laboratories, and we’re lucky enough to have one right in our backyard. They actually come to our office, right to the chairside, to help customize smiles. I genuinely believe that best quality comes from the best labs, not from a convenient in-office machine.
Call Smile-Haus today at 818-348-6068 to schedule your first appointment.
Laser bacterial reduction (LBR) uses a dental laser to dramatically reduce the number of bacteria in the periodontal pockets around the teeth. As the majority of adults in the United States have some form of gum disease, and there is a strong link between gum disease and systemic illnesses, this ability to attack periodontal inflammation at the microscopic level is a real game-changer. Though the bacterial levels will regenerate over time, LBR buys enough time for the gum tissue to reattach and the periodontal pockets to shrink, helping us win the battle against gum disease.
Laser bacterial reduction has several unique benefits:
- Reduce or eliminate bacteremia (bacteria introduced into the bloodstream)
- Prevent infection in one part of the mouth from spreading
- Reverse periodontal disease before the loss of attachment of the surrounding structures occurs
- Boost the immune system
- Improve overall health
It depends on your clinical needs. In most cases, your first visit will consist of a comprehensive exam, including x-rays and intraoral digital photographs. We will review our findings with you, suggest next steps, and discuss any questions or concerns you have.
If you have an immediate problem or an emergency, we can address that issue at your first visit. Our primary concern is your comfort and wellbeing, and we are happy to customize your treatment as needed to address your concerns.
Generally, no. We offer different types of cleanings depending on your specific dental needs.
Your dentist needs to know everything that can help diagnose issues or provide appropriate treatment, including but not limited to:
- Any fears related to dental treatment. We pride ourselves on finding the right solutions for each patient, including those with dental fears. We may be able to offer a less invasive or painful treatment or provide dental sedation, among other possibilities.
- Your overall health, including active or chronic conditions and all medications and supplements you take. These could affect which treatment options are appropriate for you.
- Any dental concerns you have, such as sensitive teeth, possible cavities, lumps in your mouth, or anything that doesn’t feel right. We are partners in your oral health, and telling us your symptoms can help us make a speedy, accurate diagnosis
Our focus is on providing the highest level of care at prices and payment plans that are as affordable as possible. We are proud of our team of experts and are committed to use only the best dental products, materials, and laboratories. The truth is that insurance companies can have a big impact on the doctor’s decision making of their patient’s treatment quality (talent hired, supplies, labs etc…). Furthermore, we have found way too often that insurance companies try to dictate treatment based on cost rather than the patient’s best interest. AND THAT’S WHERE WE DRAW THE LINE.
Therefore, we have opted to NOT be registered providers with any insurance companies. Instead, we qualify as an OUT OF NETWORK providers. In most cases, you will need to pay for our services out of pocket, and then you will receive reimbursement from your insurance company based on the agreement your employer negotiated with your insurance carrier.
As a courtesy, we will file your insurance claims and check your benefits to help you understand what your reimbursement amount be. We will also send any documentation necessary in order for our patients to receive payments. WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP YOU MAXIMIZE YOUR INSURANCE BENEFITS.
We are partnered with Care Credit to provide dental payment plans at 0% interest for terms of 12 months or longer, depending on the total cost of care. You may also be eligible to use your FSA (Flex Spending Account) toward any dental care you need. Ask us for details. We also accept all major credit cards, cash, and checks.
Yes! You can complete the forms online before coming to our office. Click here to complete the forms.
The time with our doctors and hygienists is specifically catered and scheduled around your needs. Kindly provide at least 48 hours notice for any appointment that needs to be rescheduled to ensure that we can serve other patients in need. OUR CANCELLATION FEE IS $75 for the first missed appointment. Further consistent missed appointments might lead to dismissal from the practice.
If you are experiencing any pain, swelling, or other dental issues after office hours, please call and leave us a message by following the automated prompts. We will get back to you as soon as possible. If you’re having severe symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room.
Call Smile-Haus today at 818-348-6068 to schedule your first appointment.