Dr. Jirair Gasparian, an experienced dentist with nearly 30 years of practice in Los Angeles, helps his patients not only restore their dental health, but also overcome their fear of treatment. In this interview, he reveals how to achieve a beautiful smile, the AI technologies he is already using in his practice, and why his clients prefer to avoid braces.
Dr. Jirair, what is it like to be the person everyone fears? How did your journey in dentistry begin, and why did you choose this profession?
When I chose my profession, I had no idea that people would be afraid of me! (laughs) Personally, I have never been afraid of dentists. Since childhood, I knew I wanted to be a doctor and help people. I started my dental journey nearly 30 years ago. After finishing high school, I entered medical school, graduated, and decided to move to America. This was back in 1997. Here, I passed the Board exam and received my dental license. I’ve been practicing ever since.
Did you open your clinic in Los Angeles right away?
No, I first worked for three years at a large dental clinic, and then in 2000, I opened my own clinic, Dental Center. This year, we will celebrate our 25th anniversary — a significant milestone!
What services do you provide, and which ones are most in demand?
We offer nearly all types of dental services: X-rays, professional teeth cleaning, and treatment for cavities. And most importantly, we specialize in aesthetic dentistry: zirconia crowns, veneers, implants, and Invisalign aligners. The one thing we don’t do is place metal braces.
Why not?
Simply put, most of my patients choose Invisalign as an alternative to traditional braces. These are removable clear aligners that can be easily taken out during meals. They are almost invisible on the teeth, look aesthetically pleasing, and are more comfortable in everyday life. They are especially popular among adult patients over 18 because they don’t want their orthodontic treatment to interfere with their lifestyle. However, there are cases where Invisalign is not suitable — for example, if the teeth are severely misaligned, traditional braces are necessary. Honestly, I’m not particularly fond of braces myself, but I did put them on my children because they had significant bite issues and braces were essential.
What has helped you stay competitive for three decades?
You should probably ask my clients! Most of my patients find me through word of mouth. I always stick to the principle of doing my work carefully and attentively, so that my patients don’t feel discomfort. It’s very important that they don’t experience pain, as the main fear for most people is the injections. So, when I give an injection, I do it very carefully and try to ensure comfort throughout the procedure.
How do you handle patients who are afraid of dental treatment?
I have many patients who experience fear just thinking about going to the dentist. Often, it’s related to bad childhood experiences, and it can persist into adulthood. These people need time to trust the specialist, and I try to alleviate their fear through a gentle and attentive approach. I always talk to these patients and give them a sort of “mini-therapy.” If I were to immediately tell them, “Today, we’re going to extract a tooth,” they would likely experience immense stress or even faint.
During the first or second visit, I simply consult and explain the treatment process without starting any actual procedures. Sometimes we prescribe medications to reduce anxiety. By the third visit, we begin with simple procedures — like placing a small filling, so the patient can get comfortable. Gradually, we move on to more complex stages of treatment: large fillings, root canal treatments, or tooth extractions.
I had a patient who was so afraid that he brought his wife as his support system. Thankfully now, he has overcome his fear, and we’ve placed four implants for him.
How do you manage the flow of patients who specifically want to see you?
We’ve organized the schedule so we can efficiently use work time. For example, while the anesthesia is taking effect for one patient, I move to another and give them an injection. Instead of waiting 20-30 minutes for the anesthesia to work, I can place a filling for another patient during that time.
Of course, there are procedures that can’t be combined, as they require my full attention from start to finish. For example, when placing an implant (which takes about an hour), I’m fully focused on the patient and don’t see anyone else during that time. The same goes for cosmetic procedures like whitening, veneers, and crowns. If we’re working on six teeth at once, I can’t leave the patient halfway through, so my full attention is on them.
What are your plans for the coming years?
I want to continue developing and moving forward. In the future, I plan to reduce my workload a bit and delegate more. Our clinic is already 25 years old, we have two offices, and we plan to open another one — in a neighborhood with a Spanish-speaking community. Our schedule is booked two months in advance andwe have plenty of clients, but not enough offices.
Do you plan to implement the latest technologies in your work?
I am already actively using them. The latest addition is a scanner that creates 3D models of teeth and scans the entire jaw. We used to have a bulky machine, but now we have a compact and very fast one. We scan the teeth and send the data to the lab, and they immediately begin working. Previously, we used molding materials, which was slower and more cumbersome. We even had a separate X-ray room to develop films. Now, with digital technology, we no longer need that room, and we repurposed it.
What advice would you give to patients who want to improve the aesthetics of their teeth but don’t know where to start?
It might sound cliché, but it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day, use dental floss, and not overuse mouthwash. It’s better to choose a product without alcohol, as alcohol damages enamel and dries out the mucous membranes. Teeth should be brushed gently with a soft brush. Some people carry a toothbrush in their bag and brush their teeth five times a day — that’s wrong because it can wear down the enamel, leading to sensitivity and cavities.
For example, I use a regular soft mechanical toothbrush and carefully brush my teeth only twice a day — in the morning and evening.
And of course, it’s important to learn to love visiting the dentist (laughs), at least twice a year.
Published by Jeremy S.