FAQ’s

For general instructions, visit our Post-Op page. If you’d like information regarding your specific case, please call us at (714) 544-2020.

Yes! Regular cleanings can help you keep your teeth late in life, prevent painful gum disease, prevent oral cancer, and keep your smile looking beautiful.

Tooth loss has many causes. Here are a few risk factors:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Not seeking dental care
• Smoking
• Trauma or injury
• Diabetes
• Tooth Decay

• They take your full medical history.
• They explain the difference between necessary and optional treatments.
• They address your specific problem.
• They’re a member of the ADA.
• They don’t routinely recommend expensive treatments.
• Good hygiene
  • They use disposables.
  • Everyone wears gloves and replaces them after touching anything.
  • They flush and disinfect their lines.
  • They have and will show you a sterilization area.
• Straightforward billing
  • Any co-payments will be discussed prior to procedures.
  • Your billing is completed quickly, with payment options if necessary.
• Quality of work
  • Crowns, bridges, and fillings don’t repeatedly loosen or fall off.
  • You won’t feel pain, swelling, or bleeding months after dental procedures.
  • They stand by their work should problems arise.
• The staff, assistants, and hygienists’ family members are patients at their office.
• They take only the necessary x-rays.

Researchers have linked the possibility of cancer to exposure to all types of radiation, including X-Rays and the sun. The level of radiation emitted by X-Rays is very low, but we use today’s leading technology such as protective aprons to minimize exposure.

Talk with us. We’ll listen. We work with you to calm your fears and explore treatment options that will help you feel more comfortable.

While a manual toothbrush is very effective, many patients find they get much better results with a rechargeable electric toothbrush. Sometimes we recommend a battery-operated brush to see how you like it before making the purchase of the more expensive rechargeable electric brush.

1. Choose fluoride toothpaste that has the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. If you’re buying the paste for a small child, check the label for age recommendations.
2. You only need to use a ‘pea’ sized portion of toothpaste. The real job of home tooth care comes from the mechanical removal of plaque with your toothbrush! The toothpaste is just a bonus!
3. Buy toothpaste with specializations that will benefit your mouth. If you’re unsure what your mouth may need, talk to us at your next appointment or check out our Dental Products page.
4. Taste matters! Make sure you like the flavor and consistency of the paste you choose.

Implants are artificial tooth roots positioned in your jaw to replace missing teeth. For more information, visit our page on Missing Teeth.

The ADA recommends that your baby visit the dentist by their 1st birthday. Call us at (714) 544-2020 to schedule an appointment.

Call our office if you have a possible dental emergency. If you’re out of town and need immediate care, contact a local licensed dentist. Visit our Emergency Care page for more detailed instructions.

Yes. Your insurance will cover part of the fee, and a copay may be required.

This is treatment that focuses on improving the look of your smile. If you’re embarrassed about any part of your smile, visit our Services drop down menu for options that may help you.

The main difference is looks. White fillings match your teeth and are less noticeable. For details on differences in strength, durability, and longevity, see our Cavities page.

Numerous credible studies have found amalgam fillings to be safe and effective for cavity fillings. Although there is mercury present in amalgam, its combination with other metals creates a very safe material.

Call us to discuss payment plan options to help manage the cost of your dental care.

Pain in your head, face, neck, and shoulders can have many causes. For answers to specific symptoms you may be experiencing, visit our TMJ & OFP pages.

This field focuses on repairing your smile if it has been damaged through decay, deterioration, or injury. This includes regular cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures. See our Services drop down menu for details specific to your situation.

Brush at least twice a day. It’s best to brush within 30 minutes of eating. Floss once per day. Visit our Oral Care page for more details.

If you have any of these signs or symptoms that last more than 2 weeks, schedule an appointment with us today.

• A lump on the skin or lining of your mouth
• A thickening of your skin or lining of your mouth
• A sore that won’t heal
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth
• Numbness, tenderness, or pain in your mouth, face, or neck
• Loose teeth
• Dentures aren’t fitting
• A white or red patch inside your mouth
• Tongue pain
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing
• Sore throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat

Crowns and veneers will not lighten, but will remain their original color. If you have your natural teeth whitened, you may need to replace your crown or veneer with a lighter color. It is a good idea to make the decision to whiten or not before having crowns and veneers placed.

Cleaning the infection from inside your tooth to allow the bone infection to heal. This procedure allows you keep your tooth and is done over a series of appointments. For details, see our page on Painful Teeth.

Problematic wisdom teeth may be horizontal, angled toward or away from your other teeth, angled inward or outward, or enclosed within your gums or jawbone. This could cause damage to your teeth, jawbone, or nerves and could cause pain, stiffness, illness, gum disease, and tooth decay. When you remove your wisdom teeth while in your early 20’s, the jaw bone will fill in as if there was never a tooth present.

During your regular cleaning visit, we’ll check your wisdom teeth for alignment and health.

• Brush your teeth. Visit our Cleaning page for instructions.
• Brush your tongue.
• Get regular cleanings from your hygienist.
• Avoid smelly foods like garlic and onions.
• Quit smoking.
• Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after eating.
• Chew sugarless gum, not mints. Gum increases your saliva, which protects against decay.

This can be caused by worn enamel, exposed roots, nighttime tooth grinding, cavities, and cracked or chipped teeth.

Grinding your teeth (or bruxism) can cause your teeth to chip, fracture, loosen, become sensitive, fall out, or wear away. It can also affect your jaw muscles and jaw joint, create the sensation of hearing loss, and change the appearance of your face.

For details, see our page on Nightguards.

A small hole in your tooth. Every time you eat sugar, normal mouth bacteria convert this sugar into acid. This acid causes your tooth enamel to decalcify and dissolve. See our Cavities page for more information.

A small amount of hard material used to replace the tooth structure destroyed by the cavity. See our Cavities page for more details.

Definitely. It’s even more important to have regular cleanings with braces. Orthodontic appliances can cause food and plaque to build up in your mouth. Regular cleanings will help keep your teeth healthy and prevent staining.

Yes. Call us at (714) 544-2020 to discuss your payment options.

We believe in giving you options so together we can decide on the best treatment for you.

This will depend on the treatment. Some can be postponed, some may need immediate care, and some may have other treatment options available. We will do our best to work with the timeline that suits your needs whenever the treatment allows.

Not as much as you think. Technology today is so advanced that you should feel little to no pain with any dental procedure. If you are experiencing discomfort during a procedure, let us know and we’ll adjust accordingly.