Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Care at Ortega Boulevard Dental

A comprehensive exam, X-rays, and time to talk through what we find and what your options are. There is no pressure to decide anything on the spot.

Yes. Call our office as soon as you notice a problem, and we will get you in as quickly as we can.

We see patients 12 and older. For younger children, we recommend a pediatric dentist, since their offices are set up specifically for smaller patients.

Yes, we welcome new patients ages 12 and up.

Yes. Through our Share a Smile program, you get $50 credited to your account for every person you refer, and they get $50 too. That credit can go toward whitening, an Oral-B toothbrush, or treatment.

General dentistry, including exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants, all placed and restored in our office. We also offer same-day CEREC crowns for most back teeth, deep cleanings for gum health, cosmetic dentistry like whitening and veneers, and clear aligners through our orthodontic program. We do not perform root canals in-house and will refer you to a trusted specialist if you need one.

We offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation for patients who want it, along with a single-tooth anesthesia system that helps numb the area more precisely before an injection. Most patients do not end up needing sedation once they are comfortable with us, but it is there if dental anxiety has kept you from getting care. Tell us when you book, and we will plan the visit around what puts you at ease.

Yes. We carry an Oral-B bundle kit with a toothbrush, replacement heads, floss, mouthwash, and toothpaste, priced comparably to what you would find online. We also sell whitening syringes and Prevident, a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste that helps prevent cavities and may help with tooth sensitivity.

We accept CareCredit and Sunbit financing, both of which offer 0% interest on qualifying plans. We also have an in-house membership plan for patients without dental insurance (two cleanings, an exam, and X-rays covered, plus 20% off treatment for a flat annual fee), and the ABS Dental discount plan for cash-pay patients. Ask our front desk which option fits your situation.

We are in network with most major PPO plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, MetLife, and several others through partnered fee schedules. We do not accept Medicaid, Medicare, or HMO plans. If you have an out-of-network PPO plan, we can still bill on your behalf, though you would be responsible for fees up front.

Most patients do well with a cleaning every six months. Patients with gum disease may need scaling and root planing, followed by more frequent periodontal maintenance visits based on their individual needs.

Any pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or a filling or crown that feels loose should not wait for your next scheduled visit. Call us and we will get you in. For smaller things, like mild sensitivity or a chipped edge you barely notice, mention it at your next cleaning and we will take a look.

Exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, gum disease treatment, and extractions. Many general dentists also place implants, though not all do. We handle implant placement and the crown that goes on top, so you are not sent elsewhere mid-treatment.

A regular cleaning addresses the surface of your teeth and gums. A deep cleaning, sometimes called scaling and root planing, reaches below the gumline to treat early gum disease before it progresses. We will recommend one over the other based on what we see at your exam.

No. X-rays are typically taken once a year as part of a comprehensive exam, not at every cleaning. They help us catch things a visual exam cannot, like decay between teeth or bone loss around the gums.

It comes down to how much healthy tooth structure is left. A filling works when the damage is limited. Once a tooth has lost too much structure to support a filling on its own, a crown protects what remains and restores the shape and function of the tooth. We will walk you through which one applies to your situation and why.

Loose dentures usually mean it is time for an adjustment, a reline, or in some cases a switch to an implant-supported denture that snaps into place. Do not wait it out. Loose dentures can cause sore spots and make eating harder than it needs to be. Come in and we will figure out what is causing it and fix it.

When it is done correctly, no. Our in-office Zoom whitening is monitored the whole time, and we adjust the session length based on your tolerance, since teeth can get sensitive the longer you whiten. Some sensitivity afterward is normal and temporary. It is not a sign of damage.

Yes, in-office and take-home. Our in-office Zoom whitening takes about two hours and can lift teeth up to three shades whiter, with results continuing to improve over the following two weeks. We also sell whitening syringes for patients who prefer to touch up at home.

Yes. Veneers are a good option if you are looking to change the shape, color, or alignment of your smile without a full orthodontic treatment. We will talk through whether veneers or another option fits what you are hoping to achieve.

We do not do traditional braces, but we offer clear aligners through Sure Smile. Twice a year, we also run Ortho Day, where we reduce our regular clear aligner fee for patients paying without insurance coverage. Ask us when the next one is scheduled.