Frequently Ask Question About Dental Health

From a very early age, you’re encouraged to ask questions – to parents, to teachers, and even to coaches. That same curiosity should be encouraged at the dentist’s office. Asking questions to your dental professional is an important part of your long-term healthcare.

How often should I visit my dentist?

Everyone’s needs are different, so have a chat to your dentist about how often you need to have your teeth checked by them based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums. For most people, dentists recommend having a cleaning and checkup twice a year – every six months, to be precise. However, depending on your specific oral health needs, we may recommend you visit us more often than that.

What can I expect at my first appointment?

It’s a good idea to arrive five or ten minutes early for your first appointment, as we’ll need some information from you before your consultation, such as your contact details and a brief medical history.

Your consultation will commence with a discussion on what you’re looking for in your relationship with us, any problems you’ve been having, and any concerns you have about your health and well-being. Then I’ll conduct a comprehensive 21-point oral health examination, including a painless screening for oral cancer. Afterwards, we’ll discuss our findings with you. Together, we’ll come up with a treatment plan that best suits you. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions, and if there’s something you remember later, don’t worry, just give the office a call and we’ll answer any queries you might have.

If you have insurance , we can process your claim for you on the day of treatment. This saves you the time and hassle of making the claim direct to your insurer. In order for us to be able to do this, you’ll need to bring your insurance card with you to the appointment.

Why is it important to get a second opinion?

If you’ve recently been presented with an aggressive treatment plan for complex or involved dental care like a root canal, dental implant, or braces, it’s a good idea to seek out a second opinion dentist in Encino, CA.

You’ll either confirm your dentist’s original diagnosis that this is the best treatment for you, or you may learn about an alternative approach that might be a better fit for your needs.

You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about seeking a second opinion dentist, either. Often, you have to be your own advocate for your oral health care, and you don’t need to blindly accept a diagnosis if you’re not 100 percent comfortable with it.

Be aware that there are differences in dentists and dental offices too. Some have advanced education and training in certain areas or use leading-edge technology that allows them to offer more comprehensive treatment options.

Encino Dentistry is happy to offer second opinions for Encino, CA patients who would like confirmation about procedures like veneers, dental implants, root canals, or full mouth restoration. You may also worry that a procedure was not done correctly by your current dentist, and a second opinion can help put your mind at ease.

If you need a second opinion, call us at (818) 918-6070, and we’ll be happy to schedule a convenient appointment for you with Dr. Zadeh.

Do I need X-rays?

Everyone’s needs are different, so have a chat to your dentist about how often you need to have your teeth checked by them based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums. It’s recommended that children see their dentist at least once a year.

Do you accept my insurance?

We Accept all Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Insurances
If you have any questions regarding your insurance, or are unsure if we accept your insurance, simply give us a call at (818) 918-6070.

Our receptionist will call your insurance company and acquire a very detailed breakdown of your specific plan information. From this breakdown and our list of fee schedules, we are able to estimate the expected payment from your insurance carrier. This same information also enables us to let you know your out of pocket expense (if any) prior to performing treatment.

Websites with information regarding to your oral health

In addition to our own website, there are other sites on the Web that provide interesting and helpful dental information.  Because we are committed to improving the oral healthcare knowledge of our patients, we are providing the following selection of links to other sites you might find interesting and informative.  We have grouped some of the links into various categories to provide quick access to the topics of greatest interest to you.

If you have a suggestion for a new link, please send us an email, as we are always looking for good resources to pass along to our valued patients and visitors to our website.  We hope you find these sites helpful!

Cosmetic Dentistry

SureSmile® Clear Aligners

SureSmile Aligner is your smart and easy access into clear aligner treatment. Start today and benefit from the many advantages of this unique system.

Invisalign

The best way in strightening teeth without having to bother with cumbersome metal braces.

Zoom!

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System uses proprietary technology to whiten your teeth an average of eight shades in about one hour while you relax at your dentist’s office.  Zoom! teeth whitening is a popular procedure on ABC’s reality television show Extreme Makeover.

General Dental Websites

The following links provide some good general information on dentistry.

ADA Healthy Mouth

The ADA’s new website for the public.

Academy of General Dentistry

The AGD’s consumer information site “Know Your Teeth” provides information on more than 50 oral dental health topics.

American Dental Association

Provides information for the general public including dental care articles, dental insurance information, and information for students interested in dentistry.

Floss.com

Contains a wide variety of dental health information, including articles on women’s dental health issues, child dental care information, halitosis (bad breath) section, and new dental product information.

Children

Here are some fun and entertaining dental related sites for children (and parents).

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Provides excellent information pediatric dentistry for parents with young children.

Maternal and Child Oral Health

Virginia Department of Health

Periodontal (Gum) Disease & Implants

American Academy of Periodontology

Frequently asked questions about periodontal (gum) disease and implants compiled by the American Academy of Periodontology.

Oral Health Care & Products

Links to sites providing helpful information on oral health and home care products patients can use to maintain optimum oral health.

Colgate

Trusted resource for dental health information and oral care products.

Crest

One of the world’s most trusted brands in dental products.

Sonicare

Learn how the Sonicare toothbrush creates an indescribable clean feeling, the benefits you can expect, and even take a factory tour.