Frequently Asked Questions

Our practice is committed to providing affordable dental services which attend to the diverse needs of our valued patients and provide the relief they deserve. From optional general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, our family stands prepared to help your family today.

Cosmetic dentistry is still a fairly new branch of the dental world, but it continues to grow more and more popular as time goes on. More people are starting to realize that they can easily improve the overall look of their teeth and smile with relatively easy procedures.

You may not know much about cosmetic dentistry, and you may even be nervous to ask your dentist about cosmetic procedures. Most dentists offer some kind of cosmetic expertise, and our office is no different. We’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions about cosmetic dentistry, so you can get a brief introduction to this incredibly helpful and accessible dental service.

Most patients we treat are especially concerned about the look of their teeth. This is a common phenomenon, one that plagues most people in today’s world, and for good reason. A healthy smile can lead to a confidence boost in many aspects of your life, including your professional, dating and social circles.

Improving the look of your teeth can be as simple as regularly brushing and flossing, but most people find that they need that extra little push to really shine. Cosmetic dentistry can provide that extra push through a variety of different procedures. The procedure you need depends on the look you want to achieve and the current condition of your teeth.

Many patients are concerned that cosmetic procedures will be too invasive for their liking. While some cosmetic procedures require some level of surgery, most are completely non-invasive and relatively quick and simple. If you’re looking for a simple, non-invasive way to improve the look of your teeth, you might want to consider teeth whitening services. This is the simplest of the cosmetic procedures and doesn’t require any kind of surgery.

In the early days of cosmetic dentistry, things as simple as teeth whitening were incredibly expensive and inaccessible to the general populate. However, those days are now past us. The type of cosmetic dentistry that most people need is inexpensive and most dentists can do it in their offices without any trouble at all.

When you need a crown or veneer to replace broken teeth and reform your smile, Dr. B can provide the best care in the Sunnyvale, California communities. If you're ready to restore your healthy, beautiful smile and your confidence, call or request an appointment with Dr. B online today.

If a person’s tooth damage or decay is extreme and beyond natural repair, ceramic crowns or veneers can be a great solution. This is a tried-and-true technique for repairing or replacing the most severe dental problems and offering a complete smile and a functional bite. Both crowns and veneers provide a perfect smile that will last for years to come.

If you want a smile that's your crowning glory, you may need a crown to cover a tooth and restore its regular shape and size.

A crown is an excellent way to cover teeth that are discolored or poorly shaped. It's also used to cover a dental implant. By doing this, other teeth in the mouth are better supported, and of course, your smile is restored.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored porcelain designed to cover the front side of teeth. Veneers are used to correct gaps in between teeth, stains and discolorations, chips, and misalignments.

Veneers are a seamless, pain-free process. The procedure involves “shaving” off a specific portion of tooth enamel to make space for a custom-created veneer. The reduction is minimal and preserves the original tooth.

The procedure for getting a veneer or crown takes two appointments. For the first appointment, a cast is made to replicate your entire mouth and teeth. Dr. B will create the best possible smile for your mouth.

On the subsequent visit, Dr. B removes the temporary crown, and then the final crown or veneer is fitted and adjusted. Lastly, he cements the final crown or veneer into place, and you have a new, beautiful smile.

Dr. B is the premier expert in creating flawless, natural smiles, and he's accepting new patients: Call Sunnyvale Smile Care or request an appointment online today in Sunnyvale South Bay Area communities.

When you need a Bridge to replace a missing tooth/teeth and reform your smile, Dr. B can provide the best care in the Sunnyvale, California communities. If you're ready to restore your healthy, beautiful smile and your confidence, call or request an appointment with Dr. B online today.

A dental bridge uses a mixture of artificial teeth, crowns, and a prosthetic apparatus to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges were developed as an alternative to partial dentures.

Bridges serve as an optimal solution to missing or broken teeth.

Teeth that are missing or damaged can have a real impact on your quality of life. You might not be able to chew your favorite foods, or you’re embarrassed to smile because of missing teeth, or your voice sounds different.

Whether it’s decay, an accident, or some other misfortune that caused your missing or damaged teeth, Dr. B can restore your smile through a custom dental bridge comfortably fitted to your mouth.

Dr. B’s process for placing a bridge connects an artificial tooth on either side of the missing tooth (or teeth) to crowns that are placed on the neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place securely.

This is an extremely durable method for holding the tooth in place and ultimately, replace a missing tooth. The dental bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal.

To begin the process, Dr. B numbs the mouth, removes any decay, and shapes the teeth that will be crowned. He then creates a unique mold of your mouth so that the crowns are precisely fitted to be the most attractive and comfortable. From this mold, Dr. B creates the bridge and artificial teeth to then place them permanently in your mouth.

One of the best ways to address a gap in your smile or a missing tooth is to have a dental bridge custom made for you. Dental bridges are not for everyone, and after a thorough evaluation with Dr. B, he can lead you to the best solution to restore your smile.

Is it time for you to eat your favorite foods, smile confidently, and sound like yourself again? As an advanced form of restorative dentistry, a bridge should be installed by an expert dentist like Dr. B, so call Sunnyvale Smile Care or request an appointment online today.

Misaligned teeth can affect not only your smile but the health of your mouth and should be straightened. Now you can have straight teeth without traditional metal braces, thanks to Invisalign orthodontic teeth straightening treatment! Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to reposition teeth to the optimal position. As a preferred provider of Invisalign, Sunnyvale Smile Care helps members of the Sunnyvale, California communities to enhance their smiles.

Invisalign is an orthodontic system that aligns teeth similar to traditional metal braces. It corrects misaligned teeth by moving them into place over a set period using a set of clear, removable aligners. Invisalign technology uses clear, retainer-like removable sets that are virtually invisible when worn.

Dr. B, using the most cutting-edge technology, builds a virtual image of your mouth. Then he creates an image of what Invisalign can do to enhance your smile.

Dr. B offers Invisalign in three options of time and progressions, with the longest lasting about 18 months.

Invisalign is an alternative to unsightly metal braces that is practically invisible and removable. Eating food and cleaning your teeth is easier with Invisalign: Patients can eat normally and remove Invisalign for a date, a dinner party, or brush and floss.

The aligners are shaped to your mouth and are comfortable. In the case of a sensitive mouth, the aggravation that comes with metal obstructions doesn’t occur. You can also see an image of the result by viewing their virtual treatment plan’s 3D imaging before starting the straightening process.

But Invisalign isn’t always a cosmetic tool: Much of the time patients get Invisalign to ensure they don't suffer bone loss.

Patients wear each set of clear aligners for about two weeks, and then, as the teeth begin to shift, the old set is exchanged for a new set of aligners.

When using Invisalign, teeth will shift into place over time, as the aligners are changed periodically for the next in the series until teeth have been moved to the optimal position for your best smile.

Dr. B sees Invisalign patients monthly or bi-monthly to ensure that the treatment progresses correctly. Most patients will wear between 18 and 30 clear aligners during the full-length treatment.

Schedule an initial consultation with Dr. B today to enhance your smile: Sunnyvale Smile Care has convenient hours and times available for patients and prides itself on being available when needed.

Root canal treatments don’t have to be stressful and painful. With over two decades of experience, Dr. B of Sunnyvale Smile Care expertly performs root canals in the Sunnyvale, California communities that minimize pain. Call or request an appointment online to restore health in your mouth and transform your smile.

If you experience considerable dental pain, prolonged sensitivity to cold or heat, gum swelling, oral sensitivity, a root canal could be necessary.

Dr. B suggests root canals only when the deep interior portion of the tooth called the pulp, where a tooth’s blood supply, nerves, and vessels are located becomes infected, decayed or damaged.

When a tooth's pulp is damaged, it breaks down and can cause severe bacterial infection. Root canals are performed so that the damaged pulp of the tooth can be removed without the actual tooth itself needing to be removed, thus saving the natural tooth.

Dr. B focuses on comprehensive examinations and evaluations of teeth. The most conservative, non-surgical approach is used whenever possible.

X-rays and other screening tools help to spot issues in their earliest stages so more extensive damage, like extensive tooth decay or tooth loss, can be avoided. However, regular dental cleanings, brushing and flossing every day can prevent this type of decay and improve overall oral health.

Dr. B focuses on comprehensive examinations and evaluations of teeth. The most conservative, non-surgical approach is used whenever possible.

X-rays and other screening tools help to spot issues in their earliest stages so more extensive damage, like extensive tooth decay or tooth loss, can be avoided. However, regular dental cleanings, brushing and flossing every day can prevent this type of decay and improve overall oral health.

You can have the tooth removed, but in general, it's better to preserve the natural tooth. Extracting even one tooth weakens the entire mouth (think of it as a domino effect). However, using the most up-to-date technology to treat deep decay preserves both the affected tooth and the teeth surrounding it.

If you have extreme tooth decay, prolonged mouth pain, or have been told a root canal is necessary, Dr. B can help: Call Sunnyvale Smile Care office or request an appointment online today.

Although daily brushing and flossing are essential, if you haven’t had a professional cleaning in more than six months, you might need a deep cleaning. Dr. B is an expert in gum therapy and thorough deep-cleaning treatments. With these therapies, he can remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria so that your teeth and gums stay healthy, your breath remains fresh, and your smile looks beautiful.

A deep clean for your teeth isn’t needed when you eat a bushel of strawberries or a messy meal, nor when you’ve missed your regular dental cleaning. A deep cleaning is a specific procedure performed at Sunnyvale Smile Care that treats gum disease.

Gum disease or gingivitis (the precursor to gum disease) develops when someone has not been taking adequate care of their mouth through brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings.

Dr. B diagnoses gum disease when probing reveals one or more periodontal pockets.

A periodontal pocket is an area where the gum has separated at least 4 millimeters from the tooth (healthy pockets are no more than 3 millimeters deep). Gum disease can be found in just a small area or have spread around to the entire mouth.

Gum disease is painless, but it’s vital that you seek treatment after experiencing the following symptoms:

• Tender, bleeding or inflamed gums

• Gums receding from the tooth

• Consistent bad breath

• Loose teeth

• Visible pus pockets

Often, a deep dental cleaning like this requires several appointments. Deep cleaning is also known as scaling and root planing or gum therapy.

During scaling, Dr. B thoroughly removes plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. Then, during root planing, a scaling instrument removes plaque and tartar from the surface of the roots of your teeth.

If gum disease is caught early, when it is still called gingivitis, and no damage has been done to the supporting roots or jawbone under the teeth, you may only need regular cleaning. Dr. B can provide counseling on how to best maintain your smile during this appointment.

If it’s been longer than six months since your last cleaning, don’t put yourself at risk for gum disease. Dr. B is accepting new patients in the South Bay Area of California areas, so call or request an appointment online today.

Dr. B helps people in the South Bay Are California areas to understand the choices available for them when a filling is needed from a cavity or cracked tooth. Then, he seamlessly restores the tooth back to its original glory allowing you to smile confidently. Even other dentists go to and recommend Dr. B when they need a filling.

A filling can restore the health a natural tooth that was damaged by decay. By closing the gap or hole with the material filling, further decay is preventable. If you have a cavity or chipped tooth, dental fillings are a viable treatment option. Cavities are a form of tooth decay and chipped teeth can come from trauma or decay.

It’s possible that you won’t experience pain or other symptoms that indicate the necessity of a filling; however, there are a few signs:

• Floss gets continually stuck and tears in the same spot

• You can see a dark hole or feel it with your tongue

• Food constantly gets stuck between the same teeth

• Broken or lost filling

• Broken or chipped tooth

Dr. B primarily uses composite (tooth colored). Both have advantages and disadvantages, which Dr. B helps you to understand.

For instance, amalgam fillings aren't natural looking but last longer and resist wear and tear. Conversely, composite fillings look much more natural, but they can be costly and don’t provide the same durability.

Dr. B gives his recommendations after understanding your lifestyle and needs. Then, he explains your treatment options, costs, and outcomes you can pick your solution. When the procedure begins, Dr. B must clean out the tooth to get rid of decay, precisely install, shape, and polish the filling to restore the tooth's appearance and function. Dr. B can also carve fissures to make it look like he never installed a filling, which optimizes your smile's appearance. Are you experiencing one of the signs that a filling is needed? Dr. B can help you restore your smile. Call the office or request an appointment online today.

Natural teeth are ideal for biting, chewing and maintaining the best oral health and bone structure, which is why a dentist’s priority is to help restore, save, and repair your natural teeth. But, as a last resort, tooth extraction may be needed: A common solution for impacted wisdom teeth. Dr. B has extracted hundreds of teeth during his nearly 12+ years in practice as a Dentist, and can remove your impacted tooth.

Sometimes, teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease, trauma or a lack of space. When your tooth is removed or pulled, it’s referred to as an extraction. The most common type of extraction is wisdom tooth removal.

Broken teeth that are shattered into the gums from trauma can be extremely painful and risky if not treated. Traumatically injured teeth infect the gums, causing cysts and pus that can devastate the jawbone. If the jawbone becomes infected, it can cause bone loss that makes chewing difficult. A decayed tooth can similarly hurt the jawbone, as it continues to spread decay throughout the mouth.

Wisdom teeth are prone to developing problems that require removal. When the jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can't drop in or can grow in misaligned with the rest of the mouth. They may also grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

To determine if a tooth extraction is needed, Dr. B takes X-rays of the tooth to assess the surrounding jawbone's condition, the status of the deep roots, and if an alternative treatment would be best. Once Dr. B finds that an extraction is needed, the entire Sunnyvale Smile Care team will strive to make it as painless as possible. General or local anesthetic are available for the procedure. Dr. B also applies gauze once the tooth has gently been removed to minimize any bleeding and increase clotting. During the first few days after removal, you may have difficulty swallowing, so a special diet of liquid foods like ice cream is suggested. But after just a few days, everything should be back to normal. Do you need a tooth removed? Are your wisdom teeth going to ruin the alignment and appearance of your mouth? Has one or more of your teeth caused you pain and is becoming an oral problem? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, call or request an appointment online today to see Dr. B.