Frequently Asked Questions
During your first visit to our Redwood City dental office, our team will review your medical and dental history, take any necessary X-rays, and perform a comprehensive dental exam, checking your teeth, gums, and bite for any signs of cavities, gum disease, or other concerns. A professional dental cleaning may also be performed to remove plaque and tartar buildup and help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If needed, digital X-rays may be taken to give the dentist a clearer view of areas that cannot be seen during a regular exam.
New patients can also take advantage of our $150 New Patient Special, which includes the exam, X-rays, and cleaning, plus a complimentary teeth whitening kit.
Your dentist will review the findings with you, answer any questions, and discuss recommended treatments or preventive care to maintain your oral health. Schedule your first visit today.
Bay Area Dental Office provides a wide range of general and cosmetic dental services including cleanings and x-rays, root canal treatment, crowns, veneers, dental implants, braces, bridges, and composite fillings and bonding. Our goal is to provide comprehensive dental care for patients in Redwood City, California and surrounding areas.
Most patients should schedule a professional dental cleaning and exam every six months. These routine visits help remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing at home can miss, especially around the gumline and in harder to reach areas. Cleanings also help reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and persistent bad breath.
At your visit, the dentist can also check for early signs of issues like gum inflammation, enamel wear, cracks, and developing cavities, so problems can be addressed while they are still small and easier to treat. Some patients may need cleanings more often than every six months, such as those with gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, smokers, or patients with certain medical conditions. Your dentist can recommend the best schedule based on your oral health and risk factors.
Here is the quick breakdown:
• Every 6 months – standard preventive schedule recommended by most dentists and dental associations.
• Every 3–4 months – patients with gum disease, heavy plaque buildup, or higher risk.
• Once a year – sometimes acceptable for very low-risk patients with excellent oral health, but most offices still prefer twice yearly exams.
The reason for two visits per year is that plaque hardens into tartar in a few months, and early cavities or gum disease can develop without symptoms. Seeing a dentist twice a year helps catch those problems early before they become more expensive or painful to treat.
A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat infection, inflammation, or damage inside a tooth, specifically in the soft inner tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, and when it becomes infected or irritated, it can cause significant pain and sensitivity. In some cases, there may be little to no pain at all, which is why an exam and X-rays are important for diagnosis.
A root canal may be needed if you have a deep cavity, a cracked tooth, trauma to the tooth, or an old filling that has allowed bacteria to reach the inner tooth. Common symptoms can include lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when chewing, swelling or tenderness in the gums, or a pimple-like bump on the gums near the tooth.
During treatment, the dentist carefully removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, then seals it to prevent the infection from returning. After a root canal, the tooth is often restored with a crown to protect it and help it function normally. Root canal treatment is designed to relieve discomfort, stop the infection from spreading, and save your natural tooth instead of needing an extraction.
A dental crown is a custom made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are designed to protect and reinforce teeth that have been weakened by damage, decay, or previous dental work. They are carefully shaped to match the size, color, and contour of your natural teeth so they blend in with your smile while restoring normal function.
You might need a dental crown if a tooth is cracked, fractured, weakened by a large filling, severely worn down from grinding, or has extensive decay that cannot be repaired with a simple filling. Crowns are also commonly recommended after a root canal to protect the treated tooth and prevent it from breaking under normal chewing pressure.
In addition to strengthening damaged teeth, dental crowns are also used in other restorative treatments. They may be placed on top of dental implants to replace missing teeth, used to anchor dental bridges, or recommended to improve the appearance of teeth that are misshapen or heavily discolored.
Crowns are typically made from durable materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal, which are designed to withstand daily chewing while maintaining a natural appearance. With proper care and regular dental checkups, a dental crown can help restore comfort, function, and confidence in your smile for many years.
Dental veneers are thin, custom made porcelain shells that are carefully bonded to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They are designed to enhance the color, shape, size, and overall symmetry of your teeth, helping create a brighter and more balanced smile. Because veneers are crafted to match your natural tooth color and contour, they blend in naturally with the surrounding teeth.
Veneers are commonly used to correct cosmetic concerns such as stained or discolored teeth that do not respond well to whitening, chipped or worn teeth, uneven edges, small gaps, or teeth that appear slightly crooked or misshapen. By covering the front surface of the tooth, veneers can quickly transform the look of your smile while maintaining a natural appearance.
The process typically involves preparing the tooth surface, taking impressions, and creating custom veneers that fit comfortably and look natural. Once bonded in place, veneers become a durable and long lasting cosmetic solution. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, porcelain veneers can maintain their appearance for many years while helping patients feel more confident about their smile.
Yes. Dental implants typically use small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. Titanium is widely used in dentistry because it is strong, durable, and biocompatible, meaning the bone can naturally bond with the implant over time. This process helps create a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.
Once the implant has integrated with the bone, a custom restoration such as a dental crown, bridge, or implant supported denture is placed on top. This allows the implant to function much like a natural tooth, helping restore chewing ability, support the jawbone, and improve the appearance of your smile.
Yes. Composite filling and bonding can often be used to treat cavities that require fillings. Instead of traditional metal fillings, a tooth colored composite resin is applied to the area where decay has been removed. The material is shaped directly onto the tooth and hardened with a special light to restore its strength and appearance.
Because the composite material can be matched to the natural color of your teeth, it blends in smoothly and provides a more natural looking result. Composite bonding may also be used to repair small chips, cracks, or worn areas while restoring the function of the tooth.
Yes. Orthodontic treatments such as braces are designed to correct misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, and bite problems such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites. By gradually guiding the teeth into proper alignment, orthodontic treatment helps improve the function of your bite as well as the overall appearance of your smile.
Straightening teeth can also make daily oral hygiene easier because properly aligned teeth are simpler to brush and floss. This can help reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and uneven tooth wear over time. During a consultation, the dentist can evaluate your bite and discuss whether orthodontic treatment may be beneficial for your dental health and smile goals.
Yes. Bay Area Dental Office welcomes new patients from Redwood City and nearby areas. Our team provides comprehensive dental care including preventive exams and cleanings, restorative treatments, and cosmetic services for patients looking for a trusted local dentist.
New patient visits typically include a full dental exam and professional cleaning, and digital X-rays if needed. During your appointment, the dentist will review your oral health, answer any questions, and recommend any treatments that may help maintain or improve your smile.