Frequently Asked Questions

The dentists and specialists at Santa Monica Dentists are always well versed in current topics and developments in dental care. Our dentists have attended continuing education courses taught by world-renowned speakers in the field of cosmetic dentistry and implantology, while our specialists attend frequent seminars relating to periodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery. And not only do our dentists regularly study dental topics through continuing education, but they have held teaching positions at USC and UCLA, assuring you that they are truly on the forefront of the dental field.

It is recommended that most patients visit the office every six months for a routine dental checkup and cleaning. Brushing and flossing twice a day is often all you need to maintain a healthy mouth between visits to our office. However, if you experience discomfort, bleeding of the gums, or any unusual symptoms, immediate attention is advised. Patients with a history of periodontal disease are encouraged to visit the office at shorter intervals to prevent relapse and ensure a successful prognosis, especially with the growing body of evidence linking gum disease to other serious conditions such as heart disease.

Don’t panic! Simply dial the office number and the outgoing message will give you instructions. One of the doctors is always on call, seven days a week. Your call will be returned and the dental emergency assessed to determine the best course of action.

We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Our office staff can verify insurance benefits, provide options and estimates for potential treatment.

Our practice size promotes a caring, intimate environment, unlike many larger clinic settings, but with the benefit of multiple dentists including specialists all under one roof. When you become a patient in our practice, you become a member of our extended family. We take the necessary time to get to know you, understand your history, and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. We also value your time and pride ourselves on keeping to our schedule so you can keep to yours.

What truly makes us unique is the breadth of expertise of our dental team. We have in-house periodontal and endodontic specialists who offer more targeted treatments when you need them. We also offer a comfortable Santa Monica dental office in which you’ll receive your care and convenient early morning and Saturday hours!

Fortunately for patients like you, there is a relatively new filling preparation technique known as air abrasion that can be used in some cases. This process removes decay and prepares teeth for fillings. This technique works by sending pressurized aluminum oxide particles into the affected area to remove decay, thus eliminating the need for a drill. Air abrasion is quiet, quick, relatively painless, and avoids sacrificing tooth structure.

A Smile Analysis determines the proper aesthetic treatment as it relates to proportion, lip line, and facial characteristics. We arrive at your ideal smile by way of careful study models of teeth, photographic analysis, and by understanding your desires and expectations. We know that dentistry can change your life, and we are dedicated to helping bring out the best smile.

To learn more about Santa Monica Dentists, give us a call! Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have that you don’t see answered here. For patients from the greater Los Angeles area, we offer access to quality dental care and a comfortable experience, so make an appointment today!

There is free street parking available in the neighborhood as well as metered parking available near the building. There is paid parking available underneath the building. You can enter the building parking lot off of Harvard, just south of Wilshire.

We are happy to process and file insurance claims for most major PPO benefit plans. Our goal is to educate and maximize coverage for patients, and partner with them in choosing the treatment option that is best for their unique needs. If you have questions or concerns about your coverage, it is always best to contact the insurance company directly, but we are available to help in any way we can.