When you have lost all your teeth or have a few missing teeth, our Bellevue dentistry clinic may recommend dentures to replace these teeth. These are designed to restore functioning of the mouth and are custom-made to ensure an optimal fit and natural appearance. Some patients opt for denture-supported implants. We have found that many insurance providers do cover all or some of the cost of dentures, making them an affordable option for many adults with missing teeth.

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Also known as fixed prosthetic devices, crowns and bridges are cemented to existing teeth. Some patients get these procedures in conjunction with dental implants. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are designed to cover up a damaged tooth so that the tooth becomes stronger. If you have missing teeth, you may be a good candidate for a bridge that will fill the space where your teeth are missing and anchor your teeth to correct any misalignment. Our dentists can make a recommendation on whether you need crowns, bridges, or a combination of both during your consultation.

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If our dentists finds a large cavity in a tooth that needs to be filled, we may recommend tooth-colored fillings as part of your treatment plan. This is a restorative procedure that helps to rebuild your teeth by creating a strong bond of resin materials in the damaged dentin and enamel of the teeth, effectively sealing off the vulnerable inside from further decay. The result is a very natural-looking tooth that also functions just like your regular teeth. Continue reading →

Dear Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

• We have added air purifiers with HEPA & UV-C filtering to all rooms.
• Upon arriving at the clinic, we will ask you to remain in your car until called so that we may check you in. If you cannot wait in the car, there is a doorbell outside the clinic main entrance.
• You will be asked to wear a face mask to enter the building.
• When entering the clinic, we will take your temperature with a no-touch infrared thermometer and ask standard health screening questions. View Patient Screening Form here.
• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
• We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you as we have added extra cleaning and sanitizing.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call or text our office at 425-453-9999 or visit our homepage.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely,

Dr. Monica Yu & Bellevue Overlake Dental team

When a tooth has become decayed and is irreversibly damaged, it must be treated with a root canal as soon as possible. Even though many people are fearful about visiting the dentist for a root canal, it is actually a very simple procedure and can be performed in just one or two appointments.

Most of our patients are surprised to find that they do not even experience any pain! It is much more painful to live with a rotting tooth that is causing ongoing pain, than to undergo a root canal procedure and be pain-free for the long-term.

How a Root Canal is Performed

To perform this procedure, Dr. Yu will need to numb your gums and then inject local anesthetic into the area. This will help to completely numb the gums, as well as the tongue, the teeth, and any skin around the area. When you are completely numb and relaxed, he may need to separate the decayed teeth from the other teeth using a small sheet of rubber on a metal frame.

He can then drill down to remove the pulp from the tooth and fill the area with temporary filling materials, and a final root canal filling. After the root canal is performed, a permanent filling or crown can be placed.

Benefits of a Root Canal Procedure

The root canal procedure treats or prevents an infection of the pulp inside the tooth. Some of the key benefits of this procedure include:

• Reduces the risk of an infection relocating to other parts of the body.
• Prevents a more severe infection from occurring or spreading.
• Reduces the risk of damaging the bone surrounding the tooth or infected teeth.
• Serves as an alternative to an extraction when a tooth is not severely decayed or infected.

Schedule your appointment for a root canal with Bellevue dentist Dr. Yu today! Call us at 425-453-9999.