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• Patient portal: complete new patient forms and manage your account.
• Insurance and financing: the plans we accept, CareCredit, and our financial policy.
• In-house membership plan: an alternative to insurance starting at $259 a year.
• Dental FAQs and aftercare instructions are below on this page.
• HIPAA privacy practices: how we protect your information.
• Schedule a visit or call (702) 212-6641.

Dental FAQs

Do I really need a cleaning and checkup every six months?

Yes. Plaque hardens into tartar no matter how well you brush, and only a professional cleaning removes it. Exams also catch cavities, cracks, gum disease, and oral cancer at the stage where treatment is small and inexpensive. Twice a year is the minimum; patients with gum disease need cleanings every three to four months.

What is a veneer?

A thin shell of porcelain bonded to the front of a tooth to correct color, shape, chips, or small gaps. Ours are made in our in-house lab. See our porcelain veneers page for the full process.

What is a root canal?

A root canal removes infected or damaged nerve tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans, seals, and usually crowns the tooth so you can keep it. With modern anesthetic it feels much like getting a filling. Details are on our root canal page.

What should I bring to my first visit?

Your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of medications, and any recent X-rays from a previous dentist if you have them. Plan on about an hour.

What if I have a dental emergency?

Call (702) 212-6641 and tell us it is an emergency. We hold time for same-day visits. Our emergency page explains what to do for a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, or severe pain while you get to us.

Aftercare Instructions

Proper aftercare is essential for healing, comfort, and the long-term success of your treatment. Find your procedure below. If you have severe pain, swelling that increases after the third day, bleeding that will not stop, or any concern, call us at (702) 212-6641.

After a tooth extraction

Day of surgery: do not disturb the site, rinse vigorously, or probe it. Brush gently but avoid the area for 24 hours. No smoking for 48 hours, no alcohol for 24 hours, and no straws for two weeks. Some bleeding is expected: bite gently but firmly on the gauze directly over the site and change it every 30 to 60 minutes until bleeding is minimal. If it persists, bite on a moistened tea bag for 60 minutes. For swelling, ice pack on the cheek 20 minutes on, 20 off for the first 12 to 24 hours. Ibuprofen for mild to moderate pain. Soft, bland foods the first two days; avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn that can lodge in the socket.

Days two and three: rinse gently with a quarter teaspoon of salt in 8 oz of warm water two to three times a day for five days. No mouthwash for two weeks. Resume gentle brushing in the area. After 48 hours, a warm compress can soothe tender spots. Small bone fragments may work through the gums as you heal; if one is painful, come in and we will remove it. Antibiotics are not always necessary; take them only if prescribed.

After extractions with an immediate denture

No smoking. Ice pack on the cheek 20 minutes on, 20 off for 24 hours. Ibuprofen 800 mg one hour before the procedure, then twice a day for three days, as prescribed. Soft foods for the first week; avoid chewing near the surgical area for two weeks and skip salty, spicy, citrus, and crunchy foods. Do not brush the surgical area for the first week; starting the next day, use chlorhexidine rinse three times a day for seven days. No heavy lifting for a week. Wear your denture continuously for the first 24 hours as a protective bandage, then remove and clean it nightly with a denture brush and keep it in water or cleaning solution overnight. Keep every follow-up appointment so we can adjust the fit as your gums heal.

After dental implant placement

No smoking; it is the single biggest risk to implant failure. Ice pack 20 minutes on, 20 off for 24 hours. Ibuprofen as instructed. Soft foods for the first week and no chewing near the implant for two weeks; avoid salty, spicy, citrus, and hard or crunchy foods. Do not brush the area for the first week; start chlorhexidine rinse the day after surgery as directed. No strenuous activity or heavy lifting for a week. Your pre-operative protocol, if prescribed, includes ibuprofen 800 mg one hour before your appointment, chlorhexidine rinse three times a day starting two days before surgery, and an antibiotic (amoxicillin or clindamycin) beginning one hour before your appointment and continued until finished. Call (702) 212-6641 with any concern.

After bone grafting or a sinus lift

Do not disturb the wound: no rinsing, spitting, or touching the area the day of surgery. Minor bleeding mixed with saliva is normal for 24 hours; for heavier bleeding, bite on gauze with firm pressure for 30 minutes and repeat as needed. Ice the cheek continuously for the first 48 hours; swelling peaks at 48 to 72 hours and should fade over the next several days. If swelling increases after day three, call us. Drink plenty of fluids, avoid hot foods, and keep solids away from the site. Begin pain medication before the anesthetic wears off: ibuprofen for moderate discomfort, prescribed medication for severe pain, as directed. Finish your antibiotics. Warm saltwater rinses four to five times a day, especially after meals; use Peridex rinse if prescribed. Do not brush the two teeth on either side of the graft for five days. Keep activity light.

Sinus lift patients: do not blow your nose for at least seven days. If you must sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open. Over-the-counter decongestants can help. No straws, no smoking. Do not wear partials, flippers, full dentures, night guards, or a CPAP for 7 to 14 days unless we tell you otherwise. Sleep slightly elevated and avoid lying on the surgical side until your post-op visit.

Implant bridge home care

First 24 to 48 hours: leave the area alone, bite on gauze for 30 to 60 minutes if there is minor bleeding, ice 20 minutes on and 20 off, and eat soft, cool foods with no straws, alcohol, or hot foods. From day two, brush gently around the bridge twice daily with a soft toothbrush (electric after one week), rinse two to three times a day with a half teaspoon of salt in warm water, and clean under the bridge every day with floss threaders, super floss, or interdental brushes. Soft, non-sticky foods for the first week. Avoid smoking or vaping, using your teeth as tools, and grinding (ask about a night guard). Keep your post-op appointments and cleanings every three to six months. Call if you have persistent pain or swelling, bleeding past 24 hours, a loose bridge, or a bad taste or odor.

After a root canal

Avoid chewing on the treated side for two to three hours while you are numb. Ice packs for 10 to 15 minutes each hour as needed help with swelling. No smoking for at least the first day. Rinse with warm salt water for one to two days. Stick to a soft diet and avoid very hot or cold foods for a few days. Chew on the opposite side until your permanent crown is placed so the temporary does not fracture. An over-the-counter pain reliever before bed is fine. If you were prescribed antibiotics, take the full course.

After a crown or bridge

Temporary crown: the color and shape will not match your final crown. The temporary cement takes about 30 minutes to set, so do not chew during that time. Avoid gum, sticky candy, and anything that could pull it off. If it breaks or comes loose, call us and bring it with you; in a pinch, a pharmacy denture adhesive will hold it until we see you. Do not leave it out, because your teeth can shift and the final crown may not fit. Brush and floss gently around it, and keep your seat appointment.

Final crown: no eating or drinking for 30 minutes after cementation and no hard or sticky foods for 24 hours. A tight feeling against neighboring teeth fades in a day or two. Hot and cold sensitivity is common and usually settles within 7 to 10 days; if it persists or increases, come in for a bite adjustment. Brush at a 45-degree angle twice a day and floss daily; flossing is what protects the health of a crown or bridge.

After a composite filling

Your lips, tongue, and teeth may be numb for several hours; avoid chewing until the numbness is gone so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used as directed for tenderness. Some hot and cold sensitivity for a few weeks is normal and fades. The filling is fully hardened before you leave, so you can brush and floss normally right away.

After scaling, root planing, and laser therapy

Do not eat until the anesthetic wears off (about two hours). For the first 24 hours: no vigorous exercise, no smoking (48 hours is better), no alcohol, no extreme-temperature or crunchy foods, no alcohol-based mouthwash, and no flossing, though you may brush gently. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for tenderness. Soft diet today, chewing on the untreated side. Rinse with chlorhexidine twice a day if prescribed, after brushing and flossing, for 60 seconds. Brush lightly in the treated area the first night, floss lightly for two days, and return to normal force within a week. Temporary sensitivity to hot and cold and small tissue tags at the gumline are normal signs of healing. Within days your gums should look pinker and bleed less.

Perio Protect trays, if prescribed: apply a thin ribbon of the prescribed gel in the tooth indentations, seat the trays fully, and wear once a day for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward brush, rinse, clean the trays with cold water, towel dry, and store in their case. Never use hot water, bleach, or mouthwash on the trays. Keep brushing and flossing as usual and bring your trays to every appointment.

After your first Invisalign appointment

Wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. Change to the next set exactly when Dr. Sidhu instructs, even if the current set feels loose. Brush and floss after every meal before reinserting aligners, clean the aligners daily with a soft brush and lukewarm water (no toothpaste, bleach, or alcohol), and keep them in their case when they are out. Pressure and soreness with each new set are normal; soft foods, over-the-counter pain relief, orthodontic wax on any rough edge, and a cold compress all help. Call us if discomfort lasts more than a week or an aligner will not seat properly.