Frequently Asked Questions

We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans. We will work carefully with your insurance carrier to maximize your benefits. Please refer to the Insurance and Payment section for more information.

Following a thorough evaluation and discussion, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff customize the treatment for each patient individually to meet their goals and fall within their budget. We have a variety of payment plans and will work with you! Please call us for details! Please call us for details at (626) 577-2017 and visit our specials page!

Absolutely! Please call us if you are experiencing a toothache or dental emergency! We can usually accommodate you on the same day (during regular hours), or if it’s after hours, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff will do his best to accommodate you as promptly as possible.

If you have dental insurance, please have your insurance card handy when you call for your appointment. We will also work hard to determine your insurance benefits prior to your arrival so that we may begin treatment without delay. Please also bring a list of all medicines you are taking.

We value the senior citizens in our community! If you are age 65 and older, and don’t have dental insurance, we can usually extend a 5% discount (If you have dental insurance, we must comply with the terms of the insurance contract). Please call us at (626) 577-2017 for details!

At Prestige Dental, we have a variety of methods to care for anxious patients! Come let us pamper you with a relaxing office décor, aromatherapy, flat-screen televisions, and a soothing water fountain. Our gentle and caring treatment methods, and our friendly staff will usually melt anxiety away! Occasionally, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff may also use nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas), oral sedation, or other techniques to relax nervous patients. Please refer to the Technology and Comfort section for more information.

It’s a good idea to see your dentist once every 6 months for an evaluation. Generally, problems can be treated much faster, easier, and cost less if they are found early!

You should floss your teeth at least once daily to remove the bacterial film that collects between the teeth. This is a major cause of tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease! Brush your teeth twice daily (morning and at bedtime).

Generally, it’s a good idea to have a cleaning once every six months along with your periodic dental checkup. If you have a history of gum disease, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff may recommend more frequent visits such as once every three or four months.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that are found inside the mouth. These bacteria form a sticky, white film called plaque on the tooth surfaces. When you eat sugar, the bacteria absorb the sugar and use it for energy, releasing acid in the process. Over time, this acid causes damage to the tooth surface and causes the tooth surface to dissolve and breakdown, which is called tooth decay. This is why it is very important to limit the sugar in your diet (sweets, soft drinks, etc.), brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for examination.

At Prestige Dental, your safety is our top priority! Dental amalgam (silver filling) has been used by dentists for more than 100 years because it is a durable restoration and is less expensive than other cavity-filling materials such as tooth-colored composites or gold fillings.

You may wonder about the mercury content in silver fillings. It’s important to know that when combined with the other metals like in a dental amalgam, the mercury forms a safe, stable material. This form of mercury is not the same as mercury found in fish or water, or in a thermometer. Be assured that credible scientific studies affirm the safety of dental amalgam. Study after study shows amalgam is safe and effective for filling cavities. The American Dental Association, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U. S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization all agree that based on extensive scientific evidence, dental amalgam is a safe and effective cavity-filling material. The Alzheimer’s Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Society of America and National Multiple Sclerosis Society also say that amalgam poses no health risk.

Candidates for sedation dentistry include children with urgent or extensive dental needs, adults with severe dental anxiety, and individuals with mental disabilities or behavioral handicaps. There are many different methods of sedation, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation. The appropriateness of these different methods for a particular patient will depend on the patient’s age, health, and type of dental procedure being performed.

If you are considering replacing your silver fillings replaced to improve the appearance of your smile, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff can discuss several options which may be suitable for you, including tooth colored (white composite) fillings, porcelain inlays/onlays, and porcelain crowns.

If you would like your silver fillings replaced because you are concerned about the potential health risks, please refer to the FAQ “Are silver fillings safe.” Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association and the latest evidence based literature in regards to silver fillings. Like any restoration material, silver fillings have their advantages and disadvantages and do have their important place in dentistry.

Most coffee and wine stains are effectively removed by a thorough cleaning followed by teeth whitening products if necessary.

Sensitivity to cold or hot is a frequent concern among patients. Over-the-counter toothpastes that are designated for sensitive teeth are usually effective for treating mild to moderate tooth sensitivity. For moderate to severe sensitivity, or persistent discomfort to cold/hot, it’s a good idea to have a consultation with your dentist. Often times, this can be a sign of a bigger problem such as tooth decay, gum recession, or grinding of the teeth. At Prestige Dental, after an evaluation to determine the cause of the sensitivity, we can recommend an appropriate solution! This can include prescription desensitizing toothpastes, rinses, or gels, applying special varnishes to the teeth to cover and protect the sensitive areas, tooth colored fillings, gum grafts, or night-gaurds, depending on the cause of the problem.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is found throughout the body. Fluoride is used in toothpaste because it hardens the surface of teeth, making them more resistant to acid erosion and tooth decay. Care must be taken with children, however, because swallowing too much fluoride can cause the unerupted, developing teeth to become stained and weak (a condition called fluorosis). Please contact us at Prestige Dental for specific recommendations for your child.

Teeth whitening is generally very safe and does not weaken or affect the structure of the tooth. When properly done, whitening agents simply remove the color pigments inside the tooth, both the natural color that was present when the tooth erupted, and also staining from foods, tobacco, coffee, wine, and other products.

If you have sensitive teeth or receeded gums (exposed root surfaces), you may experience some sensitivity during the teeth whitening process. However, this can usually be minimized and treated by adjusting the bleaching time, strength of the whitening agent, using a desensitizing toothpaste, and other factors.

At Prestige Dental, we will recommend the bleaching product that will work safely and effectively for you!

Although professional whitening generally is faster and produces better results, some over the counter products are effective for whitening teeth. The success depends on the type of staining/discoloration that is present in the teeth, the type of product, and the amount of time you whiten. Risks include tooth sensitivity, whitening or irritation of the gums. Please call us at Prestige Dental if you are considering whitening and we will be happy to discuss your options!

We welcome new patients and their families/friends! Please call us about our Spread the Smiles℠ program to see how you may benefit from referring your loved ones.

At Prestige Dental, we have a variety of Specials throughout the year for new patient examinations! Please ask about our Spread the Smiles℠ program to see how you may benefit from referring your friends or loved ones. And, if you have specific questions or would like a second opinion, consultations are free! If you have dental insurance, we will work hard to maximize your coverage, and the cost will vary depending on your insurance plan. Please call us for details, and we will be happy to inform you of your benefits!

Absolutely! We welcome new patients and their families/friends! Please call us about our Spread the Smiles℠ program to see how you may benefit from referring your loved ones.

A dental implant is a fixture that is used to replace the roots of teeth. Dental implants have revolutionized the way we replace missing teeth! They can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. In this scenario, a tooth colored crown (cap) is made and attached to the implant, which will look and feel like a natural tooth.

Dental implants can also be used to stabilize loose or poor fitting dentures! Specialized attachments are made inside a new or existing denture to retain the denture to the implant. Say goodbye to loose dentures, denture sores, or messy denture adhesives! If you are missing teeth or experiencing problems with your dentures, please contact us for an evaluation. Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff have extensive experience with dental implants, and will be happy to thoroughly discuss your options! Please consult our Dental Implants section for more information.

Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused from a number of things! Even if you are brushing daily, brushing alone is not enough. Make sure you are flossing regularly to clean between the teeth. Plaque and tartar buildup between the teeth is a very common cause of bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease! Also, use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clean the top surface of your tongue and remove the slimy, white bacterial film.

If your bad breath persists, please call us for an evaluation! You may be experiencing other problems such as tooth decay, infection, gum disease, or stomach/digestive problems that may be responsible for your symptoms.

Generally, it’s a good idea to have your child see a dentist when they are around 2-3 years old (when most of their baby teeth have erupted). If you see anything suspicious in your child’s mouth, such as discoloration, chipping, or staining of the teeth, or redness of the gums, please call us promptly for an evaluation.

At Prestige Dental, we provide treatment to children of all ages! Occasionally, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff may refer your child to a pediatric dentist (child specialist) based on your child’s age, compliance, and type of treatment that is necessary.

For your convenience, we have extended weekday work hours, and we are also open on Saturdays!

We value your time at Prestige Dental! We arrange our schedule to absolutely minimize your waiting time while in the office. New patients can usually have an appointment within the same week, and we are open on Saturdays for your convenience! If you are in pain or experiencing a dental emergency, we will usually be able to accommodate you on the same day. We will also work hard to determine your insurance benefits prior to your arrival so that we may begin treatment without delay.

Our regular office hours are Mon-Fri from 9am-6pm by appointment, with a lunch hour from 1-2pm. If you are in pain or experiencing a dental emergency, Dr. Bouzoghlanian and staff will do his best to accommodate you outside of regular hours.

We are centrally located in the heart of beautiful downtown Pasadena! We have close access to the Lake Ave. financial district, Pasadena City College, and Cal-Tech University. Our office has ample, free parking in the rear of the building, and there is convenient access to the 210 and 110 fwys, as well as public transportation. Please consult our Contact Us section for more information.