Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Dealing with the confusion of insurance benefits can add stress to getting the health or dental care you need. At Encinitas Ranch Dentistry we strive to take the stress out of the process for you by submitting claims and additional documentation on your behalf. 

We also advocate for you and your smile by being completely honest with you about costs, treatment options, and what you can expect to pay out of pocket. Your oral health is a decision between you and Dr. Kay. If you opt for something not covered by your insurance company, we offer other payment options, as well, so you can have the smile you want.

We are in-network for Aetna PPO, Assurant PPO, Cigna PPO Radius Network, Delta Dental PPO & Premier, and United Concordia Alliance Network. If you have a PPO that is not listed here, you can still receive benefits and payments on your behalf. We understand the importance of being able to stay with a dentist that you know and trust, so you can contact us to determine the most up-to-date information about your coverage and treatment costs.

We also accept patients who are self-pay and are committed to giving each patient the best dental care available. If you are looking for a dentist in Encinitas, CA, give us a call to schedule!

If you have ever had a toothache, you know that it can really disrupt your day and make it difficult to concentrate on anything else. You might have to cancel events, be unable to sleep, and even miss work. Toothaches can often worsen over time.

When you have a toothache, it is your body’s way of alerting you to a problem. Because the nerves in your teeth are protected under a strong layer of enamel and a layer of dentin, by the time you have tooth pain, it could mean a serious condition.

At Ryan Kay DMD, we treat dental emergencies fast – often on the same day you call. By addressing your condition quickly, we can often save your tooth and protect your smile.

Common causes of toothaches include:

• A cracked or damaged tooth
• Infection
• A broken restoration
• Clenching and grinding (bruxism)
• Deep decay
• A misaligned bite

If you experience an emergency dentist in Encinitas, CA, contact our dental office at the first sign of a problem. Dr. Ryan Kay will evaluate your condition and provide you with treatment options to restore your comfort and your smile.

We invite new and existing patients to contact us when they experience a dental emergency in Encinitas, CA.

If you are looking for a dentist in Encinitas, CA and have questions about the best way to protect your oral health, we can help! 

Since childhood, we have been told that sugar is the worst thing for your teeth. It is true that sugar can feed bacteria that cause decay. Recent research shows that there is something more problematic for your teeth than sugar alone. Sugar mixed with an acidic substance, such as soda or juice, can cause even more decay. 

Decay is caused when bacteria create an acidic environment in your mouth that softens your enamel. Bacteria feed on sugary and starchy substances. With the added acid from soda and juice, you may suffer from decay much more quickly.

Encinitas dentist, Dr. Ryan Kay, helps to protect against decay by creating a preventive treatment plan designed for your lifestyle. 

This may include the following treatments to protect your teeth:

• Dental exams
• Digital dental x-rays
• Professional dental cleanings
• Fluoride
• Dental sealants
• Nutritional counseling

For more information or to learn more about preventive dentistry, contact us to schedule your next dental appointment. We encourage curious patients and look forward to helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

According to the CDC, half of Americans have gum disease despite it being one of the most preventable conditions. While certain medications, hormones, genetics, and circumstances can cause gum disease, the most common cause originates with poor home care, too few professional dental cleanings, or lifestyle choices such as drug or tobacco use.

Your body will give you signs even with the earliest form of gum disease, called gingivitis. When we catch gum disease at this early stage, it is often reversible. More serious gum disease, called periodontitis, requires specialized treatment to help you get back on track. No matter where you are, we can help to improve your health. 

Some of the most common signs of gum disease include:

• Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
• Sore, red, or swollen gums
• Gum recession
• New spaces between your teeth
• Loose teeth
• Pus around your gumline
• Persistent bad breath

Fortunately, Ryan Kay DMD offers gentle, effective solutions to treat your gum disease so that you can protect your overall health. Did you know that researchers linked gum disease to other serious conditions such as heart disease, strokes, and diabetes? Give us a call so that we can work with you to restore your periodontal health and protect the beauty of your smile.

How often you have an exam and teeth cleaning depends largely upon your dental health. While many adults and children can maintain their dental health with visits twice a year, certain conditions may require more frequent visits to maintain optimum wellness.

If you have a large amount of dentistry or if you have a tendency to build plaque and tartar quickly, you may achieve better overall results with cleanings every three to four months. Sometimes patients even prefer to come in for an extra cleaning because they enjoy that fresh smooth feeling of clean teeth. 

Patients with a history of periodontal disease are more susceptible to a reoccurrence. Dr. Kay or one of our hygienists might recommend a more frequent recall to keep your periodontal disease under control. Keeping frequent professional cleaning visits allows us to monitor your condition, note any changes, and also remove the plaque and bacteria on your teeth and gums.

For some of our senior patients, frequent dental cleanings can help prevent tooth loss. For many patients, as they age, they lose dexterity and have a harder time cleaning their own teeth effectively. We can recommend products and techniques and also help keep your teeth clean and healthy so you can continue to eat the foods you love. 

Coming to the dentist for more frequent professional cleanings may sound like a hassle, but it is a small investment in time and money to protect your health.

If you have ever had a toothache, you know that it can really disrupt your day and make it difficult to concentrate on anything else. You might have to cancel events, be unable to sleep, and even miss work. Toothaches can often worsen over time.

When you have a toothache, it is your body’s way of alerting you to a problem. Because the nerves in your teeth are protected under a strong layer of enamel and a layer of dentin, by the time you have tooth pain, it could mean a serious condition.

At Ryan Kay DMD, we treat dental emergencies fast – often on the same day you call. By addressing your condition quickly, we can often save your tooth and protect your smile.

Common causes of toothaches include:

• A cracked or damaged tooth
• Infection
• A broken restoration
• Clenching and grinding (bruxism)
• Deep decay
• A misaligned bite

If you experience an emergency dentist in Encinitas, CA, contact our dental office at the first sign of a problem. Dr. Ryan Kay will evaluate your condition and provide you with treatment options to restore your comfort and your smile.

We invite new and existing patients to contact us when they experience a dental emergency in Encinitas, CA.

Once you have invested in dentistry to improve your smile, the proper care is extremely important. Caring for your dentistry is very much like caring for your natural teeth. Using common sense combined with the advice of your dentist will prolong your dentistry as well as your natural teeth.

When you opt for ceramic crowns in Encinitas, CA, you can count on Dr. Ryan Kay to go over the proper care of your new smile. 

Here are some tips to care for your dental crowns in the best way possible:

Brush and floss properly – Crowns themselves do not decay, but you can still acquire decay at the gumline that can creep under your dental crown and destroy your tooth. Brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste and make sure you angle the bristles toward your gumline, too. Floss on each side of each tooth. Popping the floss in and out quickly will not remove all debris.

Don’t miss dental cleanings and exams – Your regular appointments are essential to monitoring and maintaining a healthy smile.

Wear a nightguard each night if recommended – Grinding your teeth can destroy your crowns and your teeth. A nightguard can protect your teeth from the extreme force of grinding unconsciously while you sleep.

At Dr. Ryan Kay’s office, we offer a wide variety of cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance of your smile. From something simple like professional teeth whitening to complex full smile makeovers, we have solutions for everyone’s cosmetic dentistry needs.

How we improve you smile is really up to you. When you look at your teeth, what stands out that you don’t like? When we know your goals as far as your appearance, we can work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses all of your concerns.

Some of our most popular cosmetic dental treatments include:

Professional teeth whitening – You will find professional teeth whitening much more effective, comfortable, and consistent than over-the-counter treatments. We can help you achieve several shades of whitening quickly and easily. Professional teeth whitening is a quick and affordable way to take years off of your smile.

Cosmetic dental bonding – One way to address some smaller flaws with your smile is with cosmetic dental bonding. We use composite material to fill in unattractive gaps, chips, and oddly shaped teeth. Cosmetic bonding is a great solution for those patients with almost perfect smiles

Porcelain veneers – When it comes to cosmetic dental treatments, porcelain veneers are the way to make the biggest improvements to your appearance. Veneers will address a number of flaws such as:

• Crooked teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Shortened teeth
• Worn or broken teeth
• Uneven smiles

This is just a small sample of the many cosmetic treatments we offer. Give us a call for an evaluation!

Porcelain veneers are the top-flight solution to challenges when it comes to the appearance of your teeth. If you are looking to create a natural, gorgeous, uniform smile that looks like you were born with it, dental veneers may be the perfect solution for you. Or if you are looking to create the perfect Hollywood celebrity smile, veneers may also be the perfect solution for you. 

No matter which route you go when it comes to improving the appearance of your teeth, we can help accomplish your goals with dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin covers that we place over the front of your natural teeth in order to create a beautiful smile. We leave most of your natural tooth structure in place, just polishing off a thin layer of enamel to make room for your porcelain and avoid a bulky appearance. 

Before we place your veneers, Dr. Ryan Kay can create a wax-up so that you can see first hand what your new smile will look like. When you have your consultation with Dr. Kay, you can discuss the shade as well as the outcome you hope to achieve and even share some smiles you really like.

We will always make sure that your new smile is as functional as it is beautiful.

Day-to-day use subjects your teeth to constant force and wear, especially if you have a bruxism (teeth grinding) habit. When teeth crack or chip, they look aged and can feel quite sensitive. Covering them with a reliable restoration will solve esthetic and functional issues.

When front teeth sustain damage, we may recommend dental veneers in our Encinitas, CA dental office to restore the look and function of the bite.

Dental veneers, made of brilliant, tooth-colored porcelain, look like natural teeth and fit over the existing tooth structure. A full evaluation and consultation will give you an opportunity to share the ideas you have about your ideal smile with Dr. Ryan Kay.

Dr. Kay will listen carefully to your goals. He will then design veneers for you using models of your teeth to ensure that your teeth bite together correctly.

Some patients prefer a more natural look, while others want an ultra-white appearance to their new smile. Veneers can give you your dream smile with a single treatment option that truly transforms your teeth and makes you look years younger.

To learn more about porcelain veneers, contact our Encinitas dental practice to arrange a consultation with Dr. Ryan Kay.

Dentistry has made dramatic improvements in techniques as well as materials. In the past, amalgam (silver) fillings were common, and while they are highly functional, they can create a dark hue and cause shadows in your smile. Additionally, fillings only last so long, usually between five and fifteen years depending on your oral habits, bite, and if you grind your teeth. Once they start to break down, they can create a place for bacteria to enter your teeth and cause secondary decay.

Ryan Kay DMD uses composite (tooth-colored) fillings at our Encinitas dental office. Because they match your teeth, no one will ever notice them. They also have the added benefit of being useful for minor cosmetic repairs such as chips, gaps, and oddly shaped teeth.

If you are tired of seeing dark fillings in your teeth when you laugh and smile, we can replace your amalgam fillings, giving you a brighter, more natural appearance. 

It is important to note that composite fillings do not whiten like your natural teeth, so if you would like a whiter smile overall, you should professionally whiten your teeth prior to filling placement.

If you would like more information about how composite fillings can improve your smile, give us a call!

Dental implants are one of the most innovative dental treatments because they actually integrate with your bone. This process, called osseointegration, provides exceptional stability and reliability for our patients with missing teeth.

When seeking dental implants in our Encinitas dental office, you can count on a few steps:

Oral evaluation – Dr. Kay will determine if you have enough healthy bone for a dental implant and where it should be located for the best results.

Surgery – Placing your dental implant in the ideal location will result in the best function and esthetics of your final dental implant crown. Dental implant surgery results in little discomfort and most patients recover quickly.

Healing time – Waiting for your implant and bone to fuse together is important before restoring your tooth. This will allow your dental implant to become stable enough to support the force caused by chewing.

Restoration – Placing a custom dental implant crown on your tooth will complete your smile. This is often the most exciting part of treatment for our patients. Your gap will disappear, and your crown will blend in. No one will know that you have a dental implant!

Caring for your implant – You should brush and floss regularly to keep your dental implant healthy.

Because of advancements in dentistry as well as improved patient education and knowledge about oral health, we extract fewer teeth than ever before. Occasionally, something occurs that makes an extraction necessary, but we will only recommend it after we have done everything we can to save your tooth.

If you have missing teeth or a planned extraction, we offer a wide variety of options to replace your missing tooth. For single teeth, we may recommend a dental implant or a dental bridge, depending on your health, lifestyle, and personal preference.

A dental implant is one of the most practical and effective ways to replace a missing tooth because your dental implant, which we surgically implant into your bone, is closest to your natural teeth in both appearance and function. Dental implants also provide the added benefits of preserving your bone and they do not require us to involve your adjacent teeth, leaving them intact. 

If you prefer a different alternative or if you are not a good candidate for dental implants, we also offer dental bridges. Dental bridges use your adjacent teeth to anchor a prosthetic tooth. It will hold the space from your missing tooth as well as complete your chewing surface and smile. 

If you have multiple missing teeth, we offer partial removable dentures, implant supported bridges, and complete dentures.