Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We are currently open on Fridays and Saturdays by appointment only. We understand that most of our patients are busy with work and family so weekends are sometimes the best available days. We do our best to accommodate those patients on an as-needed basis, depending on the treatment.

We know that dental treatment can be expensive without some help from insurance, which is why we have designed an in-office membership plan for our adult patients without insurance. For more information about this please visit here.

We accept all PPO insurance plans and are contracted, or “in-network”, with a variety of PPO dental plans. However, to provide patients with the highest quality clinical care utilizing the best materials and dental laboratories, we are unable to be “in-network” with all insurance companies. We take great care and pride in bringing you the highest quality clinical care as opposed to seeing a high volume of patients, rushing through procedures, and using cheaper materials that might break down easily.

We also do not accept HMO, DMO, or Denti-Cal. We know that insurance can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why we are always here to help answer any questions you might have.

We are pleased to accept all PPO insurances at our Tarzana dental office. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial for overall health and wellness, and dental insurance often makes the difference between receiving and forgoing dental care.

At Dr. Zadeh’s office, we have dedicated staff who will review your coverage and ensure that you receive the maximum benefit. We are happy to provide pre-treatment estimates so you understand what your insurance covers and what it does not. We’ll also take care of filing your claim for you on your behalf and following up for payment if necessary.

Sometimes it’s helpful to have the option to extend your payments out over several months with financing. We are pleased to offer CareCredit, a third-party lender that offers options that allow you to receive dental care today and finance the balance. If you pay the balance within the agreed six-month period, CareCredit will not charge you any interest.

We would also be happy to explain our interest-free in-house payment plans offered on a case by case basis.

If you have insurance or financing questions, please call our Tarzana dental office at (818) 881-6038, and a knowledgeable member of our front office team will be happy to answer your questions.

The estimate is a portion paid by the insurance from the total cost owed for your treatment. Upon your request, we do a courtesy “pre-authorization” for you, where we send the procedure codes for the treatment to your insurance company in advance to see what they will cover. However, there are some insurance plans that won’t give you an exact amount that they will pay for the treatment, which is why the “pre-authorization” letter does not guarantee that the insurance company will pay what it says. We always work hard to make sure that you get the most out of the insurance benefits allotted to you, yet, you must always understand that these are still all estimates and not final amounts.

We offer all general dental services including hygiene, fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, implants, root canals, Invisalign, and many more. Dr. Nargiz Zadeh takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating your oral health and how it ties into your overall health, focusing on preventative care as opposed to emergency care. Our goal is to work with our patients in breaking any habits that may damage their teeth before any issues arise. 

For more complex cases, we work with some of the best oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, and pedodontists in the area. Dr. Zadeh commonly collaborates with these specialists to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment plans for her patients. In these instances, patients may be referred to the specialist’s office for part of their treatment. 

If you call and reach our answering machine, there is an emergency number to reach Dr. Zadeh at for all urgent emergencies. We know that having something unexpected come up can be alarming, so we want to be as accessible to you as possible. Feel free to call Dr. Zadeh at any time of day and day of the week and she will get back to you within 24 hours.

If you are not in pain and do not need to be seen right away, please leave us a message on our answering machine and we will do our best to get you scheduled for an evaluation on the next business day.

For all life-threatening emergencies please call 911.

Our modern, state-of-the-art dental practice is conveniently located at 18740 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 208, Tarzana, CA 91356. We are situated within the recognizable Tarzana Medical Center, between California Pizza Kitchen and Trader Joe’s.

We are open to serve you during the following hours:

• Monday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Tuesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Thursday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Friday: By appointment only

• Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Yes, we are always delighted to welcome new patients to our dental family. Whether you have recently relocated to the Tarzana area or are simply looking for a new dental home, we look forward to beginning a long-term relationship based on transparency, honesty, and respect.

Your initial examination is prevention-oriented and comprehensive. You can expect a warm greeting from our team, followed by necessary digital x-rays, photographs, an intra-oral scan, a full mouth detailed evaluation (including a gum disease assessment), and an oral cancer screening, and a dental teeth cleaning. Dr. Zadeh will take the time to understand your dental history, assess your current oral health, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Dental emergencies, such as a severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, a cracked tooth, or a lost filling, require prompt attention. If you experience a dental emergency during our regular hours, please call us immediately, and we will do our best to accommodate you. If your emergency occurs after hours, please call our main office line at (818) 881-6038 and follow the instructions provided on our voicemail for emergency contact information. Dr. Zadeh, or a designated colleague, is available on call over the weekends, and will return your call within 24 hours.

We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality dental care, regardless of their insurance status. If you do not have dental insurance, we have you covered with our exclusive in-office dental membership savings plan. This plan is designed to make preventive care affordable and provides discounts on other necessary treatments. Additionally, we offer a couple of options for third party financing with Cherry and CareCredit. Please contact our office for specific details and enrollment information.

We accept all PPO dental insurance plans to help you maximize your benefits. Because insurance networks and policies frequently change, we recommend calling our office directly with your insurance information. Our knowledgeable staff will verify your coverage, explain your benefits, and let you know if we are currently in-network with your specific provider.

We emphasize that your mouth serves as a gateway to your overall health, and caring for your oral health positively impacts the rest of your body. Research has shown that the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease are linked to various systemic health conditions, further underscoring the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. 

Furthermore, preventive dentistry is the foundation of a healthy smile. It helps maintain good oral health by reducing the risk of dental problems or catching them in their earliest, most conservatively treatable stages. Regular check-ups and cleanings can prevent cavities, gum disease, and other serious issues, ultimately saving you time, money, and discomfort in the long run.

The American Dental Association recommends that most patients visit the dentist for a routine exam and professional cleaning every three to six months, depending on their oral health care needs. Individuals with a history of periodontal disease or a high risk for cavities are candidates for more frequent visits.

The frequency of dental x-rays depends on your individual health needs. For new patients, a full mouth set of x-rays is required to establish a baseline and is required to be taken every five years. For returning patients, bitewing and select periapical x-rays are usually taken once a year to check for new cavities between the teeth. Dr. Zadeh utilizes modern digital x-rays, which emit significantly less radiation than traditional film x-rays and are highly safe.

We recommend using an extra soft-bristled toothbrush, as medium and hard bristles can damage root surfaces and irritate your gums. Electric toothbrushes are also highly effective at removing plaque and have various settings, such as pressure sensors, to aid you in effectively cleaning your teeth. 

For toothpaste, Dr. Zadeh recommends either a fluoridated dentifrice, or one that has nanohydroxyapatite, and that carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance to help keep your enamel strong and prevent cavities. Toothpastes that have a basic pH are also much better for your mouth, so avoid any toothpaste with whitening agents as those tend to make the toothpaste more acidic.

You may need to see a cosmetic dentist if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile or are bothered by aesthetic issues like stains, chips, gaps, worn teeth, or minor misalignment. A cosmetic dentist can help improve the look of your teeth and, in some cases, support better function and a more balanced smile.

The cost of cosmetic dentistry in Tarzana varies based on procedure and several key factors like case complexity, materials used, and provider expertise. Dr. Zadeh provides an exact quote after evaluating your teeth and discussing your goals during a consultation.

Cosmetic dentistry is generally safe when performed by a licensed, experienced professional. Most modern procedures are minimally invasive, but still minor risks still exist, such as temporary tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, or, in the case of implants, a slight risk of infection. At Dr.  Zadeh Dental Clinic, we never compromise with patient’s oral health and offer proper cosmetic dental treatment after a proper detailed discussion.

Yes, cosmetic dentistry can effectively address receding gums, both by restoring the gums' appearance and protecting the tooth roots. While your natural gum tissue will not grow back on its own, modern procedures can reconstruct the gumline or cosmetically conceal the recession.

In Tarzana, cosmetic dentistry is considered elective and, in most cases, is not covered by dental insurance. However, if the procedure has a medical or functional purpose, like placing a crown to repair a broken tooth or using an implant to prevent a bite shift, insurance may cover a portion of the cost.

Our cosmetic dentistry office is located at 18740 Ventura Blvd, Suite 208, Tarzana, CA 91356, on the main stretch of Ventura Blvd. The office is easily accessible from Encino, Woodland Hills, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley. You can call us at (818) 881-6038 to schedule a visit.

You can eat everything you normally would.

A bridge can be done anywhere where there are two or more teeth next to an empty space. Therefore, a bridge cannot be done to replace the last tooth in the mouth. We take extra care to evaluate whether the teeth supporting the bridge are strong enough to hold it without eventually breaking. For example, teeth with small roots or root canals can sometimes be too weak to support a bridge for a long time.

Depending on your specific circumstance, either can be a good option. A bridge provides an immediate outcome but can lead to more pronounced bone loss in the area of the missing tooth and cause the appearance to worsen over time.

An implant, on the other hand, will help to maintain the width of the bone better, but takes a longer time to finish and is more difficult to cosmetically match the natural teeth and gums. We will go over the risks and benefits of each treatment option to help you make your decision.

A root canal is only needed if the tooth nerve starts to die. It is not always needed when the tooth has a crown placed on it. In most cases, we do our best to avoid doing a root canal on the tooth unless there is no other option.

A dental bridge is an excellent way to replace a missing tooth, especially if the two teeth next to the empty space have large fillings on them or if you are not a candidate to have an implant.

Gum pain is commonly caused by food getting trapped under the bridge. It is important to thoroughly clean under the bridge with floss threaders, Super Floss, or a WaterPik to prevent your gums from becoming irritated and sore.

Our Tarzana dentist commonly recommends dental crowns to support, protect, and strengthen teeth that are broken, cracked, or have extensive decay. Sometimes referred to as “caps,” crowns are tooth-shaped shells of ceramic that cover and protect an entire tooth.

The general rule is that a dental crown is indicated if the damage affects more than 50 percent of the tooth structure. If you have a root canal on a tooth that absorbs a lot of chewing force, Dr. Zadeh would also recommend a crown to strengthen and protect it.

We also use crowns to support a dental bridge and to restore appearance and function to a dental implant.

The Process for Getting a Dental Crown

The process for getting a crown requires two appointments spaced about 2-3 weeks apart. During the first, Dr. Zadeh prepares the damaged tooth by altering its shape. Removing some tooth enamel allows for the bulk of the crown so that it sits flush against your gum line.

Next, we take impressions to create a mold of your teeth and choose the perfect shade of white to match your smile. We then send your case to a custom dental lab, where trained technicians meticulously fabricate your crown.

When your final crown comes back from the lab, we will ask you to return to our Tarzana dental office so Dr. Zadeh can adjust it for your dental bite, polish it, and cement it securely in place.

Do You Need a Dental Crown in Tarzana?

If you have a broken, cracked, or severely decayed tooth and think you need a dental crown, please call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zadeh.

With proper care, a dental implant can last 15–25 years or more. In many cases, they last a lifetime, especially the implant post itself, which fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration.

No, Dental implants are not typically painful during the procedures as the surgical site is numbed during placement. Most patients report only mild to moderate discomfort.

Yes, some dental insurance plans may partially cover dental implants in Tarzana, but full coverage is rare. Many plans help with certain parts of the treatment, such as consultations, extractions, crowns, or other related services, while the Implant itself may only be covered in part or not at all.

The cost of dental implants in Tarzana varies based on procedure and several key factors like case complexity, materials used, and provider expertise. Dr. Zadeh provides an exact quote after evaluating your teeth and discussing your goals during a consultation.

Dental implants have a very high success rate. A large cohort study of 10,871 implants in 4,247 patients found that dental implants had cumulative survival rates of 98.9% at 3 years, 98.5% at 5 years, 96.8% at 10 years, and 94.0% at 15 years.

No, but that could be a sign of improvement. Even though your gums may not bleed anymore, there may be extensive bone loss that can’t be reversed. In such cases, the condition needs to be adequately maintained so it does not progress.

Common symptoms include red gums, bleeding gums while brushing or flossing, bad breath, and loose teeth.

In the early stages of infection, treatment for a gum infection can vary from better at-home hygiene to more frequent hygiene visits. Moderate infections require a deeper cleaning in combination with regular hygiene. In advanced stages, a Periodontist, or gum specialist, needs to intervene with surgical or laser treatment.

Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. That statement speaks for itself.

We commonly hear questions about dental x-rays from Tarzana patients who are concerned about the associated health risks. When you are Dr. Zadeh’s patient, we only take low-dose digital x-rays as part of your preventive dental care, to diagnose a new issue, or to monitor an ongoing condition.

The general recommendation for the frequency of bitewing x-rays is that every new patient has a full mouth series and that they are updated once a year. Since we create personalized treatment plans, however, you may require x-rays more or less frequently.

If you have a history of poor oral health, ongoing dental conditions, or active periodontal disease, Dr. Zadeh may recommend dental x-rays every 6-12 months. This ensures that our dentist has all the information she needs to provide the safest, most appropriate treatment.

For patients with excellent oral health and no signs of cavities and gum disease, we may only recommend new x-rays every two to three years.

Schedule Your Next Dental Exam

One of the benefits of an established dental home is having a dentist that understands you have unique needs and require personalized solutions. If it’s time for you to schedule your next checkup, please call our Tarzana dental office. If you need x-rays, rest assured that Dr. Zadeh will explain why she recommends them and what she hopes to learn.

Yellow teeth can be caused by a number of different things. In the most basic instances, yellow teeth are caused by a lack of frequent brushing that allows stains to build up on the surfaces of your teeth. Improving oral hygiene habits can often be an easy solution. Surface stains that require more extensive care to remove can be treated with bleaching agents. We typically recommend a whitening teeth treatment right after your dental hygiene visit for the most effective result and also avoid foods and drinks that can stain teeth. 

In more severe cases, the yellow discoloration is intrinsic, or coming from inside the tooth. These cases cannot be treated bleach and will need crowns or veneers to change the color permanently, while bonding can provide a more temporary solution.

Gaps between teeth can be corrected in multiple ways depending on each patient’s specific needs. One way is with braces or clear aligners that move the teeth together. A quicker, but less permanent option is with bonding although this can chip over time, and is a more short-term solution compared to the other options. Lastly, crowns or veneers are long-term restorations used to close spaces. Talk to us about your specific needs so we can recommend the best treatment option.

Treatment depends on how badly the tooth is broken. If it’s a minor chip, it can be conservatively smoothed or bonded with a filling. However, larger cracks require a crown to protect the tooth and restore its ideal shape and size. If a large crack extends into the center of the tooth, affecting the nerve, then a root canal is also needed. In worst-case scenarios, if a tooth is broken so badly that it can’t be restored, then it needs to be removed.

The BEST way to straighten crowded teeth is with braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign. In some cases, crowns or veneers can be used to create a straighter alignment as well.

The cost of Invisalign in Tarzana varies based on case complexity, treatment duration, and orthodontic coverage in your dental insurance. Dr. Zadeh provides an exact, personalized cost estimate after completing a comprehensive evaluation and discussing your goals.

Patients often don’t report pain from Invisalign braces, but there may be some discomfort during the first 4-7 days when starting with a new set of Invisalign aligners. You'll feel some pressure or a dull ache switching to a new tray, similar to slight soreness, but no wire tightening and nothing is cutting into your gums or cheeks.

The major difference between Invisalign and Traditional Braces is visibility and removability. Invisalign is clear and removable for eating and brushing, while braces are metal, bonded to your teeth, and stay on for the full length of treatment. So which one fits your case depends on how involved your teeth actually are.

Yes, you can switch from braces to Invisalign. If you had braces years ago and your teeth have since shifted back, or you started treatment with braces and want to finish it differently, Dr. Zadeh can evaluate where your teeth stand now and build an Invisalign plan around that starting point.

Yes, some dental insurance plans offer reduced costs for orthodontics, including treatment with Invisalign. It’s better to check with your insurance provider to confirm whether partial or full Invisalign coverage is part of your policy. We at our dental office in Tarzana can help with additional questions related to the cost of Invisalign or our accepted  Insurance plans.

Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity after whitening, but it typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. If you have naturally sensitive teeth, your treatment can be customized by adjusting the whitening strength or recommending products that help minimize discomfort.

No. Teeth whitening only changes the color of natural tooth enamel. Dental crowns, porcelain veneers, composite fillings, and other restorations do not whiten. If existing restorations no longer match your newly whitened teeth, they may need to be replaced to create a more uniform smile.

Most patients only need occasional touch-up treatments to maintain their results. The ideal frequency depends on your oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle habits. Over-whitening is generally unnecessary, so it is best to follow your dentist's recommendations.

Professional teeth whitening is generally not painful. While some patients may experience temporary tooth sensitivity or mild gum irritation after treatment, these effects are usually mild and subside within 24 to 48 hours. If you have sensitive teeth, your whitening treatment in Tarzana can be customized to help minimize discomfort while still providing safe, effective, and noticeable results.