Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We welcome new patients of all ages, including whole families who want to book together. Call (425) 883-3040 or request an appointment online, and our front desk will find a time that suits you and tell you what to bring to your first visit.

We care for patients from toddlers to seniors. Parents can book their own cleanings on the same day as their kids. Seeing the whole family lets us spot patterns, like a tendency toward cavities or grinding, and plan care that fits each person's age and needs.

We accept most dental insurance plans, and we file claims on your behalf. Call us at (425) 883-3040 with your plan details, and our front desk will confirm your coverage and explain what to expect before your visit, so you aren't surprised by a bill later.

Call our office at (425) 883-3040 first and tell us what happened, so we can help you decide how soon you need to be seen. If you can't reach the front desk, call or text our emergency line at (571) 341-0957. If you have severe swelling or trouble breathing, go to the nearest emergency room.

It means we try the least invasive treatment that will work. We'd rather watch a tiny spot or place a small filling than drill more tooth than needed. Your natural teeth are worth keeping, so we save them whenever we reasonably can.

Most people do well with an exam and cleaning every six months. Some patients, such as those with gum disease, may need visits more often. Your dentist will suggest a schedule based on your mouth, not a one-size-fits-all rule.

We're in Forest Office Park at 148th Ave NE and NE Bel-Red Rd. in Bellevue (Bldg. F, Ste. 101). Free dedicated parking sits right outside the building. The office is a short drive from Redmond, Kirkland, and Sammamish.

Yes. If another office has suggested major work and you're not sure, bring your X-rays or treatment plan. We'll take an honest look and tell you what we'd do. Sometimes that's the same plan, and sometimes a simpler one will work.

Yes. Early gum disease often shows up as red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush. We check your gums at every exam. If you need more than a regular cleaning, we offer a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, which clears buildup from below the gumline.

You are not alone, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Tell us what worries you, and we'll go at your pace, explain each step before we do it, and stop whenever you raise a hand. Our team has worked together for years and keeps the mood calm.

Yes. Give us your previous dentist's name when you book, and we'll request your records and any recent X-rays. If your X-rays are recent enough, we can often use them instead of taking new ones. It saves you time and keeps your history in one place.

Yes. Overlake Family Dentistry was formerly known as the practice of Dr. Brian Brooks. Dr. Ravneet Kaur now leads the practice. The office, phone number, team, and way of caring for patients all stayed the same. Only the name on the door changed.

Yes. Your charts, X-rays, and treatment history stayed with the practice. Dr. Kaur can review them before your next visit, so you won't need to start over. If you ever need copies sent to another office or a specialist, call us and we'll take care of it.

Yes. Kris, Kristie, Marta, Ana, and Jeannie have all stayed on. Many of them have worked with our patients for a long time, and they know the families who come here. You'll hear the same voices when you call and see the same faces in the chair.

Yes. We welcome new patients of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Call us at (425) 883-3040 to book a first visit. We'll ask a few questions about your dental history and any concerns, then find a time that fits your week.

Yes. We see kids from their first visit, usually around the first birthday or when the first teeth come in. Early visits are short and gentle. They help your child get used to the chair and let us catch small problems before they become big ones.

Tell us. Many of our patients feel the same way. We'll explain each step before we do it, go at your pace, and stop whenever you raise a hand. You can ask to take a break at any time. Nobody here will judge you for how long it has been.

Call our front office at (425) 883-3040. Kris and Jeannie can find a time, answer questions about your first visit, and help you get your records sent over if you're coming from another office. We're open Monday through Thursday.

Yes. Implants are part of our restorative care. We start with an exam and imaging to check your bone and gums, then plan the implant and the crown that goes on top. Healing usually takes a few months between steps. If a bridge or partial would serve you better, we'll say so.

It can be, if your teen will wear the trays 20 to 22 hours a day. Teen aligners have small indicators that fade with wear, so you can see whether they're being used. Many teens like that they can remove them for sports and instruments. We'll check whether their teeth and habits make it a good fit.

By their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. The first visit is mostly a quick look and a chance for parents to ask about brushing, teething, and diet. Starting early means small problems get caught, and kids get comfortable here before they ever need a filling.

When it's used as directed, yes. We examine your teeth and gums first, since cavities or exposed roots can make whitening uncomfortable. Some people feel short-lived sensitivity to cold, which usually fades within a few days. Whitening won't change the color of crowns, veneers, or fillings, so we'll plan around those.

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, goes further below the gums to clean and smooth the roots. We suggest it only when gum measurements and X-rays show gum disease. We numb the area, and it often takes one or two visits.

Most crowns take two visits. At the first, we shape the tooth, take an impression, and place a temporary crown. At the second, once the lab has made it, we fit and cement the permanent one. Before any of that, we check whether a filling or onlay could do the job and save more of your tooth.

Results vary from person to person and typically last several months to a couple of years. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco can dull the effect over time, so occasional touch-ups help keep your smile bright.

Some people notice temporary sensitivity to cold during or shortly after whitening, which usually fades within a few days. We can adjust the strength or timing of treatment to keep you comfortable.

Whitening only lightens natural tooth enamel — it won't change the color of crowns, veneers, or fillings. If you have restorations in your smile line, we'll talk through how to get an even result before you start.

When used as directed, professional whitening is well studied and safe. Because we examine your teeth and gums first, we can catch issues that might cause discomfort and tailor the treatment to your mouth.

Most traditional veneers involve removing a thin layer of enamel so they sit flush and look natural. Because that step can't be undone, we only recommend veneers when they're genuinely the right choice, and we'll always discuss more conservative options first.

Well-cared-for porcelain veneers commonly last many years. Avoiding habits like biting nails or chewing hard objects, plus regular checkups, helps them last as long as possible.

Yes — they're custom-designed to match the shape, size, and shade of your surrounding teeth. Our aim is a result that looks like your own smile at its best, not something artificial.

If discoloration is your main concern, whitening or bonding is often a simpler, less-invasive place to start. We'll talk through those options before suggesting veneers.

Bonding applies a tooth-colored resin directly to your tooth, usually with little or no enamel removed, and is often done in one visit. Veneers are custom porcelain shells that require reshaping the tooth. Bonding is the more conservative, reversible option, so we often start there.

Bonding commonly lasts several years, depending on where it is and your habits. The resin can chip or stain over time, but it's easy to touch up or repair when needed.

In most cases, yes. Because there's usually no lab work involved, many bonding repairs are completed in a single visit.

The resin can pick up staining from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco over time. Good oral hygiene and limiting those helps it stay looking fresh.

A crown covers the entire tooth, while inlays and onlays repair only the damaged portion. That means we can often keep more of your healthy natural tooth intact — which is why we consider them before recommending a full crown.

They're a good middle ground when a cavity or crack is too large for a standard filling to hold well, but the tooth is still healthy enough that a full crown would be more than necessary.

They're typically made from tooth-colored porcelain or composite that's shaped to match your tooth. The result blends in naturally and is designed to be strong and long-lasting.

With good home care and regular checkups, well-fitted inlays and onlays can last many years. We'll show you how to care for the restored tooth so it holds up over time.

A crown makes sense when a tooth is too damaged or weakened for a filling, inlay, or onlay to hold reliably — for example after a large fracture or root canal. If a more conservative repair will do the job, we'll recommend that first.

Porcelain crowns are matched to the shape and shade of your natural teeth, so they blend in and are hard to spot. Our goal is a restoration that looks and functions like your own tooth.

With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, crowns often last many years. Avoiding chewing on very hard objects and treating grinding, if you have it, helps them last.

The tooth is numbed during treatment, so the process is comfortable. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and usually settles quickly.

Most people do well with a cleaning and exam every six months, though some benefit from more frequent visits based on their gum health. We'll talk through what makes sense for you rather than applying a one-size-fits-all schedule.

No. We take X-rays only when they'll give us information we don't already have, and we space them based on your history and risk. Our goal is to gather what we need to care for you without doing more than necessary.

For most patients a routine cleaning is comfortable. If your gums are tender or sensitive, let us know and we'll go slowly and discuss options to keep you comfortable.

We'll explain what we see in plain language and walk you through your options, starting with the least invasive one. You'll never feel pressured to move faster than you're ready to.

Common signs include waking with a sore jaw, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or a partner noticing grinding sounds. Often we spot the wear on your teeth during an exam before you're even aware of it.

A custom guard is made from an impression of your own teeth, so it fits more securely and comfortably and tends to last longer. Store-bought versions can help in a pinch, but many people find them bulky and hard to keep in place.

With good care, a custom nightguard typically lasts several years. How long yours holds up depends on how heavily you grind, and we'll check its fit and condition at your regular visits.

Rinse it after each use, brush it gently, and store it dry in its case. Bring it to your appointments so we can make sure it still fits well and is doing its job.

Common signs include jaw pain or tenderness, clicking or popping when you open and close, difficulty chewing, or frequent headaches around the temples. If you're noticing these, it's worth mentioning at your visit.

There's often no single cause. Clenching and grinding, stress, jaw injury, and bite issues can all play a role, which is why we start by understanding your particular situation before recommending anything.

For most people, no. Many cases respond well to conservative measures such as a nightguard, gentle jaw exercises, warm compresses, and habit changes. We always begin with the least-invasive options.

If jaw pain, clicking, or limited movement is persistent or interfering with eating and sleeping, come in so we can take a look. If your situation calls for specialized care, we'll help point you in the right direction.

Clear aligners work well for many mild to moderate alignment and spacing concerns, though some bite issues are still better treated another way. We'll evaluate your teeth honestly and let you know whether Invisalign is a good fit before you commit to anything.

Every case is different, but many adult treatments fall in the range of about 12 to 18 months. We'll give you a clearer estimate once we've reviewed your specific needs.

For best results, aligners should be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day and removed mainly for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing. Consistent wear is the single biggest factor in staying on schedule.

Yes. Teeth naturally tend to shift over time, so we recommend wearing a retainer after treatment to help protect your results.

Many teens with mild to moderate alignment or spacing concerns do well with clear aligners, and it helps if they're ready to keep the trays in consistently. We'll assess your teen's teeth and their readiness before recommending it.

Teen aligners include features suited to growing smiles, such as small wear indicators that fade with use to help track compliance, and accommodations for teeth that are still coming in. The day-to-day experience is otherwise very similar.

It happens, and it's usually manageable. Let us know right away so we can advise whether to move to the next set or replace the current one and keep treatment on track.

Yes. Because the aligners are smooth and removable, most teens find them comfortable for sports and wind instruments, and they can take them out briefly when needed.

For most children, a checkup and cleaning about every six months works well, though we may suggest a different rhythm based on your child's needs. Regular visits let us catch small issues early, when they're easiest to treat.

A good guideline is around the first birthday or when the first tooth appears. Early visits are gentle and get your child comfortable with the dentist over time.

We gently clean the teeth, check for early signs of decay or gum concerns, and often take a look at how the teeth and bite are developing. We keep it relaxed and explain everything in kid-friendly terms.

Brushing twice a day, daily flossing, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and keeping up with regular visits make a big difference. We're glad to offer simple, practical tips that fit your family's routine.

We take time to keep your child comfortable, and most fillings are done with a small amount of local anesthetic so the area feels numb. We explain each step in kid-friendly terms and go at a pace that feels okay for your child.

Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and help with eating and speaking, and an untreated cavity can grow, cause pain, or affect the tooth developing underneath. Treating it early is usually simpler and gentler than waiting.

We use tooth-colored composite fillings that blend in naturally and bond to the tooth. During the visit we'll explain the options and recommend the most conservative approach for your child's tooth.

Regular brushing and flossing, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and routine cleanings and exams go a long way. We're happy to share simple, practical tips tailored to your child's habits.

A sealant is a thin, protective coating painted onto the chewing surface of the back teeth. It fills in the deep grooves where food and bacteria tend to collect, making those spots easier to keep clean.

Not at all. Applying a sealant is quick and comfortable, with no drilling or numbing needed. We simply clean the tooth, apply the coating, and let it set.

Sealants can protect teeth for several years. We check them at regular visits and can easily touch up or reapply one if it wears down over time.

No. Sealants add an extra layer of protection to hard-to-clean grooves, but daily brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are still the foundation of a healthy smile.

A custom mouthguard is made from an impression of your child's teeth, so it fits more snugly and comfortably than a boil-and-bite version. A better fit is easier to wear, easier to talk in, and stays in place during play.

A mouthguard is worth considering for any activity with contact or a risk of falls, such as basketball, soccer, football, hockey, and skateboarding. We're glad to talk through what makes sense for your child's activities.

Yes. We can make a mouthguard designed to fit comfortably over braces and help protect both the teeth and the orthodontic hardware.

Rinse it after each use, brush it gently, and store it in a ventilated case away from heat. Bring it to checkups so we can make sure it still fits as your child grows.

It's usually recommended when gum disease has moved beyond what a routine cleaning can address, but hasn't yet caused significant bone loss. At your visit we'll measure your gums, review any X-rays, and talk honestly about whether this is the right step for you.

We numb the areas we're treating so you should be comfortable throughout. Some tenderness or sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal and usually eases with over-the-counter pain relief.

Many patients are treated over one or two visits, often working one side of the mouth at a time so you're never fully numb. We'll let you know what to expect based on how much treatment your gums need.

Scaling and root planing treats existing disease; keeping it from returning depends on ongoing care. Most patients move to a maintenance cleaning schedule, and good daily habits at home make a real difference in whether the treatment holds.

The placement is done with local anesthetic, and most patients are comfortable during the procedure. Any soreness afterward is usually mild and manageable with typical over-the-counter pain relief.

Because the implant needs time to fuse with the bone, treatment often spans several months from placement to the final crown. We'll give you a clear timeline based on your specific situation.

Good candidates generally have enough healthy bone and stable gums, but the only way to know is an exam and imaging. We'll tell you honestly whether an implant, a bridge, or another option makes the most sense.

Implants are cared for much like natural teeth, with daily brushing, flossing, and regular checkups. They can't get cavities, but the surrounding gum and bone still need attention to stay healthy.

With good brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, many bridges last a decade or more. We'll show you how to clean beneath the bridge so the supporting teeth stay healthy.

Neither is automatically better; it depends on your teeth, bone, and health. We'll walk you through both honestly and recommend the option that preserves the most healthy tooth structure for your situation.

The tooth preparation is done with local anesthetic, so you shouldn't feel pain during the visit. Mild soreness afterward is normal and usually settles within a few days.

A bridge is cleaned with a floss threader or small interdental brush to reach beneath the replacement tooth. We'll demonstrate a routine that fits easily into your day.

Most people need a few weeks to adjust to eating and speaking with new dentures. Starting with softer foods and practicing at home helps, and we'll see you for adjustments until they feel comfortable.

Modern dentures are designed to match the shape and shade of natural teeth, so they can look very lifelike. We take care to fit them to your face and smile.

We generally recommend taking dentures out at night to give your gums a rest and to clean them thoroughly. Store them in water or a cleaning solution so they don't dry out.

Yes, in some cases a small number of implants can help hold a denture more securely. We're happy to explain whether that option makes sense for you.

A partial replaces some missing teeth and relies on your remaining natural teeth for support, while a full denture replaces all the teeth in an arch. A partial is an option when you still have healthy teeth worth keeping.

There's usually a short adjustment period as you get used to eating and speaking with it. We'll fine-tune the fit and see you for follow-ups until it feels natural.

Remove and rinse it after eating, clean it daily, and take it out at night unless we advise otherwise. Keeping your natural teeth and gums healthy is just as important, since they support the partial.

In many cases a partial can be modified to add a tooth, though it depends on the design. We'll talk through your options if your needs change over time.

With modern anesthetic, a root canal typically feels much like getting a filling. Most patients find it relieves the pain they came in with rather than causing it.

Keeping your natural tooth usually preserves your bite and jawbone better than removing it. A root canal lets us treat the infection while saving the tooth, which is why we favor it when it's a realistic option.

The tooth may feel tender for a few days as it settles, which usually eases on its own. Because a treated tooth can become brittle, we often recommend a crown afterward to protect it.

Lingering pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling near a tooth can be signs the inner pulp is affected. An exam and X-ray let us tell you honestly whether a root canal is needed.

The area is numbed with local anesthetic, so you'll feel pressure but not pain during the extraction. We'll go over comfort options beforehand so you know what to expect.

Some swelling and mild soreness for a few days is normal, and a blood clot forms in the socket as it heals. We'll send you home with clear aftercare instructions to help you heal smoothly.

Yes. Once the area has healed, options like an implant, bridge, or partial can fill the space. We're glad to plan replacement with you so neighboring teeth don't drift.

Whenever possible, yes. We favor tooth-preserving treatment and only recommend removal when a tooth truly can't be saved or is affecting your overall health.

We're at 14655 NE Bel-Red Rd., Bldg. F, Ste. 101, in Forest Office Park at the corner of 148th Ave NE and NE Bel-Red Road — with free dedicated parking right outside the building.

Yes. We care for every generation, from a child's first visit through adult and senior dentistry. Many Bellevue families have seen us for decades.

We practice conservative, tooth-preserving dentistry — we recommend only what you truly need and always start with the least invasive option.

Head south on 148th Ave NE to NE Bel-Red Road — we're in Forest Office Park at the corner, just minutes from Rose Hill and South Kirkland, with free parking.

Yes — from children's first visits to adult and senior care, we're a true family practice serving Kirkland households of every age.

We are, and we'd be glad to welcome you. Your first visit is unhurried, with time to talk through any concerns.

We're just a few minutes away on NE Bel-Red Rd., making us a convenient option for a before-work or lunch-hour appointment.

We open as early as 7:00 a.m. on Thursdays and 7:30 a.m. midweek. Call and we'll find a time that fits your workday.

Absolutely — we welcome new Redmond and Overlake patients and families, and we'll take the time to get to know you at your first visit.

Not at all — most Plateau families reach us in about 15–20 minutes via SR-520 or I-90, and there's free parking right at the building.

For comprehensive care under one roof and an honest, conservative philosophy — many patients tell us it's worth the short drive to avoid unnecessary treatment.

Yes. We're a full family practice, from a toddler's first visit to teen orthodontics and adult care — convenient for busy Sammamish households.

For mild to moderate crowding and spacing, aligners work well when worn as directed, while complex bite problems and large movements are often more predictable with braces.

Aligners made for teens allow for teeth still coming in. Readiness matters as much as age. At the exam, we look at your teen's teeth and talk about whether they're ready to keep the trays in.

Age isn't the limit. Healthy gums and bone matter more, so we check them before starting treatment.

Both cause some pressure and soreness, mostly in the first days after a new tray or an adjustment, though aligners are usually gentler on the cheeks and lips, with no brackets to rub.

Call us right away, and we'll tell you whether to move to the next tray or replace the current one.

Yes, because teeth tend to drift after any kind of straightening.

Every six months works well for most people. Patients with a history of gum disease often do better with visits every three or four months. We'll recommend a schedule based on what we see in your mouth, not a one-size rule.

Yes. Early cavities and early gum disease usually don't hurt. By the time a tooth aches, the decay has often reached the nerve. Checkups catch problems during the painless stage, when they're easy to fix.

Usually because they're inflamed from plaque, the early stage of gingivitis. It seems backwards, but the fix is to keep flossing gently every day. In most people the bleeding settles down within a week or two. Let us know if it doesn't.

Not at all. Even if you need fillings or gum treatment now, good home care and regular visits keep new problems from starting and help the work you've had done last longer.

Most people do well with a checkup and cleaning every six months. Patients with gum disease often need cleanings every three or four months. Your dentist will tell you which schedule fits.

Often not. Send the old ones over, and the new dentist will check their age and quality before deciding.

Back-to-back appointments are common at family practices. Those blocks fill up around school breaks, so ask early.

Yes, book the visit anyway. A good office won't lecture you. They'll look at where things stand today and help you make a plan.

No. Second opinions are a normal part of health care, and good dentists expect them for large treatment plans.

No. Treatment matches what your tooth needs, and no more. Some patients need a watch-and-wait visit, others a root canal. Either way, the aim is to protect what's healthy.

It can, which is why we don't wait and forget. We only watch spots that are still in the enamel, and we recheck them at set visits. If one changes, we treat it while the repair is still small.

Two dentists can weigh the same tooth differently. One may see a crack risk that calls for full coverage, while the other thinks the walls are strong enough for a filling or onlay. Ask both to show you what they see. Any good dentist will welcome the question, and the answers will help you decide.

Not at all. They're a good way to replace a missing tooth. Our preference is to keep a healthy root in place when we can and save the implant for a tooth that can't be saved.

Sometimes. Watching a spot means a follow-up appointment. On the plus side, you tend to need fewer big procedures overall, and we've yet to meet a patient who'd rather have a crown than a quick check.

Also no. The word describes how much tooth we remove, not which tools we use. Tooth-colored fillings and bonding are modern options, and they're part of why small repairs work so well today.