If your teeth are healthy but unattractive, a complete smile makeover can boost your self-confidence. It is an enormous, dynamic change, though, so your first step is to sit down with a trusted cosmetic dentist to carefully plan and design every detail of your new smile. Here are 3 considerations for a complete smile makeover.
Perfect or Natural?
You may be fantasizing about a “perfect smile,” but teeth that are too straight, too white, and too perfect tend to look fake. If you are certain that you want this smile, be aware that you might need facial plastic surgery to support it.
Most people actually want the “natural smile” that is perfect for them. This smile will be straighter, whiter, and more perfect than your current smile, but it is tailored to your unique facial features. It is beautiful, but it looks like it belongs to you.
We will work closely with you to design the exact size, shape, and color of each tooth. We will take into consideration your features, the shape of your face, your skin tone, the existing spacing and alignment of your teeth, and the problems you want to fix. Please note that we must correct any oral health problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease, before we start your smile makeover.
Photographic Inspiration
It is always best to begin with some inspiration. Bring in photos of your childhood smile, along with various smiles that catch your eye, and be ready to talk about what you like and don’t like about each photo. Also think about various smile quirks that you might want to incorporate, such as slightly pointy canine teeth or a small gap between the front teeth.
Digital Smile Design
Once we have a clear idea of what you are looking for, we will take digital photos and impressions of your existing smile. Using those, we will create a 3-D digital smile model and then morph it into your projected new smile. We will adjust it digitally until you are fully satisfied.
Next, we will create a mockup of your new smile in wax. This ensures that it will be functional as well as beautiful. We will continue to make adjustments until we are all entirely happy with the wax model.
Please be aware that a complete smile makeover requires an investment of both time and money. Depending on the current condition of your smile and the results you hope to achieve, we may need to perform several separate procedures and allow your mouth to heal between each step. It may take a year or more to complete your new smile. If you have been dreaming of a radical change, though, we are confident you will find the results worth the wait.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
If some or all of your teeth are missing or failing, you might worry that you are doomed to a life with dentures. While traditional dentures have a reputation for slipping, pinching, and causing difficulties with chewing, today there is an alternative. Here is what you should know about traditional vs implant supported dentures.
What Are Traditional Dentures?
The earliest dentures were invented around the 7th century BC. By the early 1800s, they were in widespread use, though fairly expensive. By the 20th century, though, rapid technological advances and mass production brought down the costs and dramatically improved both the appearance and the functionality of dentures. Today’s dentures look quite realistic, and a talented dentist can create a comfortable fit that enhances chewing ability. They are an affordable solution that can have good results.
Still, traditional dentures have some inherent limitations. They are supported by your gums, reducing bite force and putting them at risk for slipping. Upper dentures have an acrylic palate that uses suction to adhere to the roof of the mouth, creating better stability. Yet this palate also affects both the taste and the mouthfeel of food.
In addition, denture wearers are at risk for jawbone loss. When a tooth is lost, the body begins to resorb the supporting bone. This resorption process means that dentures must be relined annually, and it can promote wrinkles and premature aging.
What Are Implant Supported Dentures?
Implant supported dentures minimize or eliminate nearly all the limitations of traditional dentures. Instead of resting on the gums, implant supported dentures are anchored on tiny titanium screws that replace the tooth roots in the jawbone. This provides support and stability, and it can even reverse jawbone loss.
Types of Implant Supported Dentures
There are some small differences between manufacturers, but implant supported dentures are available in two basic types, as well as a hybrid. Removable overdentures, known as implant retained dentures, can be removed for cleaning or sleeping. Fixed implant supported dentures, or fixed implant bridges, are permanently anchored in the mouth, and are cleaned and maintained just like natural teeth.
Removable overdentures are the least costly implant supported option. Secured by as few as two dental implants, a removable overdenture uses clasps or other retaining devices to snap securely onto the implants. Since there are so few implants and retaining devices, the cost is only slightly higher than that of traditional dentures, yet the increased bite strength and stability are remarkable.
A mid-range hybrid option uses a metal bar or other frame to lock the implants together, evenly distributing the forces of biting and chewing between them. This solution uses a few more implants than a removable overdenture, making it a bit more expensive. However, it provides the stability needed to chew sticky candy, tough steak, and other foods that are nearly impossible with dentures. This configuration also allows the removal of most or all of the acrylic palate, improving the taste and texture of foods.
The most expensive but most natural solution is a fixed implant bridge. Several implants are placed, and then topped with a high-quality fixed bridge that can replace a full arch of teeth. The teeth are locked onto the implants, making it impossible for anyone but the dentist to remove them. There is no acrylic in your mouth, and you will brush your teeth as normal.
Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures
Whichever type of implant supported dentures you select, you will notice tremendous benefits immediately, including the confidence to speak and laugh in public, improvements to the taste and mouthfeel of your food, enhanced comfort, the ability to eat whatever you like, and the virtual elimination of jawbone loss. Traditional dentures will get the job done, but implant supported dentures will help you truly look and feel your best.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
Primitive dental implants may have been in use during prehistoric times, and they were relatively common by at least 600 AD. Modern dental implants debuted in the 1970s, and they truly caught on during the 1990s. Today, dental implants are considered the treatment of choice for replacing missing teeth, but myths and rumors continue to swirl. Here is what you should know about 4 of the most common myths about dental implants.
1. Dental Implants Hurt
Dental implant placement is considered a minor oral surgery. Mild discomfort is normal, yet most patients claim that dental implant surgery is far less painful than having their teeth extracted. In the hands of a skilled and experienced dentist, modern technology renders the procedure virtually pain-free.
If you are prescribed medications for pain, take them as instructed. It is far easier to stay ahead of any pain than to try to fight it once it sets in. Most people go back to work the same day.
2. Dental Implants Cost a Lot
It is true that the upfront cost of dental implants may be higher than that of other options such as dentures or dental bridges. However, those restorations must be replaced, on average, every 10 years. In addition, dentures cause bone loss, meaning that they must be relined annually. Dental bridges increase the risk of decay or even fracture in the supporting teeth. Dental implants are the only solution that can last a lifetime with proper care. They are also the only option that actually improves oral health by replacing the tooth roots.
Watch out for pricing offers that seem too good to be true. There is no reason to seek the most expensive dental implants in your area, but the cost should be reasonably in line with other providers.
3. Dental Implants Are Only for the Very Healthy
Your mouth must be clean and healthy to accept dental implants, so we must fix any other oral health issues first. In addition, any underlying health conditions such as diabetes or bleeding disorders must be tightly controlled. Finally, if you do not have sufficient healthy jawbone, you might need bone grafting. Within these parameters, though, nearly anyone can have dental implants.
4. Dental Implants Are Prone to Failure
Made from biocompatible titanium, dental implants are nearly impossible for the body to reject. In extremely rare instances, a dental implant may not fuse with the jawbone, but across the board success rates are roughly 95 percent. A talented dentist with patients who carefully follow all aftercare instructions can achieve a success rate of more than 98 percent.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
Many people put off going to the dentist until they are in pain, either from a tooth abscess, cavity, or cracked tooth. Others make an appointment for teeth whitening before their wedding or another special occasion. However, it is important that you see your dentist regularly, for cleanings and checkups. For most patients, this means scheduling an appointment every six months or twice a year. Here are some reasons why you’ll want to avoid skipping your dental appointments and see your dentist regularly.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Going to the dentist is among one of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy. Having regular cleanings removes difficult to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. For many dental patients, this can be enough when combined with good oral hygiene to keep cavities away. Your dentist may offer fluoride treatments to help protect your teeth, which has become more important since people drink more bottled water and less fluoridated tap water.
Proactively Address Minor Problems
As you go to the dentist twice a year, your dentist may spot an early cavity and recommend that you have it filled. If you go less frequently to the dentist, a cavity might not be caught until extensive damage has been caused. It might require a root canal instead of a minor filling to correct.
This is notable for a few reasons. First, minor procedures are less expensive and invasive when compared to more serious procedures, like root canals and dental implants. Often, fillings can be completed faster and in a single visit, with minimal pain relief required. Second, the better condition you keep your mouth in, the better your overall health. Gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to heart disease. By preventing these more serious conditions, you have a better chance of protecting your overall health.
Track Changes in Oral Health
By seeing the same dentist twice a year, he or she will become familiar with your mouth and will be able to notice any changes in your oral health over time. Your dentist will document these changes in your file and can use it to make the appropriate recommendations to you. For instance, if your dentist sees teeth shifting or an increase in tartar buildup, your dentist will be able to make more informed decisions for your care.
Sometimes being able to see the big picture of a patient’s overall health could change how providers address patients. A poor checkup during the first visit might mean that you don’t know how to floss properly or brush your teeth effectively to remove all signs of biofilm. However, noticing buildup despite patient education efforts would be addressed differently.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
Cosmetic dentistry can be loosely defined as procedures designed to enhance the aesthetics of your smile, rather than its health or functionality. Though it may not be strictly necessary from an oral health perspective, cosmetic dentistry can have a dramatic effect on your mental and emotional health, providing a self confidence boost in all areas of your life. Here’s how.
Social Life
Humans are social creatures, and social isolation is a common cause of depression and anxiety. Yet an unsightly smile can lead you to choose isolation rather than socialization. With cosmetic dentistry, you can eat, laugh, smile, and talk without fear of your teeth being judged. As you become more and more outgoing, people around you can’t help but be drawn to your positivity. This creates a cycle of increasing self confidence and further socialization.
Appearance
Right or wrong, today’s society is extremely driven by appearances. A beautiful smile is a sign of health, youth, and vibrance. Cosmetic dentistry can erase years from your appearance and help you develop the confidence you need to shine the light you have been hiding away. As you begin to recognize your own attractiveness, your self confidence will soar.
Career Benefits
Whether you are applying for a new job or a promotion, or meeting with an important client, a friendly and confident smile is vital. A broad smile makes you appear genuine, loyal, motivated, and trustworthy. If you are uncomfortable with your teeth, though, you might try to hide them. A tight grin can make you come across as insincere or even fake.
As you smile more, your clients and employer will naturally return the smile. This can take your career to new heights, further improving your self confidence.
Overcoming Trauma
In many cases, a problematic smile is the result of a birth defect or a previous trauma. Cosmetic dentistry helps with healing by allowing you to reclaim your personal power. You will be able to move past the situation that created the flaws, embracing the future on your own terms.
Cosmetic dentistry is a powerful way to regain your self confidence. Whether you are suffering from social isolation, trying to land your dream job, or healing from a past trauma, a beautiful smile can be a powerful tool. Regardless of what originally caused the flaws in your smile, today is an excellent day to start changing your life story.
We will perform a comprehensive assessment of your smile, treat any problems with your oral health or functionality, and then work with you to create the smile you have always imagined. Please note that depending on the current condition of your smile and your goals for treatment, cosmetic dentistry may require several different procedures spaced out over time. It will all be worth it when you see your finished smile for the first time.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
Dentures were long considered the best solution to replace missing or failing teeth. Today, though, dental implants have become the gold standard. While dentures rest on the gums, dental implants actually replace the tooth roots, providing a strong and stable base for highly functional and aesthetic replacement teeth. Here are 5 benefits of dental implants.
Long-Term Costs
Dentures cost significantly less initially, but dental implants have far lower long-term costs. Dentures need relining at least annually, and they must be replaced every 5 to 10 years. Dental implants can easily last a lifetime with proper care. If you are concerned about the out of pocket expense, consider implant-supported dentures. As few as 2 implants can stabilize a removable full denture.
Aesthetics
Today’s dentures are highly natural in appearance, but they can move and shift when laughing, talking, or chewing. A partial denture attaches with a clasp that can often be seen, while a full upper denture has a hard plastic palate. These factors make dental implants a more aesthetic solution.
Comfort
Supported by the gums, dentures tend to rub, slip, and pinch. These issues are magnified when eating foods that are chewy, crunchy, or tough. Dental implants fuse to the jawbone to create a stable and secure base that vastly improves comfort.
Strength and Stability
Dentures restore only about a quarter of natural bite strength, making it difficult or impossible to eat steak, corn on the cob, taffy, and other challenging foods. With dental implants, which restore more than 90 percent of bite strength, patients can again enjoy their favorite foods.
Future Oral Health
Lost teeth trigger the process of resorption, in which the gum tissues and jawbone shrink. Over time, denture wearers can develop a sunken, wrinkled, prematurely aged appearance. Even the best-fitting dentures will also become loose due to this process. Dentures also tend to cause sores and inflammation in the mouth, raising the risk of gum disease.
Since dental implants take the place of tooth roots, they stimulate jawbone growth, reversing the resorption process. They also anchor the replacement teeth, preventing sores and inflammation from developing.
Like any procedure, dental implants are not right for everyone. For many people, though, dental implants are the best choice for long-term health, comfort, and aesthetics. We will review your options with you and help you make the decision that best meets your needs, goals and desires.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
Whether you are going on a first date or a job interview, first impressions matter. You smile is a vital part of your first impression, but unsightly teeth are unfortunately common. If your teeth are stained, crooked, yellowed, or worn down, porcelain veneers are a terrific way to improve your smile.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of color-matched dental porcelain that slip over the front of your teeth. Unlike crowns, they require very little healthy tooth enamel to be removed. They are chemically bonded to your teeth, making them a long-lasting, strong, and highly durable solution.
What Conditions Can Veneers Fix?
Veneers do not treat issues with your dental health. If you have tooth decay, gum disease, or other dental health issues, we must fix those before placing your veneers. However, if your teeth are healthy but do not look their best, veneers can solve this problem. Here are some common reasons that people get veneers:
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Wear and tear: All teeth wear down over time, especially you tend to chew on ice or pens, or if you use your teeth as a tool.
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Minor breakage: Light trauma such as falls or minor sports injuries can cause chipping or cracking. Deep damage must be corrected, but chips and surface cracks can often be covered by veneers.
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Discoloration: Excessive fluoride consumption, large fillings, tetracycline use, root canals, and more can cause tooth discoloration. Veneers will hide this discoloration.
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Misshapen or uneven teeth: Few people have truly perfect teeth. Uneven and misshapen teeth are extremely common, and veneers can make your teeth appear more symmetrical.
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Minor gaps or crookedness: If your teeth are slightly gapped or crooked, you may not need to undergo a complex, long-lasting treatment such as braces or Invisalign. Instead, you might choose to simply cover them with porcelain veneers.
Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?
Very few dental treatments are truly permanent, but porcelain veneers are one of the longest-lasting solutions. They can easily withstand biting and chewing forces and, with proper care, they typically last for far more than a decade.
Porcelain veneers are also far less prone to yellowing and staining than natural teeth. Tooth whitening must be regularly repeated, but those with excellent oral hygiene will see their veneers continue to look white and healthy over time.
Are Porcelain Veneers Natural Looking?
Many people worry that porcelain veneers will give them a too-white, fake “game show host” smile. The reality, though, is that porcelain veneers closely mirror the sheen and translucency of natural teeth. They can also be color-matched to your existing smile.
If you want a whiter smile, consider having your natural teeth whitened first, and then your veneers color-matched to your brighter teeth. Just remember that your veneers will remain that color, while you will need to have whitening performed regularly for all of your teeth to match.
Complementary Procedures
To make your smile look its best, we may suggest additional procedures to complement the look of your new veneers. Tooth whitening, Invisalign, and other procedures allow us to place only the veneers that you truly need rather than filling up your mouth. We will carefully assess your smile and discuss your goals for treatment, and then create a plan to create the smile of your dreams.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
The digital revolution is exploding around us, and groundbreaking modern technology is improving all aspects of our lives. In the field of dentistry, we are blending the best of yesterday’s tried and true techniques with the most exciting new methods of today. Here are just a few ways that digital technology is revolutionizing dentistry.
Digital Record Keeping and Consultations
Now more than ever before, dentists and patients are able to work together as a truly collaborative team. Digital records require just a tiny fraction of the storage space that paper charts and films needed, allowing dentists to better utilize those areas. Online scheduling lets patients make, change, and cancel appointments as needed. Specialized software allows dentists to consult remotely, in real time, on complex cases.
Websites and social media sites encourage dialogue between and among dentists, staff members, and patients. Any patient with an internet connection can easily research his particular condition and the available options for treatment, while online reviews let patients share their experiences with others.
CAD/CAM Design and 3-D Printing
One of the most frustrating parts of dental treatment is dealing with lab-created restorations. Impressions are taken and sent out to the lab, and patients must deal with temporary fixes while they wait for the final restoration to come back. Fortunately, CAD/CAM design and 3-D printing are rapidly changing this process. Dentists who embrace this technology can create many common restorations, such as onlays and crowns, right in the office, and place the final restoration in a single visit.
Digital Impressions, X-Rays, and Photos
Traditional dental impressions were not much fun for either the dentist or the patient. You probably remember biting into a tray of goop, trying not to gag, and then waiting impatiently as your dentist rocked the hardened material back and forth to get it out of your mouth. Digital impressions are clean, comfortable, and fast.
Digital x-rays use less radiation than traditional films. They also require less storage space, and they can easily be magnified and manipulated to zero in on problematic areas of the mouth. Intra-oral cameras take digital photos that can be used in tandem with digital x-rays for better diagnostics.
Optical and CT Scanning
If your dentist needs to take a closer look at your mouth, there are now numerous painless digital scanning options. Optical scanners and digital color maps are used to improve the esthetics of dental restorations by more precisely matching them to your existing teeth. Electronic sensors evaluate the way your teeth come together. Cone beam CT scanning creates a highly detailed 3-D map of your unique oral anatomy, vastly improving the precision with which dental implants are placed.
Guided Implant Placement
Believe it or not, many implant dentists place dental implants into their patients’ jaws by simply “eyeballing it”. More technologically advanced dental offices place dental implants using surgical guides. With this technique, specialized software is used to create custom surgical guides. These guides direct the exact location, angle, and depth of each implant placement. The use of the guide increases the accuracy, efficiency, safety, and predictability of the procedure.
Digital technology cannot and should not replace reasoned, evidence-based dentistry. However, when properly used, digital tools are truly creating better, safer, and less painful dental procedures.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
If your tooth is badly damaged or decayed, you will likely need a dental crown. While traditional lab-created crowns can be a good option for some situations, more and more dentists and patients are choosing CEREC same-day crowns instead. CEREC means either Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CERamic REConstruction, depending on who you ask. Either way, CEREC is revolutionizing modern dentistry. Here are 3 reasons to choose a CEREC same-day crown.
Convenience
For many people, convenience is the number one reason to choose a CEREC same-day crown. A traditional crown requires two dentist visits. During the first appointment, your dentist will fix any existing problems with the tooth and prepare it for the crown. He or she will then take impressions and send them off to the lab, and fit you with a temporary crown to wear while you wait. Three weeks later, your new crown will be ready. You will then return to the office to have it placed.
With CEREC, we will repair and prepare your tooth like normal, and then take digital impressions. We feed those impressions into a specialized computer and use 3-D computer aided design (CAD) technology to create a model of your new crown. Finally, we will send the design to our in-office milling machine. The machine uses a block of color-matched ceramic to create your customized crown, which we will place in your mouth before you leave. There is no need for a second appointment.
Esthetics
While porcelain over metal crowns are reasonably natural in appearance, they are far from perfect. It is difficult to replicate the full appearance of natural dental enamel over a metal frame, and it is common for a thin band of exposed metal to show at the gum line.
CEREC same-day crowns are fabricated entirely from dental ceramic. This vastly improves the esthetics by more closely mimicking dental enamel. It also removes the risk of metal exposure at the gum line.
Strength and Durability
CEREC crowns use strong, durable, stain resistant dental ceramic. The CAD technology ensures a fit that is typically tighter and more precise than that of a lab-created crown. The ceramic is chemically bonded to the tooth, is fully biocompatible, and more closely resembles the natural composition of the tooth. This means that CEREC same-day crowns are an average of 18 percent stronger than traditional crowns. In addition, you will not need to deal with a loose, difficult to wear temporary crown while you wait for your final restoration.
Like anything else, CEREC same-day crowns are not right for everyone. In the majority of cases, though, a CEREC crown is an excellent way to improve both functionality and esthetics while reducing the time you spend sitting in the dentist’s chair.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
Invisalign is sometimes known as “the clear alternative to braces.” Straight teeth are not only beautiful, but they make chewing easier, they reduce the chances of developing problems in the jaw joints, and they are easier to clean. For more than a century, metal braces were the standard solution for straightening teeth, and they remain popular today. However, more and more people are now turning to Invisalign, as it offers some significant advantages. Here are just 5 benefits of Invisalign.
1. Computer Imaging
The first step is to develop a 3D digital model of your teeth. We will morph it to show you what to expect from each stage of treatment, including the results, and then use that model to create a series of customized aligners that will gently shift your teeth.
2. Comfort and Esthetics
Invisalign’s smooth, comfortable, medical grade aligners have no sharp edges. Unlike metal braces, there is nothing to poke and scrape your mouth and tongue. In addition, Invisalign’s clear aligners are nearly invisible. No more flashing a mouthful of metal to your boss or your date.
3. Lifestyle Considerations
Braces mean extensively changing your lifestyle. You must learn how to clean around them, and you will be unable to eat a long list of foods, from popcorn to whole apples. Invisalign is removable and only needs to be worn approximately 22 hours per day. That means you can simply pop out the aligners to eat your favorite foods or to perform oral hygiene. If you play contact sports, we will advise you on whether to remove your aligners during play.
4. Reduced Risk for Oral Damage
Braces put a great deal of force on the teeth. Scraping and demineralization are relatively common, putting your teeth at greater risk for future damage ranging from cavities to cracking. Invisalign is smooth and gentle, so it is far less likely to cause damage.
5. Treatment Protocols
If you have a busy life, you will likely appreciate the simplicity of Invisalign. We will place attachments on your teeth and show you how to insert and remove the aligners. Then you will change aligners at home every two weeks or as directed, and you will see us for monitoring just once every four to six weeks.
With braces, you will need regular appointments for adjustments. You must also make an emergency visit if anything goes wrong, such as a popped wire or loose bracket. In addition, Invisalign treatment is typically shorter in duration than braces treatment.
Invisalign used to cost more than braces, but this is no longer always the case. With braces, you must factor in the price of adjustments and emergency appointments, as well as any desired enhancements such as colored metal. Invisalign’s transparent pricing model includes all visits, so you will know up front exactly how much you will pay.
More and more dental insurance companies are now seeing the value of Invisalign as well, and many are willing to cover a portion of the costs. We will help you determine your exact out of pocket costs before we begin.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.
