FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You can schedule an appointment online or by calling (202) 363-2810.

We are happy to be able to offer free on-site parking for our patients!

Dr. Kambez Shukoor possesses a number of degrees, professional licenses and certifications, and memberships to industry organizations. Please view his bio by clicking here for a full list.

Yes, we are proud to offer treatment in English, Spanish, and Persian.

Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your doctor will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular checkups.

We accept all PPO insurances. We'll work with your insurance provider to make sure that your coverage meets your needs and your budget. Our office staff is always available to help you with insurance claims and paperwork. For more information on financial options, you can refer to our Financial Information page.

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth twice a day for two to three minutes each time, as instructed. Your dentist recommends that adults and children change their toothbrush every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions because you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrush every four to six weeks to keep any bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six months of age and no later than one year of age. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

Our practice accepts most major credit cards, all major PPOS, and also offers affordable payment plans with special financing through CareCredit and Lending Tree.

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth. Many people who consider implants have removable, conventional dentures for lower and upper jaws, or have removable bridges. Dental implants provide significant improvements in function to allow people to chew food more comfortably and feel better overall about their teeth and smile.

• Cleaning: Although home-based tooth brushing and flossing help remove plaque, only a professional cleaning - provided by the dentist or dental hygienist - can thoroughly clean your teeth and remove the hardened plaque (called calculus or tartar) that builds up on teeth. The hygienists use a series of metal hand instruments to clean your teeth.
• Polishing: After your teeth have been cleaned, they are polished when excess stain or plaque is present and needs to be removed. The polish contains an abrasive substance and fluoride, and is applied using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental handpiece.
• Exam and prevention instructions: The dentist or hygienist might offer additional instructions for you to follow at home, based on the results of your exam. Don’t hesitate to ask us for instructions about brushing or flossing, or general care questions about your teeth and gums.
• Digital X-rays: We use digital x-rays instead of traditional x-rays, thereby exposing our patients to much less radiation. The dentist will consider your clinical examination, dental history, and risk for developing cavities in determining the frequency for x-rays.
• Treatment recommendations: If any oral health problems are identified during your examination, the dentist will make recommendations for the best next steps. These might include referral to another oral health care specialist, additional diagnostic tests, or advice to return for restoration work or additional oral health care.