Services
Dr. Hsu has been working with families and patients of all ages for more than a decade. She offers general family dentistry, ranging from regular check-ups to more complicated procedures like extractions and implants. She prides herself on her easygoing nature and loves getting to know each of her patients on a personal level. She’s a charismatic expert who can help in almost any dental situation.
FAQ
What services does general dentistry include?
The term general dentistry covers everything from regular check-ups to crowns, extractions, and implant restoration. Dr. Hsu works with patients of all ages, with her youngest patient at roughly six months of age and her oldest patients somewhere around 95. She offers morning, evening, and weekend appointments to address almost any condition.
How often do I need to go to the dentist?
Patients should plan to see the dentist once every six months. If your teeth have exhibited advanced decay, or if there are hygiene issues that would benefit from more frequent cleanings, Dr. Hsu suggests quarterly appointments to prevent more complex conditions.
Who are Dr. Hsu’s ideal patients?
Dr. Hsu is a people person. She likes working with patients of all ages and talking through every possible course of treatment. She likes working with patients who are open to discussing a variety of treatments, although she never pushes unnecessary treatments or anything a patient is uncomfortable with. She loves working with families and hopes to see your friends as well!
When it comes time to see a specialist, can Dr. Hsu recommend someone nearby?
There are a number of great specialists working in the Hollister area. Thanks to her years of experience in the field, Dr. Hsu has an extensive network of nearby specialists she can call on when necessary. Her officer manager can also refer patients if Dr. Hsu is out of town, and Dr. Hsu also works with emergency patients whenever possible.
Dr. Hsu knows the importance of a good night’s sleep. Her Dental Sleep Medicine residency at UCLA, combined with years of experience in the field, make her an expert on dental sleep medicine and TMJ treatment. She offers a variety of alternative treatments to CPAP machines, and other appliances and low-impact solutions that can relieve both sleep apnea and symptoms of TMJ.
FAQ
What is TMJ? Do I have it?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, a condition that can lead to jaw discomfort, clicking, difficulty chewing, or even lockjaw. Dr. Hsu is specially trained in diagnosing and treating TMJ and TMJ-related symptoms. If you’re experiencing any jaw pain or odd sensations, or if you have any questions about TMJ, Dr. Hsu is happy to answer any concerns and talk you through a variety of treatment options.
How is TMJ related to sleep?
Patients with TMJ often grind or clench their teeth, which can damage the enamel and wear down the tooth. It also causes headaches, migraines, and neck pain. General discomfort or tinnitus (a ringing in the ears associated with TMJ) can keep patients up at night as well. Also, when the teeth are worn down, there is sometimes less room for the tongue to rest, which can block your airways while you sleep, causing sleep apnea.
How is TMJ treated?
There are a variety of treatments that can help with TMJ. Dr. Hsu is specially trained to provide an injection that can offer relief in the tendons of the jaw. She also uses appliances to protect from grinding or clenching, and to open up airways during sleep.
What is sleep medicine?
Sleep medicine has to do with the treatment of sleep apnea, or snoring. Many patients with sleep apnea go undertreated, which can stress the heart and put patients at a higher risk for diabetes or high blood pressure. Sometimes, even when a patient knows they have sleep apnea, they avoid treatment, as the standard treatment, CPAP machines, can be bulky and intrusive. Dr. Hsu is specially trained to offer alternatives to CPAP machines, including intraoral devices that keep your airways clear throughout the night, so you can rest easy.
What is a Night Guard?
A night guard is a plastic dental appliance that fits over the top teeth. When grinding or clenching, much of the force will be transferred to the night guard instead of to the teeth. Often, deep grooves will eventually form in the night guard from the force of the grinding. The night guard prevents this same force from causing damage to the teeth. Without a night guard, enamel can be worn down excessively, leading to tooth sensitivity. Teeth may also be chipped or cracked, requiring extensive restorative dental treatments to repair them.
Night guard only addresses the symptoms – the damage to the teeth that bruxism can cause. However, a night guard doesn’t get to the root cause of grinding the teeth. A person wearing a night guard will usually continue to grind and clench the teeth.
There are many potential causes of teeth grinding. Very commonly, the cause is stress, and in many cases, a specific cause is never found. However, there are also many cases in which grinding the teeth at night is actually a symptom of a life-threatening illness – sleep apnea. Prescribing a night guard to a person with sleep apnea will stop the teeth from becoming damaged, but will not address the much more serious issue of keeping the person breathing at night.
Restorative cosmetic treatment refers to a variety of treatments that can help reestablish or enhance your smile’s natural beauty and strength. Dr. Hsu specializes in treatments ranging from whitening to implants and All-on-4® (a whole-mouth procedure for the restoration of missing teeth).
FAQ
Do I need restorative cosmetic treatments?
The importance of restorative cosmetics differs from case to case. Some treatments can help improve your bite and the overall health of your mouth, while others might improve aesthetic issues. Dr. Hsu can talk you through the options and help you determine the best course of action for your particular needs and goals.
What do restorative cosmetic treatments involve?
This general term refers to everything from teeth whitening to straightening and implants. Dr. Hsu specializes in a variety of cosmetic treatments and works closely with experts and specialists for others. Together, they can address almost any issue of aesthetics or function.
Are restorative cosmetic treatments covered by insurance?
Many are. It depends on the insurance and the procedure, but Dr. Hsu and her expert team can work with you to understand precisely what your financial responsibilities will be before you even come to your appointment. They can also advise you on alternative payment methods, like CareCredit. If your treatment is medical, not just dental, Dr. Hsu will also communicate with your medical insurance to help you navigate any overlap.
Dr. Hsu specializes in sleep medicine and early childhood orthodontic treatments, such as airway expansion. If a child is having trouble sleeping, or exhibiting symptoms of exhaustion, such as manic or low energy throughout the day, it might be related to airway blockage during the night. Dr. Hsu uses simple, custom-made appliances that fit comfortably in the mouth, keeping airways open and changing the shape of the mouth slowly over time.
FAQ
What kinds of problems require early childhood orthodontics?
Typically, these are patients who are not getting enough oxygen during the night due to constricted or obstructed airways. Dr. Hsu works with patients to determine the source of their sleep issues, and often an orthodontic appliance is the solution.
Is there surgery involved?
The most common surgical treatment is tooth extraction, but Dr. Hsu does not recommend surgery. She uses custom-made appliances and tries to eliminate the need for tooth extraction whenever possible. Expansion is always preferable to extraction, because extraction can reduce the amount of space provided for the tongue, forcing it back over the patient’s airway. That can further disturb the child’s sleep, and the goal is to keep them happy, healthy, and breathing easy!
Does Dr. Hsu do braces as well?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Hsu is not an orthodontist, but she is specially trained to provide orthopedic care that can help address problems before they become more complex. The appliances she works with can help reshape the mouth over time, so braces may no longer be necessary, or the length of time in them can be reduced.
When a child is having trouble breathing during the night, airway development can help keep oxygen flowing steadily and easily. Dr. Hsu uses a variety of custom-made appliances to expand or develop the airways of young patients, helping them get a good night’s sleep. These appliances can also help fix overbites or other aesthetic and functional issues.
FAQ
What is TMJ? Do I have it?
Depending on the condition, Dr. Hsu offers both fixed and removable appliances. She’ll go over the options with you at your appointment and help you determine which is better for your child’s condition.
How is TMJ related to sleep?
These custom-made appliances fit comfortably in the mouth before bed, and keep a steady flow of oxygen moving through the child’s airways, helping them sleep through the night. A good night’s sleep has numerous health benefits, but it can also help children focus. It reduces manic energy brought on by exhaustion and can elevate their performance in and out of the classroom.
OTHER SERVICES
Crowns
Teeth Grinding/
Clenching
Shoulder Pain
Root Canal/
Endodontic Treatment
Muscle Pain
Missing Teeth Replacement (Implant Restoration And Partial/Full Denture)
Migraine
Craniofacial Pain/TMJ
/Headaches
CPAP Intolerance
Composite Fillings
Bridges
Whitening
INSURANCE PARTNERS ACCEPTED
Please note that this is not a complete list of our contracted insurance carriers. If your provider is not listed, please contact us. We also encourage you to contact your insurance carrier to confirm coverage.
