Locations
Almaden Dental Associates
San Jose, CA
Phone
Practice website
Office
San Jose, CA
About
Bio
Private Practice since 1983.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Dentistry
Languages spoken
English, Russian
Doctor Q&A
294 Answers
45 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
It's possible: The chin is innervated by the mental nerves which are the final branches of the trigeminal nerve which innervates your lower teeth before exiting to y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: If you are careful to not damage the temporary and it was made correctly, you should be ok for three weeks. The temporary keeps the prepped tooth and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
More common lately: There are many sources of Fluoride in our environment. Besides misuse of Fluoride supplements and toothpaste (ingestion) there are sometimes high le... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
See a Dentist or MD: There is a condition called burning mouth syndrome that ive seen associated with gastric reflux disease. Ive learned since that bms can be a primary ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Love: The real answer is anything that can be spread in saliva. Kissing is considered oral transmission. A common transmitted microbes would be mono (epst... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
The dextran capsule: Plaque mainly consists of streptococcus mutans--a bacteria that produces a sticky capsule made of polysaccharides (dextran) which sticks to the teeth ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
They get cleaner: Most people worry about acidic liquids like sodas and fruit juices, softening the enamel. These very acidic drinks can soften the enamel so much that... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
One appointment, but: Braces can be removed in one appointment however the fine movements involved in finishing your case can take longer than your predicted length of trea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Laser therapy: If its a blister from a herpes blister, there is a procedure to accelerate healing and relieve pain using a laser. The swelling of the lip is rela... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: There are an estimated 20 million people wearing dentures in the us. From a cosmetic perspective, we can make dentures that are not noticeable. Fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Straw !: You can keep the tea off your teeth by drinking through a straw. More practical would be to rinse with water after drinking. It takes time for tea a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Dont panic: The white spots on your tonsils are consistent with you strep throat which is a bacterial infection of your throat. The patches on your tongue are mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: Some people use their toothbrush like a saw and some use it like feather duster. If the composite is near tissue, of course overbrushing can cut the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
You cant...: They are normally viral and must run their course. A dentist can treat them to make them less painful. A laser can be used to make them hurt less.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
No,: Cialis is a vasodialator and is may be effected by other vasodialators like "nitrates" (nitroglycerin). Nitrous oxide is not a vasodialator and does ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: Depending on where your neuralgia is located , your pain can feel like it originates in a tooth, even if the tooth is healthy. A dentist can test a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Opening the Bottle?: I think the phenomena has to do with dehydration that may occure over night due to the combination of alchohol metabolism or mouth breathing, or both... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
The last aligner: The last aligner in the series is a retainer. Yes you can.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: You are probably using listerine agent cool blue for kids which has a blue disclosing dye and tints your teeth blue. This was formulated by design t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: Typically cold sores start out as vesicles (clear pimple) and burst into a ulcer. A white headed pimple is a localized infection resulting in a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Possibly: Depending on how large the gaps are and the shape of your teeth, orthodontics, like invisaline may help. You may also need some cosmetic veneers or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
I doubt it: If you feel something sharp or hard in a lower adult tooth extraction site, its more likely to be piece of bone or tooth segment. If you see a toot... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Many possibilities: Red cheeks are from the vasodialation of the vessles near the surface of your skin. Anger, embarrasment or stress can effect those vessles, also hea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: Especially if your mouth is typically dry. The alcohol in listerine may desiccate your mouth tissues.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Tmj: See your dentist. Sounds like the muscles involved in mastication are spasming. An exam is necessary to diagnose this problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
No problem with either. Baking Soda is mildly abrasive and is an Acid Neutralizing solution which helps prevent decay. ARM & HAMMER makes toot... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Jun 17, 2021
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Dental Exam: You wont know if the headaches are from you TMJ unless a dentist diagnosis that you have dysfuntions, treats the problem and thus relieves your headac... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
No: The most common infected tooth that causes cheek and eye swelling is the upper canines. These teeth are not anesthetized with injections at the back ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Polymerization: Heat cure implies that heat is needed to accelerate or catalyze polymerization. Obviously it is not used intra orally since adding heat to a mouth is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
They are the same: Dental caries and dental decay describe the complex reaction of dental bacteria on teeth that results in the localized acid erosion and destruction o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Not Sugar: Seriously, you need to see a dentist to treat the toothache. No food will make it go away. On that note there are some natural compounds that will... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: In my 30 year career, seeing patients from 4 generations of families, and treating identical and fraternal twins, i believe there is a significant... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
School and exams: Graduating from an accredited dental school, passing the national boards, passing the state board exams and getting a dental license in he state you ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Unlikely: Jakob cretzfeldt disease is a prion diease whos vector of transmission appears to be through injestion of or infection from infected organ tissues suc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
~$5000: Implant $1200
bone augmentation $800
implant abutment $800
implant crown $1900
possible other
surgical slints $300
3d ct scan ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
This is not unusual: Your baby's jaws are growing but the teeth coming in are actual adult size. In time, those teeth growing in behind will move forward displacing the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
See your dentist: Sometimes bad breadth is not caused by ineffective oral hygiene and sometimes our oral hygiene is not as effective as we think . Have your dentist ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
A cab to your doctor: At best, the white spots can be calcium deposits of debris in which better oral hygiene will help. At worse you could have tonsillitis or strep throa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Allergic to meds: It's possible you are having a reaction to the amoxacillin. The white appearance of your tounge is a different issue and most likely benign. The red... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Metallic Tastes: You may have this taste as a side effect of medications you may be taking--specifically antibiotics. It can also be caused by dehydration. Less like... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Metalic taste: The metallic taste is probably from the phlem that you are coughing up. The most common causes of metallic tasting phlem are a side effect of medicat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes you can: Avoiding carbonation is to avoid acidic drinks that etch your teeth around the brackets. In general you should also avoid, fruit juices, red wine, an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Yes: Stress and anxiety from pain cause the release of Adrenalin and cortisol which vasoconstrict blood vessels causing temporary increases in blood pressu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Thats relative: That would be subjective if we are talking about food. Medically, it would be a taste that you personally felt was not normal, or one that was ano... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
No: Canine teeth are the longest rooted teeth in your mouth and are usually the last to fail. Sounds like by coronal leakage, you mean that there is an i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Talk to your Dentist: There are many types of ulcers found in the mouth caused by many things from tooth infections to viruses. Best to have a dentist determine what kin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Ave 6 months: Some infants are born with teeth. Teething signs include excessive drooling, discomfort and crying, and refusing a pacifier when they normally take... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Likely Sinus related: Everything but lip numbness fits a severe sinus infection. However, lip numbness can accompany sinus infections that are severe, although not common.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Can be tricky: In most cases where orthodontic movements are being made around implants, great care should be taken to take the implant crowns completly out of occl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 40 years experience
Illnesses in mothers: Infections in pregnant mothers can cause intrinsic (on the inside of the tooth) discoloration in their offspring by effecting the enamel as it devel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
416
Thank you notes
Mar 27, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Syn is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Syn is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! It was not aborted by perio. I'd never use a general dentist for this stuff. Need expert in gums and bone. That is the expert. OMFS is an expert, as well. Too many thing...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Sounds like more pain and for such a high non-insurance coverage cost. Even 1 implants are for those in the upper middle class and above or for those who want Care Credi...Read More
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank you for your response. I only have the pain the next morning but have revisited my dentist for an adjustment
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Northwestern Dental School, Chicago, IL
Graduated 1983MD
Awards
Top Dentist, First Place, San Jose, CA - Winter
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Dental Association
California Dental Association
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less