Locations
Chico Creek Dental
Chico, CA
My office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
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Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Office
Chico, CA
About
Bio
In practice for 36 years. Former director of general practice residency program at UCSF.
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
Doctor Q&A
367 Answers
42 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
See below: It's more likely the other way around. Your depression is more likely to improve if your quality and amount of sleep improves.
You may need a sleep ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Heart valve damage: Infectious endocarditis can cause damage to heart valves, presenting the symptoms described.
This can be a very serious condition. See a physician as... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
See below: If a tooth is abscessed or the dental pulp (nerve) is dying, a dentist will open the pulp chamber (inside the tooth) to 'drain' the infected contents ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Sinusitis?: You may have a congested frontal sinus. The frontal sinus is in the forehead area, above the eyebrows. It can become congested, along with the other s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Stay the course: The fact that pus is flowing now should cause the symptoms (pain and fever) to diminish soon. If you have been using the same antibiotic for 8 weeks, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Possibly: If the infection is periodontal in nature, it can be treated via injection of local anesthesia and root planing/scaling. However, the presence of a 'g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Oral appliance: See your dentist about a snoring appliance. It protrudes the lower jaw and opens the airway behind the tongue. This reduces the velocity of the air go... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Probably can't: I am not aware of being able to increase the gag reflex on a voluntary basis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Sleep quality: It sounds as if your quality of sleep is inadequate. You need adequate time in various levels of sleep to feel physically and mentally refreshed.
Y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Circulation: Blood flowing through our body is what keeps us warm. Sometimes the body reduces the flow to certain areas (usually the extremities-hands and feet) to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Depends on surgeon: Some surgeons use electrosurgery and it would be unwise to have a metal piercing.
It probably would not be in the way of the surgical procedure, thou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
No.: Very little is 100% in medicine.
I would not use a CPAP machine on a 6 month-old. I would have a competent individual (obstetrician, ENT physician) e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Yes. : An ear/nose/throat specialist would be most appropriate.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
It can be.: Sleep apnea has two forms...'obstructive' and 'central'. The obstructive type has to do with tissues blocking the airway during sleep. Surgical reduct... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Probably not: It takes time for tobacco to produce a cancerous lesion. A week is not long enough.
It is a very good thing to quit using smokeless tobacco, howeve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Sleep study: Speak to a physician about a referral for a sleep study. That will help determine the nature of your poor sleep. Many things can be done to improve th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Mucocoele?: You might have a mucocoele. It is a mucous cyst that is caused by an injury to one of the many minor salivary glands in the tissue that lines the oral... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Move lower jaw: It may be a eustacian tube that is clogged on that side, or it may be wax or debris in the outer ear canal.
Open your jaw half way and move your chin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Not enough sleep: At age 18, a person needs about 9 hours of sleep a night. Less than this on a chronic basis will limit productivity, attention, social activity, etc. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Pros and cons: A sliding genioplasty and chin implants can accomplish the same end result of improving the profile of a deficient chin area.
The genioplasty is mor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Minimize acid: Proton pump inhibitors on a daily basis are effective in reducing acid production.
Also, take an antacid (tums, or other) before retiring to neutrali... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Sedation dentistry: A person with significant fears of dental treatment might want to consider sedation for treatment. This can be accomplished with oral medication or wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Parasomnia: The medical term for sleepwalking is 'somnambulism'. It is one of many 'parasomnias'...Unusual or undesirable events that occur while asleep.
It requ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Cosmetic dentistry: A gap in the midline is called a diastema. Many times these gaps can be closed by applying a tooth colored material (composite resin or porcelain) to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Go betond teeth: Our breath is influenced by factors beyond the teeth. When you brush your teeth, also brush the top of your tongue. Go as far back as you can with the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Periodontal disease: Gum (periodontal) disease is a common problem. It can be accompanied by foul breath and a foul taste in the mouth...Especially if one breathes
throu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Antibiotics or drain: Abscesses are best treated by draining them (usually surgically) or with the use of antibiotics, or both.
The selection of the method depends upon th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
See Below: If he has a feeding tube and does not eat or swallow anything by mouth, he may have regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus/throat area t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Often related: The muscles of the head and neck area are often involved in temporomandibular joint disorder.
Muscle spasm is a common finding and many different set... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
See below: Facial fat is related to overall body fat. The only way to eliminate fat from the body is to metabolize it (burn it off) or to have it surgically remo... 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. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Yes: Some of the drugs used in anesthesia can be used to produce cardia arrest as some heart procedures require that the heart not be beating during the pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Not much: Many people have their amalgam (a mixture of silver and other metals and mercury) fillings removed, to be replaced by white, tooth colored composite o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Somewhat serious: The symptoms tend to describe a dental abscess. These symptoms tend to resolve when the infection drains spontaneously or is treated with an antibioti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Yes: A 'locking' jaw is usually caused by the disc in the jaw joint becoming malpositioned. This can be caused by clenching or bruxism (grinding the teeth ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
See below: Growth is usually complete by age 18. 'underbite' and 'overbite' are skeletal disorders related to growth issues. Sometimes these discrepancies need o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Blisters/ulcers: A herpetic rash usually
begins with a 'premonition' or a burning sensation. One or more small blisters and redness follow (this is the rash). The bl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
See below.: Yes, but that may not be necessary. There are several ways to change the appearance of teeth. They can be chemically whitened, covered with white por... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Many answers: You don't mention when the surgery took place or what the pre-op symptoms were. These could be normal post-op occurences or could be more serious. I w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
It is difficult: As with any muscle, they tend to become more plump when we use them and tend to atrophy (diminish) when we don't use them. We only use jaw muscles for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Lack of awareness: If you are going to have intravenous anesthesia or sedation (recommended), your memories of the procedure will be minimal or non-existant. You will be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Reward/penalty: The reward/penalty system works for most people, if a person is 'rewarded' for learning or doing something positive, they will strive to repeat that e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Possiby.: Moving teeth can cause a disharmony between the occlusion (the way the upper and lower teeth come together).
This disharmony can cause on ongoing TM... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Probably normal: An 18 film survey is the standard 'full mouth' radiographic analysis. As a rule, this survey is obtained every 3-5 years.
An interval survey (bite w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
It's variable: Cavities begin when the decay process penetrates the insensitive enamel and enters the sensitive tooth structure underneath it (this structure is call... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Antibiotics/drainage: An abscess is an infection. The body sends white blood cells to an infected area. The 'used up' white blood cells can accumulate in the area in
a poo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
A volatile solvent: Many times a herpetic (cold sore) lesion can be aborted if caught in the 'premonition'; phase (when you feel the 'burning' sensation) by the topical a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Tooth infection: An abscess is a bacterial infection. When associated with a tooth, it means that bacteria have invaded the nerve inside the tooth or maybe have invade... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Sympathetic action: During sleep, our autonomic nervous system is functioning. When we wake, our conscious (i.e. Sympathetic) nervous system comes into action. This is us... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
Yes: Rem (rapid eye movement) sleep is that level of sleep when we dream. It usually occurs late in the sleep cycle after a period of deeper sleep and may ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Ryananswered
Dentistry 52 years experience
It depends : If blood in the stoll is red, it may be from a hemorrhoid. This needs to be evaluated and treated, but is fairly common.
If the blood or stoll is dar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >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.
7
Recommendations
1.1K
Thank you notes
Jan 15, 2013
Excellent doctor. Very knowledgeable with great advice. The doctor to follow on health tap.
Dr. Kenneth Grossman
Feb 10, 2013
I recommend dr. Ryan for his skills and knowledge!
Jul 7, 2013
Very timely and accurate responses.
HealthTap member
After having 5 back surgeries in 3 years when I am only 30 I tend to freak out on people when they lift things wrong! Especially at work! Naughty people, read the signs! :)
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I really appreciate it! I just went to see a cardiologist today and he told me the same thing. Thx!
HealthTap member
Thank you! I did see my dentist on Friday. I wasn't sure which type of MD to see next - ENT, Neurologist, Head and Neck
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry
Graduated 1970MD
Residency
UCLA
Awards
Top Doctor, First Place, Chico, CA - Winter
2013
Most Influential, First Place, Chico, CA - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, Second Place, Chico, CA - Winter
2013
Publications
Common Dental Emergencies Which May Be Encountered By The Family Physician
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