Locations
EndoCare Center
San Gabriel, CA
My office hours
Thursday: 9:00am - 6:00am
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EndoCare Center
Irvine, CA
About
Bio
Dr. Yu graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2005. He then completed a General Practice Residency program at the Veterans Administrations Sepulveda Hospital in Northridge where he cared for medically complex dental patients and performed dental surgery under general anesthesia. Having discovered a passion for endodontics, Dr. Yu returned to Columbia University to complete his specialty training and certificate in Endodontics. Dr. Yu has been practicing dentistry for 15 years. He is board-eligible by the American Board of Endodontics. After his specialty training, Dr. Yu moved back to southern California and founded EndoCare Center in San Gabriel since 2013 and in Irvine since 2014.  
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.
Endodontics
Licenses
United States: California
Doctor Q&A
92 Answers
256 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Too many!: It can be tooth-related or not. Assuming it's tooth related, then the most common reason is tooth decay. However, if it is not tooth related, it cou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Many poss. reasons: Most likely reason is crack tooth syndrome. You dentist will need to do a thorough exam to rule out decay, periodontitis, tooth abscess, pulpitis, oc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Restore or extract: You can try to save the tooth, in which case you will probably need root canal treatment, post and core, crown. Or you can pull the tooth out and rep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Steps: After anesthesia, we use different kinds of elevators to loosen the tooth and then forcepts to extract the tooth. Sometimes, periosteal separator, su... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: Not all the decayed tooth need root canal therapy. However, your dentist can tell based on the radiograph and/or pending excavation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Too many reason: Swollen glands usually mean your body is trying to make white blood cell to flight infection. Sore gums can mean many things. If you have deep pocke... 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. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Root formation: I see many children ranging from 8 year-old to 18 year-old. Most common reason is that the tooth has immature root formation which make it a challeng... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes, but depends: It depends on how you feel afterward. Most of my patient (>90%) go to work the next day without any issue. Only about 1-2% are what we called fla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Perio or endo: If the abscess is draining, usually you will have slightly raised gum and very little pain. However, if the abscess is not draining or if the fistula... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Check meds: Some medication will affect your saliva output. Review your medication list if any with your physician. Do you teeth only hurt when you are running ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Need more info: You can have no tooth and have tooth pain (phantom tooth pain, atypical facial pain). Pain can also be referred, meaning its coming from somewhere el... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes: For pain take some Ibuprofen 600mg every 4-6 hours. This will only treat the symptoms but not the source of the problem. You need to go see a dentis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Maybe: Each excedrin contains 250 mg acetaminophen, 250 mg Aspirin and 65 mg caffeine. If you are trying to rest maybe caffeine isn't such a good idea.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Periodic checkup: Depending on the extend of the bone destruction, it may take more than two years for the bone to heal. However, there shouldn't be any active infecti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Go see a dentist: Toothache can be extremely painful. Your husband is not alone in imagining what could be happening. It could be a wisdom tooth impaction or a decaye... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Be more specific: What do you mean by horrible? Are they misaligned? Or, discolored? Have missing teeth? Too many cavities? It's hurting? It's sensitive? I bring t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Licensed dentist: Any licensed dentist can perform endodontic procedures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes: There is a big difference between an experienced endo assistant and a novice. Employer will always like someone with experience. If you like endo th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
No and Yes: Not all teeth that have been crowned need root canal treatments, but most root canal treated teeth have crowns. And yes, it definitely help to have t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: That depends on the extend of the crack. As long as we can cover the crack with a crown and still have favorable crown-root ratio then the tooth can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
AKA acetaminophen: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a mild analgesic. Mostly used as a fever reducer. It will reduce your pain, but not quite as effective as Ibuprofen (my p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: The key in grafting is removal of existing infection and granulation tissue. As long as all the infected tissue is cleaned out, your dentist may be a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes to tooth: Canker sore can cause a tooth to hurt, but probably not both the tooth and the ear. If your canker sore healed and both the tooth pain and ear pain a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Referred pain: It is not uncommon to have tooth pain radiate to the head, neck, shoulder, even arms. You know it is tooth related if all these symptoms disappeared ... 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. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: Is it a front or back tooth? Usually a front tooth is faster than a back tooth. Is it done by a specialist? Is it a straight root canal or retreatm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes, bone resorption: When a tooth is extracted, the bone that surround the tooth (alveolar bone) slowly disappears because there is no reason for the bone to be there. An... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Ibuprofen 600mg: Pain med only masks the symptoms. Do have the tooth checked out asap. Assuming you don't have any kidney problem 600mg every 6 hours.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
RCT done right?: I am assuming that your root canal treatment was completed. In that case, the abscess will usually revolve itself in 7-10 days. If you haven't had t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Biopsy: You can do a biopsy by itself. Usually non-surgical root canal treatment does not involve cutting the gum. You can do both procedure in one setting.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: You need to know why the root canal failed. Perhaps re-retreatment is another possible alternative to the two you listed. Has the possibility of toot... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes: Drainage is a quick way for your body to get rid of any bacteria (pus) and fluid it doesn't want. It will only last for a few days and should not com... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
No: It shouldn't. If you are concerned talk to your dentist. If needed he or she may refer you to a root canal specialist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes, generally but..: Unless you have the permanent restoration (like composite or crown) placed over the root canal treated tooth you should exercise caution. Follow your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Get it checked out: Take some over the counter pain medication until you can go see a dentist. I recommend Ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours (assuming you are healthy and n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes, usually: As long as you don't not get in the way of the dentist or the assistant i don't see why not. It is really up to the patient and the dentist. There a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Pain?: Depending on how long you have been gone the root canal may need to be re-cleaned and re-disinfected. Temporary filling starts to leak after a few we... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Ibuprofen: You probably had you mouth open for quite a while and your muscle is sore. Your gum may be irritated from the clamp. The disinfectant used to clean ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Wait or do something: It is hard to help without specifics. Get a second opinion if you don't believe what your dentist is telling you. However, if the dentist advised you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Not much: Don't believe what other people tell you. I have so many patients that tell me after i had performed the procedures that they have absolutely no pain... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: If a pulpectomy had been performed you should not wait more than 1-2 months. Even after root canal treatment is completed you still need to have the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Ibuprofen: For pain, Ibuprofen 600mg every 4-6 hours. However, this will only mask the symptoms. Visit your dentist to get evaluated. You don't want it to get... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Yes: Pain can be referred, meaning it could feel like it is coming from somewhere else (like your ear) but it is really coming from your tooth. You know t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Not likely: The external part of your ear is innervated by auriculo temporal cranial nerve v which shares the same ganglion as the nerve that innervate your teeth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
No problem: I usually have a bite block and always a rubber dam in place so that patients cannot bite down. If my patients just let me know that they need to sne... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Antibiotic, I ; D: Your need to have the abscess drained and be placed on antibiotic. You don't want the abscess to spread any further. You brain is not too far away f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Depends: If you are referring to the sensitivity then give it a few days for the tooth to calm down. If the filling is really deep and it is too close to the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Why not?: Were you instructed not to drink wine? If so why not? We don't recommend mixing alcohol with some medicine (like narcotics), but if you are not taki... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
No: Root canal is a space inside the tooth that houses the pulp tissue (blood vessels, nerve tissue, etc). If the nerve tissue becomes infected a dentist... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain: If it is a baby tooth, sometime a simple extraction will suffice. Other times, it needs a "baby root canal" and to be capped. Don't wait because the d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. John Yuanswered
Endodontics 18 years experience
Titanium rejection: Whether your body will reject a dental implant is not related to how deep the implant is placed. If you truly have titanium allergy, your implant will... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k 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.
4
Recommendations
79
Thank you notes
Dr. Sandra Eleczko
Oct 27, 2013
Great knowledgable dentist. Dr. Yu gives insightful answers.
HealthTap member
Sep 21, 2013
Thank you Dr. Yu! Your advice was SO helpful & you answered so quickly! I'm SO impressed! I wish you had an office in my neck of the woods. My case (root canal upper front tooth/pierced sinus/flushed ...Read More
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Yu is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I REALLY appreciate your advice & speedy answer! THANK U SO MUCH! : )
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Abscess is being treated with antibiotic. Would warm compress help?
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Cd better since such a large file. I now agree. bye!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, NY
Graduated 2005MD
Residency
Veterans Administration Sepulveda
Awards
TopDENTISTS 2013
Hippocrates Award, Second Place, National - Winter
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
ADA, AAE, OCDS
Publications
Interleukin Profiles of Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Gingival Tissue from Periodontally Diseased and Healthy Subjects
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