Dr. Thu-Nga H. Ortega DDS
Dentist
10721 Main Street Suite 2200 Fairfax Virginia, 22030About
Dr. Thu-Nga Ortega, practices in Fairfax, Virginia. Her practice is tailored to patients who have a very high desire for quality cosmetic and comprehensive dental care. Dr. Ortega is trained in providing preventive and conservative dentistry to create natural, beautiful smiles. She is often known for being very conservative with crowns which are called onlays (where tooth structure is conserved and not prepped away the way crowns are at most practices) She also performs complex surgeries to remove wisdom teeth, places implants, performs gum surgeries and provides full prosthetic implant restorations as well as providing sedation dentistry services. Along with Cosmetic and comprehensive dentistry, Dr. Ortega has been known in Fairfax as one of the most experienced dentist in geriatric care. She has been serving the geriatric community of Fairfax for over 20 years. Dr. Ortega sees only one patient at a time to ensure close monitoring of her patient's dental needs and performs cleanings herself. She spends quality time getting to know each patient's needs before proceeding with treatment. She places the patient's care and comfort above all else. Her team of talented and professional staff is happy to provide excellent quality of care in a comfortable and welcoming environment! It is no wonder patients travel from afar to come and see us. They are loyal and know that we will always be providing the best services to them and their family and friends!
Education and Training
Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry
University of Maryland GPR 1996
Board Certification
Dentistry
Provider Details
Dr. Thu-Nga H. Ortega DDS's Expert Contributions
I recently read an article that said poor dental health could cause respiratory problems. Is it true?
Brushing twice daily and flossing once a day is required regimen as well as seeing a dentist once every 6 months to remove tartar from below the gums is important to a person's overall health. Inflammation of the gums is bad for your heart and overall health. READ MORE
Does switching toothpaste matter?
Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste is important. I personally think switching to a another toothpaste does not make it more effective. Stick with ones that you enjoy the taste will make brushing more enjoyable. READ MORE
Is higher or lower pressure better with water flossers?
Waterpik us a great product. I use one myself. I try to set it up to 8 out of 10 if it goes up to 10 or at high (on other models)at all times. It is more effective at removing food debris and plaque between teeth if set on high. If you have gum disease, you can use the Pik Pocket tip. This rubber tip is safe below the gum line and it automatically only allow a lower pressure through even if you have the setting set on high. Sometimes gums bleed, that does not mean that it is hurting your gums. You may have had a food particle trapped below your gums. Bleeding should go away in a few days. If it continues, consult a dentist. READ MORE
What is gingivitis and its risk factors?
To prevent gum disease...gingivitis (early form of gum disease) it is important to floss daily. And brush twice a day and visit your dentist every 6 months. READ MORE
Can an infected tooth spread the infection to the other teeth as well?
When you mention an infection, do you mean a root canal problem in a tooth or gum disease in SOME of your teeth. An infection IN a tooth cannot spread to other teeth in most cases. Gum infections do affect more than one teeth in many cases. If you have gum problems, antibiotics is very good for the treatment of gum disease. READ MORE
Can brushing my teeth with salt whiten my teeth?
Brushing your teeth with salt may help to remove stain because it is more abrasive, but it does not technically whiten your teeth the way professional teeth whitening systems do. I recommend having a professional cleaning done at a dentist office, make sure you don't have any cavities and then professionally whiten. Some professional whitening kits are quite inexpensive nowadays. READ MORE
What should I do for my chipped tooth?
If your chip is small, all you need is a bonding (white filling that blends with your tooth). Selecting a dentist trained in cosmetic dentistry can help you have a bonded tooth that can look seamless as though nothing has ever happened to your tooth. In rare cases and the chip is large, you may need a veneer or a crown. A conservative dentist will chose a minimally invasive solution for you and avoid removing healthy tooth structure while building back your tooth. READ MORE
What could be the cause of my throbbing tooth pain?
You can have a cracked tooth, a large cavity to the nerve, etc. A visit to the dentist is highly recommended. Without an exam and X-rays by a professional, there is no diagnosis that can be recommended. READ MORE
What are natural ways to deal with tooth sensitivity?
A sensitive tooth will indicate that you may have something going on in the tooth. A visit to a dentist is recommended as it is important to take an X-ray of the tooth to determine if something other than just sensitivity is going on in the tooth. READ MORE
I have white dots on both of my gums and tongue. What could these be?
Without seeing them in person, it is not possible to give an opinion on this. Please seek a dentist's opinion on this in person. READ MORE
Rash in the mouth
The picture is hard to decipher. A visit to an oral surgeon is recommended for another set of eyes on this. READ MORE
Does clove oil really work in easing tooth pain?
Clove oil has been used in dentistry for a long time. It just "numbs" or calms down the tooth. It can give you a false sense of security that the tooth is ok when it may not be. A visit to the dentist to determine what is wrong with the tooth is warranted. You will need an X-ray and an exam and diagnosis. READ MORE
My daughter has a cut inside of her mouth from falling. How can I rule out any infection?
Salt water rinse for her 4 times a day. If this gets worse instead of improving in the next few days... If she has a fever or swelling of her mouth is worse instead of better, you will need to bring her in to see a dentist. READ MORE
How many times should I floss?
If flossing is done properly, you can floss after every meal if you so choose. But flossing at least once a day is recommended. READ MORE
What could be the reason behind the burning sensation in my gums?
If this is a new thing, visit a dentist. If you notice changes in your gums as well, I recommend seeing a dentist. READ MORE
What are the natural ways to deal with tooth sensitivity?
Emergency dental treatment can be done in the 2nd and 3rd trimester if the pain worsens. Other than that, you can try to use Sensodyne toothpaste to help with the sensitivity until it is full blown pain. In such case, an emergency root canal can be done. READ MORE
What are the ways to close the gap between two frontal teeth?
You would be recommended to have your teeth whitened first and then have bonding done to close the gaps between your teeth. Bonding is conservative and this helps to put white filling material to close the gap or you can also have veneers made to close the gap. Veneers are porcelains facings that help close the gap between teeth. READ MORE
What is the treatment suggested for treating dental plaque and soreness in the gums?
If you can see plaque and tartar along your gum line and you can not remove it with regular brushing and flossing, we recommend you visit your dentist to have it removed with a professional. Tartar can cause bone loss and eventual tooth loss. You need to make sure that this is not happening to your teeth so a visit to the dentist is highly recommended. READ MORE
Are whitening toothpastes bad for the teeth?
Most whitening toothpastes have higher abrasive formulation and this helps to remove stains from teeth that is caused by the food and drinks that we consume. Some will also have some formulation to help with whitening of teeth. This does not help with actual whitening of teeth as effectively as professional whitening gels. Whitening toothpaste is great at maintaining the whiteness of teeth once it has whitened but it is not effective at whitening teeth. READ MORE
What is the possible cause of swelling and numbness on the right side of my tongue?
If you have any problems with your tongue feeling swollen and numb, you need to have it evaluated to determine if there is any problem with it. It does not have to hurt to indicate that there can be a problem with it. Contact a dentist and have them evaluate this as soon as possible. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Awards
- Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry 2007 Academy of General Dentistry
- Master of Academy of General Dentistry 2017 Academy of General Dentistry
- General Practice Residency Award 1996 University of Maryland Hospital
Professional Memberships
- AGD
- AACD
- American Dental Association
- Virginia Dental Association
- Northern Virginia Dental Society
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Oral Cancer Screenings for GMU students, faculty and staff since 2000 to present
- SRA Health Fair- Oral Cancer Screenings
- SAIC Oral Cancer screenings
Professional Society Memberships
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, American Academy of General Dentistry, North Virginia Dental Society
What do you attribute your success to?
- Passion for Dentistry
Hobbies / Sports
- Photography
Favorite professional publications
- Journal of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr. Thu-Nga H. Ortega DDS's Practice location
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Dr. Thu-Nga H. Ortega DDS's reviews
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