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
Can a dentist drill too deep?
If filling is done when a tooth has a cavity. The drilling to remove the cavity depends on the depth of the decay of the previous existing filling. The depth of the filling is dictated by how deep the cavity is. READ MORE
Should I get Invisalign at age 30?
Invisalign is great for all ages. We start them as early as 10 years old and have patients who have started in their 60s. Since you are 30 you will be a great candidate. READ MORE
Is it normal for a crown to be sensitive?
Yes, sensitivity after a crown is cemented can occur as long as the sensitivity continues to improve over the course of a few weeks. READ MORE
What foods can't you eat with dentures?
Depending on the types of dentures you are getting, you should be able to eat most everything. READ MORE
Do braces stain your teeth?
If you don't keep your teeth clean during braces then when you remove your braces, you might have staining and discoloration of your teeth. READ MORE
What are the long-term affects of teeth grinding?
You need a night guard. You can break teeth and crack them resulting in the need for root canals or extractions or crowns and onlays. Wear a night guard to prevent further damage to your teeth. READ MORE
Do crowns on front teeth look natural?
If possible, you can try to get a veneer. A crown can look nice as well if it is an all porcelain crown. READ MORE
What causes gum inflammation?
See a dental professional and maintain a regular dental cleaning regimen every 3-6 months. READ MORE
Can a dental cleaning whiten teeth?
Cleanings can remove stain from teeth and make them appear whiter but it doesn't whiten your teeth the way teeth whitening procedure does. READ MORE
Are zirconia crowns more expensive than porcelain?
All porcelain crowns as well as zirconia costs the same. Some porcelain fused to precious metal crowns may cost more due to the gold in them. READ MORE
What could be the cause of a white tongue?
Use a tongue scraper to remove plaque from your tongue. READ MORE
Is surgery the only option for treating TMJ?
Absolutely not. Surgery is the last option after other means have not helped. Surgery may not fix your tmj problem. Wearing a special made nightnguard for your top and bottom teeth may be your best option. READ MORE
How do you fix spacing between teeth?
You can close spaces with your teeth with invisalign, cosmetic bondings or veneers. READ MORE
How to recover from getting braces?
It hurts the first day but the pain should subside by a day or two. Give your child motrin or tylenol for the soreness. READ MORE
Why are my gums so sore?
See your dentist for evaluation and routine cleanings. READ MORE
#2 tooth with deep cavity - why infected after filling?
Whenever a tooth is drilled to have a new filling placed or an old filling replaced, the tooth is subjected to trauma. Because a tooth is a live structure with nerve and blood supply the trauma to a tooth can show in forms of sensitivity after a filling. When this happens, the tooth is hypersensitive and letting you know that it is inflamed and this inflammation can result in death of the nerve or the tooth just getting over the inflammation and go back to normal. Based on what you have told me, you may have had an inflammation in the tooth and it has gotten better, I would not do any further treatment with the tooth unless it hurts you further down the road. I would also have x-rays taken of the entire tooth showing the root of the tooth over time to make sure there is not infection at the end of the root. (if a tooth dies, over time, the nerve and blood supply in the tooth rots causing an infection at the end of the root) This can be seen on x-rays and also if you become symptomatic meaning having a toothache in the tooth. For now no further treatment is suggested for the tooth if you are without symptoms. READ MORE
What are the most visible signs and symptoms of a gum disease?
Early signs of gum disease is bleeding when you floss or brush. If the bleeding does not go away after flossing regularly for a week after you notice bleeding, consult a dentist. READ MORE
Can cavities in one tooth affect other teeth as well?
If you were told you do not have decay in any other teeth around the tooth you had filled, then more than likely the sensitive is from the filling. If the sensitivity doesn't go away, you need to see your dentist. READ MORE
What could be the reason for my mouth dryness?
Have you had a change in medication? Or supplements? Some medication such as blood pressure medication, can cause dry mouth. Sometimes the dryness can be due to other medical conditions. You will have to visit your physician if that is the case. READ MORE
How should I maintain my gum health?
Flossing at least once a day is imperative. Once a week is too infrequent since food and plaque can get caught under the gums and cause gingivitis. Purchasing a Waterpik is also a great device or removing plaque between teeth if you do not like to floss. 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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