One practice for all your dental needs
Learn More About Our Full Range Of Restorative & Cosmetic Services
ONE PRACTICE FOR ALL OF YOUR DENTAL NEEDS
Learn More About Our Full Range Of Restorative & Cosmetic Services
in Palo Alto, CA
Dentist in Palo Alto, CA Who Truly Cares About Your Smile
Living in Palo Alto is great, but finding a local doctor you actually like can be a pain. Whether you are grabbing coffee on University Avenue or walking the trails at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, the last thing you want to be thinking about is a toothache. We’ve seen so many neighbors from Old Palo Alto and Crescent Park come in after putting off their checkups because they were nervous or just too busy with life at Stanford or tech jobs.
If you’ve been searching for a dentist in Palo Alto, we want to make things easy. We treat our patients like family—the kind of family you actually like seeing. Our office is a place where you can get your teeth fixed without feeling like just another number in a big system.
What We Offer For The Palo Alto Community
General Dentistry
Most folks come to see us because they need a General Dentist they can trust for the long haul. We see a lot of people who haven’t been to the dentist in years because they had a bad experience somewhere else. We get it. We start every new visit with a Comprehensive Oral Examination. This isn’t just a quick peek; we look at everything to make sure your mouth is healthy.
If you are just coming in for your regular six-month checkup, we do a Periodic Oral Examination. And hey, if you woke up with a weird pain or chipped a tooth while eating at Town & Country Village, we offer a Limited Oral Examination (Problem-Focused) to get you feeling better fast. We also use Digital X-Rays because they are faster and use way less radiation than the old school kind.
Dental Cleanings
Keeping your smile bright starts with regular Dental Cleanings. Our hygienists are super gentle. If you want the latest and greatest, we use Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). It’s a fancy way of saying we use warm water and a special powder to clean your teeth way better than old tools, and it feels much nicer on your gums.
Dental Fillings
Cavities happen to the best of us, especially with all the great bakeries around Palo Alto. We do Dental Fillings that match the color of your teeth so nobody even knows they are there. If a tooth is more damaged, we might suggest Inlays and Onlays to keep the tooth strong.
Root Canal Therapy
Nobody likes hearing they need Root Canal Therapy, but it’s actually the best way to save a tooth that’s hurting. We make the process as easy as possible. If you are really nervous, we offer Oral Sedation or Nitrous Dioxide (laughing gas) to help you relax. If a tooth just can’t be saved, we do Teeth Extractions right here in the office.
Periodontist
Your gums are like the foundation of a house. If they aren’t healthy, your teeth won’t stay put. As a Periodontist, we help people dealing with red, bleeding, or sore gums. This is super common, so don’t feel bad if your flossing hasn’t been perfect.
Scaling and Root Planing (deep cleaning)
If things have gotten a bit out of hand, we might start with Scaling and Root Planing (deep cleaning). This gets all the junk out from under the gum line where a regular toothbrush can’t reach. After that, we keep things on track with Periodontal Maintenance visits.
Gum Graft Surgery
Sometimes gums start to pull away from the teeth, which can make your teeth sensitive to cold water or even the breeze during a walk at Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden. We perform Gum Graft Surgery to fix those receding areas. For deeper issues, we also do Pocket Reduction Surgery to help you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.
Am I Experiencing Gum Disease?
Here are some signs you should look out for:
Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Red, swollen, or tender gums that feel sore to the touch
Receding gums that make teeth look longer
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
Loose or shifting teeth
Gums pulling away from the teeth, forming deep pockets
Changes in bite alignment or how your dentures fit
Sore gums or jaw pain when chewing
Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
Bleeding or irritation that continues for more than two weeks
Cosmetic Dentist
Sometimes your teeth are healthy, but you just don’t like how they look. As a Cosmetic Dentist, we love helping people feel confident again.
Porcelain Veneers
If you want a total smile makeover, Porcelain Veneers are amazing. They are thin covers that go over the front of your teeth to fix chips, stains, or gaps. If you just have a small chip, Composite Bonding is a quicker and cheaper way to fix it in one visit.
Gum Contouring
Some people feel like their smile is too “gummy.” We use Gum Contouring to reshape the gum line and show off more of your pearly whites. It makes a huge difference in how your smile looks.
Special Services for your Health
We don’t just look at teeth; we look at how your mouth affects your whole body.
TMJ/TMD Evaluation
Do you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache? You might have issues with your jaw joint. We do a TMJ/TMD Evaluation to see what’s going on. We even offer Botox for TMJ Treatment, which helps relax those tight jaw muscles so you can stop grinding your teeth at night.
Sleep Apnea Evaluation
If your partner says you snore or if you feel tired all day even after sleeping, you might need a Sleep Apnea Evaluation. We can help find a solution that isn’t a loud machine, so you can finally get some real rest.
When to See a Dentist About Sleep Apnea
You should schedule a consultation if you:
Wake up gasping or choking multiple times a night
Feel exhausted despite sleeping 7–8 hours
Experience frequent morning headaches or dry mouth
Have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea but struggle with CPAP
Getting treatment can improve your sleep quality, heart health, and overall well-being — and it all starts with a simple consultation at Dentist Palo Alto.
Prosthodontist
When teeth are missing or badly broken, a Prosthodontist is the expert you need to rebuild your smile. We want you to be able to eat a sourdough sandwich or an apple without worrying about your teeth.
- Dental Crowns: These are like little caps that go over a damaged tooth to make it strong again.
- Dental Bridges: If you are missing a tooth, a bridge “bridges” the gap using the teeth next to it.
- Dental Implants: These are the gold standard. They act like a real tooth root and feel just like your natural teeth.
Orthodontist
If you’ve noticed your teeth shifting or your kids are getting to that age where their smile looks a bit crooked, you might be looking for an Orthodontist. A lot of adults in Palo Alto prefer Clear Aligners (Invisalign) because you can take them out to eat and nobody can see them in meetings or on Zoom calls. It’s a great way to get straight teeth without the “metal mouth” look.
Dr. Harry Tseng grew up in the South Bay and completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UC Davis. He then went on to pursue a Masters in Biomedical Engineering from Yale and a dental degree from the University of Southern California.
After graduating from dental school, he enhanced his dental expertise by completing a General Practice Residency at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital
Dr. Christine Hansen has been leading her dedicated team of professionals serving the Bay Area with her expertise for over 30 years. Her patients’ best interests are at the heart of her practice as she offers comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry. Her services are combined with innovative technology in her practice.
In addition, while Dr. Hansen currently mentors other dentists at the Kois Center, she continuously researches new and relevant practices in her field. This has made Christine Hansen and Associates the “best dentist in the city of Palo Alto” by customer votes for over 9 years in a row, including the Hall of Fame. Contact Dr. Hansen and her team to see what they can do for you and your family!
Patient Reviews for Palo Alto Dentists Dr. Harry Tseng & Dr. Christine Hansen
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Palo Alto Families Choose Us
People here value technology and trust, and we blend both. From digital X-rays to same-day crowns, everything we do is designed for accuracy and comfort.
We’ve been part of the Palo Alto community for over 20 years, supporting local school drives, and cheering at youth soccer games.
Our patients often say they feel like we explain things in plain English, not dentist jargon—and that’s exactly the goal.
Have Any Questions?
You’ll find us at 416 Waverley Street, Suite A, Palo Alto, CA 94301, near University Avenue and just a few blocks from Stanford Campus.
Call (650) 326-3290 or book online anytime. Whether you need a cleaning or complete smile restoration, our friendly team is ready to help.
Because at the end of the day, good dentistry in Palo Alto isn’t just about teeth—it’s about people.