Good to know, from the team at mend.
Straight answers on aligners, whitening, emergencies and what things cost, written and reviewed by Dr. Sison.
Toothache on a Saturday? What to do until we open
First-aid steps for the most common dental emergencies, what helps, what makes it worse, and when to skip us and go to the ER.
Sep 14, 2026 · 5 min read · Dr. Monique Sison, DDS Read article
Is a dental membership worth it without insurance?
The math behind mend’s $399 annual plan, how it compares with buying insurance yourself, and who should skip it.
Read article Cosmetic
Veneers vs. bonding: which one fixes a chipped tooth?
Two very different price points and procedures that can look identical on day one. How much tooth each removes, and how each ages.
Read article New patients
What actually happens at a first visit to mend
The scan, the X-rays, the conversation, and what you leave with. The whole 90-minute first appointment, in order.
Read article Whitening
Does whitening hurt? Why KöR is different
Sensitivity is the number one reason people quit whitening. Why teeth zing, why KöR rarely does, and how to whiten comfortably.
Read article Prevention
"I've never had a cavity": why careful people still get them
You brush, you floss, nothing hurts. So why is there a cavity now? Dry mouth, aging fillings and the spots a brush can't reach.
Read article Gum health
What your bleeding gums are actually telling you
Pink in the sink is not a reason to floss less. What bleeding means at each stage, and why a deep cleaning isn't an upsell.
Read article New patients
How to choose a dentist, from a dentist
Do they show you the X-ray? How often do they say "let's wait"? Who owns the practice? What I'd look for if I were choosing.
Read article Cosmetic
Why we told a patient to straighten her teeth instead of selling her veneers
She came in wanting six veneers. I recommended Invisalign first. Why veneers on a crowded bite chip, and how it turned out.
Read article Invisalign
Invisalign vs. braces: which is right for your smile?
Both work. The right one depends on your teeth, your bite and your life. How I compare appearance, comfort, treatment time, complex cases and cost.
Read article Invisalign
How Invisalign works at mend dental, from first scan to last tray
From the first 3D scan to your last tray: how treatment works at mend, who it suits, and what to expect along the way.
Read article Cosmetic
Crowns vs. veneers: what's the difference, and which do you need?
A veneer is a cosmetic layer. A crown is structural protection. Once you see it that way, the choice usually makes itself.
Read article Invisalign
Traveling with Invisalign: 7 tips to stay on track while you’re away
Business trip or long-overdue vacation, your aligners can come along without slowing your progress. A packing list, wear-time rules, and what to do if a tray goes missing.
Read article