Ray Besharati, DDS

10/04/2026

Waking up with a sore jaw? A night guard may be part of the answer—but you need to understand what’s causing the pain first.
In the newest addition to Insights, Dr. Ray Besharati explores a common question: When does a night guard help jaw pain?
Read more:
https://www.raybesharati.com/when-does-a-night-guard-help-jaw-pain/

09/28/2026

Sometimes the hardest part of returning to the dentist is making the first call.

Life gets busy. A difficult past experience can make it harder. And the longer you wait, the bigger that first step can feel.

Our new guide walks through what to expect, how to discuss anxiety and cost, and which questions can help you understand your options.

You can start with one sentence: “It’s been a while, and I’d like to understand where to begin.”

Read the guide:
https://www.raybesharati.com/havent-seen-dentist-in-years/

Highlands Dentistry | Issaquah Highlands

Returning to the dentist after years away? Learn what to expect, how to discuss anxiety and costs, and where to start with dental care in Issaquah.

09/24/2026

Invisalign or braces? The best choice depends on more than which one you can see.

Clear aligners can make meals and cleaning easier, but they require consistent wear. Braces stay attached and can offer advantages for certain complex tooth movements.

Before choosing, ask:
• Can both options achieve my goals?
• What will each require from me every day?
• What is included in the full cost?
• What happens if treatment takes longer?
• What retainers will I need afterward?

Our new guide walks through the practical differences, the research, and the questions worth bringing to your consultation.

Read the article below.
https://www.raybesharati.com/invisalign-or-braces-how-to-decide/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=insights_2026&utm_content=invisalign-or-braces-how-to-decide

09/20/2026

🦷 Do You Really Need a “Deep Cleaning”?

Being told you need a deep cleaning can leave you wondering: “What makes this different from my regular cleaning?”

A deep cleaning—called scaling and root planing—treats periodontal disease below the gumline. For patients who need it, it is treatment, not simply a more thorough routine cleaning.

But bleeding gums alone do not establish that you need it. The recommendation should come from a careful examination that considers pocket measurements, inflammation, loss of the tissues supporting your teeth, and bone levels on appropriate X-rays.

You deserve to understand what those findings mean. Ask your dentist to explain the diagnosis, show you the affected areas, and describe how healing will be checked afterward. Reassessment is an important part of periodontal treatment.

In our latest Insights article, Dr. Ray Besharati explains the evidence behind the recommendation and the questions worth asking.

📖 Read “Do You Really Need a ‘Deep Cleaning’?”

https://www.raybesharati.com/do-you-really-need-a-deep-cleaning/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=insights&utm_content=deep_cleaning

09/11/2026

Thinking about clear aligners? Before choosing a payment plan, make sure you understand the treatment plan. 🦷

What should be checked before your teeth move? How will wearing trays fit your routine? Does the price include additional aligners and retainers? And who will monitor your progress?

You deserve clear answers before committing your time, money, and dental health.

Our new Insights article helps you look beyond the smile preview and ask the questions that matter—including whether you need treatment or would simply enjoy a change.

📖 Thinking About Aligners? Read This Before You Move a Single Tooth

https://www.raybesharati.com/before-starting-clear-aligners/

Before committing to clear aligners, understand the examination, daily routine, possible risks, complete cost, and retainers—not just the smile preview.

09/06/2026

“My tooth doesn’t hurt. Do I really need a crown?” 🦷

It’s a fair question—and you deserve a clear explanation.

An old filling or a visible crack doesn’t automatically mean you need a crown. But a painless tooth may still need protection.

Sometimes the right choice is a crown. Sometimes an onlay, a filling repair, or careful monitoring makes sense. What matters is the condition of your tooth—and having a plan.

Our latest Insights article explains the options and the questions worth asking before you decide.

👉 Read: Do You Need a Crown—or Can the Tooth Be Watched?

08/31/2026

"My gums bleed a little when I floss. That's just normal for me, right?"

It's one of the most common things we hear in our Issaquah office — and the honest answer is: common, yes. Normal, no.

Healthy gums don't bleed when you floss, any more than healthy skin bleeds when you wash your hands. Bleeding is usually an early sign of inflammation along the gumline — think of it as your gums' warning light. Caught at this stage, it's often reversible with a professional cleaning and consistent home care. Left alone for years, that same low-grade inflammation can quietly progress to bone loss, and bone doesn't grow back on its own.

September is National Gum Care Month, so here's a 10-second self-check: floss tonight, then look at the floss. If you see pink, that's worth a conversation at your next visit — or sooner.

Highlands Dentistry — Issaquah, WA
Call or book online to have your gums evaluated.

08/24/2026

If you wake up with a dull ache at your temples and your jaw feels tired before you've eaten anything, your teeth have probably been working all night.

Most people notice the headache before they notice the jaw. The pattern is the giveaway: worst on waking, easing over the morning, worse again in stressful weeks. It isn't a sinus problem and it usually isn't a migraine.

This is one of the areas I did my graduate training in, and it's the thing I see most often mislabeled as something else.

08/21/2026

📚 Back-to-College season is here in Issaquah — and family schedules are about to get busy! 🎒

Before the calendar fills up, take a moment to check:

Is anyone overdue for a dental cleaning? Has a tooth become sensitive? Does a filling, crown, retainer, or sports mouthguard feel different?

Small dental concerns are often simpler to address before they interrupt school, work, meals, or sleep.

At Highlands Dentistry, we believe good dentistry begins with careful listening, a thorough examination, and clear explanations. Our goal is never more dentistry — it is the right dentistry, planned thoughtfully and conservatively.

📞 Call 425-996-0457 to schedule your visit.