Checkup & Cleaning
A full exam, digital x-rays, and a thorough clean, then a plain answer on what, if anything, needs doing.
Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar the toothbrush cannot reach, then polishes. The dentist checks every tooth, your gums, your bite, and does an oral cancer screening.
You get told what we found in plain English, with the price of anything we recommend, before you leave the chair. Nothing gets scheduled that you did not agree to.
What patients notice
- ✦Catches decay while it is still small and cheap
- ✦Digital x-rays with far less radiation than film
- ✦Gum health measured and tracked visit to visit
- ✦A written plan with prices, not a surprise
Questions
It has been years. Will I get a lecture?+
No. Most of our new patients have not been in for a while. We tell you where things stand and what to do about it, and we start with whatever is bothering you most.
Do I need x-rays every time?+
No. A full set every three to five years and a couple of check images each year is typical. If you have recent x-rays elsewhere, we will request them instead.
Safety & what to expect
Cleaning can leave gums tender for a day if there was a lot of buildup, which is normal and settles. Tell us if you have a heart condition, a joint replacement, or take blood thinners, because it changes what we do.
More in Checkups & Prevention
Deep Cleaning
Scaling and root planing to clean below the gumline where regular cleaning cannot reach. The treatment for gum disease before it starts costing teeth.
Night Guard
A custom hard acrylic guard, made from a scan of your own teeth, that takes the force of night-time clenching instead of your molars taking it.
Children's Dentistry
Exams, cleanings, fluoride, and sealants for kids, at a pace set by the child. The whole point of the first few visits is that they are boring.