The Technology Behind a Better Exam
Good preventive care depends on catching small problems while they’re still small. We use digital x-rays to keep radiation exposure low and images sharp, and an intra-oral camera so you can see a cracked filling or an area of early decay on screen rather than taking our word for it.
We also use the iTero scanner and Primescan digital scanning during exams. These create a detailed 3D model of your teeth without impression trays or putty — useful for tracking subtle changes to your bite over time, evaluating whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign®, and planning restorative work with real precision.
The Oral Cancer Screening You Might Not Know You’re Getting
Every cleaning appointment includes an oral cancer screening and a head and neck exam. It takes just a few minutes, it isn’t uncomfortable, and it’s one of the most valuable things we do — oral cancers found early are far more treatable than those found late. We check the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, throat, and neck at every hygiene visit, for every patient.
How Often Should You Come In?
For most patients, twice a year works well. But “most patients” isn’t a diagnosis, and we don’t apply a blanket schedule to everyone.
After your comprehensive exam, your dentist will recommend a hygiene schedule based on what your mouth actually needs. Patients with active gum disease usually benefit from visits every three to four months. Patients with a history of decay, dry mouth, or certain medical conditions may need a different rhythm. Patients with excellent home care and healthy gums may be fine on a standard schedule for years.
If You’re Nervous, Tell Us
A number of our patients haven’t seen a dentist in a long time, and many of them arrive expecting a lecture. That’s not how we work. We’re far more interested in where you want to go from here than in what happened over the last several years.
Nitrous oxide–oxygen conscious sedation is available whenever it would help. Our clinicians use specific techniques to minimize the discomfort of injections. And we make a point of hearing your concerns before we begin, not after.
Cleanings for the Whole Family
We see patients from age one through age one hundred, and we’re glad to schedule family appointments so parents and children can come in together. For children, an early cleaning is as much about building comfort as it is about the teeth — the goal is a kid who doesn’t dread the dentist at thirty because of how things went at six.
