Comprehensive check-up
Exam, cleaning, annual x-rays
During your first visit, your dentist will spend extra time getting to know you (and your teeth) with a thorough new-patient exam, including a cleaning and annual x-rays.
Your dentist learns about your dental history and checks your head, neck, and mouth for any signs of tooth damage, gum disease, oral cancer, and TMJ (i.e. balance and alignment of your bite).
Unless you bring x-rays from your previous dentist, your first visit will include a comprehensive set of radiographs (i.e. photos) of your teeth, roots, and surrounding bones below the surface. They’ll be retaken every 1-2 years or as needed.
A licensed hygienist will scrub every tooth surface to remove plaque and tartar, floss all the hard-to-reach places, polish for a fine clean, and applies a fluoride treatment to help prevent cavities as needed.
Routine check-up
Exam and cleaning
Follow-up visits are recommended every 6 months for routine cleaning, and to track any changes that could signal a potential problem.
Your dentist examines every tooth to track changes that could impact your oral health and help you correct course. Your head, neck, and mouth are also checked for signs of damage, gum disease, and oral cancer.
A licensed hygienist scrubs every surface of your teeth to remove plaque and tartar, flosses all the hard-to-reach places, polishes for a fine clean, and applies a cavity-fighting fluoride treatment as needed.