Exams and X-Ray Dental Services

Schedule Your Next Dental Exam

As you eat and drink every day, your teeth are constantly under pressure. While at-home dental hygiene is vital to happy, healthy teeth, it's not going to be enough. Be sure you schedule regular exams, X-rays, and cleanings with the team at Hartwood Dental Associates.

You can trust our certified dental team for a wide range of dental needs. The best dental care, however, is preventative. With proper care and oversight from our team, you can promote healthier, happier teeth with fewer problems later on.

Cleanings and exams are recommended every six months or more depending on your needs. In most cases, these appointments are covered by your insurance. We like getting to know you and your dental history, and we'll build a good relationship as we clean your teeth for the years to come.

Don't worry if you're having an emergency with your teeth! You can call at any time. Same-day appointments are available to address your needs fast.

What to Expect With Exams and Cleaning

A dental exam is the cornerstone of good oral hygiene. During our first meeting with you, we'll perform a comprehensive exam for a deep understanding of your teeth. Then, every six months, we can do follow-up visits to track any changes in your teeth.

A normal exam will include an X-ray, oral cancer screening, gum disease evaluation, tooth decay assessment, and examination of existing restorations. The goal is to look for signs of a problem so we can address the issue before it becomes more serious. During exams, we will look for decay, tumors, cysts, bone loss, periodontal disease, and more.

After the exam, we'll clean your teeth. The dental cleaning is done by our registered hygienist. This cleaning will remove tartar on the tooth's surface and address plaque buildup. During a cleaning, we can even remove tartar from below the gum line to keep periodontal disease at bay. When we're done, we'll polish your teeth for a dazzling smile once more.

Learn More With a Dental X-Ray

One of the most important parts of a dental exam is the X-ray. X-rays are vital diagnostic tools that allow us to see abnormalities that are not always visible during an exam. The X-ray can reveal abscesses, cysts, bone loss, tumors, decay between the teeth, developmental problems, poor tooth position, and problems below the gum line. This gives us a more accurate look at your dental health.

X-rays are very safe. Natural radiation exposure is common, and your exposure during a normal X-ray is comparable to your daily dose. Even so, we take added precautions with every X-ray at Hartwood Dental Associates. We use lead apron shields to protect your body, and our modern, fast films get the image completed faster than ever.

Although we use X-rays commonly at Hartwood Dental Associates, your needs will vary. We plan your X-ray schedule based on your dental history, age, signs, symptoms, and risk factors. If you're new to our practice, we'll always start with a baseline X-ray, and we like to update a full series every three to five years. Bite-wing X-rays are often recommended once or twice a year.

If you have questions or concerns about dental X-rays, let us know! We'll be happy to explain the value of this imaging and tell you how it can be part of your dental care.