Preventive care is the foundation of lasting oral health. Regular oral exams give your dental team the chance to spot early signs of trouble, guide your daily hygiene, and tailor a care plan that fits your needs. Our approach combines careful clinical evaluation with patient education so you leave each visit with a clearer understanding of your oral health and practical steps to protect it.
A comprehensive oral exam begins with a thoughtful review of your medical and dental history. Understanding medications, chronic conditions, and recent changes in health helps the clinician interpret findings and choose the safest, most effective care. You’ll also have a chance to describe any symptoms, sensitivities, or cosmetic concerns so nothing important is missed.
The hands-on exam inspects teeth, restorations, gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof and floor of the mouth. The clinician evaluates gum health, looks for signs of decay, checks the fit of fillings and crowns, and assesses how teeth come together when you bite. We also screen the jaw joints and facial muscles for signs of strain or dysfunction that can cause pain or wear on your teeth.
Often, the exam includes a periodontal assessment to measure gum pocket depths and detect early gum disease, plus an oral cancer screening of the mouth, throat, and neck. When necessary, diagnostic images are recommended to reveal conditions that aren’t visible on the surface—these images are used selectively and explained before they are taken. After the evaluation, your provider will review findings and discuss preventive steps or treatment options in clear, practical terms.
What happens in the mouth doesn’t stay in the mouth. Oral tissues can reflect changes elsewhere in the body, and conversely, systemic conditions may first appear as oral symptoms. That’s why routine exams include checks for soft-tissue changes, unexplained mouth sores, and other signs that may warrant further medical evaluation.
Research increasingly supports links between oral inflammation and broader health concerns. Persistent gum disease has been associated with greater risk for cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, complications of diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Detecting and managing oral inflammation early reduces bacterial burden and can support overall health efforts.
Similarly, medications and medical conditions can produce dry mouth, changes in taste, or unusual lesions—all of which can affect oral comfort and increase risk for decay. During an exam, clinicians review these influences and recommend targeted strategies—such as saliva support, topical therapies, or specialized hygiene techniques—to reduce risks and improve daily function.
Because oral signs can be meaningful clues, a careful exam benefits not only your smile but your broader well-being. If we observe anything out of the ordinary, we’ll explain what we found and advise the appropriate next steps, whether that’s monitoring, referral, or prompt treatment.
Daily brushing and flossing are essential, but routine professional care fills in where home care can’t reach. Even with excellent habits, mineralized plaque (tartar) can form in areas that are difficult to clean. Hygienists remove this buildup and polish teeth to reduce staining and the bacterial load that drives cavities and gum disease.
Checkup visits are also opportunities for early detection. Problems caught at an early stage are typically simpler and less invasive to treat. Regular monitoring helps clinicians identify trends—such as enamel wear, shifting teeth, or gum recession—and put preventive steps in place before more extensive treatment becomes necessary.
Education is a core part of every cleaning appointment. Hygienists demonstrate effective brushing and interdental techniques, suggest appropriate tools, and tailor recommendations to each patient’s anatomy and lifestyle. For children and adolescents, visits also include growth and development checks to determine whether orthodontic evaluation might be needed as the jaw and teeth mature.
At Crowns Now Family Dentistry we strive to make preventive care straightforward and effective. Our goal is to partner with you so that routine checkups become a reliable way to maintain comfort, function, and an attractive smile throughout life.
Imaging is a vital complement to the visual exam because it reveals the hidden structures of the teeth, roots, and underlying bone. Radiographs allow clinicians to detect decay between teeth, assess bone levels around roots, locate impacted or unerupted teeth, and evaluate existing restorative work for integrity and fit.
Digital radiography has transformed diagnostics by producing clear images immediately with lower radiation exposure than older methods. These digital files can be enlarged, enhanced, and compared over time to track changes—making it easier to explain findings and plan appropriate care.
Benefits of modern digital imaging include rapid acquisition, reduced radiation, straightforward sharing between clinicians when referrals are necessary, and efficient storage in the patient record. When more detailed visualization is required for surgical planning or implant placement, three-dimensional imaging such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides precise spatial detail.
Your provider will recommend the type of imaging that best serves your exam and treatment goals, and will discuss the reasons for each image so you understand its role in your care plan.
Different images answer different clinical questions. Bitewing radiographs are useful for spotting decay between back teeth and for checking the fit of existing restorations. Periapical images show an entire tooth from crown to root and are helpful for evaluating root health and the bone immediately around a tooth.
A full-mouth series combines multiple periapical and bitewing images to document the condition of all teeth and supporting structures. A panoramic film offers a broad, two-dimensional view of the entire mouth—useful for viewing wisdom teeth, jaw joints, and general bone shape. Cephalometric films provide a profile view often used in orthodontic planning to understand jaw relationships and facial proportions.
When precise, three-dimensional information is needed—for example, before certain extractions, implant placement, or complex surgical planning—a CBCT scan offers detailed views of bone anatomy, nerve positions, and sinuses. Your provider will explain which images are necessary for safe, predictable care and what each type contributes to diagnosis and planning.
Together, thoughtful visual assessment and appropriate imaging form the backbone of an effective oral exam. They help detect problems early, guide conservative treatment, and support well-informed decisions about your oral health.
In summary, regular oral exams combine careful examination, appropriate imaging, and personalized guidance to protect your smile and support overall health. If you have questions about what to expect during an oral exam or would like more information about our approach, please contact us for details.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At Crowns Now Family Dentistry, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Crowns Now Family Dentistry, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Crowns Now Family Dentistry, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting Crowns Now Family Dentistry for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Crowns Now Family Dentistry.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of Crowns Now Family Dentistry, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Crowns Now Family Dentistry is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of Crowns Now Family Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
An oral exam is a comprehensive clinical evaluation of the teeth, gums, jaw, and surrounding oral tissues performed by a dental provider. It combines a visual inspection, palpation of soft tissues, an assessment of bite and jaw function, and any necessary diagnostic imaging to form an overall picture of oral health. Regular oral exams help detect early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral lesions, and other conditions before they become more complex to treat.
Beyond identifying dental problems, an oral exam supports preventive care and ongoing maintenance of a healthy smile. It also provides an opportunity to review medications, habits, and medical history that may affect oral health. When findings indicate a need, the exam becomes the basis for a tailored treatment plan and patient education to reduce future risk.
Your first visit typically begins with a review of medical and dental history and a conversation about any concerns or symptoms you may have. The clinical exam follows, including a periodontal evaluation, an occlusion assessment, an oral cancer screening, and a close inspection of teeth, soft tissues, and the surrounding head and neck areas. Diagnostic images such as digital x-rays are often recommended to view structures not visible to the naked eye.
At Crowns Now Family Dentistry we use the information gathered during the initial exam to establish a baseline for your oral health and to discuss any recommended next steps. The team will explain findings in plain language and outline treatment or preventive measures when necessary. You should feel free to ask questions about procedures, homecare techniques, and follow-up scheduling before you leave.
In most cases, patients are encouraged to visit for routine checkups and professional cleanings twice a year to help maintain oral health and catch problems early. Regular visits allow clinicians to monitor changes in gum health, tooth integrity, and other oral tissues so that preventive measures or early treatments can be applied. Frequency can vary based on individual risk factors such as history of periodontal disease, decay, medical conditions, or certain medications.
Your dental team will recommend a personalized recall interval based on the results of your exam and the state of your oral health. Patients with higher risk may need more frequent visits, while very low-risk individuals might be seen at longer intervals. Open communication about lifestyle, medications, and changes in health helps the practice determine the appropriate schedule for you.
Dental x-rays are a standard diagnostic tool used to reveal issues not visible during a clinical exam, such as cavities between teeth, root problems, bone loss, and developing teeth. Modern digital radiography significantly reduces radiation exposure compared with traditional film-based methods and allows images to be viewed immediately. These images are stored electronically for easy comparison over time, which helps track changes and plan treatment more precisely.
When recommending x-rays, the dental team balances diagnostic benefit with patient safety and follows established guidelines for frequency and type of imaging. Protective measures and the lowest effective exposure settings are used to minimize risk. If a three-dimensional view is required for complex planning, a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan may be suggested to provide detailed anatomical information.
Several types of radiographs are commonly used depending on the diagnostic need: bitewings for detecting decay between teeth, periapical films for viewing the entire tooth and its root, panoramic films for a broad overview of both jaws, and cephalometric images for orthodontic assessment. Each image type reveals different structures and helps the dental team make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. CBCT provides three-dimensional detail when complex anatomy or implant planning is involved.
The choice of radiograph will depend on your symptoms, age, dental history, and the clinical findings from the oral exam. The dentist or hygienist will explain why a specific image is recommended and how it will inform care. Diagnostic images are reviewed with patients so you can understand their purpose and implications for treatment or monitoring.
An oral cancer screening is performed as part of a routine oral exam and includes a careful visual inspection and palpation of the lips, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, cheeks, gums, and neck. The clinician looks for red or white patches, sores that do not heal, lumps, or other abnormal changes and may document findings for follow-up. Patients with risk factors such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, or a history of HPV exposure should be especially vigilant and receive regular screenings.
Screenings are recommended for most adults at routine checkups and sooner if you notice unusual symptoms like persistent soreness or difficulty swallowing. Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful intervention, so reporting any oral changes between visits is important. If suspicious findings are identified, the dentist will recommend appropriate referrals or diagnostic testing for further evaluation.
The mouth often reflects overall health, and many systemic conditions produce signs that appear in oral tissues, such as dry mouth, ulcers, bleeding gums, or unusual lesions. During an oral exam the dental team reviews medical history and observes oral signs that may indicate conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Noting these signs allows the dentist to recommend medical follow-up or coordinate care with your physician when appropriate.
Because more than a single symptom can be meaningful, clinicians consider patterns of findings along with your general health and medications. Sharing complete health information and updates at each visit helps clinicians interpret oral findings in context. This collaborative approach supports early identification and management of health issues that affect both the mouth and the body.
The dental hygienist plays a central role in preventive care by providing professional cleanings, removing plaque and calculus, and assessing gum health during the visit. Hygienists also take preliminary radiographs when needed, chart oral conditions, and document areas of concern for the dentist to review. They provide individualized oral hygiene instruction, demonstrating brushing and flossing techniques and offering guidance on products and routines that support long-term health.
Hygienists work closely with the dentist to ensure findings from the exam are addressed and to reinforce preventive strategies with patients. Education during the visit helps patients understand the connection between daily habits and oral outcomes. For children, hygienists also offer age-appropriate guidance to establish healthy routines early in life.
Yes, a comprehensive oral exam includes assessment of jaw function and the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) to identify signs of pain, clicking, limited motion, or muscle tenderness. The clinician evaluates how the teeth come together, observes any wear patterns from clenching or grinding, and may ask about headaches or facial pain that could relate to jaw function. Identifying TMJ issues early can lead to conservative management options such as home care instructions, occlusal guards, or referrals when specialized care is needed.
If signs of significant dysfunction are present, the dentist may recommend additional diagnostics, monitoring, or collaboration with a specialist in occlusion or orofacial pain. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, improving function, and protecting teeth from further damage. Patient-reported symptoms combined with clinical findings guide the decision-making process for appropriate follow-up.
To prepare for an oral exam bring an up-to-date list of medications, a summary of relevant medical history, and any questions or concerns you want to address during the visit. Arriving with information about recent symptoms, past dental treatments, or changes in health will help the dental team assess your needs accurately. If you have dental records or recent x-rays from another provider, bringing them or arranging transfer can streamline diagnostic comparison.
It is also helpful to practice your normal oral hygiene before the visit and avoid heavy mouthwashes or strong-smelling foods right before your appointment so the clinician can assess breath and soft tissues. Communicate any dental anxiety or comfort needs ahead of time so staff can accommodate you. Clear preparation and open communication make the exam more efficient and allow the team to create a focused plan for your oral health.
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