Your Visit to the Dentist
A Complete Dental Exam
During a dental exam, Dr. Chen or a hygienist will: Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene. Assess your risk of tooth and root decay, as well as gum disease or bone loss. Evaluate your need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement. Check your bite and jaw for problems.
Hygienist Teeth Cleaning
Once this exam is complete, the hygienist will perform a regular cleaning. For individuals with gum disease, Dr. Chen may recommend a deep cleaning that helps treat the issue and allows your mouth to heal.
At the beginning of your regular cleaning, your hygienist uses an ultrasonic scaler that removes debris, calculus, and plaque from between teeth and around the gum line. With this portion of the cleaning complete, a hygienist uses a special paste to polish each tooth one by one. Lastly, your teeth will be flossed using dental floss, and the hygienist may make recommendations or suggestions about proper flossing techniques.
That’s all there is to a dental exam!
Once your cleaning is done, one of our staff members follows up with you about any treatment Dr. Chen recommends and makes any necessary follow-up appointments.