At Dentistry on the Square, we believe the most effective dentistry begins with careful observation and thoughtful prevention. Regular oral exams give our team a clear picture of your current oral health, let us catch early signs of trouble, and guide you toward care that preserves both function and appearance. Our approach is collaborative: we share findings in plain language, explain options, and partner with you to keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Every exam combines clinical experience with modern diagnostic tools. Whether you're a long-time patient or visiting us for the first time, our goal is to make each appointment efficient, comfortable, and informative. With a focus on prevention and early detection, we work to prevent small issues from becoming larger problems.
Your appointment begins with a careful review of health history and any concerns you bring. Medical conditions, medications, and recent health changes can all affect oral care, so we take the time to understand your overall health before examining the mouth. This background helps shape a personalized plan and ensures we consider relevant risk factors.
The clinical portion of the exam covers the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and other soft tissues, plus an assessment of jaw function and bite alignment. Our clinicians look for signs of decay, gum inflammation, abnormal wear patterns, and any changes in soft tissues. We also evaluate habits such as clenching or grinding that can affect long-term dental health.
As part of a thorough visit, we perform an oral cancer screening and a periodontal assessment when indicated. These checks are quick but essential: early detection of suspicious lesions or early-stage gum disease greatly improves outcomes. If anything requires follow-up, we’ll explain next steps clearly and schedule appropriate diagnostics or treatment.
Diagnostic imaging is recommended when it will add meaningful information to the exam. X-rays and other images reveal what a visual inspection cannot, helping us see below the surface of teeth and into the supporting bone. Based on your exam and any images, we will outline recommended preventive measures or treatments and answer any questions you have.
The mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body. Conditions that begin in the mouth can influence general health, and systemic illnesses frequently show oral signs. During an exam, we note findings that may reflect broader health concerns and communicate those observations to help you and your medical providers make informed decisions.
Research continues to clarify links between oral inflammation and systemic conditions. Persistent gum inflammation, for example, has been associated with cardiovascular concerns, metabolic changes, and difficulties controlling blood sugar. Identifying and managing oral inflammation is an important part of an overall health strategy.
Conversely, many systemic diseases produce oral symptoms such as dry mouth, unusual ulcerations, or changes in the soft tissues. When we observe these indicators, we discuss them with you and recommend further evaluation if appropriate. Early recognition helps ensure you receive timely medical attention when needed.
By maintaining routine exams, patients gain the benefit of ongoing monitoring. Small shifts in oral health can be detected and addressed quickly, reducing the chance that a treatable condition will progress into a more complex problem that affects both oral function and overall well-being.
Daily brushing and flossing are the foundation of oral health, but routine professional care fills in where home routines can’t reach. Our hygienists remove hardened deposits and polish the teeth, reducing bacterial buildup that leads to cavities and gum disease. Professional cleanings also restore a fresh, healthy feel to the mouth.
Checkups allow us to track change over time. During each visit we compare current findings with previous records and images to spot trends—whether it’s increasing sensitivity, changes in gum attachment, or new areas of tooth wear. Frequent monitoring means minimal interventions and treatments limited to what’s necessary.
We recommend a cadence of visits based on individual risk: for many patients, twice-yearly appointments are effective, but some people benefit from more frequent recall visits due to history, medications, or other risk factors. During each appointment we also review homecare practices and demonstrate techniques to help you get the most from daily brushing and flossing.
Children benefit from early, predictable dental visits that build healthy habits and allow us to monitor growth and tooth development. During routine exams we keep an eye on eruption patterns and jaw development and advise when orthodontic assessment may be appropriate to guide a lifetime of good oral function.
Visual inspection is a vital part of any exam, but x-rays and digital images extend our view beneath the surface. Radiographs reveal hidden decay between teeth, the condition of roots and bone, and the presence of impacted or developing teeth. This information is critical to forming a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.
Digital radiography has become the standard because it captures high-quality images with minimal radiation exposure. Images appear instantly, can be enhanced for clearer interpretation, and integrate into electronic records for easy comparison over time. This speed and clarity improve the accuracy and convenience of diagnostic assessments.
Beyond routine two-dimensional films, three-dimensional imaging such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides volumetric views of the jaws and surrounding anatomy. When used selectively, CBCT offers exceptional detail for surgical planning, implant placement, and complex clinical cases where anatomic relationships must be understood precisely.
We recommend imaging based on clinical need and individual risk. When images are appropriate, we explain the reasons for the chosen technique and how the findings will guide care, ensuring you understand the diagnostic value before moving forward.
Dental teams use several types of radiographs to answer different clinical questions. Periapical films focus on the entire tooth from crown to root and are useful when evaluating specific areas of pain or infection. Bitewing images concentrate on the crowns of back teeth and are excellent for detecting interproximal decay and monitoring restorations.
A full-mouth series combines periapical and bitewing views to provide a comprehensive baseline when starting care or when significant change is suspected. Panoramic films offer a broad view of both jaws and help assess erupting teeth, large-scale bone conditions, and the relationship of teeth to adjacent structures.
Cephalometric images are specialized profile views commonly used in planning orthodontic treatment or evaluating facial growth patterns. For complex surgical planning or implant placement, CBCT gives three-dimensional detail that improves precision and safety. Our clinicians weigh the diagnostic benefits against exposure and recommend the most appropriate option for your situation.
Understanding the purpose of each image helps demystify the process and shows how diagnostic tools tie directly into better outcomes. When imaging is part of your exam, we discuss the findings and how they influence treatment recommendations so you can make informed decisions about your care.
In summary, a thorough oral exam is more than a quick check—it is a complete assessment that guides prevention, detects problems early, and supports overall health. If you’d like to learn more about what to expect at your next visit or how routine exams can protect your smile, please contact us for more information.
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 Dentistry on the Square, 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 Dentistry on the Square, 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 Dentistry on the Square, 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 Dentistry on the Square 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 Dentistry on the Square.
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 Dentistry on the Square, 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 Dentistry on the Square 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 Dentistry on the Square, 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 thorough clinical evaluation of the mouth, teeth, gums, jaw joints and surrounding soft tissues to assess overall oral health. The exam helps clinicians identify early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, infection, structural problems and soft tissue abnormalities. It also establishes a health baseline that guides preventive care and any future treatment recommendations.
During an oral exam the dental team combines visual inspection, tactile assessment and diagnostic records to form a complete picture of oral status. Findings from the exam are used to tailor patient education, hygiene instructions and individualized recall intervals. The goal is to preserve natural teeth, maintain healthy gums and support whole-body wellness through early detection and intervention.
Routine oral exams are essential because they allow dentists to detect developing problems before they become complex or painful. Regular assessments make it possible to treat cavities, gum disease and other conditions at earlier stages when treatment is is simpler and outcomes are better. Exams also provide an opportunity to reinforce preventive habits and update care plans based on changes in health or medications.
Oral health is closely linked to overall health, and routine exams help identify signs that may reflect systemic conditions such as diabetes or nutritional deficiencies. Screening during an exam can reveal lesions, swelling or symptoms that warrant medical follow-up. By maintaining scheduled exams, patients reduce their risk of advanced disease and support long-term oral function and comfort.
For most patients, a comprehensive oral exam every six months is a common recommendation because it balances prevention with monitoring of changes over time. However, exam frequency can vary depending on individual risk factors such as a history of gum disease, frequent decay, certain medications or systemic health conditions. Patients with higher risk may need evaluations every three to four months, while very low-risk individuals might be seen annually.
Your dentist will review your medical and dental history, exam findings and diagnostic images to recommend an appropriate recall schedule. Changes in health, medication use or oral symptoms should prompt an earlier visit rather than waiting for the next routine appointment. Personalizing the interval ensures earlier detection and a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Your visit begins with a review of medical and dental history and a discussion of any symptoms or concerns you may have. The clinician will perform a visual and tactile inspection of the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, lips and the roof and floor of the mouth, and will evaluate bite alignment and temporomandibular joint function. A periodontal evaluation and an oral cancer screening are typically included, and diagnostic x-rays or images are taken when indicated.
Findings are documented and discussed with you in clear terms, including any areas that require monitoring or treatment and recommended preventive measures. The team will explain homecare techniques tailored to your needs and answer questions about hygiene, diet and habits that affect oral health. When additional treatment is advised, the dentist will outline options, expected outcomes and next steps so you can make informed decisions.
Yes, oral cancer screening is a routine component of a comprehensive oral exam and involves a careful examination of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks, palate and throat. The clinician looks for persistent sores, white or red patches, lumps, unexplained tissue changes and other warning signs that may warrant further evaluation. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, so screenings are performed for every adult during regular exams.
Patients with risk factors such as tobacco or heavy alcohol use, a history of sun exposure to the lips, or prior abnormal findings may receive more frequent monitoring. If an area of concern is identified, the dentist may take a soft-tissue photograph, recommend a biopsy or refer you to a specialist for additional testing. Timely follow-up ensures suspicious findings are investigated promptly.
X-rays or digital radiographs are often part of a comprehensive exam because they reveal information not visible during a visual inspection, such as decay between teeth, the condition of roots and the health of supporting bone. The need for x-rays depends on your clinical findings, dental history and risk of disease; they are ordered judiciously to balance diagnostic benefit with minimal radiation exposure. Modern digital radiography provides high-quality images quickly with reduced radiation compared with traditional film.
Common types of images include bitewing films for detecting interproximal decay, periapical views for individual tooth assessment and panoramic films for a broad overview of the jaws. In select cases where three-dimensional detail is necessary, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) may be recommended for treatment planning or complex diagnostics. Your dentist will explain why a specific image is useful and how it contributes to your care plan.
To detect gum disease, the dental team measures pocket depths around teeth, notes bleeding on probing and assesses gum tissue color and texture for signs of inflammation or recession. Plaque, tartar and areas of attachment loss are documented and compared over time to determine disease progression or stability. Early decay is identified through visual inspection, tactile assessment with instruments and corroborating x-ray evidence when necessary.
Radiographs reveal decay between teeth and below existing restorations, while the clinical exam detects surface lesions and areas of enamel breakdown. Together, these assessments allow the dentist to stage disease, recommend targeted hygiene measures, apply preventive therapies and plan restorative care when indicated. Regular exams and professional cleanings interrupt disease progression and preserve tooth structure.
Yes, oral exams are tailored to age-specific needs; pediatric exams focus on growth, development, eruption patterns and habits that affect the developing dentition. For children, exams often include fluoride guidance, sealant recommendations and education in brushing and flossing techniques appropriate to their age. Monitoring jaw growth and early identification of orthodontic concerns are also priorities during childhood.
Seniors require attention to changes associated with aging such as dry mouth from medications, root decay, wear, restorations and the fit and condition of prosthetics. Exams may place greater emphasis on screening for bone loss, assessing oral function and coordinating care with medical providers. Adjusting preventive strategies for each life stage helps maintain comfort, function and oral health over time.
Daily oral care is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy mouth, so brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth once a day using floss or interdental cleaners. Limiting sugary snacks and acidic beverages, staying hydrated and avoiding tobacco all support gum and tooth health. Using a soft-bristled brush and replacing it regularly helps minimize abrasion while ensuring effective plaque removal.
At Dentistry on the Square we also recommend discussing any changes in your health or medications with your dentist so homecare can be adjusted as needed. For people who grind their teeth, a custom nightguard may be advised, and those with dry mouth can benefit from saliva substitutes and special hygiene strategies. Keeping scheduled professional cleanings and exams allows the dental team to reinforce homecare and address small problems before they become larger.
You should schedule an exam promptly if you experience persistent tooth pain, unexplained swelling, bleeding gums, a nonhealing sore or a sudden change in bite or function. These symptoms can indicate active infection, advanced decay, periodontal problems or other conditions that require timely evaluation. Delaying assessment can allow problems to progress and complicate treatment options.
If you notice new or worsening symptoms between routine visits, contact your dental office to describe the issue and request an appointment. Your dentist will triage the concern, provide guidance on immediate steps to reduce discomfort and arrange an appropriate evaluation to determine diagnosis and next steps. Early attention helps protect your oral health and overall well-being.
Your smile deserves care that feels as good as it looks and we’re here to make that happen.
At Dentistry on the Square, reaching out to us is as easy and comfortable as walking through our doors. Whether you're looking to schedule an appointment, curious about a treatment, or just want to chat about your dental goals, our caring team is always happy to help. Give us a call, send us a message or use our quick online form, whatever’s easiest for you. We’re here to answer your questions, ease your concerns, and welcome you with the kind of personalized attention you won’t find just anywhere. Let’s make your next visit something to smile about. We can’t wait to hear from you!
