Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Indianapolis
Routine Smile Care for The Whole Family
We can do many things to restore the health of your smile after dental disasters strike, but most would agree it’s best to prevent these situations from happening in the first place. That’s where regular checkups and cleanings come in! Visiting your dentist in Indianapolis every six months for routine smile care can drastically reduce your risk of gum disease, cavities, and more. Contact our team to request an appointment for you or a loved one today.
Why Choose Evergreen Dental for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Intraoral Camera Improves Patient Comfort
- Dental Insurance-Friendly Office
- Experienced & Attentive Dentist
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
At-home oral care is essential for keeping your teeth healthy and bright. Unfortunately, your toothbrush and floss can only do so much, and some dental symptoms can be difficult to identify on your own. Your dentist in Indianapolis has special instruments that allow them to remove stubborn plaque and tartar, and knows how to distinguish a benign symptom from a concerning one.
Basically, regular checkups and cleanings reduce your risk of developing harmful oral conditions by giving us the opportunity to thoroughly clean your smile and monitor your dental health.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
During your checkup, Dr. Hannah or Dr. Kenneth will visually examine your mouth and use our intraoral camera to explain their findings. The intraoral camera displays the images it captures on a chairside monitor, allowing you to see exactly what your dentist sees. Depending on your needs, Dr. Hannah or Dr. Kenneth may also take X-rays so they can look at your internal tooth structure.
It’s worth noting that we perform an oral cancer screening during every checkup. Oral cancer is very treatable when identified early, which is another reason we recommend making these types of appointments every six months.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
For the cleaning portion of your appointment, one of our talented dental hygienists will use professional equipment to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gumline. This is not meant to be painful, but if you have sensitive teeth or have had uncomfortable cleanings in the past, please let us know. We’ll keep this in mind during your cleaning, and can provide dental sedation if necessary.
Once your teeth are fresh and bright, we’ll apply any fluoride or sealants requested. If you receive fluoride treatment, take care not to eat or drink for 30 minutes afterwards. Otherwise, the fluoride won’t be able to properly integrate with your enamel.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How often do I need to visit the dentist for a checkup and cleaning?
Are you curious how often you should schedule a routine dental examination and professional teeth cleaning? The American Dental Association recommends scheduling them twice annually, or once every six months.
This is because, although brushing and flossing morning and night is essential to prevent cavities and gum disease, there are places that are difficult to see or reach on your own at home. Plaque and tartar can accumulate in hidden areas, like between your teeth, deep below your gumline, or behind your molars, and cause problems.
Meanwhile, our team has the experience and state-of-the-art technology to quickly assess your condition, identify potential problems, and treat them before they can progress.
How much does a routine visit typically cost without insurance?
Uninsured patients may be more likely to skip their twice annual visits due to budgetary concerns because they’re unsure how much their appointment will cost. However, doing so only increases the likelihood of experiencing worsening issues that eventually require more expensive and complex procedures to treat, which might have been prevented.
Most people in Indianapolis can expect to pay between $150 and $350 for an exam, cleaning, and X-rays, though the rate can vary depending on your unique circumstances. Our team understands you may be concerned about the cost, so we offer an in-house membership plan for a flat annual fee, which includes 2 annual cleanings and checkups as well as cancer screenings, fluoride treatments, and additional discounts on other services we offer.
What if I need an appointment but I’m too anxious to visit the dentist?
You’re not alone if you’ve hesitated to schedule an appointment because you dread sitting in the dentist’s chair. If you’re overly anxious, struggle to sit still, have a sensitive gag reflex, or any other conditions or concerns that might prevent you from a routine checkup and cleaning, you might benefit from dental sedation.
We offer two options to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your visit. For instance, nitrous oxide sedation, or laughing gas, is administered through a gas mask placed over your nose while we work. We also can provide oral conscious sedation as a pill that you take before arriving for your appointment so that the effects kick in by the time we begin your examination and cleaning.
How long does a dental exam usually take?
Standard dental checkups typically don’t take very long. In many cases, this portion of your appointment might only take about 10 to 15 minutes, which gives our team enough time to visually examine your teeth, gums, existing dental work, soft tissues of the mouth, and bite alignment to identify any potential problems.
The next portion of your appointment is the professional cleaning, which usually takes a little longer.