A thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth. Dr. Boling looks for decay between and beneath teeth, cracks, worn enamel, failing old fillings, gum recession and signs that your bite is doing damage over time.
You will hear what she finds in plain language, with the reasoning behind any recommendation. Nothing is scheduled without you understanding why it matters.
Plaque hardens into tartar that no amount of brushing or flossing will remove. Our hygienists clear it from above and just below the gumline, polish the enamel, and show you where your home routine is missing.
Patients consistently tell us our cleanings are unusually thorough and unhurried — that is deliberate, and it is why we schedule the time we do.
Digital imaging uses a fraction of the radiation of older film x-rays and produces an image instantly on screen, so you can see what we see.
X-rays reveal what an exam alone cannot: decay starting between teeth, bone loss from gum disease, infection at the root tip, impacted wisdom teeth and cysts.
Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, and in its early stages it is painless — which is exactly why it goes unnoticed. We measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth at your checkups and track changes over time.
When treatment is needed, scaling and root planing cleans the root surfaces beneath the gumline to let the tissue reattach. Caught early, gum disease is very manageable.
Fluoride strengthens enamel and can reverse decay that has only just begun, before it ever needs a filling. It is not only for children — adults with dry mouth, receding gums, frequent decay or orthodontic appliances benefit just as much.
Part of every comprehensive exam. Dr. Boling checks the tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, palate and throat, and feels the neck and jaw for anything unusual.
Oral cancer is far more survivable when found early, and the screening takes only a couple of minutes — which is why we do it at every visit rather than only on request.
It does not matter how long it has been. There is no lecture waiting for you here — just a plan to get things healthy again.
