At the office of Sunset Dental, we take oral exams seriously because they are the foundation of long-term dental health. A well-conducted exam does more than catalog cavities — it reveals early warning signs, guides preventive care, and helps shape a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our goal is to catch small problems before they become larger ones, and to give you clear, practical guidance for maintaining a healthy, confident smile.
Your initial exam begins with a conversation. We review medical history, note medications or health changes, and listen to any concerns you bring — from sensitivity to cosmetic goals. Understanding the whole person helps us interpret what we see in the mouth and create recommendations that respect your overall health and lifestyle.
Next comes a hands-on evaluation of teeth, gums, and the soft tissues of the mouth. We check for decay, worn surfaces, gum pocketing, and anything unusual on the lips, tongue, cheeks, and throat. Bite mechanics are assessed as well: patterns of wear, clenching or grinding, and jaw joint function can all affect comfort and long-term prognosis.
Diagnostic imaging is used selectively to complete the picture. Where appropriate, we take digital radiographs to evaluate areas not visible to the naked eye — between teeth, under restorations, and below the gum line. Based on these findings, your clinician will discuss next steps, answer questions, and prioritize care so you understand what’s recommended and why.
During the exam we also emphasize practical prevention. You’ll receive personalized coaching on brushing, flossing, and daily habits that reduce risk. Our aim is to equip you with tools and knowledge that make oral health achievable between visits, not just during them.
Oral health and general health are tightly linked. The tissues in and around the mouth can show early signs of nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders. During an exam we pay attention to symptoms such as persistent dry mouth, unexplained oral lesions, and chronic inflammation, all of which can warrant further medical evaluation.
Research increasingly supports connections between gum inflammation and systemic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory concerns. That doesn’t mean one causes the other directly in every case, but it does mean changes in the mouth can offer useful clues for overall health management. Recognizing these signs early allows for timely conversations with your medical providers when appropriate.
Equally important is the reverse: systemic illnesses and medications often create oral side effects. Xerostomia (dry mouth), altered taste, or recurrent ulcers may be linked to medications or systemic therapy. By documenting these changes during your exam, our team can help you manage symptoms, suggest protective strategies, and coordinate care with your physicians when needed.
Because the mouth is such a visible reflection of broader health, regular exams are an opportunity to maintain not only a strong smile but also a healthier body. We look beyond the teeth to support your overall well-being with thoughtful assessment and clear guidance.
Routine checkups and professional cleanings are where prevention happens. Even with excellent home care, plaque and mineralized deposits can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas. A hygienist’s cleaning removes these deposits, polishes teeth, and reduces bacterial loads that lead to cavities and gum disease. That simple step is one of the most reliable ways to protect your teeth over the long term.
At the same time, we tailor preventive strategies to each person. That may include fluoride therapy, targeted sealants, or bite guards for patients who grind their teeth. We also assess diet, smoking, and oral habits, and offer constructive, evidence-based recommendations that respect your preferences and readiness to change.
Education is a central part of the visit. Rather than deliver a one-size-fits-all lecture, we demonstrate efficient brushing and interdental cleaning techniques, suggest products that fit your needs, and answer practical questions about daily care. Small adjustments at home often yield big improvements in oral health and comfort.
Children and adolescents receive special attention to ensure healthy development. Early exams track growth patterns, the timing of erupting teeth, and any early signs that orthodontic guidance may be beneficial. Establishing routine dental visits in childhood promotes good habits and helps prevent problems that can follow into adulthood. Our team at Sunset Dental focuses on creating positive experiences that build lifelong habits.
Visual inspection is powerful, but certain issues hide beneath the surface. Radiographs reveal the roots of the teeth, the bone that supports them, and spaces between teeth where decay often begins. They are an essential diagnostic tool that complements the clinical exam and leads to more accurate treatment planning.
Digital imaging has changed the way we capture and use radiographs. Images are produced quickly with lower radiation exposure, can be enhanced to show subtle details, and are stored electronically for comparison over time. These advantages let us track changes precisely and explain findings to patients using clear, on-screen visuals.
In some cases, advanced three-dimensional imaging is appropriate. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) gives a volumetric view of the jaws and supports precise planning for complex procedures, such as implant placement or assessment of impacted teeth. We recommend these studies only when they add meaningful diagnostic value to your care.
Ultimately, imaging is used judiciously to answer specific clinical questions and to guide conservative, effective treatment. We balance diagnostic benefit with safety, and we review findings with you so you fully understand their implications for your oral health.
Different imaging formats serve different diagnostic needs. Small, focused periapical films visualize an entire tooth from crown to root and are useful when assessing tooth pain, root integrity, and surrounding bone. Bitewing images capture the upper and lower back teeth together and are the standard for detecting early decay between teeth.
A full mouth series combines multiple periapical and bitewing images to establish a comprehensive baseline for new patients or to evaluate widespread dental concerns. Panoramic films offer a broad two-dimensional view of the jaws and are valuable for viewing erupting teeth, impacted teeth, and the general architecture of the jaws in a single image.
Cephalometric images provide a profile view that is especially helpful when planning orthodontic care; they help clinicians evaluate facial proportions and skeletal relationships. Three-dimensional CBCT scans, when indicated, add depth and spatial precision that improve diagnosis and surgical planning for complex cases.
When imaging is recommended, we will explain the purpose of each study and how its results influence your care. Our approach is to use the least invasive, lowest-exposure option that still provides the clinical information needed to make sound decisions.
Regular oral exams are the single best way to preserve dental health, detect problems early, and maintain a comfortable, functional smile. If you have questions about what an exam involves or want guidance on scheduling or preventive strategies, 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 Sunset Dental, 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 Sunset Dental, 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 Sunset Dental, 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 Sunset Dental 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 Sunset Dental.
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 Sunset Dental, 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 Sunset Dental 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 Sunset Dental, 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 tissues conducted by a dental professional. It includes a visual inspection, palpation of soft tissues, assessment of tooth integrity and evaluation of bite and jaw function. The purpose is to identify early signs of decay, gum disease, oral lesions and functional problems so that timely care can be recommended.
During an exam the clinician also reviews your medical and dental history to understand how overall health, medications or habits may affect your oral condition. Screening for oral cancer and other soft-tissue abnormalities is a routine component of the assessment. Findings from the exam guide preventive strategies and any further diagnostic testing or treatment planning.
Your first checkup establishes an oral health baseline and begins with a careful review of medical and dental history, including current medications and any symptoms you may be experiencing. The dentist or hygienist performs a systematic clinical exam that typically includes an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation and an assessment of occlusion and temporomandibular joint function. Diagnostic images are often taken as needed to view structures that are not visible on a visual exam.
After the evaluation, the clinician discusses the findings and outlines recommended next steps, which may include preventive care, hygiene instruction or referrals for specialty services. You will receive guidance on daily oral hygiene techniques tailored to your needs and any risk factors identified during the visit. The goal of the first checkup is to create a clear plan for maintaining and improving your oral health going forward.
For most patients, routine oral exams are recommended every six months to monitor oral health, remove plaque and tartar, and catch emerging problems early. Frequency may be adjusted based on individual risk factors such as a history of gum disease, recent dental treatment, certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors that increase disease risk. Your dental team will recommend a personalized recall schedule that reflects your current needs and long-term goals.
Regular exams allow clinicians to track changes over time and intervene before small issues become more complex. Consistent preventive visits also provide opportunities for education and reinforcement of effective homecare habits. Maintaining the recall interval advised by your provider is one of the most reliable ways to protect your smile and overall health.
Dental x-rays reveal structures that cannot be seen during a visual exam, including the roots of teeth, supporting bone and areas between teeth where decay can begin. They help clinicians diagnose hidden problems such as interproximal cavities, bone loss from periodontal disease, impacted teeth and abnormalities in tooth development. Accurate imaging supports treatment planning and enables earlier, less invasive care.
Modern digital radiography reduces radiation exposure and produces images immediately for review and comparison over time. X-rays are selected based on clinical need and are used judiciously to balance diagnostic benefit with patient safety. When recommended, these images provide critical information that complements the clinical exam.
The dentist may recommend one or more types of radiographs depending on the purpose of the visit and your dental history. Common images include bitewings to check between the crowns of teeth for decay, periapical films to view the entire tooth and surrounding root area, and panoramic films to evaluate overall jaw structure, tooth eruption and impacted teeth. In selected cases, three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is used for detailed assessment and treatment planning.
Your clinician will explain which images are needed and why, taking into account previous films, symptoms and the findings of the clinical exam. The choice of x-ray type is made to provide the most useful diagnostic information with the least exposure necessary. Results are reviewed with you so you understand any implications for care.
An oral cancer screening is a focused examination of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor and roof of the mouth, throat and neck to detect abnormal tissue or lesions. The clinician visually inspects and palpates soft tissues for lumps, color changes, ulcers or other signs that warrant further evaluation. Screening is typically part of every routine oral exam and is especially important for patients with risk factors such as tobacco or excessive alcohol use.
If an area of concern is found, the provider may monitor it over time, recommend adjunctive testing or refer you for biopsy and specialist evaluation. Early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes, which is why regular screenings are an essential element of preventive dental care. Your dental team will document findings and advise on next steps when necessary.
An oral exam can reveal signs that are associated with systemic health conditions because many diseases produce oral manifestations. Symptoms such as chronic dry mouth, unusual oral lesions, gum inflammation or rapid tooth decay can be linked to conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, nutritional deficiencies and certain infections. Your dental provider considers the medical history and clinical signs together to identify patterns that may require medical follow-up.
Because more than a few systemic conditions show oral symptoms, regular dental exams serve as an important component of broader health surveillance. When concerning findings appear, the dental team may communicate with your medical providers or recommend further medical evaluation. This collaborative approach helps ensure both oral and overall health needs are addressed.
Preparing a child for an oral exam begins with positive conversation that frames the visit as a routine, friendly checkup rather than something to fear. Parents should bring any relevant medical or dental history, a list of current medications and information about tooth eruption or symptoms the child may be experiencing. For younger children, timing the appointment when the child is well-rested and fed can help reduce anxiety and make the visit smoother.
During the visit, clinicians use age-appropriate language and gentle techniques to make children comfortable while teaching proper brushing and flossing skills. The dental team will monitor growth and development, identify early signs of decay and discuss any orthodontic concerns as the child grows. Establishing regular dental visits early builds familiarity and supports lifelong healthy habits.
A professional dental cleaning performed by a registered dental hygienist focuses on removing plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gumline to reduce bacterial load and prevent gum disease. The hygienist typically scales and polishes the teeth, may use interdental cleaning tools or polishing pastes, and applies fluoride or other preventive treatments as appropriate. The cleaning helps restore a clean surface and leaves the mouth feeling fresh.
The appointment also provides an opportunity for personalized oral hygiene coaching, where the hygienist demonstrates brushing and flossing techniques and recommends tools that suit your needs. Any areas of concern discovered during the cleaning or exam are communicated to the dentist for follow-up. Regular professional cleanings complement home care and are key to maintaining long-term oral health.
To prepare for an oral exam, bring a list of current medications, recent medical history changes and any dental records or x-rays you have from other providers. Make note of symptoms, sensitivities or habits such as grinding or tobacco use so you can discuss them with the clinician. If you have dental anxiety, let the office know in advance so the team can offer strategies to improve comfort.
Arriving a few minutes early allows time to complete any necessary forms and review the health history with staff. Good preparation helps your clinician perform a more accurate evaluation and develop the most effective preventive or treatment plan. Open communication with your dental team ensures that the visit addresses your concerns and supports your oral health goals.
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?
Contacting Sunset Dental is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.
