Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings – Rowley, MA
Keeping Your Smile Fresh and Healthy
A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by Dr. St. Clair at your initial dental visit. Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings with our Rowley, MA dentist, Dr. St. Clair and your hygienist, will include the following:
- Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
- Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
- Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
- Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
- Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
Why Choose J. Peter St. Clair, DMD for Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings?
- Authentic Down-to-Earth Dentistry
- Sedation Offered to Anxious Patients
- Advanced Tools for Accurate Diagnoses
Dental Cleanings in Rowley
Dr. St. Clair and his team offer a variety of services to meet their patient’s needs and desires. They include a complete hygiene department with exemplary hygienists all trained in comprehensive periodontal maintenance and hygiene management. All of Dr. St. Clair’s hygiene team members pursue advanced continuing education, updated training, and are current on all the latest periodontal improvements, treatments, and options for their patient base.
Periodontal disease, or as it used to be termed, “pyorrhea,” is a disease of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. It is the number one condition facing most adults, both young and more mature. Our dental hygienists screen for periodontal disease and intercept it as early as possible. This is an attempt to prevent bone loss and tooth extractions, and new studies indicate the negative effects of this disease on patients with a weakened heart or immune system. In those rare instances where our level of expertise is exceeded, we have the services of Dr. Larry Miller (Danvers) to take care of all your periodontal needs.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How often do I need to get dental X-rays?
It depends on the type of X-ray.
Bitewings are typically taken once every six months or once per year as part of a routine checkup and cleaning appointment. They’re not as detailed as some of the other types, but give us a good look at the crowns of your teeth and enable us to identify issues like cavities.
Periapical X-rays capture images of your entire tooth structure, including the dental root. We recommend these X-rays on a case-by-case basis for treatment planning purposes.
Panoramic X-rays are used to monitor the development of your oral structure. We might use them to check for orthodontic concerns or wisdom teeth evaluations, for example. Since they show us how your mouth has changed over time, they’re typically only taken every three to five years.
What’s the difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A “regular” dental cleaning is probably what you think of when scheduling a routine appointment. In about 15 to 30 minutes, we’ll remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and along your gumline.
A “deep cleaning” is also known as “scaling and root planing.” This is actually a type of gum disease treatment, but can be similar to a routine cleaning. We’ll also eliminate plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth – the difference is that we’ll go a step further and remove the gum disease bacteria hiding below your gumline. To help prevent future reinfection, we’ll also smooth out your dental roots, which encourages the gums to reattach to your teeth.
Why do dentists recommend fluoride treatment after dental cleanings?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been shown to strengthen teeth. By applying a special fluoridated gel or foam to your pearly whites, we can help reduce dental sensitivity and prevent cavities.
Not everyone necessarily needs fluoride treatment, but we do strongly recommend it for children and those who are predisposed to tooth decay. It’s a quick, minimally invasive way to give your smile some extra protection!
What does my dentist screen for at routine checkups?
The checkup part of your routine appointment might seem quick, but rest assured, we perform a thorough screening!
Visually inspecting your teeth, gums, and soft oral tissues gives us a chance to look for signs of oral cancer, gum disease, and other conditions, as well as see how any of your existing dental work is holding up. X-rays, meanwhile, show us what could be going on inside of your pearly whites, enabling us to check for cavities and infections.
Our goal during an oral exam is always to identify and catch dental complications as early as possible. That way, we can help you avoid needing more complex treatment later on.
