Checkups and cleanings

A hygienist cleans your teeth and checks your gums. Then Dr. Vazquez or Dr. Aldana does the exam: every tooth, your gums, your bite, and a screening for oral cancer, which is part of every regular exam here, not an add-on.

If x-rays are due, they're digital. That means less radiation than old film x-rays and a sharp image on the screen in seconds. We use a small intraoral camera too, so you can see the same crack or worn spot the dentist is looking at.

A clear answer. Either everything looks good and we'll see you in six months, or there's something to watch or fix. If there's something to fix, you get a written plan with the cost and what your insurance is expected to cover, before anything is scheduled. You decide what to do and when.

Some of the most useful things we do take a few minutes:

• Night guards. If you grind or clench, a custom guard protects your teeth and can ease morning jaw soreness.
• Fluoride. A quick treatment that strengthens enamel, for kids and for adults prone to cavities.
• Early catches. A small cavity is a filling. The same cavity a year later can be a crown or a root canal.

Lots of people who come in haven't seen a dentist in years. That's fine, and nobody here will lecture you. We'll take a good look, tell you honestly what we see, and start with what matters most. If a regular cleaning isn't enough because of gum disease, we'll explain why and what a deep cleaning involves.