Routine cleanings and dental exams are important for everyone regardless of how healthy and clean their teeth and gums are. These visits are an important check-in for our Arlington dental team to either ensure that everything looks good or diagnose and treat any dental issues that may have developed since the patient’s last appointment. Schedule your new patient appointment today to keep your smile bright and healthy.
Routine dental visits can take anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour. Factors that can extend the length of an appointment include things like diagnosing dental issues and discussing treatment options and patients requesting information about additional treatments or asking questions about their oral health. We strive to offer same-day treatment post-diagnosis whenever possible, so if we detect an issue, treatment can sometimes be started or even completed that day. Your visits are your time to bring up anything you’d like with our team, so please feel free to ask any questions you may have!
Deep cleanings are for patients who have periodontal disease, and they are a bit more involved than a routine dental cleaning. Periodontal cleanings include carefully removing plaque and tartar that has built up underneath the gumline, which takes longer than routine cleanings, and patients often need more than two appointments per year. Routine cleanings involve removing plaque from hard-to-clean areas like in between the teeth and along the gumline. Our team can assess your smile and help you determine which type of cleaning will work best for you.
Virtually every insurance plan covers at least two routine cleanings and exams per year, so if you have dental benefits, we recommend taking advantage of them and scheduling biannual dental appointments. If you are uninsured or your benefits do not completely cover the cost of your care, our office also accepts payment plans through CareCredit®, which can make dental care more accessible and budget-friendly for patients who need ways to divide the cost of their services. For more information, please contact us or visit our financial page
You can expect your very first appointment with our team to be a little longer than your following appointments. This is because we aim to get to know our new patients and build a strong relationship with them to ensure that we can provide them with exceptional care. Feel free to bring up any questions or concerns that you have with our team; we’re here to assist you in any way that we can!
Most new patient visits include taking X-rays, as they help our team get a better idea of the current status of your oral health and what your smile may need. However, if you have had X-rays taken recently and want to send them to our office, please have your previous dental practice send them to our office for Dr. Matney to take a look at.
Dental cleanings may be a little uncomfortable at times, but they should not be outright painful. If you’ve been struggling with dental pain or sensitivity, especially during dental cleanings, please let our team know, as this may be a sign that there is a problem present.
According to the American Dental Association, kids should visit their dentist around the time they turn one or when their first tooth grows in, whichever happens first. Their first visit may be short, but it’s important for diagnosing any potential dental issues early.
