X-rays are critical in diagnosing cavities/decay in between your teeth and helps us identify any problems below the gumline and at the root of your teeth. Please be assured that we utilize digital x-rays which means the lowest radiation exposure to you. We also do our best to keep x-rays to a minimum and personalize taken them based on your current dentition.

No two mouths are the same! Everyone has different needs and there is no ‘flat’ rate on scaling appointments. The cost strictly depends on the current health of your teeth and gums. We begin all of our new patient hygiene appointments with the charting of the pockets (space between gums and tooth), bleeding upon probing, mobility and recession. Keep in mind “healthy gums don’t bleed…even with our special measuring dental tool. This in- depth ‘gum assessment’ helps the dentist and hygienist determine your current ‘periodontal status’ a.k.a health of your gums. We then will inform you how much time (and possibly how many appointments it will take to get your gums and teeth back to a state of health! One of our caring team members will be glad to discuss this all of this with you.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth’s enamel layer through two processes, demineralization, and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth’s enamel layer when acids — formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth — attack the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It can also reverse early decay. All this being said, your dentist and hygienist will determine if in fact you would benefit from fluoride treatment. Remember, “No two mouths are the same”.