Comprehensive Dental Care Near Oyster Bay and Long Island, NY

During your dental exam, a hygienist will clean your teeth and check them for cavities, gum disease, and signs of other oral health issues.

At Locust Valley Dentists, Dr. Adrianne Koster will perform your oral exam after being prepped by our dental hygienists.

You should go to the dentist for routine exams and cleanings even if you are not in pain or experiencing symptoms.

Regular dental checkups are important to keep your teeth and gums healthy by screening for early signs of oral health issues. During a checkup, your hygienist will also remove plaque or tartar buildup on the teeth.

Most people only need to see a dentist once or twice a year. Those with certain oral health concerns, such as gum disease, may need to come in more frequently.

Yes, during a routine dental exam, Dr. Koster will identify if you have any cavities or other forms of tooth decay and create a treatment plan to address the issue.

Not every dental appointment will require you to have X-rays of your teeth, although X-rays are a highly effective way to track the long-term developments in your teeth and jaw.

During your dental exam, your dentist will screen for signs of oral cancer.

Most dental insurance policies will cover your routine dental exam.

Yes. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to during a dental X-ray is well within the safety limit established by the EPA.

Yes, because your new dentist will need to establish a baseline of exams and images to compare to in later visits. Your first visit will be longer and potentially more thorough than later routine cleanings.

A general dental cleaning and polishing appointment can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The length of your appointment largely depends on the health of your teeth and the amount of plaque build-up that needs to be cleaned off.

Your dental hygienist will begin by looking for plaque deposits in the mouth. They will then use a scraping or scaling device to scrape away any areas of plaque. Next, they will polish the teeth using a gritty toothpaste to remove any leftover spots of plaque before finishing up by flossing the teeth.

Absolutely! During your appointment, your dentist can instruct you on how to properly brush your teeth, floss, and maintain your overall oral health. If you have any specific questions, they can offer you advice tailored to your personal needs.

A comprehensive dental exam entails 6 crucial steps:rnThorough cleaning and polishing, Plaque removal, Brushing and flossing tips, Comprehensive exam to check for signs of gum disease or tooth decay, Oral cancer screening and bite alignment analysis, & Time to ask your dentist any questions.rnIf signs of decay or disease or spotted, they will be addressed in a manner that a general dentistry appointment allows. Your dentist will schedule a future appointment to further address the concerns.

By screening for oral cancer at your regular appointments, your dentist is more likely to catch it at its earliest stages. When caught early, there is a higher likelihood of being able to cure it.

At Locust Valley Dentists, our comprehensive dental exam includes an thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums to look for signs of decay, plaque, and any signs of disease. The exam also includes a series of photographs and X-rays which will be reviewed with you at that visit. Then a discussion about your existing dental health and how best to take care of your teeth and gums for longevity. Lastly, an oral cancer screening and bite analysis is completed.

Unlike a regular dental checkup, a comprehensive dental care ensures you understand how to take care of your teeth, gums, and oral health for years to come. During your appointment, we will create a customized treatment plan and answer any questions you have.

One of the main benefits of receiving comprehensive dental care at Locust Valley Dentists is that Dr. Koster takes the time to understand your unique needs so she can come up with a tailored treatment plan that meets all your dental needs.

Comprehensive dental care focuses on prevention, early detection, and timely treatment, which all ensure we catch dental problems when they happen and ensure you have the information you need to stop future dental problems before they start.

Cavities, gum disease, failing restorations, breakdown of teeth, staining and discoloration, and plaque buildup can all be detected and addressed during your comprehensive exam.

Yes, oral cancer screenings are a vital part of comprehensive dental care. Dr. Koster will check for any signs of oral cancer during your exam.

Absolutely! Your oral health and overall health go hand in hand. When you have oral health concerns, they can affect all parts of your health. It’s why it’s so important to have regular comprehensive dental care appointments.

While routine dental checkups are recommended every six months, comprehensive dental exams are typically required every 3-5 years.

Absolutely! Digital X-rays are part of every comprehensive dental exam.

During your first comprehensive dental appointment, we’ll begin by discussing your dental history, answering any questions you have, and learning more about your dental health and aesthetic goals. We’ll then perform an overall assessment of your oral health, and create a long-term treatment plan that’s customized to your oral health needs.