Dental Exams & Cleanings Near Queens and Long Island, NY

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Most dental insurance policies will cover your routine dental exam.

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

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.

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.

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: Thorough 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. If 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.