Checkups & Cleanings
Comprehensive Oral Examinations
This examination is provided to all new patients on their first visit unless requested otherwise. A full set of radiographs (x-rays) is taken unless provided by your previous dentist. The doctor will evaluate you for cavities, oral cancer, gum disease, abnormalities of the mouth and jaws, TMJ disorders, and more. Pictures may be taken with a digital camera or intraoral camera to show you exactly what the doctor sees and to help inform you of the treatment required. Complete diagnosis will be done and treatment planning will be provided. At any time during your examination, we encourage you to ask questions or voice concerns.
Thorough, Gentle Dental Cleanings
Routine prophylaxis is of paramount importance of any patient who has the desire to keep their teeth forever! At Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge, our skilled hygienists can skillfully yet gently use a variety of instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Bacterial plaque is responsible for causing tooth decay and gum disease. While daily brushing and flossing help keep plaque at bay, it will still accumulate in harder reach places toward the back of the mouth. Only visits to a dental hygienist at your Park Ridge dentist’s office can be sure to thoroughly the surfaces of every tooth. Our patients leave a dental cleaning with incredibly smooth, healthy looking teeth and refreshed breath.
Before & After a Professional Cleaning
See the difference a professional cleaning makes in removing tartar and plaque buildup, leaving teeth smooth, clean, and gums healthy.
Communication is Key!
We are a team, a team dedicated to improving your oral health and the appearance of your smile. We invite questions and concerns because we truly believe that open dialogue is the best way to create a trusting, long term patient-dentist relationship. You can call our office and speak to our friendly front desk staff or you can schedule a consultation if you just want to talk about services you might be interested in. At any time during your appointment, you can always feel free to ask a question or voice a concern. This is time we want to dedicate to your care. Let us know how we can meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
How Often Should You Come In?
Every six months is the usual interval and it suits most people well. It is not a universal rule though. Patients who have been treated for gum disease generally do better on a three or four month schedule, because that is the window in which the bacteria re establish below the gumline. Smokers, people with diabetes, patients in orthodontic treatment and anyone with a history of frequent decay often benefit from more frequent visits too. We tell you which group you are in rather than defaulting everyone to twice a year.
What the X Rays Are Actually For
Roughly a third of decay starts between teeth where no examination can see it, and early bone loss from gum disease is invisible to the naked eye as well. Digital radiographs at our Park Ridge office use a fraction of the radiation of older film, and our iTero scanner with NIRI can detect some cavities with no radiation at all. Bitewings are usually taken once a year for a patient with a stable history, and a full series far less often than that.
What a Checkup and Cleaning Costs
Nearly every dental plan covers two preventive visits a year at or close to one hundred percent, because insurers know prevention is cheaper than treatment. That usually includes the exam, the cleaning and routine radiographs. If you do not have insurance, ask about our payment options. A checkup is the least expensive appointment in dentistry and the one that stops the expensive ones happening.
Booking a Cleaning in Park Ridge, IL
We are at 714 W Higgins Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068, with free parking outside. We are open until 6:30 on Thursdays and Saturday mornings from 9 to 2, which is when most working patients and families book. Two dentists means we can usually offer an appointment sooner than a single doctor office. Call (847) 696-1919 or use our contact page. Sealants, fluoride and the rest of our preventive care are covered on the main preventive dentistry page.
Checkup and Cleaning Questions
How long does a cleaning appointment take?
A routine cleaning with an exam usually takes about an hour. If it has been a long time since your last visit, or there is heavy tartar below the gumline, it may take longer or be split across two appointments.
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
A routine cleaning should not hurt. If your gums are inflamed they may be tender and can bleed a little, which settles once the tissue is healthy. Tell your hygienist if anything is uncomfortable and it can be adjusted.
I have not been to a dentist in years. Will I be judged?
No. People come to us after five, ten and twenty year gaps and the reaction is the same every time, which is to work out where you are and what the plan is. Second opinions are welcome and there is no lecture.
Can a cleaning whiten my teeth?
A cleaning removes surface stain from coffee, tea and tobacco, so teeth often look noticeably brighter afterwards. It does not change the underlying shade of the tooth, which is what professional whitening does.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning treats the tooth surfaces above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, goes further down the root surface and is used when gum disease has created pockets. That is covered on our gum disease treatment page.
