Dental Cleanings & Exams
One of the most vital parts of what we do here is offer dental cleanings and exams. Our West Chester, PA dental team is dedicated to making sure our patients have the healthiest mouths possible — and when they don’t, helping them get the care they need. Below you will learn more about our cleanings and exams, why they are important, and some other ways you can protect your oral health.
Why are cleanings and exams important?
Regular dental cleanings and exams allow us to tackle small dental issues before they become larger, more expensive problems. Regular examinations allow us to check for signs of gum disease, decay, and oral cancer — all things that should be caught early for best treatment results. We use digital X-rays, a 3D CT scanner, CariVu, and VELscope when appropriate to make sure we aren’t missing anything. We want to catch any small problem you have now so that we can treat it!
Cleanings are especially important because they remove long-term plaque and tartar buildup. This is a great way to make sure you are on track as far as your home-care habits go. If you need help, we can point you in the right direction and make sure you get the proper cleaning you need in between appointments.
Before your initial visit
After you schedule a new patient appointment, download our new patient forms. Complete them and bring them with you. Or, better yet, email them to us in advance of your first appointment. It is important that you bring with you or have forwarded to us before your first appointment your most current full mouth set or panoramic x-ray AND your most current set of cavity-detecting x-rays from your previous dentist. If those x-rays are current, we may not have to take x-rays until a later time. If they are not current, we will definitely be able to take whatever x-rays Dr. Sykora determines are appropriate in your situation. If no x-rays are available to us, we will determine what x-rays are needed and take them. For those of you with dental insurance, this may mean paying for them out-of-pocket due to x-ray frequency limitations of your dental coverage. So, help yourself and us by bringing or obtaining your previous dental x-rays!
What does an initial visit at K.C. Sykora DDS – Family and Implant Dentistry entail?
If it has been less than a year since your last dental cleaning, you will likely start with one of our hygienists. If it is longer than a year since your last cleaning, you will see Dr. Sykora first. Either way, you will receive a thorough and comprehensive examination of your head and neck and the hard and soft tissues inside your mouth. After all, you’re more than just a set of teeth!
The information gained from x-rays and the clinical examination will guide Dr. Sykora as he creates a dental treatment plan customized to your specific personal needs and desires. If it is fairly simple, and if we and you have time in our schedules, we might be able to to do something that same day. If you have significant needs, we will ask you to return for a no cost treatment consultation visit with Dr. Sykora, where he will outline his recommendations for treatment. He and his staff will make sure you understand what your dental problems are and why they require treatment. They will discuss how many visits will be required and how much the treatment costs. If you have a dental benefits plan, we will estimate what portion of the costs insurance is likely to cover. We want you to fully understand your dental situation and we welcome your questions. A fully informed patient helps eliminate misunderstandings later on.
What else can I do to prevent future dental problems?
We offer a variety of preventive services including sealants, fluoride treatments, fluoride varnishes, and mouthguards. These options can all help you protect your mouth from future damage. We can also offer you hygiene and nutritional advice to ensure you are taking proper care of your mouth at home. For more information, please ask our staff during your next appointment or give us a call any time.