A dental exam is a full check of your teeth, gums, mouth and jaw. It catches problems while they’re still small, quick and inexpensive to fix. Most adults and kids should have one every six months.
At RNX Dental, a checkup is more than a quick look and a “see you in six months.” It’s the foundation of everything we do, and it’s where many patients first notice how differently we work.
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We look for cavities, cracks, worn areas and problems with existing fillings or crowns.
We measure the small pockets between your teeth and gums to catch gum disease early, often before you notice any symptoms.
We check how your teeth come together and look for signs of grinding or jaw strain.
This is your oral cancer screening. It takes a couple of minutes, it’s painless, and it can catch serious problems early.
Some medical conditions and medications affect your mouth, so we’ll ask about any changes in your health.
X-rays let us see what the eye can’t: decay between teeth, problems under old fillings, infections at the root, and bone levels around your teeth. We take them when they’re actually useful, based on your history and risk, not by default. Modern digital X-rays use a very low dose of radiation.
A plain-English summary of what we found: what’s healthy, what can wait, and what can’t. If something needs treatment, you’ll get your options and the cost of each in writing. No pressure, no jargon, and no rushing you out the door.
Cavities and gum disease rarely hurt in the early stages. By the time something aches, it usually needs bigger, more expensive treatment. A small cavity caught at a checkup is a quick filling. The same cavity found a year later might need a crown or root canal.
Regular checkups are the cheapest, easiest way to stay ahead of that, and most insurance plans cover them at little or no cost.
Some people benefit from checkups every three or four months, including those with:
Children need regular checkups too. We keep kids’ exams relaxed and positive, check how their teeth are coming in, and give parents simple tips for brushing and diet. See our family dentistry page for more.
One thing patients mention again and again is how complete our exams are. Several have told us they switched from other practices because no one had ever checked their gums, tongue and neck before. We think that’s the minimum a checkup should include.
With most dental insurance plans, two exams a year are covered at little or no cost to you. If you don’t have insurance, we’ll tell you the price before your visit. Given how much a checkup can save you by catching problems early, it’s one of the best investments you can make in your health.
Research has linked gum disease with other health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Your mouth can also show early signs of problems elsewhere in the body. A thorough dental exam is part of taking care of your whole health, not just your teeth.
Most exams are paired with a professional cleaning. If we find a cavity, we’ll talk about a filling. For kids, see our family dentistry page.
Every six months for most people. If you have gum disease or a lot of dental work, we may suggest every three or four months.
Almost always. Most plans cover two exams and cleanings a year at little or no cost to you.
Yes, at every checkup. It takes a couple of minutes and is completely painless.
Yes. Digital dental X-rays use a very low dose of radiation, and we only take them when they’re needed.
Usually about an hour, including your cleaning.
Yes. Most dental problems don’t hurt until they’re advanced. Checkups catch them early.
Book online in about a minute, or call us at (703) 420-5250. New patients are always welcome.
