Services / Cleanings & exams
Dental Cleanings and Exams
A routine visit is a cleaning with a hygienist, an exam by Dr. Ali, digital X-rays when they are due, and an oral cancer screening. Most healthy adults come twice a year. Plan on about an hour.
Preventive visits are the cheapest dentistry there is. Almost everything expensive in this office started as something small that nobody caught.
Your visit is with a hygienist for the cleaning and with Dr. Ali for the exam. We will show you what we are seeing on the screen rather than describing it at you, and if something needs attention we will tell you how urgent it actually is.
What happens
Cleaning
Plaque and tartar removed above and below the gumline, then polish and floss.
Digital X-rays
Only when they are due, and at a fraction of the radiation of old film.
Exam
Dr. Ali checks every tooth, your existing dental work, your bite and your gums.
Oral cancer screening
A quick, painless look at the soft tissue of the mouth, tongue and throat — included at no extra charge.
Common questions
How often should I come in?
Twice a year for most people. If you have gum disease, a history of frequent decay, diabetes or you smoke, Dr. Ali may recommend three or four visits a year.
It has been years since my last cleaning. Will I be lectured?
No. A great many of our patients come back after a long gap. We start from where you are today.
Do cleanings hurt?
A routine cleaning should not. If your gums are inflamed it can be tender — tell your hygienist and we will adjust, and we can numb the area if you would like.
Is the exam covered by insurance?
Most dental plans cover two preventive visits per year at or near 100%. We will verify your specific plan before your visit.
Placeholder — for Dr. Ali to confirm. Hours, accepted plans and service details on this page are drawn from the practice's existing website and public listings. Please verify them before this site goes live.