At Seals Family Dentistry, we take a proactive approach to oral health because preventing problems is almost always easier than fixing them. Routine oral exams are the cornerstone of that philosophy: they give our clinicians a clear snapshot of your current dental status, reveal developing issues early, and guide personalized care plans for patients of all ages. During an exam, we combine clinical inspection, diagnostic imaging, and conversation about your health and habits so every visit is both thorough and informative.
Your first comprehensive exam creates a baseline record that helps us track changes over time. We begin with a careful review of your medical and dental history and a discussion about any symptoms or concerns you may have. This dialogue helps us identify factors—medications, medical conditions, sleep or breathing issues, or habits like clenching—that can affect oral health.
The clinical portion of the exam involves a systematic inspection of the teeth, gums, tongue, soft tissues, and the jaw joints. We check for signs of decay, areas of gum inflammation, abnormal lesions, and any functional concerns with your bite or jaw movement. When indicated, our exam includes a targeted oral cancer screening and a periodontal check to assess gum health and attachment levels.
To complete the assessment we may recommend diagnostic images. X-rays and other scans let us see beneath the surface—between teeth, under fillings, and inside the supporting bone—so we can detect early-stage problems that aren’t visible to the naked eye. After the exam, your dentist will review findings and outline any recommended next steps in plain language so you understand your options.
Oral health is closely linked to general health. Problems that begin in the mouth can contribute to systemic inflammation and, conversely, systemic conditions often show early signs in oral tissues. During an exam we look for symptoms that could reflect broader health issues—persistent gum inflammation, unusual oral lesions, chronic dry mouth, or changes in taste or comfort.
Research increasingly connects oral disease with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, diabetes, and complications of pregnancy. While the relationships between oral and systemic health are complex, routine exams let us spot patterns and work with your medical providers when a dental sign points to a possible medical concern.
We also pay close attention to medication effects and lifestyle factors. Certain prescriptions can reduce saliva flow and increase decay risk; smoking and some health conditions can accelerate gum disease. By monitoring these interactions during regular exams, we can recommend tailored preventive strategies to protect both oral and overall health.
Cardiovascular disease
Respiratory conditions
Diabetes and metabolic concerns
Stroke-related risk factors
Digestive and nutritional issues
Signs of neurologic or autoimmune disease
An effective home care routine is essential, but professional exams and cleanings provide an extra level of protection. During a hygiene visit, our dental hygienists remove plaque and hardened tartar from areas that are difficult to reach with routine brushing and flossing. Removing these deposits reduces the bacterial load that leads to cavities and periodontal disease and helps preserve the supporting structures of the teeth.
Regular checkups also create opportunities for practical education. We’ll review brushing and interdental cleaning techniques, suggest products that fit your needs, and discuss diet or habit changes that support oral health. For children, these visits are formative moments to teach lifelong habits and monitor growth and development; for adults, they help catch early signs of wear, muscle tension, or shifting alignment.
Most patients benefit from periodic exams and cleanings so problems can be identified when they’re easiest to treat. Frequency varies depending on individual risk factors—such as medical history, gum health, and previous dental disease—and we’ll recommend an interval that matches your circumstances. At Seals Family Dentistry, we tailor preventive plans so every patient receives the most appropriate care for their oral health goals.
Preventive care is also a foundation for restorative and cosmetic treatment planning. When we catch a problem early, options are simpler and less invasive. Our goal in every exam is to combine prevention with clear, practical guidance so patients can maintain healthy, comfortable smiles at every stage of life.
Visual inspection is only part of a comprehensive exam. Radiographs reveal the hidden aspects of your dental anatomy—the roots of teeth, the bone that supports them, and areas between teeth where decay often begins. These images are essential for diagnosing problems that cannot be seen with a mirror alone and for monitoring the integrity of existing restorations.
Modern digital radiography makes the process quicker and safer than older film techniques. Digital sensors capture high-resolution images with minimal radiation exposure and allow immediate review on a screen. This speed helps us explain findings directly to patients and facilitates collaboration with specialists when advanced care is needed.
Digital imaging also improves record keeping and treatment planning. Images are stored securely in electronic files, can be enhanced for detailed review, and may be shared with other providers for coordinated care. By combining clinical examination with up-to-date imaging, we provide a more complete and reliable assessment of your oral health.
Different radiographs serve different diagnostic purposes. Small intraoral films focus on single teeth or small groups of teeth to evaluate root structures, periapical health, and localized decay. Bitewing images are particularly useful for detecting interproximal caries (decay between teeth) and assessing the height of the bone between teeth.
A full-mouth series combines multiple periapical and bitewing views to document the complete dentition and surrounding bone when a comprehensive baseline is needed. Panoramic films (panorex) provide a broad two-dimensional overview of both jaws, helping to identify impacted or developing teeth and offering a general assessment of jawbone health and tooth position.
Certain situations call for extra imaging. Cephalometric views are used primarily in orthodontic planning to evaluate jaw relationships and facial proportions. For detailed three-dimensional evaluation—useful in complex diagnostics, surgical planning, and precise implant placement—cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers volumetric images that reveal spatial relationships among teeth and surrounding anatomy.
When we recommend a particular image, it’s because that view will directly inform diagnosis or treatment planning. We balance the value of each image against patient exposure and only use the scans that are necessary to deliver safe, effective care.
In summary, a thoughtful oral exam combines careful clinical observation, targeted imaging, and individualized preventive guidance to protect your oral and overall health. If you have questions about what an exam will involve or want to learn how often you should schedule visits, please contact us for more information.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At Seals Family Dentistry, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Seals Family Dentistry, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Seals Family Dentistry, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting Seals Family Dentistry for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Seals Family Dentistry.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of Seals Family Dentistry, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Seals Family Dentistry is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of Seals Family Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
Whether you're ready to schedule your first appointment, have a question about our services, or need urgent dental care, we’re just a call or click away. Our friendly team is here to make your experience simple, stress-free, and tailored to your needs.
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