Dental Exams — Presidio Dental

Comprehensive Exams for Total Peace of Mind

A comprehensive dental exam is much more than a quick look at your teeth. It's a full evaluation of your oral health — including your gums, jaw, bite alignment, and soft tissues — designed to catch problems early, when they're easiest and least expensive to treat.

Our team uses advanced digital imaging to get a complete picture of what's happening beneath the surface. Whether it's your first visit or a routine checkup, we take the time to walk you through every finding so you're never left guessing about your oral health.

Schedule your exam today at our office.

What to Expect

Full Visual & Digital Assessment

We examine every tooth, your gums, tongue, and soft tissues. Digital X-rays let us see cavities, bone loss, and infections that aren't visible to the naked eye.

Oral Cancer Screening

Every exam includes a screening for signs of oral cancer. Early detection is critical, and this quick check could save your life.

Personalized Treatment Plan

After your exam, we'll discuss everything we found and map out a treatment plan that fits your goals, timeline, and budget — no pressure, no upselling.

Why Regular Dental Exams Matter

Many dental issues develop silently — cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer often show no symptoms in their early stages. Regular exams are the only reliable way to catch these problems before they become painful, complicated, and expensive to treat.

Think of a dental exam as a health checkup for your mouth. Just like you'd visit a doctor for an annual physical, your teeth, gums, and jaw need regular monitoring to stay in top shape. Prevention is always cheaper than repair.

What Does a Comprehensive Exam Include?

A comprehensive dental exam covers far more than you might expect. We evaluate your teeth for decay, check your gums for early signs of periodontal disease, assess your bite and jaw alignment, examine existing restorations like fillings and crowns, and screen for oral cancer.

We also take digital X-rays to reveal hidden issues below the surface — things like impacted teeth, bone loss, cysts, or infections that can't be seen with the naked eye. This thorough approach gives us a complete picture of your oral health.

How Often Should You Get an Exam?

For most adults, a comprehensive exam every six months is the standard recommendation. This gives us the best chance of catching issues early. Patients with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or certain medical conditions may benefit from more frequent visits.

Our team will recommend a schedule based on your individual needs — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Due for an Exam?

Don't wait for pain to tell you something's wrong. Schedule a comprehensive exam and stay ahead of problems.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a dental exam and a cleaning?

A cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth, while an exam is the diagnostic evaluation — your dentist checks for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other issues. They're usually done together in the same appointment.

Do dental exams hurt?

Not at all. A dental exam is a non-invasive visual and digital assessment. You may feel slight pressure when we probe your gums to check for periodontal pockets, but it's quick and painless for most patients.

How long does a dental exam take?

A typical exam takes about 30 to 60 minutes depending on whether X-rays are needed and how much we need to discuss. First-time visits are usually a bit longer since we're establishing a baseline for your oral health.

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes. Digital X-rays use up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays. The exposure is extremely low — comparable to the amount of background radiation you'd receive on a short airplane flight.

What if the exam finds a problem?

We'll explain exactly what we found, show you any X-rays or images, and walk through your treatment options together. You'll have all the information you need to make an informed decision — no pressure, no rush.

Is a dental exam covered by insurance?

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive exams — typically two per year at little to no cost to you. We'll verify your benefits before your visit so you know exactly what to expect.