Only the most modern dental treatments are available at Kenmore Dental because we are committed to giving patients beautiful smiles they can be proud of for years to come. However, we strongly believe that the best foundation for a stunning smile is a healthy mouth, which is why we take general and family dentistry very seriously. Dr. Burke, Dr. Becker, and our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals are dedicated to ensuring that all patients receive the most thorough care available during their dental examination and cleaning.

The Dental Examination

As a new patient, we first will address any immediate concerns that you might have. If there is an immediate issue, we would focus our exam and x-rays to deal with this concern. Once this is completed, we would complete a thorough exam and obtain any necessary x-rays to plan out the care that is needed.

The first part of a general dental exam is to evaluate the health of your teeth and underlying jaw structure.

  • The doctor will use a small pick and mirror to examine each tooth for cavities, plaque and damage.
  • You will also undergo a gum examination where your gums will be gently probed to detect any signs of gum disease. (This will be done sometimes during your cleaning by the hygienist and other times during your exam by the doctor.)
  • The final step in your general dental visit is a head and neck examination, which allows the doctor to inspect for any potential issues with glands or joints, such as TMJ disorder.
  • After your thorough examination, Dr. Burke or Dr. Becker will sit down with you to discuss the results of the exam and plan any necessary repairs or treatments.

    • Dental Cleaning

    As part of your check-up at Kenmore Dental, we have a professional dental cleaning conducted by one of our gentle and caring dental hygienists. While it is recommended for adults to brush their teeth three times a day and floss once daily, the reality is that most people only brush twice daily and floss rarely. Even the most hygiene-dedicated patients who brush and floss regularly will not ever achieve the same results as that of a deep cleaning from one of our trained dental hygienists. For the best dental health and cavity prevention, it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned, polished, and treated with fluoride twice a year.

    Treatment of Gum Disease

    If we identify signs of periodontal or gum disease during our examination, we will suggest additional treatment. This might involve additional recall or cleaning appointments during the year, additional gum treatment or referral to a periodontist (gum specialist) to allow for the best care of your gums. Periodontal or gum disease will often cause damage without a patient being aware. This is why early diagnosis and treatment is necessary to preserve the health of your gums and underlying bone.