Dental Exam

A dental exam is a careful, hands-on evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, and the soft tissues of your mouth. Dr. Dar Radfar and our team look for early signs of decay, changes in your gums, worn or cracked teeth, and anything that seems different from your last visit. Because we offer cavity detection and oral cancer screening, we can look beyond the obvious to concerns that do not always cause symptoms at first.

Exams help nearly everyone. Our patients include young children getting comfortable in the dental chair, teens in braces or clear aligners, adults managing busy schedules, and people with crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures that need regular attention. During an exam, we commonly evaluate:

• Teeth for decay, cracks, wear, and the condition of existing fillings or crowns
• Gums for inflammation, recession, or signs of gum disease
• Your bite and jaw joints, including clicking, locking, or limited movement
• Cheeks, tongue, and other soft tissues as part of an oral cancer screening
• Signs that may point to teeth grinding or a sleep-related breathing concern

Many patients first notice how much ground an exam covers through imaging. We provide 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT imaging, and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist is on staff. When a question needs a closer look, such as an impacted tooth, an unusual area on an X-ray, or TMJ concerns, we can often get the detail we need right here.

Our practice has a strong focus on sleep apnea and TMJ treatment, and that shapes how we approach an exam. Jaw-related headaches, facial soreness, or worn teeth can be clues worth discussing, so we pay attention to more than cavities. If we see something that needs specialized attention, we have specialists in endodontics, periodontics, oral pathology, orofacial pain, and more under the same roof. That makes the move from exam to care much simpler.

What happens after my dental exam?

After your exam, we walk you through what we found and talk about any next steps in plain language. Sometimes the answer is simply to keep up your routine and come back for your next checkup. Other times we may suggest a cleaning, a filling, gum care, or a closer look at your bite or jaw.

There is no recovery time after a standard exam, so you can go right back to your day. The real value builds over time. Regular exams give us a record of how your mouth is changing, which helps us spot shifts early and keep your care simple. Between visits, keep brushing and flossing, and let us know if anything new comes up.