Preventive Dentistry – Lakewood, Dallas, TX
Protecting Your Smile for Decades to Come
Even the most common dental problems can be completely avoided by doing just two things: practicing consistent oral hygiene at home, and regularly attending preventive appointments at Dental Center of Lakewood. We’re eager to do our part for you and your loved ones by providing fully tailored checkups and cleanings in addition to other treatments that are designed to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for many years to come. To safeguard your future smile, contact us today to schedule an appointment for preventive dentistry in Lakewood, Dallas, TX.
Why Choose Dental Center of Lakewood for Preventive Dentistry?
- Friendly Service That Utilizes the Latest Technology
- Led by Two Dentists with Decades of Experience
- Every Patient Receives Plenty of 1-on-1 Attention
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Checkups and cleanings enable our team to solve problems before a patient even notices them! At these visits, Dr. Spillman and Dr. Green will closely examine your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite so they can take care of any damage or decay as quickly as possible. Our fantastic hygiene team will also remove harmful plaque and tartar from those hard to reach spaces in your mouth, stopping cavities before they actually begin.
Learn More About Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Children’s Dentistry
Dr. Spillman and Dr. Green are both parents, so they understand better than most just how important professional dental care is for a growing smile. They also know that ensuring a child feels comfortable in our dental office is essential, which is why they and our team will treat your child like one of our own. In addition to checking and cleaning their teeth, we’ll also take the time to educate your little one about the basics of dental hygiene, and you can always ask us questions about their changing smile as well!
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are kind of like a protective shield we can put over the teeth to keep them safe from bacteria, plaque, and food particles that could lead to decay. We simply apply a thin layer of dental plastic that quickly hardens into an invisible barrier. We normally recommend them for children’s molars, as these teeth are extremely cavity-prone, but they can also be tremendously helpful for adults who frequently develop decay.
Fluoride Treatment
Our teeth are constantly being attacked by oral bacteria and the acids found in the food and drinks we consume every day, but thankfully, they go through a process called remineralization that keeps them strong. To help with this process, we can apply a topical fluoride solution to you or your child’s teeth at each checkup and cleaning. In addition to using a fluoridated toothpaste at home, this is one of the best ways to avoid dental damage and preserve precious enamel.
TMJ/TMD Treatment
A toothache isn’t the only type of dental pain we can relieve. Sometimes the jaw joint (called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ) can become out of balance, which can lead to facial soreness, chronic headaches, and even nighttime teeth grinding. TMJ disorders (TMDs) affect over 10 million people each year, but we can put a stop to them right here at Dental Center of Lakewood. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, give us a call, and we’ll rebalance your bite and restore your oral function right away.
Dental Checkup & Cleaning FAQs
Whether it has been six months or six years since your last dental visit, it’s important that you feel comfortable when returning to the dentist’s office. If you’re like most patients, you probably have many questions. Fortunately, Dr. Spillman is here to provide you with the answers you need to feel confident and ready to step onto the path toward a healthier smile. Review the information listed below and feel free to call us when you’re ready to make an appointment.
How often should I expect to see a dentist?
The American Dental Association as well as the team at Dental Center of Lakewood recommend all patients visit our office for a regular dental checkup and cleaning every six months. This allows us to catch any problems early on, preventing more serious issues down the road. Not to mention, if caught, decay and gum disease can be eliminated, reducing your risk for more invasive health conditions that require time and money to treat (i.e., diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc.).
These visits allow our team to check for signs of decay, infection, and damage, and they help to keep your smile lasting longer and looking better.
Will I need dental X-rays each time I visit?
It’s unlikely that you’ll need dental X-rays each time you visit. It may be necessary to have them once a year, but it’s ultimately up to Dr. Spillman or Dr. Green to determine the frequency of these images. No matter how many times these are required, you can rest easy knowing they are much safer now than before (digital only), and they emit much less radiation. Finally, they produce higher-quality images, allowing for more effective and accurate treatment planning.
Are dental problems fixed on the same day or will another appointment be scheduled?
This depends on the severity of the problem you’re dealing with. Once reviewed by a dentist near me, they will determine if they should move ahead with the treatment the same day or wait and schedule you for another day. If you arrive with a cracked tooth, serious cavity, or immense pain, it’s possible we will do our very best to address the problem the same day; however, if you’re simply inquiring about dental implants or another advanced procedure, we’ll need to schedule an appointment for a later time.
How much will a dental checkup and cleaning cost?
No two dental checkups and cleanings are the same, so how much you can expect to pay will vary. If you have dental insurance, it’s worthwhile to use it to your advantage. Most companies offer to cover a majority or the full amount for these preventive services, which means you pay little to nothing out of pocket for this type of care.
If you’re uninsured, there are still other options that can make these six-month visits more affordable, such as flexible financing through CareCredit. By enrolling in a low or no-interest payment plan, you can focus more on improving your smile and less on how much it costs to achieve optimal oral health.