Dental exams
A checkup that actually checks everything
Plenty of exams amount to a quick glance and a pat on the back. Ours do not. When you sit down in our chair,
Dr. Salinas looks at every tooth individually, checks your gums, evaluates how your bite comes together, feels
your jaw joints, and examines the soft tissue of your cheeks, tongue, and throat. She is looking for decay,
sure, but also for cracks, worn edges, old fillings starting to fail, and the early signs of problems you would
never feel on your own.
The reason we are this thorough is simple. Almost everything expensive in dentistry started out as something
cheap. A small cavity becomes a root canal when nobody catches it. Worn enamel becomes a cracked tooth.
Finding these things early is the single best gift we can give you, and it is why patients who keep up with
exams spend far less at the dentist over their lifetime than patients who only come in when something hurts.
Dental exams
What your visit looks like
Your exam usually pairs with a cleaning, and the whole appointment takes about an hour. We start with any
X-rays that are actually due, then your hygienist cleans your teeth while you catch up or zone out to Netflix on
the TV above the chair. Dr. Salinas comes in for the exam itself, and this is where our office feels different. She
talks with you, not at you. If she finds something, you will see it yourself on the screen, in your own X-rays or
photos, before any treatment is discussed.
New patients sometimes come to us braced for a sales pitch because that is what they got somewhere else.
You will not find that here. If a tooth can be watched instead of treated, we tell you that. If something does
need attention, we explain your options and the honest tradeoffs of each, including cost, before you leave the
room.
Dental exams
The technology behind the exam
Our Oak Hill office runs on modern diagnostics, including digital X-rays and 3D imaging that reveal what eyes
alone cannot. These images use far less radiation than the film X-rays you may remember, and they appear on
screen the moment they are taken. When we can look at a tooth in three dimensions, we can plan treatment
with a level of precision that simply was not possible a generation ago.
Every exam also includes an oral cancer screening at no extra charge. It takes about two minutes, and it
matters. Early detection changes outcomes for oral cancer more than almost any other factor, so we simply
build it into every visit and do not make a fuss about it.
Dental exams
Who should get an exam, and how often
Nearly everyone does best with an exam every six months, and that includes people with dentures, people
who have never had a cavity, and people who are nervous about dentists. If you fall in that last group, tell us
when you book. We will move at your pace, explain everything before we do it, and nitrous oxide is available
if you want extra help relaxing.
If it has been years since your last visit, this appointment is exactly where to start. There is no lecture waiting
for you here, just a clear picture of where things stand and a plan that fits your life and your budget. Call (512)
646-4420 and we will get you scheduled.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Plan on about an hour for an exam with a cleaning. If it has been a long while since your last visit, your first
appointment may run a bit longer because we gather a full set of records and take the time to actually talk
with you.
Call us at (512) 646-4420 and we will give you a straight answer before you book. We keep preventive pricing
fair because we would much rather see you twice a year than meet you for the first time in an emergency.
Always. Our exam rooms have screens for exactly this reason. You will see your own X-rays and photos, and
Dr. Salinas will point out exactly what she is looking at. If you cannot see it, we have not explained it well
enough yet.
Related services
Preventive Dentistry
Thorough exams, gentle cleanings, digital X-rays, and periodontal care that keep
small problems from ever becoming big ones.
Teeth Cleanings
Even people who brush and floss perfectly build up tartar in spots a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Our hygienists remove all of it gently, polish
Digital X-Rays
You cannot fix what you cannot see, and a lot of what matters in dentistry happens below the gumline. Our digital X-rays and 3D imaging
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.