Blog

Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!

Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.

We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.

At Eliot Dental, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.

Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.

For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Eliot Dental, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.

Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.

As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Eliot Dental, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.

Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.

If you're visiting Eliot Dental for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.

To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.

Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Eliot Dental.

We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.

At the office of Eliot Dental, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.

Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.

Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.

If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.

Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.

Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Eliot Dental is here for you!

Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.

While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.

You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.

Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.

At the office of Eliot Dental, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.

For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.

At Eliot Dental, an oral exam is a thorough clinical review of the teeth, gums, soft tissues, and jaw designed to detect early signs of disease and functional issues. The exam combines careful observation, medical and dental history, and targeted diagnostics so that findings are accurate and meaningful. Identifying problems early allows for more conservative treatment and better long-term outcomes.

An oral exam also establishes a baseline for future care and helps the dental team tailor preventive and restorative plans to each patient. When appropriate, the exam is supported by imaging and screening tests to reveal areas that cannot be seen visually. Clear communication about findings and next steps is a core part of the visit so patients understand their options and feel involved in decision making.

Your first oral exam begins with a focused review of your medical and dental history and a conversation about any symptoms, habits, or past treatments that could affect oral health. The clinician will perform a head and neck evaluation, inspect soft tissues for lesions, assess periodontal health, check tooth surfaces and wear patterns, and observe how your bite functions. Listening to your concerns is central to the visit, because individual goals influence recommendations.

If indicated, the exam may include digital radiographs or other imaging to evaluate roots, bone levels, and areas between teeth. The clinician will summarize findings in plain language and outline preventive measures, monitoring strategies, or treatment options when necessary. You should expect practical guidance on home care and next steps before leaving the appointment.

Many patients benefit from exams every six months, which balances prevention with convenience and allows the team to monitor changes before they progress. Individual needs vary, however, and factors such as gum disease history, systemic health conditions, medication use, and risk of dental decay may require more frequent visits. Your dental clinician will recommend an interval based on a personalized risk assessment.

Consistent checkups make it easier to detect trends like increasing gum recession, new areas of decay, or shifts in tooth position, allowing for less invasive interventions. Between visits, maintaining daily brushing and flossing and following any tailored homecare advice reduces the likelihood of avoidable problems. Regular professional cleanings complement exams by removing deposits that are difficult to address at home.

Imaging is recommended when clinical findings or risk factors indicate a need to see below the surface, and decisions about x-rays are always guided by diagnostic benefit. Digital radiographs are quick, use minimal radiation, and reveal decay between teeth, root health, and bone levels that visual inspection alone cannot show. For complex cases such as implant planning or impacted teeth, three-dimensional CBCT imaging may be suggested to provide detailed spatial information.

One advantage of modern imaging is that images are available immediately for review and can be enlarged or enhanced to help you understand the findings. Images are stored in the digital record so clinicians can compare them over time and track healing or progression. The dental team will discuss why any recommended images are useful and how they inform treatment planning.

Yes, a routine oral exam commonly includes an oral cancer screening in which the clinician inspects the lips, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues for unusual lesions or changes. The screening is a visual and tactile assessment that looks for persistent sores, white or red patches, lumps, or other abnormalities that warrant further evaluation. Early detection of suspicious findings improves the likelihood of successful treatment and reduces risks associated with advanced disease.

If a lesion or concerning sign is identified, the clinician will explain the finding, recommend a timeline for monitoring or referral, and may suggest additional diagnostic testing or collaboration with a specialist. Patients are encouraged to report any persistent mouth sores, unexplained pain, or changes in sensation between visits so potential issues can be evaluated promptly. This screening is a standard part of preventive care and an important safeguard for overall health.

Oral health and general health are closely connected, and an oral exam can reveal signs that relate to broader medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular concerns, respiratory issues, and digestive problems. Persistent gum inflammation, unusual oral lesions, or chronic dry mouth are examples of findings that may prompt further medical evaluation or coordination with your physician. While an exam is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, it plays a key role in early detection and risk reduction.

When the dental team identifies signs that may reflect systemic conditions, they will discuss those observations and recommend appropriate next steps, which can include more frequent monitoring, referrals, or adjustments to dental care. Managing oral inflammation and infection reduces bacterial load and other risk factors that can affect the rest of the body. Patients who share relevant medical history and medication information help clinicians make the most informed decisions during the exam.

An oral exam is typically a team effort involving dental hygienists and dentists, with each professional contributing specific expertise to the assessment and care plan. Hygienists commonly perform periodontal screening, plaque and tartar removal, and patient education, while dentists evaluate complex diagnostic findings, perform oral cancer screenings, assess bite and tooth wear, and make treatment recommendations. This collaborative approach ensures thorough evaluation and efficient use of clinical skills.

When imaging or specialized assessments are required, the dentist reviews the results and integrates them into a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. Patients can expect clear explanations about who performed each part of the exam and why certain specialists or procedures may be needed. Open communication and coordinated care help ensure that recommendations are appropriate and well understood.

To prepare for an oral exam, bring an up-to-date list of medications, a summary of any recent medical changes, and information about previous dental treatments or orthodontic work. Jot down questions or concerns you want to discuss so the appointment addresses what matters most to you, and arrive with routine homecare completed so clinicians can best assess plaque and tissue health. If you have symptoms such as pain, swelling, or loose teeth, be ready to describe their onset and pattern.

If you experience dental anxiety, let the team know in advance so accommodations can be discussed to make your visit more comfortable. For patients with complex medical histories, coordination with your physician may be recommended and sharing any relevant records can speed that process. Clear communication and preparation help make the exam efficient, informative, and tailored to your needs.

If the exam identifies a concern, the clinician will explain the finding, discuss the range of appropriate options, and recommend a prioritized plan for treatment or monitoring. For many early issues, preventive measures and minimally invasive treatments are effective, while more advanced conditions may require staged restorative work or specialist referral. Patients are provided with practical guidance on homecare and follow-up scheduling to support healing and prevention.

When referrals or additional diagnostics are needed, the dental team will coordinate next steps and communicate clearly about the purpose of each recommendation. Routine follow-up visits may be scheduled to track progress or reassess risk, and digital records allow clinicians to compare findings over time. The goal is to preserve healthy tissue, restore function, and minimize disruption to daily life through timely, evidence-based care.

Modern digital imaging enhances the oral exam by revealing decay between teeth, root and bone health, and other hidden conditions that visual inspection cannot detect, and images are captured quickly with minimal radiation exposure. Digital radiographs can be enlarged and adjusted on screen to help patients see the same findings clinicians observe, which improves understanding and shared decision making. For surgical planning or complex diagnoses, three-dimensional CBCT imaging provides precise spatial detail of bone volume and anatomical relationships.

Images are stored in each patient record so clinicians can compare them over time and monitor healing or progression with accuracy, and electronic sharing facilitates collaboration with specialists when necessary. The use of modern imaging supports conservative, well-planned treatment by reducing uncertainty and improving the predictability of outcomes. When imaging is recommended, the dental team will explain how the information will directly influence diagnosis and care.