Cleanings & Checkups
An hour of your time, and most of what we'd otherwise be fixing later never gets the chance to start.
What it is
A cleaning removes the buildup a toothbrush can't reach — the hardened plaque along the gumline and between teeth that's the starting point for most decay and gum trouble.
The checkup is the part that matters most. We look at every tooth, your gums, your bite, and the soft tissue in your mouth. If something's changing, we'd rather find it while it's small and cheap and easy.
Dr. Chelsy spent 22 years as a hygienist before she owned this practice. She has cleaned a lot of teeth in this building, and she knows the difference between something worth watching and something worth doing.
What happens when you come in
- We catch upWhat's changed since last time, anything that's been bothering you, anything you've been putting off mentioning.
- CleaningScaling along the gumline and between teeth, then polishing. If your gums are tender, say so — we can go slower and we'd rather know.
- The examTooth by tooth, plus your gums, bite and soft tissue. Images if we need to see under the surface.
- What we foundIn plain words, with the images on the screen so you can see what we're talking about. If nothing needs doing, we say that too.
This might be for you if
- It's been six months or more since your last cleaning
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
- You're new to Pittsburg and need a regular dentist
- It's been years and you'd rather not be lectured about it
None of this is a diagnosis — it’s just what tends to bring people in. If you’re not sure whether it applies to you, call and ask.
Questions people ask
It's been a long time. Am I going to get a lecture?
No. People stop coming for all kinds of reasons and most of them are perfectly good ones. We're interested in where your mouth is now and what to do about it, not in where you've been.
Does a cleaning hurt?
For most people it's pressure and noise more than pain. If your gums are inflamed it can be tender, and that's worth telling us — we can adjust how we work and talk about numbing if you want it.
How often should I come?
It depends on the mouth. We'll tell you what makes sense for yours and explain why, rather than just booking it.
What it costs
We can’t put a number on this page honestly — it depends on your mouth and your plan. What we can tell you is how it works: we look first, we explain what we think you need, and you get the cost in writing before anything starts. We don’t begin work you haven’t agreed to, and we won’t pressure you into treatment you don’t need.
We're out of network with all insurances. We do file your claims as a courtesy, so the paperwork isn't left to you — but what your plan pays back is between you and them, and we won't guess at a number. Bring your plan and we'll tell you what we know before anything starts.
CareCredit and Sunbit are available if you’d rather spread the cost. If you’d like to ask before you come in, call (903) 856-6688.
Ready when you are
We’ll greet you by name, explain things clearly, and never rush you.