A full check of your teeth, gums, bite, and mouth tissues with Dr. Keith in Hillcrest. Find out where your oral health stands and what, if anything, needs attention.
Dental Exams in San Diego, CA
Comprehensive Exam
Digital X-Rays
New Patients Welcome
A dental exam is the part of your checkup where the dentist looks for problems, not just plaque. Dr. Andy Keith checks each tooth for decay and cracks, measures the health of your gums, looks at how your bite and jaw joints work, and screens the soft tissues of your mouth. When it is useful, digital X-rays show what the eye cannot, such as decay between teeth or bone loss around a root.
Many dental problems stay painless until they are harder to fix, so a regular exam is the simplest way to find them early. At Sunrise Dental Arts in Hillcrest, the exam is the starting point for all of our dental care, and new patients begin with a comprehensive exam before any treatment is planned.
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What Dr. Keith Checks During Your Exam
We start with your health history, including medications and medical conditions that can affect your mouth. Some medications cause dry mouth, for example, which can raise your risk of cavities, and some health conditions change how we plan treatment.
Next, Dr. Keith looks at each tooth for new decay, worn or broken fillings, and cracks. He uses a small probe to measure the space between your gums and teeth, since deeper pockets can be an early sign of gum disease. He also checks how your upper and lower teeth meet and feels the jaw joints and chewing muscles for tenderness.
X-rays are taken when they will add useful information. The American Dental Association explains that dental X-rays can reveal problems that are not visible during an exam, like new cavities or impacted teeth, and that how often you need them depends on your age, your risk for disease, and your current oral health. New patients may need a set to give us a baseline.
A Screening for Oral Cancer at Every Exam
Every comprehensive exam includes a look at your lips, tongue, cheeks, the floor and roof of your mouth, and your throat, plus a gentle check of the jaw and neck for lumps. It takes only a few minutes. You can read more about what we look for on our oral cancer screening page.
If We Find a Problem
Finding something at an exam is exactly what the exam is for, and small problems are usually easier and less costly to treat. Dr. Keith will show you what he found, often on your X-rays or an intraoral image, explain your options, and give you time to decide. You will not be pushed to schedule treatment on the spot.
Depending on the finding, the next step might be a small tooth-colored filling, a porcelain crown for a cracked tooth, root canal treatment if decay has reached the nerve, or gum disease treatment if your gum pockets are deeper than they should be. Signs of grinding may lead to a conversation about a night guard.
Meet the Team
Dr. Andy Keith leads a small team that takes time to get to know each patient, including your concerns, your preferences, and what you want from your dental care. As your dedicated Hillcrest dentist and support staff, we work together to keep visits comfortable and on schedule from check-in to follow-up.
We explain what we see in plain language and make sure your questions are answered before any treatment begins. If something about a visit worries you, tell us, and we will work with you to make it easier.
Services
Our Sunrise Dental Arts Care Process
- Initial Consultation
- Customized Treatment Plan
- Implementation of Treatment
- Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
- Follow-Up
Initial Consultation
We start by asking what brought you in, reviewing your health history, and noting any teeth that hurt or feel different. If a previous dentist took recent X-rays, let us know, since copies may save you from repeating them.
Customized Treatment Plan
If the exam turns up anything that needs care, Dr. Keith sorts it into what is urgent, what can wait, and what is optional. You get the reasons behind each recommendation, so you can plan treatment around your budget and schedule.
Implementation of Treatment
Many findings can be treated at a follow-up visit in our office, from a small filling to a crown. If you need care from another type of provider, we explain why and help you take the next step.
Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
Between visits, daily habits do most of the work. We point out any areas you tend to miss when brushing or flossing and suggest changes, like a softer brush or a different floss, when they would help.
Follow-Up
Your exam findings are saved in your chart, so at the next visit we can compare a spot we are watching or a gum measurement to last time. Small changes are much easier to see when there is a clear record to compare against.
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How Often You Need a Dental Exam
Many adults with healthy teeth and gums do well with an exam once or twice a year, usually at the same visit as a professional cleaning. People with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, dry mouth, or certain health conditions may need to be seen more often. Dr. Keith will suggest a schedule based on what he finds.
You may also want an exam outside your usual schedule in these situations.
- You are new to our office: a full exam gives us a baseline before any treatment is planned.
- It has been a while: if you have gone a few years without a checkup, an exam shows what has changed.
- You are planning cosmetic work: whitening, bonding, and veneers work best on healthy teeth and gums.
- You had a fall or a hit to the mouth: a tooth can crack below the gumline without obvious signs.
If something hurts, feels sharp, or looks different, call us rather than waiting for your next checkup.
Schedule a Dental Exam at Sunrise Dental Arts
Our office is at 3645 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest, with appointments Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and our team can check your benefits before your visit. You can also learn more about Dr. Keith before you come in.
Whether you are new to the area, overdue for a checkup, or worried about a specific tooth, request an appointment online or call (619) 291-2980.
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Dental Exam FAQs
How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?
The exam itself is usually a short part of your visit. A first visit that includes a full exam, X-rays, and a cleaning takes longer than a routine checkup, so plan for some extra time if you are new to our office.
What Is the Difference Between a Dental Exam and a Cleaning?
A cleaning removes plaque and hardened tartar from your teeth. An exam is the dentist’s check for problems such as cavities, cracks, gum disease, bite issues, and changes in the soft tissues. They are usually done at the same visit, but they are two different parts of your care.
Do I Need X-Rays at Every Exam?
Not always. Dr. Keith decides based on your age, your risk for decay and gum disease, and any symptoms you have. New patients often need X-rays to set a baseline, while patients with healthy, stable teeth may need them less often.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Exams?
Many PPO plans cover routine exams, often along with cleanings and some X-rays. Coverage depends on your plan, so our team can check your benefits before your visit. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit for treatment your plan does not cover.
What Should I Bring to My First Exam?
Bring your insurance card, a list of the medications you take, and any recent X-rays or records from a previous dentist if you have them. It also helps to write down any teeth that bother you and the questions you want to ask.
