Dental Exam in Flat Rock
A dental exam is far more than a quick look at your teeth. During a comprehensive exam, we evaluate each tooth for decay, cracks and wear, check existing fillings and crowns for leaks or fractures, measure the health of your gums, review your bite, and examine the soft tissues of your mouth, tongue and throat. For our patients from Flat Rock, that single appointment often becomes the foundation for everything else — it tells us whether you simply need a routine cleaning, or whether a small problem is worth addressing now before it becomes a root canal or an extraction.
Most people do best with an exam about twice a year, paired with a dental cleaning. That rhythm catches cavities while they still only need a filling and allows us to track gum health over time rather than guessing. If you have a history of gum disease, grind your teeth, or are managing a health condition that affects your mouth, we may suggest seeing you more often so changes don't go unnoticed between visits.
Exams are appropriate at nearly every age and stage. We see children from age one through the teen years, adults, and older patients — including those wearing dentures or partials, who still need their tissues, bite and appliance fit evaluated regularly. We also welcome patients who haven't been to a dentist in years. There is no lecture waiting for you. If it has been a decade, the exam simply gives us an honest starting point so we can build a plan in the order that makes sense for your mouth and your budget.
Your exam begins with a conversation. We ask about any sensitivity, soreness, clicking in the jaw, bleeding when you brush, or a tooth that just feels "off," along with your medical history and medications, since both affect oral health. Digital X-rays come next when they're needed, letting us see between teeth, below the gumline and around the roots — areas no visual check can reach.
From there, a dentist examines each tooth individually, checks your bite and jaw joints, and reviews your gum measurements. An oral cancer screening is part of a thorough exam, so we look carefully at your lips, tongue, cheeks, palate and throat for anything that should be watched or evaluated further. Finally, we walk you through what we found using your images, explain your options in plain language, and tell you what's urgent, what can wait and what we're simply going to monitor.
- A clear picture of your current dental health, with nothing left to guesswork
- Early detection of decay, gum disease and bite problems, when treatment is simplest
- An oral cancer screening at no separate visit
- A written plan that separates urgent needs from elective and preventive care
- A chance to ask questions about anything you've been putting off
What Happens After the Exam
Many Flat Rock patients have their cleaning the same day, along with fluoride treatment or sealants when appropriate. If we find an issue, we talk through the next step — a filling, scaling and root planing for gum disease, a crown, an extraction, or orthodontic evaluation. Because our team of five doctors includes general dentists, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist and a board-certified orthodontist, most of what we recommend can be handled under one roof rather than sending you elsewhere.
Our on-site dental lab matters here too. Crowns, dentures, night guards and other appliances are made and adjusted in our own lab, which means same-day crowns, same-day dentures, relines and repairs are possible. At home, the follow-through is straightforward: brush twice daily, clean between your teeth, keep an eye on any area we flagged, and call us if something changes. We also offer same-day emergency appointments if a tooth breaks or starts aching before your next visit.
Cost, Insurance and Getting Seen
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and will run a complimentary benefits check so you know what's covered before you sit in the chair. Self-pay and cash patients are welcome, and we accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
For Flat Rock patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for adults and $99 a year for ages 17 and under. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings and two fluoride treatments a year at 100%, with 20% to 50% off other treatment — no annual maximum, deductibles, waiting periods or pre-authorizations. CareCredit financing is available for larger treatment, and we offer complimentary consultations.
Comfort Is Part of the Visit
Our office is at 22500 Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, a short drive for Flat Rock families, and we see patients of all ages, including children with special healthcare needs. Se habla español.
Comfort is a stated priority for us, not an afterthought. Our comfort menu includes blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix and refreshments, and nitrous oxide and IV sedation are available for patients who need more support to get through care. If anxiety has kept you from scheduling an exam, tell us — we'll build the visit around that.