New patients, Boise
Dental exam and cleaning in Boise: your first visit, step by step.
A regular exam and cleaning is how a crack or a cavity gets found while it is still small. New patients start with an exam, X-rays when needed and a cleaning with Priya, our hygienist. You see the same dentist and the same hygienist each time.
- 1.5 hoursfor a first visit, in one sitting
- Same teameach visit, so you never start over
- In writinga plan and an estimate before any treatment
First visit
What happens at your first visit.
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01
Check-in and a short form
Your name, your medical history and what brought you in. If you are in pain, say so and we work on that first.
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02
X-rays, if you need them
We take the fewest X-rays that answer the question, and we ask for your earlier ones if you have them.
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03
The exam
A dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth, and screens for anything unusual.
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04
The cleaning
Priya removes the plaque and tartar and polishes. She also checks your gums and shows you what she sees.
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05
The conversation
The dentist explains what was found, what can wait and what should not, with a written plan and estimate.
Why bother
What a regular exam finds that you cannot feel.
Most dental trouble starts quietly. A cavity does not hurt until it is deep, and a crack can sit for months before it breaks. An exam and X-rays find both while the fix is small.
A cleaning removes the buildup that brushing leaves behind, which is what irritates the gums. Your hygienist also looks for early signs of gum disease, and tells you plainly what to do about it at home.
- Cavities found while they are small
- Cracks and worn spots noticed early
- Gum health checked and explained
- A plan you can read, not guess
How often
How often should you come in?
Many people are fine with a visit every six months. Some need more often. The dentist and hygienist decide with you.
| Your situation | A common pattern |
|---|---|
| Healthy gums, few cavities | About every six months |
| Gum disease, or a history of it | Often every three to four months |
| Many fillings or crowns | Every six months, with X-rays as advised |
| A new patient with a problem | A problem-focused visit first, then a full exam |
Money
Insurance and the written estimate.
We work with most major PPO plans. Call with your plan and member number and the front desk checks your coverage before the visit. If you do not have insurance, you get the same written estimate, and third-party financing is available for larger treatment.
We do not list prices on this site. What you get is a plan in writing after the exam, with what we recommend, why, and the cost, before anything is done.
How long is a first visit?
About an hour and a half: forms, X-rays if needed, the exam, the cleaning and the conversation. If you are in pain, we address that first and may split the rest into a second visit.
Do I need X-rays?
Usually at a first visit, because they show decay between teeth and changes at the root. If you have recent ones, send them or ask your previous dentist to, and we may take fewer.
I have not been to a dentist in years. Will I be judged?
No. We see people in that position every week. We start where you are, and tell you what matters most and what can wait.
Do you take my insurance?
We work with most major PPO plans. Call with your plan name and member number and we check coverage before your visit. Without insurance, you still get a written estimate.
Can children come too?
Children are welcome for exams and cleanings with us. We are a general practice, and if a child needs care beyond what we do, we say so and help you find the right office.
What if I have a toothache when I come in?
Tell us when you book. If you are in pain, we see you as an emergency visit first and book the full exam after.
Boise, Idaho
Tooth problem? Tell us now.
Call before 3:30 pm on a weekday and we hold a same-day slot for you. After that, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then.
| Monday to Thursday | 7:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 7:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, emergency visits only |
| Sunday | Closed |
Call 911 for severe bleeding, a swollen face or throat, trouble breathing or a head injury.