Dental Exams & Cleanings

Dental Care for Your Whole Family

A sparkling smile is a life-long commitment, and our dental team is here to make caring for your oral health a little easier.

Keeping up with your regular dental exams and cleanings helps us to tackle any emerging problems when they’re minor and easier to treat. Plus, your hygiene appointment tackles stubborn tartar and stains to help give you the brighter smile that brushing alone can’t provide.

At Shin Dentistry, we care for patients as young as 8 months old and adults of all ages. We’re honoured to be the dental clinic your family chooses to care for your teeth.

We’re happily accepting new patients. Get started today and book your next dental exam or cleaning at Shin Dentistry.

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How Often Do I Need a Dental Exam & Cleaning?

Every person is unique, but we typically recommend patients see us for a yearly dental exam, with dental cleanings every 6 months for optimal maintenance.

While flossing daily and brushing twice a day are foundational to your oral health, your exam and hygiene appointment go further, allowing us to detect and take action on issues you might not see. Your cleaning tackles stains and tartar, which is hardened plaque that brushing simply can’t remove.

Our Dental Health-Focused Approach

Dental care is about so much more than keeping your teeth clean—it’s about managing your oral health and preserving your smile for life.

Your oral health doesn’t just include your teeth, either. It also includes your ability to speak, taste, swallow, and chew with comfort and confidence. By taking care of your oral health, you also take care of your overall well-being.

What to Expect from Your Dental Exam & Cleaning

Before the Dental Exam

Before your dental exam, Dr. Shin or a member of our dental team will have a quick conversation with you to get to know your needs. Please let them know if you:

Are experiencing any pain in your teeth, gums, or elsewhere in your mouth
Have allergies
Have any medical conditions or are pregnant
Are taking any medications
Have any current oral health concerns

During the Dental Exam

During the exam, we’ll look for:

Damaged or missing teeth
Signs of cavities
Bite problems
Signs of bleeding or inflammation in your gums
Problems with your jaw health, like TMJ-related stiffness or pain

Depending on when we last saw you for an exam, we may perform some digital X-rays and capture 3D renderings of your smile for future reference. We’ll also compare your teeth and gums to the existing imagery we have.

We’ll let you know if there’s anything you should follow up on in your next appointment and answer any questions you have about your oral health.

Your Dental Cleaning

You’ll meet with one of our friendly and knowledgeable hygienists for your teeth cleaning. You’re welcome to relax and watch some TV while we get to work.

In your cleaning, your hygienist will typically perform the following:

Scaling to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and gum line to reduce the risk of gum disease.
Polish to remove stains for a deeper clean.
Professionally floss to target hard-to-reach spots and remove any leftover plaque or residual polish.
Fluoride may be applied to strengthen your teeth.

For our patients with periodontitis (gum disease), we use laser-assisted periodontal therapy to gently and effectively reduce harmful bacteria, treat inflammation, and allow for healing and recovery.

Imaging Technology in Your Dental Exam

A picture says a thousand words, and that’s certainly true in your dental exam.

We use digital intraoral scans and digital radiography in your exam both so Dr. Shin can learn more about your oral health and so you can better understand what’s happening in your own mouth. Plus, the technology often allows us to speed up your appointment compared to traditional impression methods.

iTero Intraoral Scans

The iTero Digital Scanner lets us take a 3D digital image of your teeth and gums.

The process is typically quite comfortable for our patients and offers immediate visuals that we use to assess your oral health, plan treatments, and even simulate the outcomes of various dental procedures, such as Invisalign, orthodontic treatments, and restorations.

Digital Radiography

Digital radiography exposes patients to less radiation than traditional dental X-rays while immediately capturing detailed images.

These images allow us to diagnose any conditions and potentially catch issues early. Plus, the digital images can be stored electronically, making them readily accessible for future reference or sharing with other dental professionals as needed.

Interested in your oral health? Feel free to ask us in your dental exam what we’re seeing in your imaging—from natural wear and tear on your teeth to anything that may require treatment. We’re here to be your partners in dental health.

Our Dental Services

Our comprehensive dental services can help keep your smile bright while allowing us to detect, diagnose, and—ideally—address any oral health problems before they become serious.

Invisalign

Straight teeth aren’t just an aesthetic consideration. They also support a healthier mouth by being easier to clean and care for. If you’re interested in straightening your smile, learn about our clear aligner options.

Crowns & Bridges

If you’re looking to restore damaged or missing teeth or have lost or broken a crown, we can help—often in a single appointment. Learn about our crowns and bridges at Shin Dentistry.

Restorative Dental Care

Damaged, decayed, or missing teeth could lead to long-term oral health problems if they aren’t addressed. Restorative dental care services can help support your smile and preserve your oral health.

Emergency Dental Care

Chipped, broken, or missing tooth? We’re ready to help—often immediately. Get in touch with us today and find out how our emergency dental services can address sudden or unexpected issues with your smile.