"What happens at the typical check-up appointment?"
The following oral health care activities usually take place at the typical dental check-up visit:

	Professionals who will treat you — Two oral health care professionals – Dr. Williams  or Scott and one of our dental hygienist – will see you. One of our hygienist will conduct an initial oral exam of your gums and teeth, document any changes in your overall health and medicine use, clean and polish your teeth, talk to you about caring for your teeth and gums, and answer any questions you might have about home care products. Dr. Williams or Scott will also conduct an oral exam of your mouth (for signs of oral cancer or other diseases), gums, and teeth; ask about changes in your overall health or medicine use; review the cleaning done by the hygienist; diagnose any oral health problems; and make treatment recommendations.
	Cleaning — Although home-based tooth brushing and flossing help remove plaque, only a professional cleaning  can thoroughly clean your teeth and remove the hardened plaque (called calculus or tartar) that builds up on teeth.  During your cleaning  a series of metal hand instruments will be used to clean your teeth.
	Polishing — After your teeth have been cleaned, they are polished to remove plaque and stains on the tooth surface. The polish contains an abrasive substance and fluoride, and is applied using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental hand piece.
	Prevention — You might be offered additional instructions for you to follow at home, based on the results of your exam. Don’t hesitate to ask your hygienist for instructions about brushing or flossing, or general care questions about your teeth and gums.
	X-rays — X-rays might or might not be taken during your check up. Dr. Williams or Scott will consider your clinical examination, dental history, and risk for developing cavities in determining the frequency for X-rays.
	Treatment recommendations — If any oral health problems are identified during your examination, your dentist will make recommendations for the best next steps. These might include referral to another oral health care specialist, additional diagnostic tests, or advice to return for restoration work or additional oral health care.