Preventive & Family Dentistry
Dental Exams & X-Rays in San Clemente
The appointment that finds the small problems while they are still small.
A check-up is not just a look at your teeth. It is a review of your medical history, the medications you take and the habits that affect your mouth, backed by images that show what the eye cannot see.
Dentistry for the whole household.
About Exams
What a thorough examination actually covers
Most dental problems are silent long before they hurt. An exam paired with X-rays is how they get found early, while the fix is still simple – and it is also where your treatment plan comes from, built around your own history rather than a standard schedule.
In The Chair
What happens during your exam
The visit is as much conversation as examination. You are welcome to raise anything that has been bothering you, and to ask why something is being recommended.
- Visual inspection Teeth, gums and the soft tissue of the mouth are checked carefully.
- Screening We screen for gum disease and for oral cancer.
- Existing dental work Fillings, crowns and other restorations are assessed for wear or failure.
- Oral hygiene advice Practical guidance for looking after your teeth between visits.
Why X-Rays
What the images show that an examination cannot
Typically four bitewing X-rays are taken, and further images only where they are medically warranted. What they reveal is the part of the tooth and jaw hidden from view.
- Hidden decay Cavities forming between teeth, where no examination can reach.
- Bone loss Changes in the bone that signal periodontal disease.
- Impacted teeth Teeth that are not erupting as they should, and other abnormalities.
- Infection at the root Infections at the root of a tooth, before they become an emergency.
Your Plan
A treatment plan built around your own mouth
The findings from the examination are what the plan is built from. Your medical history and current medications are taken into account, and each step is explained along with the reason for it – so you can decide what to do, and when.
- Preventive first Regular check-ups and cleaning, because keeping a tooth is always simpler than restoring one.
- Restorative where needed Where decay or periodontal disease has taken hold, the aim is to restore both function and appearance.
- Cosmetic if you want it Treatments that change how your smile looks, discussed only if that is something you want.
- Care at home Guidance for the days between appointments, which is where most of the work happens.
Booking
Booking an exam in San Clemente
Families have been coming to this practice since 2003, and we take new patients from across south Orange County. If it has been a while since your last visit, that is not a problem and it is not a lecture – it is just where we start.
The short answer
A dental exam is a check of the teeth, gums and soft tissue of the mouth, including screening for gum disease and oral cancer and an assessment of existing fillings and crowns. It is paired with X-rays, typically four bitewings, which show what an examination cannot see, such as decay between teeth, bone loss and infection at the root. The findings, along with your medical history and medications, are what your treatment plan is built from.
Common Questions
Exams & X-Rays FAQ
- How often do I need a dental exam?
Most patients are seen for an exam every six months, though some need closer monitoring. The right interval depends on your own mouth, including your history and what previous exams have found. We will tell you the interval that makes sense for you rather than applying one rule to everybody.
- How many X-rays will I have?
Typically four bitewing X-rays are taken. Further images are taken only where they are medically warranted, and we will explain why before taking them. The images show what the eye cannot see, such as decay between teeth, bone loss and infection at the root.
- Will I be told what you find?
Yes, you will be told what we find. Findings are explained in plain terms along with the options and the reason for each step. That lets you make an informed decision about what to do, and when, rather than simply being handed a plan.
- Do you check for anything besides cavities?
Yes, the exam checks for more than cavities. It includes screening for gum disease and for oral cancer, both of which are far easier to treat early, and an assessment of existing fillings, crowns and other restorations for wear or failure. The X-rays also show bone loss, impacted teeth and infection at the root.
- What if I have not been to a dentist in years?
Not having been to a dentist in years is common and it is not a problem. We start with a thorough exam, tell you honestly what we find, and work out an order to tackle it in. It is just where we start, not a lecture.
- Can the whole family be seen?
Yes, the whole family can be seen. Children, teenagers, adults and seniors all benefit from routine exams, and we see families together wherever it is easier. Each person's exam and plan are still built around their own history.
Book a visit
Plan your visit
We accept new patients and offer walk-in emergency care.
Address
Phone
Office hours
Your dentist
Dr. Ben Meshkinfam, D.D.S.
University of the Pacific, D.D.S. · Post-doctorate at LAC+USC Medical Center
Insurance & financing
30 HMO and PPO plans accepted
Including Delta Dental, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Guardian, MetLife and Humana. Estimates in writing before treatment.
