Preventive Dentistry · Comprehensive Care
Dental Cleanings &
Preventive Care in Palo Alto.
Prevention is the most cost-effective investment in your oral health. Our comprehensive exam and cleaning appointments go well beyond polishing teeth — we use digital X-rays, laser cavity detection, oral cancer screening, and full periodontal charting to protect every dimension of your oral health at every visit.
Types of Cleanings
Not All Cleanings Are the Same
The right type of cleaning depends on your gum health. We assess and recommend the appropriate treatment at every appointment — your insurance will be checked before any work begins.
Prophylaxis (Routine Cleaning)
Every 6 months
Patients with healthy gums and minimal tartar buildup
- Supragingival scaling (above the gumline)
- Tooth polishing with prophy paste
- Flossing between all contacts
- Fluoride treatment (optional)
- Oral hygiene instruction
Covered at 100% by most dental insurance plans twice per year.
Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
As needed for periodontitis
Patients with pocket depths ≥4mm, bone loss, or calculus below the gumline
- Subgingival scaling (below the gumline)
- Root surface planing to smooth tooth roots
- Local anaesthesia for comfort
- Locally delivered antibiotics (Arestin®)
- Full-mouth periodontal pocket charting
Typically completed in 2 visits (upper/lower or left/right quadrants). Covered 50–80% by most insurance.
Periodontal Maintenance
Every 3–4 months
Patients with a history of periodontitis following active treatment
- Subgingival debridement of pocket areas
- Updated pocket charting and bone level assessment
- Bleeding point monitoring
- Selective polishing
- Reinforcement of home care protocol
More thorough than a standard cleaning — critical for preventing recurrence of active disease.
What's Included
Every Comprehensive Exam Includes
Our exams are designed to detect problems at the earliest, most treatable stage — when intervention is least invasive and least expensive.
Digital X-Rays
Bitewing and periapical X-rays taken with digital sensors — 90% less radiation than traditional film. Reveals cavities between teeth, bone levels, and root anatomy not visible clinically.
Oral Cancer Screening
Systematic visual and physical examination of all oral soft tissues — lips, tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks, palate, and throat. Early-stage oral cancer has a 90% survival rate; late-stage has a 20% survival rate.
Full-Mouth Periodontal Charting
Six measurements per tooth — 168 data points — map the depth of the gum pockets surrounding every tooth. This is the only accurate way to diagnose and stage gum disease at every visit.
Caries Risk Assessment
We use DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection to identify early-stage demineralisation before it becomes a visible cavity — enabling preventive treatment (fluoride, sealants) rather than a filling.
Medical History Review
New medications, medical conditions, and lifestyle changes can affect your oral health and dental treatment. We review your health history at every appointment and coordinate with your physicians when relevant.
Occlusal & TMJ Assessment
Worn enamel, jaw clicking, or morning headaches may indicate bruxism (teeth grinding) or TMJ dysfunction. We screen at every visit and discuss protective options including custom night guards.
The Cost of Skipping
Prevention Is the Smartest Investment in Dentistry
A small cavity caught at a routine cleaning is a $150–300 filling. The same cavity left for two years becomes a $1,200–1,800 crown. Left longer, it becomes a root canal + crown ($2,500–3,500) or an extraction + implant ($4,000–6,000).
Most dental insurance plans cover two routine cleanings per year at 100% because the data is clear: prevention saves the insurance company money. The same logic applies to your personal finances and, more importantly, your teeth.
$50–200
$800–3,000
$1,500–5,000
90%
Frequency Guide
Who Needs More Than Twice a Year?
The 6-month guideline applies to patients at average risk. Higher-risk patients benefit significantly from more frequent visits.
FAQ
Cleaning & Prevention Questions
The best dental work is the work you never need.
Schedule your comprehensive exam and cleaning. Most insurance plans cover 100% — no out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients.