Exams & Cleanings in Chicago, IL
A healthy smile is built on the basics: routine exams and professional cleanings. No matter how carefully you brush and floss, plaque still hardens into tartar in the spots a toothbrush cannot quite reach. That is where our team comes in. At Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry, Dr. Raffi and our hygienists pair digital imaging with a thorough clinical evaluation to catch small problems early, before they turn painful or expensive.
What it is
At a routine dental checkup, several things happen in one visit: a clinical exam, digital X-rays, an oral cancer screening, and a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
Who it's for
Children and adults alike need it. The usual schedule is every six months, though patients with gum disease or higher risk factors are seen every 3–4 months.
How we help
We use digital imaging to catch problems early, remove tartar thoroughly, coach you on hygiene in a way that fits your habits, and build a treatment plan around your needs.
Overdue for a checkup? Regular exams are the simplest way to head off costly dental problems.
What Happens During Your Exam
Comprehensive Oral Exam
- Visual inspection: Dr. Raffi examines every tooth, your gums, tongue, and soft tissues for signs of decay, disease, or abnormalities
- Digital X-rays: Low-radiation imaging reveals cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections, and issues below the gum line
- Oral cancer screening: A quick, painless check of your mouth and throat for any suspicious changes
- Gum evaluation: We measure gum pocket depths to monitor for early signs of periodontal disease
- Bite and jaw check: Assessment of your bite alignment and TMJ function
What We Look For
- Cavities and early signs of tooth decay
- Gum inflammation, bleeding, or recession
- Cracked, chipped, or worn teeth
- Signs of teeth grinding or clenching
- Condition of existing fillings, crowns, or other restorations
- Changes in oral tissues that may indicate oral cancer
- Buildup of plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach areas
Professional Dental Cleanings
Even the most faithful brusher and flosser builds up some tartar over time. Once plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), no amount of home care will lift it. Professional instruments are the only thing that will. During your cleaning, our hygienist uses specialized tools to gently clear those deposits from every surface of your teeth, reaching areas below the gum line that you simply cannot get to at home.
Most cleanings run 30 to 60 minutes and happen during the same visit as your exam. For the majority of patients, every six months is the right cadence, though anyone with a history of gum disease often benefits from coming in more often.
Why Regular Visits Matter
Benefits of Preventive Care
- Catch problems early: Small cavities and early gum disease are easier and less expensive to treat
- Prevent tooth loss: Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and regular cleanings help keep it in check
- Fresher breath: Professional cleaning removes bacteria that cause persistent bad breath
- Brighter smile: Polishing removes surface stains from coffee, tea, and other foods
- Overall health: Research links oral health to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions
Our Preventive Services
- Fluoride treatments: Strengthen enamel and help prevent cavities, especially in children
- Dental sealants: Protective coatings for molars that block decay in hard-to-brush grooves
- Periodontal screening: Early detection of gum disease with targeted treatment plans
- Oral hygiene coaching: Personalized tips for brushing, flossing, and at-home care
- Custom scheduling: We tailor your recall frequency to your individual risk level
Prevention always beats treatment. Book your next checkup and invest in your oral health for the long run.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Visit Steps
- Check-in: Complete or update your medical history and let us know about any concerns or changes since your last visit
- X-rays: If due, we take digital X-rays, which are quick, comfortable, and very low radiation
- Cleaning: Your hygienist removes tartar and plaque, then polishes your teeth and flosses between them
- Exam: Dr. Raffi reviews your X-rays, performs a thorough clinical exam, and discusses any findings
- Treatment plan: If anything needs attention, we explain your options, costs, and next steps before you leave
Helpful Tips
- Brush and floss before your appointment, since it helps us see your baseline hygiene
- Bring your dental insurance card and a list of current medications
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early if you're a new patient to complete paperwork
- Mention any tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, or jaw pain so we can focus on those areas
- Ask about fluoride or sealants for your children during the visit
- Your appointment typically takes 45–60 minutes for both the exam and cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions
For most people, a dental exam and cleaning every six months keeps small issues from becoming big ones and stays ahead of tartar buildup. It is the schedule that suits the majority of healthy mouths.
Some patients do better coming in more often, roughly every three to four months. Dr. Raffi may suggest that closer interval if you have:
- A history of gum disease
- A pattern of frequent cavities
- Other risk factors that raise your odds of dental problems
We are glad to recommend the right rhythm for you at our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices.
For most patients, a dental cleaning is comfortable from start to finish. You might feel mild pressure or a little sensitivity where there is heavy tartar buildup or some gum inflammation, but genuine pain is uncommon.
If you have sensitive teeth or feel anxious about dental visits, just tell us. We can adjust our technique and offer numbing options so the cleaning stays as easy on you as possible.
A regular cleaning, known as a prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar from above the gum line and just beneath it. It is the standard maintenance cleaning for a healthy mouth.
A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, goes considerably further below the gum line to treat gum disease, smoothing the root surfaces and clearing bacteria out of deep pockets. Dr. Raffi recommends a deep cleaning only when gum measurements show it is actually needed, never as a matter of routine.
They are. Digital X-rays use up to 80% less radiation than the older film versions, and the exposure from a full set is comparable to the natural background radiation you take in during a single ordinary day.
We also follow the ALARA principle, which stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable, and only take X-rays when there is a clear clinical reason to. That way you get the diagnostic information we need with the least possible exposure.
If we spot a cavity, there is no need to worry. Dr. Raffi will show you where it is, explain how deep it goes, and talk through your options, most often a tooth-colored filling, along with a cost estimate.
Cavities caught early during a routine exam tend to be quick and straightforward to treat, which is one more reason regular checkups pay off. The longer decay goes unnoticed, the more involved the fix usually becomes.
We work with most major dental insurance plans and will help you get the most out of your benefits. Many plans cover two preventive exams and cleanings each year at little or no out-of-pocket cost, which makes staying on schedule easy on your budget.
Our team verifies your coverage and spells out any costs before treatment begins, and you can reach out to either of our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices with questions. Visit our financing page for more details.
Your smile does best with regular attention. Book your next exam and cleaning today.
Visit Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry
Chicago Office
6215 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
Bourbonnais Office
876 N Convent St
Bourbonnais, IL 60914