CLEANINGS: A routine dental cleaning takes about 50 minutes. This includes any necessary x-rays, dental exam, periodontal readings, oral cancer screening, scaling, and polishing of the teeth. If this is your first time visiting us, you should anticipate up to 90 minutes. This initial exam is longer because we want to get to know you and your mouth very well! Properly collecting all of your baseline information is important so that we can plan any necessary treatment and achieve your oral health goals.

TREATMENT: The type of treatment you are receiving will dictate the length of your appointment. Ask our front desk manager when making your appointment how long you should plan to be with us for your visit. If you have dental fear or anxiety, oral sedation may be a good option for you. Discuss this with Dr. Hicklin during treatment planning at your initial exam.

DENTAL EMERGENCY: If you are experiencing pain, have broken or chipped teeth, or a crown has come off, an x-ray of the area may be necessary to properly diagnose the problem. Please call our office and we will work with you to get you in as quickly as possible!

Yes! Reedy River Dentistry offers preventive, restorative, and diagnostic services to you and your whole family. We recommend children begin 6 month check-ups by the age of 3. Starting to see a dentist at an early age ensures they can be comfortable and familiar with the process, and we can monitor and keep their teeth healthy as they grow. Routine cleanings and exams for adults are also advised on a 6 month interval to help maintain a healthy smile.

You can trust our dental team only takes radiographs when medically necessary and adhere to the recommendations from the American Dental Association. X-rays play an important role in detecting and diagnosing cavities and many oral health problems. Based on your individual health, dental history, and vulnerability to dental problems, we will determine your radiographic needs. We utilize digital technology in our practice meaning the safest, most effective, detailed, and least invasive imaging available. The average set of x-rays using a digital sensor, is closely equivalent to the amount of exposure you get from the sun in a day.

In short, yes. There are many types of filling materials, but due to the high demand for the white aesthetic appearance of fillings, we use composite and ceramic porcelain materials to restore your teeth.

Healthy gums are tight, firm, a shallow pocket depth, and do not bleed. When food, plaque, or bacteria sits too long at that gum line they release toxins, and this surrounding tissue or “pocket” of tissue around the tooth becomes irritated and inflamed. This can cause the bone underneath your gums to retreat to get away from irritation. This bone loss results in a deeper pocket of tissue around each tooth that is harder to keep clean and usually must be maintained at some point by a dental professional to address infection. Although bone cannot typically be regrown, we can work to arrest the disease and help you stabilize your gum health.