General
Preventive and Hygiene
Preventive care is the quietest part of dentistry and the part that decides everything else. Seen regularly, most problems stay small enough to be handled in a single visit.
What this involves
What a hygiene visit looks like
You are seen by the same hygienist, who already knows your history and can tell what has changed since the last visit. That continuity matters more than any single instrument in the room.
The cleaning removes plaque and hardened deposits above and below the gumline, then polishes the surfaces so new buildup has less to hold onto. If your gums are tender or you have had sensitivity, tell us at the start rather than partway through. We can adjust.
The comprehensive exam
Dr. Marino reviews each tooth, existing restorations, the soft tissue, the bite and the joint. Imaging is taken when it will change what we recommend, not on a fixed schedule for its own sake.
Anything we find is explained in plain language while you are still sitting up. If treatment is worth considering, you leave with it written down, including what it involves and what it will cost.
Gum health and periodontal care
Gum disease is common, largely painless in its early stages, and the leading reason adults lose teeth. Bleeding when you brush is a signal, not a normal event.
When we find early inflammation, the response is usually a deeper cleaning and a shorter recall interval rather than anything dramatic. Cases that have progressed further are managed here with a maintenance schedule built around what your tissue actually needs.
What you do between visits
Most of the work happens at home, twice a day, with a soft brush and something that gets between the teeth. We will show you what is working and what is being missed, using your own mouth rather than a diagram.
If a night guard, a different brush head or a change in technique would help, we will say so and explain why.
Suitability
Who it is for
Adults and children who want their dental care handled before it becomes urgent.
Patients returning after a long gap who would rather start with an honest assessment.
Anyone managing early gum inflammation who needs a closer recall interval.
The Process
How it works
- 01
Review
We go through your history, your concerns and anything that has changed.
- 02
Clean
Your hygienist removes buildup above and below the gumline and polishes the surfaces.
- 03
Examine
Dr. Marino checks the teeth, gums, bite and soft tissue, with imaging only where it helps.
- 04
Plan
You leave with a written summary of anything worth addressing and a scheduled recall.
Questions
Common questions
Twice a year suits most adults. If your gums need closer attention, we will recommend a shorter interval and explain why.
No. It is common, and it is not something you will be lectured about. We start with an assessment and work from where you actually are.
Sensitivity varies from person to person and is usually related to gum inflammation. Tell your hygienist early and the approach can be adjusted, including topical numbing where it helps.
No. Imaging is taken when it will change what we recommend or when we need to see something we cannot see directly.
Most PPO plans cover routine hygiene and exams at a high percentage. We verify your benefits before your visit so you know the number in advance.
Also Available
Related services
Cosmetic
Cosmetic Dentistry
Veneers, bonding and whitening planned around your face, not a catalogue of shades.
Implants
Dental Implants
Single implants through full restoration, planned and placed here rather than referred out.
Cosmetic
Clear Aligners
Discreet alignment for adults and teens, mapped digitally before a single tray is made.
We would like to meet you.
Request an appointment and our team will be in touch to find a time that works.