Dental Exams and Cleanings
Driftwood Dental Studio is a dentist in Wilmington, NC offering dental exams and professional teeth cleanings from our office at 5225 Sigmon Rd, Suite 130, Wilmington, NC 28403, just off Market Street near Mayfaire. Dr. Jenny Turek and Dr. Prasad Vasamsetti and our hygienists focus on catching small problems early, explaining what we find in plain language, and keeping every visit comfortable. Most dental insurance plans cover preventive exams and cleanings, often in full.
New patients are welcome to call (910) 834-8787 or request an appointment online.
Why regular checkups matter
Most dental problems are painless at first. A small cavity or early gum disease rarely hurts until it has become a bigger, more expensive problem. Seeing us every six months, as the American Dental Association recommends, lets us find those problems while they are still small and simple to treat. Regular visits help you:
- Prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath
- Avoid larger, more costly treatment later
- Keep your teeth brighter by removing surface stains
- Spend less time in the dental chair over the years
Your dental exam
At your exam, Dr. Turek or Dr. Vasamsetti checks your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth for decay, gum disease and other problems. X-rays show what is happening between and beneath your teeth, where problems are often invisible to the eye. We go over everything we find with you, and if you need treatment, we explain your options and what your insurance is expected to cover before anything is scheduled.
Your professional cleaning
One of our hygienists checks your gums by measuring the small space between each tooth and the gum, which is how gum disease is caught early. Then your hygienist removes the hardened tartar that brushing and flossing cannot, flosses and polishes your teeth, and may apply fluoride. Cleanings are usually comfortable. If you are anxious, tell us; we offer blankets, neck pillows and your choice of music, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) when you need it, and Abby, our certified therapy dog.
If your exam shows signs of gum disease, a regular cleaning may not be enough, and we will talk with you about a deep cleaning. See our Gum Disease page.
Your first visit to our Wilmington office
At your first visit, we review your dental and medical history, take X-rays, and one of our dentists meets with you to go over what we see, help you create a treatment plan if you need one, and answer your questions. Your cleaning with one of our hygienists is usually at your next visit. Appointments typically last 45 to 90 minutes. Please bring your insurance card and a photo ID. See our Office Visits page for more.
Questions about exams and cleanings
How often should I get a dental exam and cleaning?
Every six months for most people, as the American Dental Association recommends. If you have signs of gum disease, we may recommend coming in more often.
Does insurance cover dental cleanings?
Most dental plans cover preventive exams and cleanings, often in full. We are in-network with more than 30 dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Guardian, as well as Medicare Advantage dental plans from Aetna, Humana, Liberty Dental, UnitedHealthcare and United Concordia. See the full list on our Financial Information page.
Do I need X-rays at every visit?
No. How often you need X-rays depends on your dental health and history. We take them when they will tell us something we cannot see otherwise.
I get nervous at the dentist. Can you help?
Yes. We offer blankets, neck pillows and your choice of music, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) when you need it, and Abby, our certified therapy dog.
Visit us
Driftwood Dental Studio is at 5225 Sigmon Rd, Suite 130, Wilmington, NC 28403, just off Market Street near Mayfaire. We are open Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; and Friday, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Call (910) 834-8787 or request an appointment online.
