Dental Exams & X-Rays in Stafford, VA: Thorough Checkups With Digital Imaging

Most dental problems start quietly. A cavity between two teeth, early gum disease, or a crack under an old filling may not hurt at all until it has grown. Regular dental exams and X-rays in Stafford, VA are how those problems get caught while they are still small and simpler to treat. Rai Family Dentistry offers checkups for children and adults, whether you are a new patient or have not seen a dentist in years.

Every exam at our office is performed by a dentist, either Dr. Shivaprasanna Rai or Dr. Paulina Oldland. We take digital X-rays, which use less radiation than traditional film and appear on the screen within moments, so your dentist can show you exactly what they are looking at. When a question calls for more detail, such as an impacted wisdom tooth, a possible infection at a root, or planning for a dental implant, 3D CBCT imaging is available right here. An oral cancer screening is part of the exam, not an add-on.

Reasons to schedule a checkup include:

• It has been six months or more since your last dental visit
• You are new to the Stafford area and need a dental home
• A tooth is sensitive to hot, cold, or sweets
• Your gums bleed, look red, or seem to be pulling back
• You have a sore, lump, or patch in your mouth that has not healed

What should you expect? We start with your medical history, your medications, and anything that has been bothering you. X-rays are taken if you are due for them; how often you need them depends on your age, your dental history, and your risk for decay, and your dentist will not order images you do not need. The dentist then examines each tooth and any existing fillings or crowns, measures the health of your gums, and checks your bite and jaw joints. For the oral cancer screening, they look at and feel your tongue, cheeks, lips, the floor and roof of your mouth, and your neck. At the end you get a clear explanation of what was found and, if treatment is recommended, your options in order of priority.

What regular exams do for you:

• Cavities are found when they can often be fixed with a small filling
• Gum disease is identified early, when it is easier to manage
• Changes in the soft tissues of your mouth are noticed and followed
• Children's tooth development and bite can be watched as they grow
• You get the chance to ask questions and plan care around your schedule and budget

Exams and X-rays are preventive services that most dental plans help cover. We accept most PPO dental insurance plans, file claims for you, and can verify your benefits ahead of time. Should your exam turn up something that needs treatment, you will receive a written estimate, and CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and Cherry payment plans are available.

Our office has served Stafford County since 1999 and is located at 239 Garrisonville Rd, Suite 102, on Route 610 minutes from I-95, with free on-site parking. We see patients from Stafford, Aquia Harbour, Garrisonville, Falmouth, and Fredericksburg. Call (540) 657-0867 or book your exam online.