Exams & Cleanings in Evanston, IL

Every six months works well for most patients. This twice-a-year cadence lines up with how quickly plaque and tartar rebuild after a cleaning, and it gives Dr. Andre Amarante a chance to catch small problems, like an early cavity or the beginning of gum inflammation, before they turn into something bigger.

If you have gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or other risk factors, Dr. Andre Amarante may recommend exams and cleanings every three to four months to keep your oral health on track. That closer schedule isn't a step backward. It's simply a more supportive plan for a mouth that needs a bit more attention right now.

Whichever schedule fits you, we'll remind you when it's time to come back, and we're always happy to adjust as your needs and risk factors change over time.

Most exam and cleaning appointments take about 45 to 60 minutes from start to finish, covering your cleaning, X-rays if you're due, and a thorough exam with Dr. Andre Amarante.

The cleaning portion alone typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how much plaque and tartar has built up since your last visit and how your gums are doing. A first visit, or one where it's been a while since your last cleaning, may run a bit longer than a routine six-month checkup.

We build enough time into every appointment so nothing feels rushed, whether that means a few extra minutes of polishing or a longer conversation about your X-rays and treatment options. If you're working around a tight schedule, let us know when you book and we'll do our best to plan accordingly.

For most patients, cleanings involve mild pressure at most, and any sensitivity is usually limited to spots where tartar buildup or gum inflammation is heavy. That sensation usually eases up once the visible plaque and tartar are cleared away and your gums calm down.

Have sensitive teeth or dental anxiety? Let us know, and we can adjust our technique and offer numbing options to keep you comfortable. Small changes, like a gentler polish or working in shorter stretches with breaks, can make a real difference for patients who find cleanings uncomfortable.

The more you tell our hygiene team about what's bothered you in the past, the better we can tailor your visit. Nobody should dread a routine cleaning, and we'd rather adjust our approach than have you put off care you need.

A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) clears plaque and tartar above and just below the gum line. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) reaches further below it to treat gum disease, smoothing root surfaces and removing bacteria from deep pockets.

The difference comes down to what your gums need. A regular cleaning maintains healthy gum tissue that's already in good shape. A deep cleaning treats gum disease that's already taken hold, giving inflamed tissue the chance to heal and reattach to the tooth once the irritants below the gum line are gone.

Dr. Andre Amarante checks pocket depths around each tooth with a quick, gentle probe, but that reading is one piece of the picture rather than the whole of it. Whether gums bleed when probed, how much tartar sits below the gum line, and what the X-rays show about bone levels all feed into the recommendation.

Yes. Compared with traditional film, digital X-rays use up to 80% less radiation, and a full set delivers about the same amount of radiation you receive from the background environment in a single day of normal activity.

We follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) and only take X-rays when clinically necessary, timed to your individual risk and history rather than a routine every visit.

X-rays reveal what a visual exam alone can't, like cavities forming between teeth or bone loss below the gum line, so the small amount of radiation involved buys real diagnostic value. If you have questions about a specific X-ray, Dr. Andre Amarante is glad to explain exactly what we're checking for.

Find a cavity and Dr. Andre Amarante will explain its location and severity, talk through the treatment options (usually a tooth-colored filling), and give you a cost estimate before any work begins.

Caught early, small cavities are quick and simple to treat, often in the same visit, one more reason regular checkups pay off. The longer a cavity goes untreated, the more likely it is to grow deeper and eventually need a more involved procedure, so early detection tends to mean a simpler, less expensive fix.

You'll always have a say in your treatment plan and timing. If a cavity isn't urgent, we can talk through your options and schedule the work for whenever is convenient for you.

We work with most major dental insurance plans and will help you get the most from your benefits. Two preventive exams and cleanings per year are covered by most plans at little or no out-of-pocket cost, which makes staying on schedule an easy way to protect your investment in your smile.

Our front desk team serving patients throughout Evanston, IL verifies your coverage ahead of your visit and explains any costs before treatment, so you know what to expect before you're in the chair.

Visit our financing page for more details, including options if you don't have dental insurance or need help with costs beyond what your plan covers.