Service
Checkups and cleanings
A checkup is Dr. Kulkarni looking at your teeth, gums and bite. A cleaning removes the plaque and tartar a toothbrush can't reach. Both are for anyone who wants to know where their mouth stands.
Dr. Kulkarni does both herself. This is the visit the team plan is built around.
Provided by a general dentist
The fee in writing before treatment
What happens
The visit, step by step
Most visits take about an hour. Most people come once or twice a year, and Dr. Kulkarni tells you how often is right for you.
- 01
Step 1: You talk first
Tell Dr. Kulkarni what you've noticed and what you'd like to know.
- 02
Step 2: The exam
She looks at your teeth, gums and bite, and explains what she sees.
- 03
Step 3: X-rays, if needed
She takes them only when she needs to see something she can't see by eye, and tells you why.
- 04
Step 4: The cleaning
Plaque and tartar come off, and your teeth are polished.
- 05
Step 5: A plan in writing
If anything needs treatment, you leave with a written estimate.
Good to know
Comfort, choices, risks and cost
Comfort
We tell you before each step. A cleaning is usually done without numbing, and you can ask for a break at any time.
Other choices, and waiting
A routine visit can be put off, and the exam is how we see whether that is wise. Plaque and tartar left on teeth can irritate the gums over time.
Risks and after-care
Gums can feel tender for a day or two after a cleaning. Rinse with warm salt water, and call us if the tenderness lasts or bleeding doesn't stop.
How it is billed
On the team plan, two exams and two cleanings a year are on the card. Otherwise you get a written fee before we start.
How fees work
Questions about this visit
How often should I come in?
Dr. Kulkarni decides, based on your mouth. Many people come twice a year, and some come more or less often.
Will I have X-rays?
Only when Dr. Kulkarni needs them. She tells you why before she takes them.
What is a deep cleaning?
A deeper clean below the gum line, for someone whose gums need it. Dr. Kulkarni explains why she suggests it, and you get a written estimate first.
Provided by a general dentist
Checkups and cleanings are provided by Dr. Nirmala Kulkarni, DDS, a general dentist.