Exam & X-Rays

Before or after your cleaning, one of our dentists performs a comprehensive exam — checking every tooth, all restorations, gum tissue, bite, and screening for oral cancer. Digital X-rays are taken as clinically indicated.

Scaling

Using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments, our hygienist removes plaque and hardened tartar from tooth surfaces and along the gumline. This is the part no toothbrush can replicate — only professional tools remove tartar effectively.

Polishing

Teeth are polished with a gritty dental paste that removes surface staining and leaves them smooth and clean. You’ll notice the difference immediately.

Flossing

Professional flossing removes any remaining debris between teeth and allows your hygienist to check the contacts between teeth and identify any areas of concern.

Fluoride & Plan

A fluoride treatment strengthens enamel and adds cavity protection. Before you leave, your hygienist and dentist share findings, flag anything needing attention, and give you personalized home care guidance.

A standard professional cleaning for patients with generally healthy gums. Removes plaque and tartar above and just below the gumline. Recommended every 6 months for most patients and included in our Smile Savings Plan.

For patients showing early signs of gum inflammation — redness, swelling, or bleeding when brushing — a more focused cleaning targets buildup along and just below the gumline. With improved home care and consistent visits, gingivitis is fully reversible.

For patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease, a deep cleaning goes below the gumline to remove bacteria and deposits from root surfaces. Done in quadrants, typically with local anesthetic. This is a clinical necessity when gum disease has been diagnosed — not a routine upsell.

Gentle, age-appropriate cleanings for children from their very first dental visit. Our team knows how to keep kids calm and engaged — turning dental visits into something they look forward to. Learn more about children’s dentistry.

The standard recommendation for most patients with healthy gums and low cavity risk. Two visits per year is enough to stay ahead of the buildup that leads to gum disease and decay.

Recommended for patients with a history of gum disease, active periodontal conditions, high cavity rates, dry mouth, diabetes, or who smoke. More frequent visits help maintain the gains from treatment and catch any regression early.

Occasionally appropriate for very low-risk patients under close dentist supervision. We’ll recommend this only when your history and current gum health genuinely support it — not as a default.

Tartar and plaque that build up between visits harbor the bacteria that cause cavities. Professional removal every 6 months keeps bacterial loads in check and catches decay before it requires major treatment.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — and it’s largely preventable with regular cleanings and good home care. Early gingivitis caught at a cleaning is fully reversible. Advanced periodontitis is not.

Most dental problems — cavities, gum disease, cracked teeth, early oral cancer — are painless in their early stages. The exam that comes with every cleaning is what catches them while treatment is still simple and affordable.

Persistent bad breath is most commonly caused by bacteria in plaque and tartar buildup, not by what you eat. A thorough professional cleaning addresses the root cause in a way that mouthwash simply masks.

A standard routine cleaning typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. First-time patients or those who are overdue may need additional time for a thorough exam and X-rays. We always let you know what to expect before we start.

Bleeding is usually a sign of gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar buildup. For many patients, gums stop bleeding after a thorough cleaning and improved home care. Persistent or significant bleeding may indicate early gum disease — which is very treatable when caught early. Your hygienist will tell you what they observe.

A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) targets tooth surfaces above and just below the gumline for patients with healthy gums. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes further below the gumline to clean root surfaces for patients with clinically diagnosed gum disease. If a deep cleaning is recommended, it means gum disease has been measured and documented — it is not an upsell.

Absolutely. Let us know before your appointment and we’ll make accommodations — walking you through every step before we start, taking breaks when needed, and moving entirely at your pace. Many of our most loyal patients were anxious the first time they came in. Call us at (469) 598-1021 to talk it through before scheduling.

Yes — with one exception. If you received a fluoride treatment, we recommend waiting 30 minutes before eating or drinking to allow the fluoride to fully absorb. Otherwise, you can eat normally right after your cleaning.

Never. We have helped patients who haven’t seen a dentist in 10 or 15 years get back to good oral health. We start with a thorough exam to understand where things stand, explain what needs attention and what can wait, and build a realistic plan. No lectures, no guilt — just a clear path forward.

“I hadn’t been to the dentist in five years and was dreading this appointment. The hygienist was so gentle and non-judgmental. She explained everything she was doing and why. I left feeling genuinely great about my teeth for the first time in years.”

— Patient, The Tribute

“Best cleaning I’ve ever had. The hygienist was thorough but incredibly gentle — I barely felt anything. The whole team takes the time to actually talk to you like a person, not just move you through.”

— Patient, Lone Star Ranch

“Our whole family comes here for cleanings. The kids love it — which as any parent knows is huge. They actually ask when they’re going back. The hygienists are incredibly patient and make it a genuinely positive experience.”

— Frisco Parent, Phillips Creek Ranch