What Happens at a Comprehensive Dental Exam in Lincoln Park?

A comprehensive dental exam at Rooted Dental Care checks the health of your teeth, gums and jawbone and evaluates your bite. It includes an iTero digital scan, digital X-rays as needed and an oral cancer screening. Your general dentist walks you through the findings and builds a care plan with you.

What is a comprehensive dental exam?

A comprehensive exam is a full look at your oral health. It is more detailed than a quick check during a cleaning. It is common for new patients and gives your dentist a baseline to compare against at future visits.

At Rooted Dental Care, exams are done by our general dentists, Dr. Priyanka Patel, DMD and Dr. Sara Imtiaz, DMD, working with our hygienists and dental assistants.

What happens during a comprehensive exam at Rooted Dental Care?

Every visit is a little different, but here is what you can generally expect:

• Health history. We review your medical and dental history, medications and any concerns you have.
• Teeth, gums and jawbone. We assess the health of your teeth, gums and jawbone and look for signs of decay, wear or gum disease.
• Bite evaluation. We check how your teeth come together, which can relate to issues like grinding or jaw discomfort.
• Digital X-rays as needed. X-rays help show areas that cannot be seen by eye, such as between teeth and below the gumline.
• iTero digital scan. Every exam includes an iTero scan, a 3D image of your teeth that helps us spot subtle changes over time.
• Oral cancer screening. A visual and physical check of the soft tissues in your mouth.

You can read more about this visit on our comprehensive exams page.

Why does Rooted Dental Care use an iTero scan?

The iTero scan creates a detailed digital view of your teeth without traditional impression material. Because it is saved, we can compare scans from one visit to the next to look for changes, such as wear or shifting. We show you the scan on screen and explain what we see, so you understand your own oral health.

What happens after the exam?

We do not just check and clean. We walk you through your scan and findings, explain what we are seeing and work with you on your care plan. Depending on what we find, that plan may include:

• Routine cleanings or periodontal therapy, such as scaling and root planing
• Restorative care such as fillings, inlays, onlays or crowns (see our restorative treatments page)
• Cosmetic options such as whitening, bonding or Invisalign, if you are interested (see our cosmetic treatments page)

Every patient’s needs are different, and results vary. Your dentist will explain the options, including the choice to wait or monitor an area.

How should I prepare for my exam?

• Bring your insurance card and a photo ID.
• Have a list of your medications and any health conditions.
• Write down questions or concerns, such as sensitivity or jaw pain.
• If you have recent X-rays from another office, ask that office to send them.

Does insurance cover a comprehensive dental exam?

Many dental insurance plans cover exams as preventive care, but coverage, frequency limits and costs depend on your plan. Rooted Dental Care accepts all PPO insurances and also welcomes patients without insurance. Our team verifies benefits before your visit so we can be transparent about your coverage and give you an estimate.

Your cost depends on your plan, whether X-rays are needed and whether any treatment is recommended. We accept all major credit cards, checks and CareCredit, and we offer in-house payment plans.

Are there any risks?

A dental exam is a routine, noninvasive visit. Dental X-rays use a low dose of radiation, and we take them only as needed. If you are pregnant or have health concerns, tell us before your visit so we can plan around them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a comprehensive dental exam take?

Timing varies by patient and by whether a cleaning or X-rays are done at the same visit. Call our office at 773-404-0101 and we can tell you what to plan for.

Who performs the exam at Rooted Dental Care?

Exams are done by our general dentists, Dr. Priyanka Patel, DMD and Dr. Sara Imtiaz, DMD, with support from our hygienists and dental assistants.

Is an iTero scan part of every exam?

Yes. Every comprehensive exam at Rooted Dental Care includes an iTero digital scan, which helps us detect subtle changes over time.

Will I need X-rays?

We take digital X-rays as needed, based on your history and what we see during the exam.

Does Rooted Dental Care accept my insurance?

Rooted Dental Care accepts all PPO insurances and also sees patients without insurance. We verify benefits before your visit and can give you an estimate.

Where is Rooted Dental Care located?

We are at 424 W Fullerton Pkwy, Floor 2, Chicago, IL 60614, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Book your exam in Lincoln Park

To book your comprehensive exam, call Rooted Dental Care at 773-404-0101 or request an appointment online. Office hours are Monday and Tuesday 7am to 4pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 7pm and Friday 9am to 2pm.