Contact Us
Schedule your appointment online or give us a call to get started today.
At the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry, we take a prevention-first approach to preserving healthy, confident smiles. Regular oral exams let our team spot small problems before they become larger concerns and give us the chance to tailor care to each patient’s needs. In addition to a careful clinical evaluation, our preventive services include professional cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and focused patient education about hygiene, nutrition, and daily habits that support long-term oral health.
Oral exams are an opportunity for a thorough review of your overall oral function and a personalized discussion about your goals for comfort and appearance. We combine modern diagnostic tools with clear, patient-centered explanations so you understand what we see and why certain recommendations may be helpful. The goal is to keep you informed and involved in decisions about your dental care.
Your initial visit establishes a baseline for future care and helps us learn about your medical history, medications, and any concerns you want addressed. We begin with a conversation to document symptoms, prior dental work, and any lifestyle factors that may affect oral health. This history guides the rest of the exam and ensures we consider the whole person — not just the smile.
The clinical portion of the exam includes a careful inspection of the teeth, gums, tongue, and other soft tissues, along with an assessment of occlusion (how your teeth come together) and the function of your temporomandibular joints. We check for signs of wear, cracks, or other stress-related changes, and we screen for oral lesions or abnormalities that may warrant closer monitoring.
When indicated, diagnostic images are taken to evaluate what cannot be seen by the naked eye — the roots, bone levels, and areas between teeth where decay often begins. If a periodontal concern is present, we will measure gum pocket depths and evaluate tissue health to determine whether additional care or a more frequent recall schedule is needed. After the exam, your clinician will review findings with you and outline appropriate next steps or preventive strategies.
We believe that the best treatment plans are built with patient input, so we’ll explain any recommended procedures, alternatives, and what to expect from each option. Our team will also spend time demonstrating homecare techniques tailored to your situation, ensuring you leave the appointment with practical steps to maintain or improve oral health.
Oral health is closely linked to overall health — changes in the mouth can reflect systemic conditions, and untreated dental disease can influence other parts of the body. During an oral exam we look for patterns that may suggest the need for medical follow-up or coordinated care with your primary physician, such as persistent dry mouth, unusual oral lesions, or signs of infection.
Research increasingly shows associations between chronic oral inflammation and illnesses like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. While oral health is not the sole cause of these conditions, maintaining a healthy mouth can be an important part of an overall prevention plan. Our exam process is structured to detect early signs of trouble so we can advise appropriate next steps.
Because the mouth often reveals clues about broader health trends, our clinicians remain attentive to symptoms that may warrant additional investigation. If something unusual is identified that appears beyond the scope of routine dental care, we will communicate recommendations clearly and help coordinate referrals when necessary to support your whole-body health.
Early detection and consistent care create the best outcomes. By treating oral health as part of a larger health picture, we aim to protect both your smile and your general well-being through timely evaluation and evidence-based guidance.
Routine exams paired with professional dental cleanings are the foundation of long-term oral health. Even with diligent homecare, plaque and tartar can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas; a hygienist’s tools and techniques remove these deposits and help prevent cavities and periodontal disease. Cleanings also leave the mouth feeling refreshed and give clinicians a chance to reassess changes since the last visit.
Checkups are not only about maintenance; they are educational opportunities. We review brushing and flossing techniques, discuss tools that may help you achieve better results at home, and offer guidance on diet or habits that affect oral tissue. This practical coaching is tailored to each age and stage of life, from children learning proper habits to adults addressing wear, sensitivity, or aesthetic concerns.
For children and adolescents, regular visits allow us to monitor dental development and intercept early orthodontic or developmental issues when intervention is simplest and most effective. For adults, routine monitoring supports the early detection of recurrent decay, gum disease, or changes related to restorations and implants. Consistent care reduces the risk of more invasive treatment down the road by catching problems in their earliest phases.
Our practice recommends a regular recall schedule based on each patient’s individual risk factors. Whether your needs call for twice-yearly visits or a customized interval, the goal is the same: preserve healthy tissue, prevent disease progression, and maintain a functional, comfortable smile through ongoing partnership and attentive care.
Visual inspection is essential, but diagnostic imaging reveals what lies beneath tooth enamel and the visible gum line. Dental x-rays allow us to identify decay between teeth, check the integrity of existing restorations, evaluate root and bone health, and detect abnormalities that are not immediately apparent during a clinical exam. These images inform more accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.
Digital radiography has transformed how we capture and use diagnostic images. Modern sensors create high-quality images with very low radiation exposure and allow immediate viewing and comparison. Digital images can be enhanced, measured, and securely stored in the patient record, making it easier to track changes over time and explain findings to patients in a clear, visual way.
There are practical advantages to digital imaging beyond speed and clarity. Files can be shared with specialists when collaborative care is needed, printed for documentation, or used to demonstrate treatment options during consultations. The streamlined workflow also reduces environmental impact compared with traditional film processing.
When x-rays are recommended, we always consider the patient’s age, history, and current oral condition to determine the type and frequency of imaging that best supports safe, effective care.
Quicker with minimal exposure to x-ray radiation
Images can be viewed immediately after acquisition
Images can be electronically shared
Digital radiographs do not require any developing chemicals, create less waste, and are safer for the environment
Images are immediately stored in the patient's electronic file, where they can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.
Different diagnostic films serve distinct purposes, and your clinician will choose the imaging best suited to your needs. Small periapical images reveal the entire tooth and surrounding bone for focused problem-solving, while bitewing films are especially useful for detecting decay between posterior teeth. A full mouth series combines periapical and bitewing views to offer a comprehensive snapshot of a patient’s dentition.
Panoramic films provide a broad, two-dimensional view of the entire mouth, jaw joints, and adjacent structures, useful for assessing impacted or developing teeth and evaluating the general condition of the jawbone. Cephalometric films, typically used in orthodontic planning, capture a profile view that helps clinicians understand facial growth patterns and skeletal relationships.
For complex diagnostic or surgical planning needs, three-dimensional imaging using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can offer detailed views of bone structure, nerve pathways, and tooth positions. CBCT is particularly valuable when planning implant placement, evaluating pathology, or assessing anatomy in ways that two-dimensional films cannot fully represent. Your provider will explain the reasons for any advanced imaging and how it contributes to safer, more predictable care.
Understanding these tools helps patients feel more confident in treatment decisions. Whether the need is routine monitoring or preparation for a procedural step, the right radiograph at the right time supports accurate diagnosis and successful outcomes.
In summary, regular oral exams are a practical and powerful way to protect your smile and support overall health. They combine careful clinical evaluation, appropriate imaging, and personalized prevention strategies to catch concerns early and guide sensible care. If you have questions or would like to learn more about our approach to oral exams, please contact us for more information.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At Black Mountain Family Dentistry, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting Black Mountain Family Dentistry for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of Black Mountain Family Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
Schedule your appointment online or give us a call to get started today.
