General dentistry in Huntington Beach at Safari Dentistry and Implants covers the everyday care that keeps teeth: exams, teeth cleaning, digital X-rays, fillings, extractions and sedation for nervous patients. Because the Huntington Beach office is led by a board-certified periodontist, a teeth cleaning that finds early gum disease is handled in the same building, and the office accepts Medi-Cal Dental as well as most PPO and HMO plans.
What happens at a dental exam and teeth cleaning?
A new-patient visit takes about an hour: a set of digital X-rays, a periodontal check that measures the gum around every tooth, an oral cancer screening, the dentist’s exam, and a cleaning if your gums are healthy enough for a standard cleaning. If pockets or bleeding are found, a deep cleaning is scheduled instead so the right treatment is done first.
- Routine cleaning (prophylaxis): every 6 months for healthy gums.
- Periodontal maintenance: every 3 to 4 months after gum treatment. See periodontal care.
- Fluoride and sealants: for children and adults with high decay risk.
- Oral cancer screening: at every exam.
What imaging does the office use?
Digital bitewing and periapical X-rays at low dose, a panoramic X-ray for the whole jaw, a cone-beam CT scanner for implant and surgical planning, and an intraoral scanner that replaces impression trays. All of it is in the office, and you see your own images on the screen during the exam.
- Bitewing X-rays
- Every 12 to 24 months to find decay between teeth
- Panoramic X-ray
- Every 3 to 5 years, or before extractions and implants
- Cone-beam CT
- Before implants, grafts and some extractions
- Intraoral scan
- For crowns, dentures, aligners and cosmetic planning
Tooth-colored fillings and extractions
Cavities are filled with tooth-colored composite bonded to the tooth, usually in one visit under local anesthetic; old silver fillings are replaced when they crack or leak. Extractions, including wisdom teeth and broken roots, are done in the office, and a socket bone graft can be placed at the same time to keep the option of an implant open.
Is sedation available for nervous patients?
Yes. Oral sedation, a pill taken before the visit that leaves you relaxed and drowsy but awake, is available for cleanings, fillings, extractions and surgery, and local anesthetic is used for anything that could hurt. You will need someone to drive you home after oral sedation.
- Tell the front desk. Anxiety is noted on your chart so every visit is planned for it.
- Short first visit. Exam and X-rays only if that is all you can manage.
- Sedation when treatment starts. Prescribed at the consultation, taken an hour before.
- Same team every time. Familiar faces are half of the reassurance.
What does a cleaning and exam cost, and which plans are accepted?
Exams, X-rays and routine cleanings are covered at 100 percent by most PPO and HMO plans and by Medi-Cal Dental for adults and children. Uninsured patients pay a flat new-patient fee for the exam, X-rays and cleaning that is quoted when you book, and fillings and extractions are priced in writing before they are done.
Family dentistry for Westminster, Fountain Valley and Garden Grove
The office at 16511 Goldenwest St, Unit 101 sees adults and children, with free parking and hours Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 4 PM. Patients come from Westminster, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Seal Beach and Midway City.