Five years, ten, longer — we are not counting, and no one here will lecture you. What matters is what your mouth needs now and the order we take it in.
Most people expect a long list of bad news. A first visit is mostly looking and listening: what hurts, what you have noticed, what you want. Dr. Gill examines your teeth and gums, takes digital X-rays where they are needed, and then explains what she sees in plain language.
Nothing irreversible happens at a first visit without your agreement. If something needs attention urgently, we say so and deal with the urgent part first.
What usually happens, in order
Not every visit follows this exactly, but this is the usual shape.
Pain comes first
If something hurts, that gets addressed before anything cosmetic or optional.
A look at the whole picture
Teeth, gums, bite, existing dental work, and anything that has changed since your last visit.
Digital X-rays as needed
Not everything is visible on the surface — decay between teeth and bone levels usually are not.
A gum evaluation
Bleeding or tenderness when brushing is worth measuring, not guessing at.
A plan you can pace
Findings, options, and what can reasonably wait. Written down so you can think about it.
What we can explain here — and what needs an exam
A page can inform you. It cannot examine you. Here is the honest line.
We can explain online
What an exam and X-rays are for
Why gum health is checked separately from teeth
That treatment can usually be staged over time
How insurance, Medi-Cal, and self-pay routes work here
Determined after an exam
Whether a tooth needs a filling, crown, or something else
Whether a tooth can be saved
How much gum support has changed
What your specific plan and its cost will be
If money is the reason you stopped going
That is one of the most common reasons, and it is worth saying out loud at the visit. We accept PPO dental insurance and Medi-Cal Dental, and there is a membership option for people without insurance. Treatment can often be sequenced so that health-critical work comes first and elective work waits.
One visit is enough to know where you stand
You do not have to commit to a plan to find out what is going on. Request a visit and we will start with what matters most.
General information reviewed by Mankirat Gill, DDS · August 2026. This page does not replace an in-person examination. If you have severe pain, spreading facial swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing, call us or seek emergency care now.