Dental Care for Adults

No. This is genuinely the most common situation we see in new adult patients, and we have zero interest in making you feel bad about it. Whatever brought you in is what matters. We'll do a thorough exam, give you a clear and honest picture of where things stand, and put together a sequence of visits — usually starting with a thorough cleaning — to get you back to a healthy baseline. From there, just two visits a year keeps it easy.

Not at all. Adult orthodontics is one of the fastest-growing categories in dentistry. Clear aligners like Invisalign work especially well for adults — they're nearly invisible at work, removable for meals and special events, and most cases finish in 6 to 18 months. We see patients in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond getting smiles they wished they'd had decades earlier.

For most adults, yes — it's the single most evidence-supported preventive habit in dentistry. Twice a year removes the tartar your toothbrush can't and catches small issues while they're still cheap and easy to fix. The patients who try to stretch it to once a year or less almost always end up needing more expensive work over time. Some lower-risk patients can occasionally extend the interval — we'll discuss based on what we see.

Not just because they're silver. Modern dentistry has moved to tooth-colored composite fillings, but a well-functioning old amalgam doesn't need to come out preemptively. We replace silver fillings when they're failing — cracked, leaking, decay underneath, or the tooth is breaking around them. If yours look fine and aren't causing problems, leaving them alone is usually the right call. We'll let you know if any need attention.

Almost certainly bruxism — and very common in adults, especially anyone with a stressful job or poor sleep. A custom-fit night guard protects your teeth from the wear, gives your jaw muscles a place to rest, and very often resolves morning headaches, jaw tightness, and unexplained tooth sensitivity. Boil-and-bite guards from the drugstore are a poor substitute. A real custom guard is worth it.

Less than people expect, especially for preventive care. A new-patient exam, X-rays, and cleaning at our offices typically runs around $250–$350 depending on what's needed. Single fillings: $200–$400. Crowns: $1,200–$1,800. Whitening: $300–$600. Implants: $3,500–$5,000 per tooth all-in. We offer financing for major work, and our membership plan ($520/year for adults) covers two cleanings, all exams, X-rays, and gives you 20% off everything else — typically saves uninsured patients $400+ per year.