Preventive
Dental Exams
A careful look at your whole mouth — and you see the same pictures we do.
An exam is where everything starts. Dr. Zamiri checks each tooth, the gums around them, your bite, and the soft tissue in your cheeks, tongue and throat. It usually takes twenty minutes, and most of that is looking rather than doing.
What makes an exam here different is that you see it too. Photos from an intraoral camera and digital scans go up on the screen beside the chair. When we say a filling is breaking down at the edge, we point at the edge. You get to look at your own tooth at ten times life size and decide what you think.
You leave knowing three things: what is healthy, what needs attention now, and what we are simply going to keep an eye on. Plenty of findings belong in that third group, and we will say so rather than treat something that does not need treating yet.
Is this right for me?
- You have not had a dentist look at your teeth in the last year.
- Something has changed — a new sensitivity, a rough edge, a spot that catches food.
- You are new to the practice and want a full picture before anyone recommends anything.
What to expect
We talk first
What brought you in, what has been bothering you, what you want your teeth to be able to do. This part matters more than people expect.
Images and measurements
Digital X-rays where they are needed, photos of anything we want you to see, and gum measurements recorded around each tooth.
The walk-through
We go through the screen together, tooth by tooth where it matters. Ask anything. Nothing gets decided while you are still working out what you are looking at.
A plan and a number
If treatment makes sense, you get it in order of urgency with a written estimate after your insurance is checked. If nothing is urgent, we say that too.
Your comfort
Nothing in an exam should hurt. If a spot is tender, tell us and we work around it. If it has been years since your last visit and you are dreading the lecture, there will not be one — we start from where you are.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
How often do I need an exam?
Most people are seen twice a year alongside a cleaning. If your gums need closer watching, or if you are managing a condition like diabetes, we may suggest more often. It is a recommendation, not a rule, and we explain why in your case.
Will I need X-rays at every visit?
No. We take them when they will change what we do — checking between teeth, looking at bone levels, or investigating a specific symptom. Digital sensors use a fraction of the radiation of the old film, and we will always tell you what we are taking and why.
What does an exam cost if I have no insurance?
Fees depend on what the visit includes — an exam alone costs less than an exam with a full set of images. Ranges vary, so call either office and the team will give you the exact figure for what you need before you come in.
Do you check for oral cancer?
Yes, at every exam. We look at and feel the tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, palate and the glands in your neck. It takes about a minute. If we see something we want a second opinion on, we tell you plainly and help arrange it.
I am nervous. Can I just come in and talk first?
Yes. Some people book a visit just to meet Dr. Zamiri, see the room and ask questions with nothing happening to their teeth. Tell the team when you call and that is what we will schedule.
Can my whole family come the same day?
Usually, yes. Tell us how many people and roughly what ages when you call, and we will try to group you into one trip. Families with school schedules often take the first appointments of the day.
What patients say
I have been going to this Dentist office for approximately 3 years and I'm very pleased. The front office staff is welcoming and nice. Dr. Zamiri and the other assistants/staff I have encountered are professional, kind and knowledgeable. I went for my six month check up and cleaning and I have no complaints. I would definitely recommend Dr. Zamiri.
Related services
Thinking about Dental Exams?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.