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Teeth Cleaning & Dental Exam in Las Vegas

Every visit includes a thorough cleaning and a full exam — because one without the other misses the point. Most patients are in and out in under an hour.

Book your appointment Call (702) 363-0444

Teeth Cleaning & Dental Exam in Las Vegas

Most PPO plans cover 2 visits/year
New patients welcome
Open Monday–Friday

What happens at every appointment

At American Dental Center, a cleaning appointment always includes an exam. We don’t separate them — because the exam informs the cleaning, and the cleaning reveals things the exam alone can’t. Here’s how the visit goes from start to finish.

Check-in & health history — new patients

New patients fill out a brief health history form covering medications, health conditions, and any dental concerns. You can complete this online before your visit if you’d like.

X-rays — if you’re due

We take X-rays when they’re clinically needed — not on a blanket schedule. For most new patients, a full set is taken to establish a baseline. For returning patients, bitewing X-rays are typically taken once a year or every other year. X-rays show what no visual exam can: decay between teeth, bone levels, and root health below the gumline.

Gum health check

The hygienist measures the pocket depth around each tooth — the small space between your gum tissue and the tooth root. Healthy pockets are 1–3mm. Deeper pockets signal gum disease. This step is quick; it feels like gentle pressure.

The dental exam

Your dentist examines each tooth for decay, cracks, wear, and changes since your last visit. They review your gum measurements and X-rays, check your bite, and examine the soft tissue in your mouth. For a closer look at this part of the visit, our guide to what to expect at a dental exam walks through it step by step.

Scaling

The hygienist removes tartar — hardened mineral deposits that form when plaque isn’t fully cleared by brushing. Tartar bonds to the tooth surface and can only be removed professionally. Scaling cleans the tooth surfaces and just below the gumline where tartar accumulates most. When the exam finds gum disease, a deeper version of this step, called scaling and root planing, treats further below the gumline.

Polish & floss

A mild abrasive paste removes surface stains and leaves teeth smooth. Professional flossing clears between teeth and below the gumline in a way most patients can’t replicate at home.

Fluoride — if applicable

A quick fluoride application strengthens enamel after cleaning.

Review & recommendations

Before you leave, your dentist walks you through what was found — in plain language. If a cavity needs attention or a follow-up is recommended, you’ll know what it involves, what it costs, and when to schedule it. Nothing proceeds without your consent.

Why we always do both

The exam tells us what kind of cleaning you need. If there are signs of gum disease, a routine cleaning isn’t the right approach — a deep cleaning is. If we skip the exam and go straight to cleaning, we might miss that.

The cleaning, in turn, reveals things the exam alone can’t. Once tartar is removed, the gum tissue responds — and your dentist can see clearly how healthy the underlying tissue is.

Doing both together also means one appointment instead of two. You leave with a complete picture of your oral health and a clear plan — not a partial answer.

What your toothbrush can’t do

Brushing and flossing remove plaque — the soft film of bacteria that forms throughout the day. What they can’t remove is tartar.

Tartar forms when plaque hardens, typically within 24–72 hours of forming. Once it bonds to the tooth surface, no brush or floss can remove it. Only a professional scaler can.

Left alone, tartar irritates gum tissue, creates pockets where bacteria thrive, and sets the conditions for gum disease. Regular professional cleanings break that cycle — removing what’s accumulated, resetting the baseline, and giving your dentist a regular view of how things are progressing.

Your toothbrush removes

The soft, daily film of bacteria. Brushing and flossing clear it — when you stay on top of it.

Only a professional removes

Hardened plaque bonded to the tooth. Forms in 24–72 hours and can only be removed with a professional scaler.

How often should you come in?

For most healthy adults: twice a year, every six months.

That cadence matches the natural tartar buildup cycle. For most people, six months is how long it takes for meaningful deposits to form — particularly below the gumline. It’s also how often your dentist needs to see your mouth to catch small changes before they become bigger problems.

Some patients need more frequent visits — typically every 3–4 months:

We’ll give you a specific recommendation after your first appointment.

• Patients with gum disease history
• Heavy tartar builders
• Patients with diabetes or dry mouth
• Patients in orthodontic treatment
More detail on cleaning frequency →

About the X-rays

We take X-rays when they provide clinical value — not at every visit by default.

For most new patients, a full set establishes a baseline. For returning patients, bitewing X-rays are typically taken annually or every other year depending on your risk level. If we’re monitoring something specific, we may take a targeted X-ray sooner.

On safety: Modern dental X-rays use very low radiation levels — significantly less than a chest X-ray and comparable to a few hours of everyday background exposure. If you have questions about frequency or radiation, ask us — we’ll tell you exactly what we’re taking and why.

Insurance and cost

Most PPO dental plans cover two cleaning-and-exam visits per year at 100% — it’s one of the most consistently covered preventive benefits in dental insurance.

We verify your benefits before your appointment, so you know what’s covered before you come in. No guessing, no surprises at checkout.

For patients without insurance, we’re happy to walk you through self-pay options and what a teeth cleaning costs.

Not sure if your plan qualifies? Call us and we’ll check. → (702) 363-0444

Easy to book, easy to fit in

Book online or call

Pick a time that works for you — Monday through Friday (see hours below). Takes 2 minutes online or one quick call.

We handle the details

We verify your PPO benefits before your visit. New patients get a short health history form — you can fill it out online beforehand.

Leave with a clear picture

After your cleaning and exam, your dentist walks you through everything found. You’ll leave with a clear plan — not a list of questions you meant to ask.

^FAQ

Common questions

Does a teeth cleaning hurt?

For most patients with healthy gums, a routine cleaning is comfortable — pressure and some vibration, but not pain. If you have gum inflammation or sensitive areas, the scaling near the gumline can cause some tenderness. Let the hygienist know if you’re uncomfortable and they’ll adjust.

How long does the appointment take?

A routine cleaning and exam takes 45–60 minutes for most returning patients. Your first visit as a new patient — with a full exam, X-rays, and cleaning — typically takes 60–90 minutes. We’ll let you know at booking so you can plan.

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes. Modern dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation — far less than a chest X-ray. We take them when they’re clinically useful, not by default at every visit. If you have concerns, ask us and we’ll explain what we’re taking and why.

What’s the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?

A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and just above the gumline — appropriate for patients with healthy gums. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes further below the gumline to treat active gum disease. The exam tells us which one you need before we start.

I haven’t been to the dentist in years. Is that a problem?

Not at all — just come in. We see patients returning after long gaps regularly. We’ll assess where things stand, catch up on what’s needed, and set you up on a schedule going forward. No lectures.