Whether you are due for a routine checkup, have not seen a dentist in a while, or simply want something looked at, a dental exam gives us a clear picture of where your oral health stands today. At LPS Dental, we examine the teeth, gums, bite, existing dental work, and other areas of the mouth, using dental imaging when it adds useful information. Appointments are available in Lincoln Park, Downtown Chicago, and Norwood Park.
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What We Offer
Whether you are due for a routine checkup, have not seen a dentist in a while, or simply want something looked at, a dental exam gives us a clear picture of where your oral health stands today. At LPS Dental, we examine the teeth, gums, bite, existing dental work, and other areas of the mouth, using dental imaging when it adds useful information.
Decay can begin in places that are difficult to see or feel on your own. We look for visible changes in the enamel, areas around existing restorations, and other signs that a tooth may be developing a cavity. When decay is caught earlier, there is often more healthy tooth left to preserve.
Bleeding, swelling, recession, and changes in the way the gums support the teeth can all tell us something. Your exam includes an evaluation of the gums and supporting tissues. If we see signs that suggest periodontal disease, we can explain what we found and whether routine preventive care is enough or additional treatment should be considered.
Dental restorations do not last untouched forever. We look at older fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, bonding, and other dental work for signs of wear, fractures, open margins, changes in the bite, or problems with the tooth underneath. A restoration being old does not automatically mean it needs replacing.
Teeth take on a remarkable amount of force over a lifetime. Grinding, clenching, old injuries, or changes in the bite can leave teeth chipped, flattened, cracked, or increasingly sensitive. Those patterns may be subtle at first. A routine exam gives us an opportunity to notice them before more tooth structure is lost.
Dental exams are not limited to the teeth. We also look at the tongue, cheeks, lips, palate, gums, and other visible tissues of the mouth for changes that may deserve attention. If something looks unusual or has not healed as expected, we can recommend the appropriate next step.
Some dental problems develop between teeth, underneath existing restorations, around roots, or within the supporting bone. Dental X-rays can give us information that is not available from the visual exam alone. They are taken when the information is useful, not simply because every patient automatically needs the same images at every visit.
Comfort, Expertise, And Trust
Patient story from Lincoln Park Smiles
Tell us what you notice. The recommendation comes after we understand the problem.
Treatment should look like your smile, not a one-size-fits-all result.
We evaluate the health of the teeth and gums, existing restorations, tooth position, and bite before treatment.
We explain why something is recommended, what alternatives exist, and what treatment involves before you decide.
How It Works
Has anything changed since your last dental visit? Tell us about sensitivity, soreness, bleeding gums, a chipped tooth, something that feels different when you bite, or an old filling that has started bothering you. If you have no concerns at all, that is useful information too.
Your health outside the mouth can affect dental care. We review relevant medical conditions, medications, previous dental treatment, allergies, and changes in your history that may affect treatment decisions. For new patients, this also helps us understand what dental care you have already had.
We examine your teeth, gums, existing restorations, bite, and visible oral tissues. We are looking for changes, not simply checking boxes. A tooth that has been stable for years may need nothing more than continued observation. Another area may need additional attention.
Dental imaging may be recommended based on your history, symptoms, previous images, and what needs to be evaluated. Different situations require different views. We use the information from those images alongside the clinical exam rather than treating an X-ray as the whole diagnosis.
At the end of the exam, you should understand where things stand. If everything looks healthy, we will tell you. If something should be monitored, we will explain what we are watching. If treatment is recommended, we will discuss what the problem is, the available options, and how urgent it actually is.
Meet The LPS Dental Team
LPS Dental's roots in Chicago go back to 1999, when Dr. Jack Manikowski opened Lincoln Park Smiles.
Today, LPS Dental has three Chicago offices and a team whose experience extends across cosmetic, restorative, implant, periodontal, prosthodontic, and general dentistry.
Treatment planning that considers appearance, tooth structure, function, and long-term health together.
Dr. Jack Manikowski is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Digital scanning and planning tools help us evaluate and communicate proposed treatment.
It is normal to have questions before treatment. Here are some of the things patients often want to understand first.
A dental exam generally involves evaluating the teeth, gums, existing dental restorations, bite, and visible tissues of the mouth. Your dentist may also recommend X-rays or other imaging when additional information is needed. The exact exam can vary based on whether you are a new or existing patient and whether you have a particular concern.
There is no ideal schedule that applies to every patient. How often you should be examined depends on your oral health, history of cavities or gum disease, existing dental work, medical factors, and other risks. Some patients need closer monitoring than others. Your dentist can recommend an interval based on what is happening in your mouth.
No. Dental X-rays are recommended according to the information your dentist needs, your dental history, symptoms, risk factors, and when appropriate images were last taken. Different patients may need different types of imaging at different intervals.
Yes. Many cavities cause no noticeable symptoms when they first develop. A clinical exam and, when appropriate, dental imaging can identify decay before the tooth becomes painful. That is one of the main reasons preventive dental visits are useful.
Dental X-rays can help evaluate areas that are difficult or impossible to see directly. Depending on the type of image, this may include areas between teeth, tooth roots, supporting bone, developing decay, existing dental work, and other structures. The image is interpreted together with the clinical exam.
The dentist examines visible oral tissues for changes as part of a comprehensive evaluation. If an unusual sore, lump, discoloration, or other area is identified, the dentist can determine whether it should be monitored, evaluated further, or referred for additional assessment.
An exam and a cleaning are separate services, although they are commonly scheduled together. The exam evaluates oral health and identifies problems. The cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and other buildup. The type of cleaning appropriate for you depends partly on the health of your gums.
You start where you are today. Your dentist will review your history, examine your mouth, take appropriate imaging when needed, and identify the areas that deserve attention. There is no benefit in spending the appointment feeling embarrassed about how long it has been. The useful question is what needs to happen next.
Visit us in Lincoln Park, Downtown Chicago, or Norwood Park. The first appointment should leave you with a clearer picture of your dental health and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
