What Happens at a Dental Check-up at Dentinn Amstelveen?

A routine dental check-up is one of the most valuable health appointments you can keep — and one of the most commonly skipped. As we explain in our guide on the importance of regular dental visits, catching problems early saves time, money, and discomfort. Whether you're coming in for the first time in years or simply want to know what to expect, this guide walks you through exactly what happens at a check-up at Dentinn Amstelveen.

How Often Should You Have a Check-up?

For most adults, a check-up every 6 months is recommended. Patients with a low cavity risk, healthy gums, and good home hygiene may only need an annual check. Patients with active gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or certain health conditions may benefit from visits every 3–4 months. Your dentist at Dentinn will advise what interval is right for you.

Step 1: Medical and Dental History Update

At the start of each appointment, we ask whether anything has changed since your last visit — new medications, health conditions, changes in diet or habits, or any concerns or symptoms you've noticed. This context helps us give you the most relevant advice and catch anything that might affect your treatment.

Step 2: X-rays (When Needed)

X-rays are not taken at every appointment. When they are needed, they allow us to see:
- Cavities between teeth — invisible to the naked eye
- Bone levels around the roots — important for assessing gum disease
- Root health — abscesses or changes inside the tooth
- Wisdom tooth position — especially in younger patients

At Dentinn, we use digital X-rays, which use significantly lower radiation than traditional film X-rays. The images are available immediately on screen, making it easy to show you exactly what we are looking at.

Step 3: Clinical Examination

Your dentist examines each tooth systematically, looking for:
- New cavities — using a dental mirror and probe
- Worn, cracked, or chipped teeth — including signs of grinding (bruxism)
- Condition of existing fillings, crowns, and other restorations — checking for wear, cracks, or margins that need attention
- Gum health — measuring pocket depths around each tooth to assess for gum disease
- Soft tissue check — examining the cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, and lips for any unusual changes

The soft tissue check is our routine oral cancer screen — a quick but important step that can catch changes at an early, treatable stage.

Step 4: Professional Cleaning (Scaling)

A professional clean removes tartar (calcified plaque) that cannot be removed by brushing alone. Our dental hygienist uses:
- Ultrasonic scaler: a vibrating tip that breaks down tartar deposits
- Hand instruments: for fine finishing around the gum line and between teeth
- Polish: a gentle polishing paste applied with a rotating brush, removing surface staining and smoothing tooth surfaces

This is the most noticeable part of the appointment for most patients — the clean feels immediately different from home brushing.

Step 5: Personalised Advice

At the end of your appointment, we share what we found and what it means for you. This may include:
- Brushing and flossing technique tips specific to your mouth
- Dietary advice if certain habits are affecting your teeth
- Recommendations for treatment — what needs attention now and what can be monitored
- A treatment plan if anything needs to be addressed

We always explain findings in plain language and make sure you leave with a clear picture of your oral health.

How Long Does a Check-up Take?

A routine check-up with cleaning at Dentinn typically takes 30–45 minutes. If X-rays are needed or additional findings require discussion, the appointment may run a little longer. New patients may have a longer first appointment as we take a full history and baseline X-rays.

What If Something Is Found?

Finding a small cavity or early gum inflammation does not mean a problem has reached a critical stage — in fact, catching things early is precisely the value of regular check-ups. Small cavities are filled quickly and easily with a tooth-coloured composite filling. Early gum disease responds well to professional dental hygiene and improved home care. We will never recommend treatment unnecessarily, and always discuss options before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

📍 Dentinn Dental Clinic — Biesbosch 217, 1181 JC Amstelveen. Easy online appointment booking, multilingual staff (Dutch, English, Turkish). Accessible from Amsterdam, Diemen, and Aalsmeer. Book today.