Early Intervention
Most dental concerns are preventable or reversible when they are caught during a routine evaluation rather than during an emergency visit months later.
Accepting New Patients
Dental Exams in West Hollywood, CA
How much can our dentist learn in a single visit? A great deal. Regular dental exams in West Hollywood, CA, protect your gums, your bone height, and your overall well-being. Our comprehensive checkups include an oral cancer screening to keep your smile healthy for life.
Understanding Your Treatment
What Are Dental Exams?
A dental exam is a structured evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, and soft tissues that our dentist performs on a regular schedule. Depending on your oral health status and current concerns, exams are usually performed every six months, with a comprehensive evaluation every three to five years.
The Benefits
The Benefits of Dental Exams
Cancer Screening
A soft tissue check of your lips, cheeks, tongue, and throat looks for the sores and color changes you cannot see on your own in your bathroom mirror.
Bite Assessment
Evaluating how your teeth meet reveals grinding, uneven wear, and joint strain long before your existing dental work starts to fail under the pressure.
Cost Savings
A modest exam fee today reduces what you spend on treatment later, because issues are identified as early as they can possibly be and corrected.
What to Expect
What to Expect During a Comprehensive Dental Exam
Your first appointment or a comprehensive evaluation takes a bit longer than a typical six-month checkup, because we review every aspect of your smile and health.
Request an Appointment- 01
Health History
We review your medications, recent treatments, new diagnoses, and family risk factors, so please bring a list of prescriptions and supplements with you.
- 02
Dental Charting
We re-chart each existing restoration and measure attachment levels around every tooth to create a fresh baseline for future comparison at your next visit.
- 03
Updated X-Rays
A full mouth series or panoramic image reveals cysts, bone loss, and impacted teeth that standard bitewing X-rays are unable to show on their own.
- 04
Oral Cancer and Bite Screening
We check your oral tissues for non-healing sores, discoloration, and lumps, then assess bite alignment, jaw function, and signs of bruxism or sleep-disordered breathing.
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Treatment Planning
Our dentist reviews the findings with you, outlines the recommended therapies, and coordinates any specialty referrals that may be needed for your care.
Is It Right for You?
Signs You Are Due for a Dental Exam
Certain changes are worth an evaluation sooner than your next scheduled visit, and routine exams also screen for conditions that produce no symptoms at all.
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Six Months — Half a year or more has passed since your last checkup, which is the interval most people need to stay ahead of developing problems in the teeth or gums.
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Bleeding Gums — Tissue that bleeds during brushing or flossing usually signals inflammation that will keep progressing without professional treatment for very long.
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New Sensitivity — A tooth that reacts sharply to hot, cold, or sweet foods may have decay, a hairline crack, or a failing restoration underneath it that needs attention.
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Aging Restorations — Fillings and crowns placed five to ten years ago need review, since worn margins let bacteria find their way back into the tooth through those worn edges.
Why Choose Us for Dental Exams in West Hollywood, CA
Thorough, Unhurried Evaluations
We take the time to examine every structure carefully rather than glancing over your teeth, so nothing significant is overlooked between your regular visits to our office.
Three Exam Types Available
Comprehensive, periodic, and limited exams mean the evaluation always matches your situation, whether it's a routine checkup or an urgent problem you need looked at today.
Images You Can See
We display your X-rays and intraoral camera images on screen during the visit, so you see exactly what our dentist is seeing and describing to you during the appointment itself.
Affordable for Every Budget
Ask about our current offers on exams and X-rays, which are designed to help patients without dental insurance stay on a consistent preventive schedule year after year.
Real Patients, Real Stories
Real Results, Real Smiles
Patient Reviews
What Our Patients Say
- ★★★★★
Thank you to Weho Dental studio and Dr Rivas for helping me get over my fear of going to the dentist. Felt immediately at home with her and her lovely staff. From the front desk to the hygienist, I really felt like they genuinely cared about my dental health, rather than some of the other offices I’ve been to that immediately tried to push tons of treatments. Dr Rivas and her staff took care of me, happy to call this my dental home. Thank you for making fillings and a crown a pleasant experience!
- ★★★★★
Dr. Rivas was awesome! Staff are great and friendly. I was surprised that my filling took less than an hour and I did not feel any inch of pain. The procedure was so smooth and appreciate that Dr. Lisa walked me through to every step. Highly recommended!
- ★★★★★
really lovely, kind staff— i felt at ease and taken care of! everything was explained to me, and the environment was serene. thank you dr rivas!
- ★★★★★
I reached out to Dr. Rivas regarding the extraction of my number 16 wisdom tooth. My previous dentist referred me to an oral surgeon who wanted to extract the other three wisdom teeth even though I am not experiencing any issues and during that time I never had any consultative discussions with the surgeon. I connected with Dr. Rivas and she was thorough and transparent when speaking over the phone and she shared that she would be able to extract my tooth. During the procedure, she was extremely caring, asked if I was numbed properly, and checked in with me frequently during the procedure. I did not feel a thing and I was shocked on how fast she was able to successfully extract my tooth. I highly recommend Dr. Rivas and her staff and I commend them for their professionalism and caring nature. I live in the Inland Empire and will be driving to West Hollywood since Dr. Rivas will be my dentist moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see the answer you're looking for? Call us at (310) 278-9121.
How much does a dental exam in West Hollywood, CA, cost?
The fee for dental exams varies depending on the type of oral exam you need. Most dental evaluations are covered under your dental insurance policy if you carry one. The modest fee for a dental exam can help you reduce the price of dental treatment in the future when issues are identified as early as possible. Be sure to ask West Hollywood Dental Studio about our current special offers on dental exams and X-rays, as we want to assist our patients with affordable care (especially when they do not carry dental insurance.)
What is the difference between a comprehensive and a periodic exam?
A comprehensive exam is an extensive evaluation performed at your first visit and every three to five years. Periodic exams are shorter checks at your six-month cleaning.
Do I need X-rays at every exam?
No. For six-month checkups, we typically take bitewing X-rays at every other visit, and a full-mouth series or panoramic image every three to five years.
What if I only have a problem with one tooth?
A limited exam focuses on the specific tooth or area causing trouble. This is the evaluation we use for dental emergencies and single-tooth concerns.
Take the First Step
Schedule Your Dental Exam Today
Let our friendly and professional team help you keep a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. If it has been six months or longer since your last checkup, now is the time to come in. Tell us when you last had a checkup, and we will recommend the right type of exam for your visit.
Request a time using the form, or prefer to talk it through? Call us at (310) 278-9121.
- Comprehensive, periodic, and limited exams
- Oral cancer screening included
- Special offers on exams and X-rays
Request Your Appointment
We'll reach out to confirm your time.
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About Our Dentistry
Trusted Local Care in West Hollywood, CA
We're Here to Help
- Insurance: We work with most insurance providers.
- No Insurance? No problem! Call (310) 278-9121 for more information.
- Financing Options: We offer a wide range of dental financing options — learn more.
- We serve patients from the following cities: West Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills.