Comparing Our Dental Exams for Our Boise Community
At Times Square Dental, maintaining optimal oral health starts with accurate and thorough diagnostics. Since opening our doors in 1997, our dentist office has proudly served Boise, ID, and the surrounding Ada County by providing patient-centered care and advanced clinical techniques. Led by Dr. Jon Hastings, a native of Idaho Falls who actively continues his post-graduate training at the prestigious Kois Center, and Dr. Katie Travelle, who brings over a decade of successful private practice experience from Washington, our team treats patients of all ages. We understand that excellent oral health is the foundation of overall wellness, which is why detailed evaluations are so crucial.
Whether you are a lifelong resident of Boise or new to our beautiful city, establishing a baseline for your oral health is essential. Routine dental cleanings and exams allow our experienced doctors to catch potential issues early, preventing costly and painful emergencies down the road. If you are searching for “dentists near you” who take the time to truly understand your unique smile, Times Square Dental offers a variety of specialized examinations tailored to your specific needs. Below, our team compares the different types of evaluations available at our Boise clinic to help you understand exactly what to expect.
To establish your dental home with a comprehensive exam, please call our Boise dentists near you at 208-343-1981.
Comparing Our Dental Exams in Boise
New Patient Comprehensive Dental Exam
When you visit Times Square Dental for the very first time, establishing a complete and accurate picture of your oral health is our top priority. The new patient comprehensive exam is the most thorough evaluation our dentist office provides. During this visit, Dr. Hastings or Dr. Travelle will take a deep dive into your medical and dental history.
This exam includes full-mouth digital radiography and a complete periodontal assessment to measure the health of your gums and jawbone. Our doctors will also screen for oral cancer, evaluate your bite alignment (malocclusion), and check every individual tooth for signs of decay or structural damage. Because this visit establishes your baseline health, it generally takes a bit longer than a standard check-up. By gathering this extensive information, our team can create a highly personalized, long-term treatment plan designed specifically for your smile.
Routine Periodic Dental Exam (Check-up)
Once your baseline health is established, maintaining it becomes the focus. A routine periodic exam is the standard check-up that most patients receive every six months. This evaluation is typically paired with your professional cleaning as part of our general dentistry services.
During a routine exam, our Boise dentists will quickly but meticulously review your teeth and gums to look for any changes since your last visit. We will check for new cavities, ensure that your existing fillings or crowns are intact, and monitor the health of your gum tissue. Because our team already has your comprehensive records on file, a periodic exam is highly efficient. It is the best way to catch minor issues before they require complex interventions.
Keep your smile on track by scheduling your next periodic check-up today. Call us at 208-343-1981 to secure your appointment.
Emergency Dental Exam 
Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. When you are experiencing sudden pain, severe sensitivity, or have suffered physical trauma like a broken tooth, an emergency dental exam is necessary. Unlike a comprehensive or routine exam, an emergency evaluation is highly focused on the specific area causing you discomfort.
Our primary goal during this visit is to identify the source of your pain and provide fast relief. Our Boise dentist office will take targeted digital X-rays of the affected tooth to check for deep decay or root infections. Once the problem is diagnosed, Dr. Hastings or Dr. Travelle will immediately discuss your treatment options to resolve the emergency. We strive to provide same-day appointments for patients in pain to ensure you do not have to suffer unnecessarily.
If you are in pain or have a broken tooth, do not wait. Call our emergency scheduling line immediately at 208-343-1981.
Periodontal (Gum Disease) Evaluation
Healthy teeth require a healthy foundation. For patients who show signs of gingivitis or advanced periodontitis, a specialized periodontal evaluation is required. While your gums are checked during a routine exam, a periodontal exam goes much deeper.
Our skilled hygienists and doctors will use a specialized tool to measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums. Healthy pockets are shallow, while deep pockets indicate that bacteria are actively destroying the connective tissue and bone. Based on these precise measurements, our team can recommend the appropriate level of gum disease treatment, such as scaling and root planing, to halt the infection and preserve your smile.
Restorative and Cosmetic Consultations
If you are missing teeth, dealing with widespread decay, or simply want to improve the aesthetics of your smile, a consultation exam focuses entirely on your specific goals. During a restorative or cosmetic exam, our doctors evaluate the structural integrity of your current teeth to determine if you are a candidate for procedures like dental implants, porcelain veneers, or full-mouth reconstruction.
This exam often utilizes our 3D Cone Beam Imaging to assess jawbone density for surgical planning. Whether you are looking for restorative dentistry to regain your confident bite or cosmetic treatments to achieve a Hollywood glow, this specialized exam provides the roadmap to your dream smile.
Ready to completely transform your appearance or restore your bite? Call our Boise clinic at 208-343-1981 to book your dedicated consultation.
Advanced Technology for Accurate Dental Exams
The quality of a dental exam is directly tied to the technology used to perform it. If you are searching for a “dentist’s office near you” that provides the most accurate diagnostics available, Times Square Dental proudly features state-of-the-art equipment.
Our team utilizes Iris Intraoral Cameras to capture detailed, high-resolution views of your teeth and gums. This allows our doctors to show you exactly what is happening in your mouth on a screen, making it easier to understand your diagnosis. Furthermore, our digital radiography exposes you to significantly less radiation than traditional film while providing instant, crystal-clear images of your underlying bone structure and tooth roots. By investing in this modern technology, our practice ensures that every exam is safe, precise, and highly educational for our patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should be visiting us a few times each year for dental cleanings and exams. For most patients, a schedule of every six months is sufficient to maintain a healthy mouth. However, depending on your risk for gum disease or cavities, we may recommend more frequent visits to ensure dental issues are caught early.
A comprehensive exam is typically performed during your very first visit to our dentist office, or if it has been several years since your last appointment. It is an extensive, full-mouth evaluation that establishes your baseline oral health, including complete X-rays, oral cancer screenings, and a detailed review of your medical history. A routine exam is a shorter, periodic check-up that occurs every six months to compare your current health against the baseline established during your comprehensive visit.
Most standard dental insurance plans place a high value on preventative care because it reduces long-term costs. Because of this, the majority of plans cover routine periodic exams and comprehensive new patient exams at 100%, or with a very low co-pay. Emergency exams and specialized consultations may have different coverage rates. Our knowledgeable front desk staff is always happy to verify your specific insurance benefits and provide a clear explanation of your coverage before your appointment begins.
Absolutely. Our Boise dentist office understands that clinical anxiety can make even a simple exam feel overwhelming. To ensure your visit is relaxing and stress-free, our care rooms feature ceiling-mounted flat-screen TVs for soothing entertainment. Additionally, our practice offers several dental sedation options, including inhaled sedation (laughing gas) for a mild calming effect, oral sedation for deeper relaxation, and IV sedation for severe anxiety.
Schedule Your Boise Dental Exam Today
Taking control of your oral health begins with a thorough, accurate examination. At Times Square Dental, our patient-centered approach ensures that you always feel heard, respected, and fully informed about your dental condition. Dr. Jon Hastings, drawing on his extensive implant residency training, and Dr. Katie Travelle, who loves serving her new Idaho community when she isn’t coaching soccer, are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care available in Ada County.
Our beautiful Boise practice, located at 1529 S. Times Square Ct., has been the trusted dental home for countless families since 1997. Whether you need a comprehensive baseline evaluation, a quick periodic check-up, or an urgent emergency exam, our professional team is ready to deliver a comfortable, neighborly experience.
Take time for your smile today. Contact Times Square Dental at 208-343-1981 or use our convenient online form to request an appointment. Let our dentists in Boise near you provide the precise diagnostics and compassionate care your family deserves!