61 Hilton Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
At the office of Callahan Family Dentistry, we take a proactive stance on oral health because prevention and early detection make treatment simpler and outcomes more predictable. Regular oral exams are the foundation of that approach: they let our team monitor changes, catch developing problems before they become urgent, and create a personalized plan that supports long-term dental wellness for every member of your household. Along with professional cleanings and targeted screenings, an exam is an opportunity for education — we want patients to leave understanding the why and how behind each recommendation.
Every exam in our practice is delivered with attention to comfort, privacy, and clarity. We’ll review your medical and dental history, talk through any symptoms or concerns you have, and perform a thorough visual and instrument-based evaluation of your mouth. Where appropriate, we’ll supplement the clinical exam with diagnostic imaging and bite analysis so the findings reflect both surface-level and deeper anatomy. That combined perspective helps us make thoughtful, evidence-informed recommendations.
Our goal is to help you maintain not just a healthy mouth, but confidence in the care you receive. At Callahan Family Dentistry, oral exams are structured to be efficient, respectful of your time, and tailored to your unique needs — whether you’re new to our office or returning for ongoing care.
Your initial visit sets the baseline for future care. We begin with a careful review of your medical and dental histories, making note of medications, prior treatments, and any conditions that could affect dental care. This background helps us identify risk factors and ensures we tailor the exam to your health profile. We’ll ask about habits like clenching, grinding, tobacco use, and sleep-related breathing concerns because those behaviors influence both diagnosis and treatment choices.
The clinical portion of the exam includes inspection of teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and other soft tissues, plus evaluation of your bite and jaw joint. We check for signs of decay, worn or broken restorations, gum inflammation, and tissue changes that warrant closer observation. If needed, our team will take digital radiographs to reveal areas that aren’t visible to the naked eye, such as between teeth and below the gumline.
Once the diagnostic phase is complete, we’ll explain our findings in plain language and outline possible next steps. If restorative work, periodontal care, or a targeted screening is recommended, we’ll discuss the options and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision. The intent is to leave you with a clear understanding of your oral health and a plan that makes sense for your life and goals.
The mouth often provides early clues to broader health concerns. During an oral exam we look for signs that could indicate nutritional deficiencies, unmanaged systemic illness, medication side effects, or immune-related conditions. While an oral exam does not replace medical evaluation, dental findings can prompt timely conversations with your primary care provider and support coordinated care when necessary.
Scientific literature increasingly documents links between oral health and systemic conditions. Chronic gum inflammation, for example, has been associated with higher risks for cardiovascular issues and may complicate diabetes management. Similarly, persistent dry mouth or recurrent oral lesions can signal medication effects or underlying disorders that benefit from multidisciplinary attention.
Because these connections are complex, we focus on detection and communication. If we observe anything outside normal limits, we’ll document the finding, explain its possible implications, and recommend sensible next steps — whether that means more frequent dental monitoring, targeted treatment, or referral to a medical specialist for further evaluation.
Awareness is prevention. Regular exams allow us to track subtle changes over time and intervene early when necessary, which supports both oral and overall well-being.
A routine exam combined with a professional cleaning is more than a cosmetic refresh; it’s a practical strategy for disease prevention. Plaque and tartar harbor bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal disease, and even diligent home care can leave deposits in hard-to-reach areas. Professional hygiene visits remove those deposits, reduce inflammation, and make it easier to maintain oral health between visits.
Exams and cleanings also provide an opportunity for skill-building. Our hygienists and clinicians will review and demonstrate techniques for brushing, flossing, and using adjunctive tools so your home routine becomes more effective. For many patients, small changes in technique or product selection yield measurable improvements in gum health and plaque control.
For children and adolescents, regular visits serve an additional role: monitoring growth and development. We assess eruption patterns and jaw development to determine whether orthodontic evaluation may be appropriate later. Early detection of alignment issues can simplify future treatment and support better long-term outcomes.
We typically recommend a schedule based on individual risk factors. For many people, twice-yearly appointments are sufficient to maintain a healthy baseline; others with active gum disease, high decay risk, or special medical considerations may need more frequent monitoring. In every case, our approach prioritizes prevention and minimally invasive intervention whenever possible.
Visual inspection is essential, but digital imaging gives a fuller picture. Modern radiography reveals cavities between teeth, bone levels around teeth, root conditions, and the position of unerupted or impacted teeth. At Callahan Family Dentistry we use digital sensors and software that produce clear images instantly, which helps us diagnose accurately and explain findings to patients in real time.
Digital radiography offers practical advantages for both safety and efficiency. It uses significantly less radiation than traditional film, delivers immediate images for quicker decision-making, and integrates with electronic records for long-term tracking. These benefits make it easier to compare images over time and assess subtle changes in tooth structure or supporting bone.
When imaging is indicated, we’ll select the modality that best answers the clinical question while minimizing exposure. We follow established guidelines for frequency and scope so that each radiograph contributes value to diagnosis or treatment planning. If a deeper three-dimensional view is required, we may recommend cone-beam computed tomography for precise assessment of complex anatomy.
Transparency is important: if we take images, we’ll review them with you and show how they inform our recommendations, ensuring you understand both the reason for the image and what it reveals.
Quicker with minimal exposure to x-ray radiation
Images can be viewed immediately after acquisition
Images can be electronically shared
Digital radiographs do not require any developing chemicals, create less waste, and are safer for the environment
Images are immediately stored in the patient's electronic file, where they can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.
Diagnostic imaging comes in several formats, each serving a specific purpose. A periapical film focuses on a single tooth from crown to root and is useful when evaluating root health or the area surrounding a tooth. Bitewing images concentrate on the crowns of posterior teeth and are especially helpful for finding early decay between teeth.
A full-mouth series combines periapical and bitewing images to document the condition of every tooth and its supporting bone. Panoramic films provide a broad overview of the jaws, erupted and developing teeth, and general bone architecture — useful for screening wisdom teeth, trauma evaluation, and growth assessment. Cephalometric images are specialty views used primarily in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
For three-dimensional needs, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) produces detailed images of the jaws and surrounding structures. CBCT is commonly used for precise implant planning, complex surgical evaluations, and when conventional radiographs do not provide sufficient detail. We reserve its use for situations where 3D information will materially affect treatment strategy.
Choosing the right image is a balance between diagnostic benefit and prudent use of technology. Our recommendations are guided by clinical need, evidence-based protocols, and a commitment to keeping patient exposure as low as reasonably achievable.
Keeping your mouth healthy starts with regular, well-executed oral exams and clear communication. If you have questions about what to expect during an exam or whether you should schedule a visit, please contact us for more information.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At Callahan Family Dentistry, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Callahan Family Dentistry, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Callahan Family Dentistry, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting Callahan Family Dentistry for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Callahan Family Dentistry.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of Callahan Family Dentistry, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Callahan Family Dentistry is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of Callahan Family Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
Our goal is to help every patient experience the benefits of good oral health and a beautiful smile. We value the trust you have placed in our office and strive to provide solutions that meet your dental needs and expectations of care.
