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Dental Cleanings & Exams in Clarks Summit, PA

A dental cleaning and exam is the foundation of preventive care – a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, paired with a thorough exam to catch small problems before they become big ones. At Abington Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Dr. Charles W. Dennis and our team provide gentle, thorough cleanings and comprehensive exams for patients of all ages across Clarks Summit, the Abingtons, and Scranton. For most people, a visit every six months keeps teeth and gums healthy for life.

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24+ years experience

Insurance accepted

dental cleaning

What's included in a dental cleaning and exam?

A routine visit is more than a polish – it’s a complete check of your oral health. Your appointment typically includes:

Professional cleaning (scaling)

Removing plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing can’t reach.

Polishing

Smoothing and brightening the surfaces of your teeth.

Comprehensive exam

Dr. Dennis checks each tooth, existing dental work, and your bite for early signs of trouble.

Gum health check

Assessing your gums for inflammation or early gum disease.

Oral cancer screening

a quick, painless check that can catch a serious problem early.

Digital X-rays

When needed, to see between and beneath teeth with minimal radiation.

Fluoride & personalized advice

Extra protection and tailored home-care guidance.

checkups

Why regular checkups matter

The real value of a checkup isn’t the clean feeling afterward – it’s everything we catch before it becomes painful or costly. Cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer often cause no symptoms in their early stages, when they’re easiest and most affordable to treat. Regular exams let us spot these early, so a small filling never becomes a root canal, and mild gum inflammation never becomes tooth loss. Prevention is simpler, gentler, and far less expensive than treatment – which is exactly why we focus on it.

cleaning

How often should you get a cleaning?

For most patients, a cleaning and exam every six months is ideal – frequent enough to keep plaque and tartar under control and to catch issues early. Some patients, particularly those with a history of gum disease, benefit from more frequent visits. At your appointment we’ll recommend the schedule that’s right for your mouth.

difference

Regular cleaning vs. deep cleaning: what's the difference?

You may hear about two types of cleaning. A regular cleaning maintains already-healthy gums, while a deep cleaning treats gum disease. Here’s how they compare:

Details

Deep cleaning (scaling & root planing)

Purpose

Maintain health, prevent disease

Treat existing gum disease

Where it cleans

Above the gum line

Below the gum line, along the roots

Who it’s for

Healthy gums

Tartar and infection below the gumline

How often

Every 6 months

As needed, then periodontal maintenance

Visits

One

Sometimes more than one

Signs you may need a deep cleaning: bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, visible tartar buildup, or loose teeth. If we find gum disease, we provide deep cleaning and periodontal therapy right here – catching and treating it early protects both your smile and your overall health.

first visit

What to expect at your first visit

We set aside extra time for new patients – plan for up to 90 minutes. This lets us review your dental and medical history, take a full set of digital X-rays, perform a thorough cleaning and exam, and sit down with Dr. Dennis to discuss your oral health goals. Rather than rushing you through, we use this first visit to build a complete picture of your smile and a plan tailored to you.

Cleanings

Cleanings & exams for the whole family

We care for every age in one place. For children, preventive visits include gentle cleanings, age-appropriate X-rays, fluoride, and sealants to protect cavity-prone molars, all delivered in a friendly, unhurried way. Learn about children’s dentistry →

smile habits

Healthy-smile habits between visits

Your daily routine does most of the work between cleanings. A few dentist-approved habits go a long way:

Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

Floss once a day to clean where your brush can’t reach.

Limit sugary drinks and snacks that feed cavity-causing bacteria.

Drink water throughout the day to rinse away food and bacteria.

Keep your six-month checkups – the best insurance for your smile.

Insurance

Does insurance cover cleanings and exams?

In most cases, yes – and generously. The great majority of dental plans cover preventive care, including two cleanings and exams per year, at or near 100%, because insurers know prevention saves money down the road. We’ll verify your benefits and file your claim for you, and if you’re without insurance, we offer affordable options so cost never stands between you and a healthy smile. Learn about insurance & financing.

Financing

Flexible ways to pay.

CareCredit

APR promotional plans from 6 to 24 months.

Affirm

Instant approval, 3-to-72 month plans, no impact to credit. (Need to check)

HSA / FSA

We accept all major HSA and FSA cards for eligible services.

Meet the doctor

Why choose Dr. Dennis for Dental Cleanings & Exams

Dental Cleanings & Exams is one of the most demanding things a dentist does – it requires restorative skill, an understanding of the bite, and a cosmetic eye, all coordinated into a single plan. Dr. Dennis brings all three: over three decades of experience, trained in implant dentistry, and membership in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Crucially, he delivers your entire Cleanings & Exams under one roof – so you’re not sent from specialist to specialist, and your care stays coordinated by the one dentist who knows your whole plan.

Real results

Before & after.

BEFORE AFTER

Porcelain Veneers · 8 Units

Treatment period: 3 weeks

Orthodontics · 11 months

case-01

Invisalign & whitening

Mild crowding corrected with clear aligners, finished with in-office whitening.

BEFORE AFTER

Porcelain Veneers · 8 Units

Treatment period: 3 weeks

Orthodontics · 11 months

case-01

Invisalign & whitening

Mild crowding corrected with clear aligners, finished with in-office whitening.

Patient stories

In their own words.

“When you walk through the door the secretaries always have a smile on and great you right away. The dental hygienists are always so kind to my son and take their time. My son use to hate getting cleanings done now he asks when hes going again 😊”

Jessie Sica

Abington Center

“I have had dental cleanings and various other appts. for dental work and every single time has been just like the one before… everyone is super friendly from the moment you walk through the doors (literally), I do not wait long to get in the dentist chair, and the dental work is done better than expected. I am amazed at how patient, kind, and thorough Dr. Dennis is. I HIGHLY recommend!”

Ashley Marie

Abington Center

“Dr. Dennis and his team are outstanding! I’ve had quite a few dental issues over the years, and for the past five years, Dr. Dennis has worked diligently with me to address everything—from extensive root canal retreatments and crowns to routine cleanings and cavities. He truly does it all! We’ve since moved our entire family’s dental care to this practice, and all three of our kids are regular patients. Just today, he even had to pull two of my son’s teeth! Dr. Dennis is consistently responsive, caring, and—most importantly—patient with my dental anxiety (including my tears). Thank you for everything! Last but not least thank you to the crown lady! She has done 5 crowns and I would never have anyone else do them !”

Terri Bond

Abington Center

Frequently asked

Questions we hear often.

What's included in a dental cleaning and exam?

A professional cleaning (scaling and polishing), a comprehensive exam of your teeth and gums, an oral cancer screening, digital X-rays when needed, and fluoride with personalized home-care advice.

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

Every six months for most patients. Some people, especially those with a history of gum disease, benefit from more frequent visits – we’ll recommend the right schedule for you.

What's the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?

A regular cleaning maintains healthy gums by cleaning above the gum line, done every six months. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) treats gum disease by cleaning below the gum line, and may take more than one visit.

Does insurance cover cleanings and exams?

Usually, yes – most dental plans cover two preventive cleanings and exams per year at or near 100%. We verify your benefits and file your claim, and offer affordable options for patients without insurance.

How long does the first visit take?

Plan for up to 90 minutes. We take extra time with new patients to review your history, take full digital X-rays, complete your cleaning and exam, and discuss your goals with Dr. Dennis.

Do dental cleanings hurt?

No – routine cleanings are comfortable, with at most mild sensitivity if your gums are inflamed. Keeping up with regular cleanings actually makes each visit easier, since there’s less buildup to remove.

What are the signs of gum disease?

Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, visible tartar, and loose teeth can all signal gum disease. If you notice these, call us – early treatment is simpler and protects your smile.

At what age should my child start cleanings?

By their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth, then every six months. Early visits build healthy habits and let us monitor development from the start.

Why do I need dental X-rays?

X-rays reveal problems that aren’t visible during an exam – cavities between teeth, issues below the gum line, and bone health. We use low-radiation digital X-rays only when they’re needed.

Keep your smile healthy for life.

Regular cleanings and exams are the simplest, most effective way to protect your smile. Call (570) 587-4031 or request an appointment – we’ll help you (and your whole family) stay healthy.

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