At the office of Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, we believe the most effective dental care begins with regular, thoughtful oral examinations. Routine exams give our team the chance to catch small problems before they grow, confirm that preventive measures are working, and tailor care to each patient's needs. During an exam we combine a careful visual assessment with targeted diagnostic tests and patient education so you leave with a clear sense of your oral health and the next steps, if any.
Your initial comprehensive exam sets the baseline for all future care. We begin by reviewing your medical and dental histories, which helps us understand medications, past treatments, and any conditions that could affect dental decisions. From there, we invite you to share any concerns—sensitivity, pain, changes in your bite, or cosmetic goals—so the examination can address what matters most to you.
The clinical portion of the visit includes a full inspection of teeth, gums, tongue, and other soft tissues, alongside an evaluation of the bite and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function. A periodontal evaluation looks for signs of gum inflammation, pocketing, and bone loss that could indicate early or advanced gum disease. If indicated, we will take appropriate diagnostic images to reveal areas beneath the surface that a visual exam cannot show.
We approach the exam as a collaborative process: findings are explained clearly, treatment options are reviewed when needed, and preventive strategies are emphasized. Whether the result is reassurance that your mouth is healthy or a carefully staged plan for restorative care, our goal is to ensure you understand the reasons behind each recommendation.
Oral health is tightly linked to overall health. Problems in the mouth can both reflect and influence systemic conditions, so an oral examination often reveals clues beyond cavities and gum disease. When we screen for oral cancer, assess gum inflammation, or note persistent dry mouth or unexplained ulcers, those observations can prompt conversations about broader health and appropriate medical follow-up.
Research continues to show connections between oral infections and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and stroke. For example, chronic gum inflammation can increase systemic inflammation markers, which may impact vascular health. Recognizing these links helps us prioritize care that protects both the mouth and the body.
Similarly, systemic illnesses and medications often produce oral signs—dry mouth from certain prescriptions, oral lesions related to autoimmune disease, or unexplained bleeding. During your exam we look for these indicators and, when appropriate, coordinate with your physician to ensure integrated care that addresses causes as well as symptoms.
Regular checkups and professional cleanings are the foundation of long-term oral health. Professional hygiene visits remove hardened plaque (tartar) and bacterial buildup from areas that are hard to reach with daily brushing and flossing. Removing these deposits reduces the risk of decay and gum disease and leaves your mouth feeling cleaner and healthier.
We generally recommend routine visits twice a year for most patients, though frequency may increase for individuals with active gum disease, complex restorative work, or certain medical conditions. These visits give us a chance to monitor changes, reinforce home-care techniques, and make minor interventions early—often preventing more invasive treatment later on.
Home care is equally important. We provide practical, personalized guidance on brushing, flossing, and adjunctive tools like interdental brushes or water flossers. For children and teens, early education and consistent visits build lifelong habits and let us track growth and development, watching for any signs that orthodontic evaluation might be helpful.
The office of Edward J. Sharkey, DMD takes a team approach to preventive care: hygienists, assistants, and the dentist work together to create an individualized plan that fits your lifestyle and oral health goals, so that maintaining a healthy smile is straightforward and sustainable.
Imaging is an essential component of a thorough oral exam because many conditions develop beneath the surface. Digital radiography gives us detailed views of tooth roots, bone levels, and other structures with less radiation exposure than traditional film. The clarity and speed of digital images make it easier to diagnose problems early and to explain findings with patients during the appointment.
Because digital images are available immediately, they streamline the diagnostic process and support more efficient treatment planning. Images can be stored in the patient's electronic record, compared over time to monitor change, and shared securely with specialists when collaborative care is needed.
Digital radiography also has environmental and practical benefits: it eliminates film processing chemicals and reduces waste. For patients with specific needs, we select only the films that provide the necessary information, adhering to the principle of using the lowest dose of radiation consistent with diagnostic needs.
Common advantages of digital radiography include quicker image acquisition, lower radiation exposure, immediate viewing and storage, and easier sharing for consultations or referrals.
Different radiographs serve different diagnostic purposes, and we select the type according to the clinical question at hand. Periapical films focus on a single tooth from crown to root tip and are useful for evaluating root health and the bone around a tooth. Bitewing images capture the crowns of back teeth and are excellent for detecting early cavities between teeth.
A full-mouth series combines periapical and bitewing views to provide a comprehensive record of all teeth and surrounding bone. Panoramic films offer a broad two-dimensional view of the jaws and teeth, which is valuable for assessing eruption patterns, impacted teeth, and the general condition of the jawbone. Cephalometric images, which show the profile of the face and jaws, are used primarily in orthodontic planning and growth assessment.
For complex treatment planning—such as implant placement, certain surgical cases, or when three-dimensional detail is required—we may recommend cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT provides a 3D reconstruction of the teeth, jaws, and adjacent structures, allowing precise measurement and enhanced visualization for predictable treatment outcomes.
Ultimately, diagnostic imaging in our practice is guided by clinical need and patient safety. We discuss the purpose and benefits of any recommended film, so you understand how it contributes to an accurate diagnosis and an effective care plan.
In summary, a well-executed oral exam combines a careful visual assessment, appropriate imaging, and clear communication so you know the state of your oral health and how best to protect it. If you would like more information about our oral exams or what to expect at your next visit, please contact us for details.
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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, 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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, 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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, 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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD 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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD.
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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, 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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD 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 Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, 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.
