General & Preventive Dentistry - Wellington, FL
Stay healthy,
catch what's not.
The best dental work is the kind you never need. Routine care at Smile Designs goes beyond a cleaning. It's a full picture of where your oral health stands and what it takes to keep it that way.
Index
This is where it all starts, and honestly, where the best outcomes come from. Regular cleanings, thorough exams, and early detection keep small things small. And when something does come up, catching it early means simpler treatment, less cost, and a lot less stress. Whether it's been six months or six years since your last visit, there's no lecture waiting for you here. Just a team that's glad you showed up.
Cleaning
What it is: A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing miss, especially along the gumline and between teeth. It's also when we check in on your overall oral health, catch anything early, and make sure you leave feeling fresh.
Who is it for: Everyone. If it's been a while, this is the easiest first step back. If you come regularly, this is how we keep it that way.
Exams
What it is: A comprehensive exam is more than just looking at your teeth. We assess your gums, jaw, bite, and screen for anything that needs attention: from cavities to early signs of oral cancer. Think of it as a full check-up for your mouth.
Who is it for: New patients getting a baseline, existing patients due for their regular check-up, or anyone who's noticed something that doesn't feel right.
Deep Cleaning (SRP)
What it is: Scaling and root planing is a deeper clean for patients with gum disease or significant tartar buildup below the gumline. We clean the root surfaces to help your gums reattach and heal. It sounds more intense than it is, most patients are surprised.
Who is it for: Patients with signs of gum disease: bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or gum recession. Often recommended after an exam reveals deeper pockets around the teeth.
Arrestin
What it is: Arrestin is a localized antibiotic we place directly into infected gum pockets after a deep cleaning. It fights bacteria right at the source and helps your gums heal faster. No pills, no system-wide medication, just targeted treatment where you need it.
Who is it for: Patients undergoing deep cleaning who have specific areas of infection or persistent gum disease that need extra support to heal.
Periodontal Maintenance
What it is: Once you've had treatment for gum disease, regular maintenance visits keep things stable. These are more thorough than a standard cleaning: we measure gum pockets, monitor your progress, and clean areas that are still recovering. It's the follow-through that makes the treatment stick.
Who is it for: Patients who've completed deep cleaning or gum disease treatment. Typically scheduled every 3–4 months instead of the standard 6.
From Our Blog
FAQs
Questions?
We've got answers.
Whether you’re overdue for a visit or just want to know what to expect, here are the questions we hear most.
How often should I come in for a cleaning?
For most patients in good oral health, every six months is the standard. If you've had gum disease or are in active treatment, we'll likely recommend every three to four months for periodontal maintenance visits, which are more thorough than a standard cleaning and keep things stable long-term.
My gums bleed when I brush. Is that normal?
No, and it's one of the most common things people assume is fine when it isn't. Bleeding gums are usually a sign of inflammation from gum disease or plaque buildup, not from brushing too hard. It's worth bringing up at your next visit. Caught early, gum disease is very manageable. Left alone, it progresses.
What's the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning addresses the surface of your teeth and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, goes further, cleaning the root surfaces below the gumline where bacteria have built up and caused gum disease. It's not more aggressive for the sake of it. It's the right tool when a standard cleaning isn't enough.
I haven't been to a dentist in years. What should I expect?
A thorough exam, a full set of X-rays, and an honest conversation about where things stand. No lecture about how long it's been. We'll walk you through what we find, explain what needs attention and what can wait, and put together a plan that works at your pace. Most patients who come back after a long gap are relieved to finally know what they're dealing with.
Do I really need X-rays every visit?
Not necessarily every visit. Bitewing X-rays are typically recommended once a year for most patients. A full set of X-rays is usually taken every three to five years. If you've had recent X-rays at another practice, bring them. We'll use what we have and only take new ones when there's a clinical reason to.