Oral Exams

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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes.

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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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.

An oral exam is a comprehensive clinical review of your mouth, teeth, gums and related structures designed to identify current issues and risk factors. The clinician begins with a medical history review and discussion of any symptoms, medications or changes that could affect oral health. A hands-on inspection follows, covering teeth, soft tissues, periodontal status, bite relationships and areas around the jaw and neck.

When indicated, the exam may include periodontal probing to measure gum attachment, evaluation for wear patterns from clenching or grinding, and an assessment of temporomandibular joint function. If the clinician needs additional information, they will recommend diagnostic imaging such as bitewings, periapical films or panoramic views to visualize areas not visible during inspection. The goal is to explain findings in plain language and outline a clear, personalized plan for prevention or treatment if needed.

Frequency of exams depends on each patient’s individual risk profile rather than a one-size-fits-all timeline. Many patients benefit from biannual visits that pair a clinical exam with a professional cleaning, while people with active periodontal disease, high decay risk or certain medical conditions may need more frequent monitoring. The dental team evaluates factors such as gum health, past decay, systemic health and lifestyle to recommend an appropriate schedule.

During your visit the clinician will discuss why a particular interval is advised and may adjust the plan as your condition changes. Regular exams provide the best opportunity to catch developing problems early, when treatments are simpler and outcomes are more predictable. Maintaining a consistent routine supports long-term oral stability and overall wellness.

Yes. A routine oral exam typically includes a thorough screening of the soft tissues to look for abnormalities that could indicate oral cancer or other pathology. The clinician inspects the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, palate and oropharynx for unusual lesions, color changes, lumps, or areas that do not heal within a reasonable timeframe. Any suspicious findings are documented and discussed with the patient in straightforward terms.

If a lesion appears concerning, the team will recommend appropriate next steps which may include closer surveillance, adjunctive testing or referral to a specialist for biopsy and definitive diagnosis. Early detection of oral cancer greatly improves treatment options and outcomes, which is why screening is a routine and important element of every exam. Patients are encouraged to report any new oral symptoms between visits so issues can be evaluated promptly.

Dental imaging complements visual inspection by revealing structures hidden beneath the surface, such as tooth roots, bone levels and interproximal decay. Common two-dimensional options include periapical films for single-tooth detail, bitewings for detecting decay between teeth, and panoramic images for a broad overview of jaws and developing teeth. When treatment planning requires greater precision, three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) may be recommended to evaluate spatial relationships for implants or complex surgical cases.

Digital radiography is widely used because it produces high-quality images quickly with minimal radiation exposure, and images can be viewed and explained during the same visit. The clinician will choose the imaging type that provides the diagnostic information needed while following principles of safety and necessity. Any recommended imaging is discussed so you understand its purpose and how it informs care decisions.

The mouth often reflects systemic health, and changes in oral tissues can signal broader medical issues that warrant attention. Conditions such as diabetes, certain cardiovascular diseases, nutritional deficiencies and autoimmune disorders can have oral manifestations like gum inflammation, persistent infections or mucosal changes. By evaluating oral signs in the context of a patient’s medical history, dental professionals can identify potential red flags and recommend collaboration with medical providers when appropriate.

Research shows connections between chronic oral inflammation and systemic conditions, so maintaining oral health can be part of a wider strategy for overall wellness. During an exam, clinicians screen for signs that might prompt medical follow-up and provide guidance on risk reduction through oral hygiene, lifestyle adjustments and preventive care. Coordinated communication between dental and medical teams helps ensure comprehensive management when oral findings intersect with general health concerns.

For your first comprehensive visit bring a list of current medications, relevant medical history and any recent medical or surgical records that may affect dental care. If you have existing dental x-rays from another office, bringing copies or asking the previous provider to send them can save time and reduce duplication of imaging. A summary of past dental treatments, orthodontic history or known allergies is also helpful for creating a complete care plan.

Be prepared to discuss symptoms or concerns you want addressed and to ask questions about preventive strategies and recommended diagnostics. The clinical team will review your history, perform the exam and explain findings, so having accurate background information ensures a more efficient and tailored visit. If sedation or specific comfort measures may be needed, disclose any anxiety or past experiences so the team can plan appropriately.

Yes. During a clinical exam the clinician looks for evidence of bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and assesses temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function as part of a comprehensive evaluation. Signs of bruxism include enamel wear patterns, chips or fractures, muscle tenderness, and scalloped tongue or flattened tooth surfaces. The exam may also include palpation of jaw muscles, assessment of joint sounds or range of motion, and questions about sleep habits or daytime clenching.

When bruxism or TMJ dysfunction is suspected, the clinician discusses conservative management options such as occlusal guards, stress reduction techniques, or referral to a specialist for further evaluation. Imaging or bite analysis may be recommended when structural factors or persistent symptoms require more detailed investigation. Early recognition helps prevent progressive damage and supports symptom control through tailored interventions.

Hygienists and dentists collaborate closely to deliver preventive care and ensure a thorough examination during routine visits. A hygienist typically performs professional cleaning, removes plaque and calculus, and provides hands-on instruction in home care techniques, while the dentist completes the comprehensive clinical evaluation and interprets findings. Both professionals communicate observations and coordinate recommendations so the patient receives a unified care plan.

This team approach allows clinicians to address hygiene, restorative needs and patient education efficiently within a single appointment when possible. Hygienists document periodontal measurements and oral health trends that inform the dentist’s diagnostic decisions, and together they prioritize treatments that maintain oral function and health. Patients benefit from this coordinated model through clearer guidance and consistent follow-up.

Oral exams are tailored to the developmental stage and specific needs of each patient, so pediatric assessments differ from adult exams in scope and focus. For children the exam emphasizes growth and development, eruption patterns, preventive strategies like sealants and fluoride, and early detection of orthodontic concerns. The clinician monitors jaw and tooth development and provides age-appropriate instruction to support healthy habits from an early age.

Adult exams concentrate on the current status of teeth, periodontal health, restorations and any risk factors related to systemic conditions or medications. Older adults may require additional evaluation of root surfaces, wear, dry mouth and the health of existing prosthetics or implants. In every case the team adjusts screening and preventive measures to match the patient’s life stage and clinical needs.

If a concerning finding is identified the clinician will explain what was observed, why it is important and the options for follow-up care or further testing. Depending on the issue, next steps may include targeted imaging, a period of closer monitoring, noninvasive preventive measures, or referral to a specialist for diagnostic procedures such as biopsy or advanced imaging. The clinician will prioritize interventions that address immediate risks while preserving healthy tissue when possible.

Patients receive clear guidance about recommended timelines and what symptoms should prompt earlier evaluation, and the team coordinates care to ensure necessary diagnostics or specialist consultations are scheduled. Communication is focused on informed decision-making, and clinicians make sure patients understand the rationale for each recommendation. If you have questions about a proposed plan, the team is available to discuss alternatives and expected outcomes.

At Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes the team emphasizes patient comfort and safety through clear communication, thoughtful clinical protocols and multiple comfort options. We offer a range of sedation choices, from nitrous oxide to in-house general anesthesia for appropriate cases, and use modern equipment such as digital imaging and CBCT to reduce exposure and improve diagnostic accuracy. Infection-control standards and privacy practices are maintained to ensure a safe environment for every visit.

Clinicians take time to explain procedures and answer questions so patients understand what to expect and can participate in care decisions. If you have specific comfort needs or medical concerns, disclosing these before the exam allows the team to tailor the visit and coordinate any necessary medical considerations. The practice aims to make exams informative, efficient and as comfortable as possible for patients of all ages.