General dentistry in Grand Rapids, MI
Eastgate Family Dental

Your first visit with us is more thorough than a routine checkup, because we are building a baseline we will compare against for years to come. Here is what happens, step by step.

Health history and conversation. We start by reviewing your medical history, medications, allergies, and any past dental work. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy, as well as medications that cause dry mouth or affect bleeding, all shape how we plan your care. We also ask what brought you in and whether anything has been bothering you, because your concerns set the agenda.

Digital x-rays. A new patient typically receives a full set of digital images, or a panoramic image plus bitewings, so we can see between the teeth, under existing fillings, around the roots, and into the supporting bone. Digital sensors use a fraction of the radiation of older film. After that first set, bitewing x-rays are usually updated about once a year for adults at average risk of decay, and a full set or panoramic image every three to five years. Patients with a history of frequent cavities or gum disease may need them more often; patients with a long stable record may need them less. We decide based on your risk, not a calendar.

Tooth-by-tooth examination. Dr. Jankowski or Dr. Kahn examines every tooth for decay, cracks, wear, and failing restorations, then checks how your teeth come together. Bite problems, clenching, and grinding leave fingerprints on the enamel that a careful exam can pick up early.

Periodontal (gum) measurements. Using a small, gentle probe, we measure the depth of the pocket between the gum and each tooth at six points per tooth and note any bleeding or recession. Healthy pockets are shallow; deeper readings signal inflammation or bone loss that needs attention. These numbers are recorded so we can track changes over time.

Oral cancer screening. We look at and feel the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, throat, and the lymph nodes of the neck for any lump, patch, or sore that does not belong. It takes about a minute and is one of the most important things we do. You can read more on our oral cancer screening page.

Cleaning, when appropriate. If your gums are healthy, your hygienist will complete a professional cleaning the same day. If the exam shows significant tartar below the gumline or active gum disease, a standard cleaning is not the right treatment, and we will schedule a deeper cleaning instead so the problem is actually addressed. Either way, you leave with a clear explanation of what we found and what, if anything, comes next.

Tooth decay is progressive. It begins as a soft spot in the enamel that causes no pain at all, and at that stage it can sometimes be halted with fluoride and better home care rather than a filling. Once it breaks through the enamel into the softer dentin beneath, it spreads more quickly, and a filling becomes necessary. Left alone, that same cavity eventually reaches the nerve, at which point the options narrow to a root canal or an extraction. Every step along that path costs more tooth structure, more chair time, and more discomfort than the one before it.

That is why we favor catching problems early. A small composite filling placed today preserves far more of the natural tooth than a crown placed three years from now. We use tooth-colored composite resin bonded directly to the tooth, which means we remove only the decayed portion and keep the healthy structure around it. When a cavity is too large for a filling to hold up, we will discuss a crown to protect what remains.

If a tooth has started to ache, do not wait for your next scheduled visit. Pain usually means the decay is already deep, and the sooner we see it, the more likely we can keep treatment simple. Our emergency dentistry team keeps time open for same-day concerns.

Most of the dentistry a family needs happens right here at our Grand Rapids office. Exams, cleanings, digital x-rays, fillings, crowns and bridges, root canals on most teeth, routine extractions, dentures, nightguards, gum therapy, whitening, and care for children are all handled by Dr. Jankowski, Dr. Kahn, and our hygiene team. Keeping care under one roof means fewer appointments, one set of records, and a team that already knows your history.

There are situations where the best care comes from a specialist, and we will tell you when that is the case. Complex wisdom tooth removal, especially impacted teeth close to the nerve, may go to an oral surgeon. Root canals with unusually curved or calcified canals, or teeth that need retreatment, may be referred to an endodontist. Advanced gum disease that needs surgery is sometimes best managed by a periodontist, and comprehensive orthodontic treatment is referred to an orthodontist. In each case we coordinate directly with the specialist, share your records and x-rays, and remain your home base for everything else.

Whether you have lived in Grand Rapids for decades or just moved to the neighborhood, we would be glad to be your family's dental home. Our new patient page covers what to bring and how to get started.