Routine checkup & recall exam at Lambton Dental
Regular checkups are how small problems stay small. A dental checkup in Toronto at Lambton Dental pairs a focused exam by the dentist with a professional cleaning by our hygienist, typically every six months, although the interval is set by the dentist based on your needs. You leave knowing where things stand and when to come back.
What is a routine checkup and recall exam at Lambton Dental?
A recall exam is the periodic checkup that follows your first comprehensive assessment with us. Because we already have a baseline record of your teeth, gums and bite, the dentist can concentrate on what has changed since your last visit. Existing fillings and crowns are checked, any new areas of decay or wear are noted, and your gums are re-examined for bleeding, recession or deepening pockets.
Most recall visits are booked alongside a hygiene cleaning, so plaque and tartar are removed at the same appointment and the hygienist can update your home-care advice. Digital X-rays are taken only when clinically indicated, which for many patients means a set of bitewing images every couple of years rather than at every visit. The dentist decides the recall interval, typically every six months, but sooner for patients with active gum disease or a higher cavity risk, and sometimes longer for those with stable, healthy mouths.
When it is time for your next checkup
A recall exam is appropriate when:
- The interval the dentist set at your last visit, often six months, has come around, even if nothing feels wrong.
- You have had a comprehensive exam with us before and simply need your routine follow-up.
- You want your teeth cleaned and would like the dentist to take a look at the same time.
- You have noticed something new but not urgent, such as mild sensitivity, a rough edge on a tooth or gums that bleed when you floss.
- You are managing gum disease and are on a shorter maintenance schedule recommended by the dentist.
If you are new to Lambton Dental, we start with a new patient exam so we have a proper baseline before moving you onto a recall schedule. For sudden pain, swelling or a broken tooth, ask about a same-day emergency appointment instead.
What to expect at a routine checkup
Quick update on your health
We ask whether anything has changed since your last visit, including new medications, medical conditions or dental concerns you would like looked at.
Hygiene cleaning
The hygienist removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline, polishes your teeth and checks the health of your gums with a small measuring probe.
Dentist's exam
The dentist reviews the hygienist's notes, examines your teeth, existing dental work, bite and soft tissues, and compares what is seen against your previous records.
X-rays only if indicated
If it has been a while since your last images, or a specific tooth needs a closer look, digital X-rays are taken and reviewed with you on screen.
Home-care coaching
The hygienist points out any areas you are missing and suggests practical adjustments to brushing, flossing or other tools that suit your mouth.
Setting your next interval
Before you go, the dentist confirms when you should return, whether that is six months or a different interval, and we book it with you.
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation are available for anxious patients; the dentist reviews your health history first. Learn more on our sedation options page.
What happens after your checkup
For many patients, the checkup ends with good news and a reminder to keep doing what they are doing. We update your chart, note any areas to watch and book your next recall visit at the interval the dentist recommends. If we noticed early signs of a problem, such as a small area of decay or a spot where the gums are starting to pull away, we explain it clearly and describe what to do at home so it does not progress.
When treatment is needed, the dentist outlines the options and provides a written plan and estimate. A cavity may call for a composite filling, while gum pockets that have deepened may lead to a recommendation for a deep cleaning. Where you have insurance, we can send a pre-determination before larger work begins. You decide the pace, and nothing is scheduled until your questions have been answered.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of a routine checkup depends on what the visit includes, such as whether X-rays are indicated and the amount of cleaning your hygienist needs to do. Many insurance plans set their own limits on how often recall exams and cleanings can be claimed, and we check those limits for you so that scheduling lines up with your plan wherever possible.
We accept all major Canadian dental insurance carriers and direct-bill wherever your plan allows, so you pay only your portion at the visit. Lambton Dental is also a provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP); coverage under these programs depends on your eligibility and the services provided, and we will confirm what applies to you before your appointment.
If you are new to the practice, the $99 new patient cleaning for new adult patients covers a cleaning, exam and any necessary X-rays on the first visit, with a treatment plan and quote provided separately. Patients without insurance can review our payment options.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why patients keep their checkups at Lambton Dental
- Your recall interval is set by the dentist based on your needs, not by a fixed schedule for everyone.
- Exam and cleaning are done in one visit, and family members can be booked back to back.
- Evening and weekend hours make it easier to keep a six-month routine without missing work or school.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major insurance carriers wherever the plan allows, and we track your plan's frequency limits for you.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
- Sedation options are available for anxious patients, with the dentist reviewing your health history first.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have a dental checkup?
Every six months is a common starting point, but the right interval depends on you. Patients with healthy gums and a low history of cavities may be able to go longer between visits, while those with gum disease, frequent decay or certain medical conditions may be asked to come more often. The dentist sets your interval and revisits it as your situation changes.
Is a checkup the same as a cleaning?
They are two parts of the same appointment. The cleaning is done by the hygienist and removes plaque and tartar, while the checkup is the dentist’s examination of your teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues. Most patients have both at one visit, which is why we usually refer to the whole appointment as a checkup.
Do I need X-rays at every checkup?
No. Digital X-rays are taken only when clinically indicated. For many patients that means bitewing images every couple of years to check between the teeth, with other images ordered only if a specific tooth or area needs a closer look. If you have had recent X-rays elsewhere, we can request them so nothing is repeated unnecessarily.
What if I have not been to the dentist in years?
You are welcome, and there is no judgement here. Rather than a short recall exam, we would start with a new patient exam so the dentist can build a complete picture of your mouth. Once we have that baseline and any needed treatment is complete, you move onto a routine recall schedule like everyone else.
How long does a recall visit take?
Most recall visits, with the cleaning and exam together, fit within about an hour; we confirm the time when you book. If X-rays are indicated or the hygienist finds heavier tartar buildup than expected, the visit may run a little longer. We would rather book enough time than hurry, so let us know if you have a hard stop and we will plan around it.
Can my whole family be seen on the same day?
Yes, where our schedule allows. Many families book back-to-back appointments so one trip covers everyone. Children aged three and up are seen for routine checkups and cleanings, and parents are welcome in the room. For infants, first-visit exams follow the Canadian Dental Association’s first visit by first birthday guidance.
Can I use CDCP or IFHP for my checkups?
Lambton Dental is a participating provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, billed through Sun Life, and the Interim Federal Health Program, billed through Medavie Blue Cross. Coverage for recall exams and cleanings depends on your eligibility and the services you receive, and some services may have a co-payment. We confirm what applies before your appointment.
Book your next checkup
New to Lambton Dental? New adult patients can start with our $99 new patient cleaning, which includes a cleaning, exam and necessary X-rays. A treatment plan and quote, if needed, are provided separately.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →