The smallest cavity starts as a microscopic crack in your enamel. The earliest sign of gum disease appears as inflammation you might not even notice. By the time dental problems become painful or visible, they’ve often progressed beyond the simplest fixes. Preventive care catches these issues before they demand extensive treatment.
At Roman Dental Arts, we believe the best dental treatment is the one you never need. Dr. Donald Roman and Dr. Alissa Roman have built their practice on a foundation of comprehensive preventive care, helping families throughout Hackensack and the surrounding communities maintain healthy smiles for life. Through regular checkups, professional cleanings, and patient education, we help you avoid the pain, expense, and inconvenience of more complex dental work down the road.
The Foundation of Oral Health
Preventive dentistry encompasses all the services and habits designed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This approach combines what you do at home with what we do in our office. While brushing and flossing form the cornerstone of daily oral hygiene, professional care addresses areas your toothbrush can’t reach and catches problems in their earliest stages.
Most dental diseases are preventable with proper care. Cavities form when bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel over time. Gum disease begins with inflammation from plaque buildup along the gumline. Both conditions progress slowly, giving us multiple opportunities to intervene before they cause permanent damage. Regular preventive visits allow us to monitor your oral health, remove harmful buildup, and address concerns before they escalate.
Comprehensive Dental Exams
Your dental examination involves much more than checking for cavities. We conduct a thorough assessment of your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and soft tissues. This comprehensive approach helps us identify not just current problems but also risk factors for future issues.
During your exam, we check each tooth for signs of decay, damage, or wear. We measure pocket depths around your teeth to assess gum health. We examine your bite alignment and look for signs of teeth grinding. We also screen for oral cancer, checking the tissues of your mouth, tongue, throat, and neck for any abnormalities. Digital X-rays reveal what we can’t see with the naked eye, including decay between teeth, problems below the gumline, and changes in your jaw bone.
Professional Teeth Cleanings
Even with excellent home care, plaque hardens into tartar in areas you miss with your toothbrush. Professional teeth cleanings remove this buildup before it causes problems. Our dental hygienists use specialized instruments to gently remove tartar from your teeth and below your gumline.
The cleaning process includes scaling to remove hardened deposits, polishing to smooth tooth surfaces and remove surface stains, and flossing to clean between each tooth. Most patients need cleanings every six months, though some benefit from more frequent visits. If you have gum disease, a history of cavities, or certain health conditions like diabetes, we may recommend cleanings every three to four months.
Protective Treatments for All Ages
Beyond examinations and cleanings, we offer several treatments designed to strengthen your teeth and prevent future problems. These services provide extra protection for patients at higher risk of decay or those who want to take a proactive approach to their oral health.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel through a process called remineralization, helping repair early damage from plaque acids. While you get fluoride from toothpaste and drinking water, professional fluoride treatments deliver a higher concentration directly to your teeth.
We typically apply fluoride as a gel, foam, or varnish after your cleaning. The treatment takes just a few minutes and helps protect against cavities for several months. Children benefit greatly from fluoride treatments as their developing teeth are more susceptible to decay. Adults with a history of cavities, exposed root surfaces, or dry mouth from medications also gain significant protection from fluoride applications.
Dental Sealants
Back teeth have deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria easily accumulate. Dental sealants fill these vulnerable areas with a protective plastic coating, creating a smooth surface that’s easier to clean. Research shows sealants reduce the risk of decay in molars by nearly 80%.
The sealant application is quick and painless. We clean and dry the tooth, apply a special solution to help the sealant bond, then brush on the liquid sealant material. A curing light hardens it in seconds. Sealants typically last several years before needing replacement. While most commonly placed on children’s permanent molars, adults without decay or fillings in their back teeth can also benefit from sealants.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Early detection dramatically improves oral cancer survival rates. Our oral cancer screenings form a standard part of every preventive exam. We examine all the soft tissues of your mouth for unusual lumps, color changes, or persistent sores. The screening is painless and takes just a few minutes.
Risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, sun exposure to the lips, and HPV infection. Even without risk factors, everyone should receive regular screenings. We look for early warning signs like red or white patches, sores that don’t heal, unusual bleeding, or changes in tissue texture. If we find anything concerning, we’ll discuss next steps and coordinate with medical specialists as needed.
Partner with Roman Dental Arts for Lifelong Oral Health
Dr. Donald Roman has served the Hackensack community for more than 38 years with a preventive-focused approach to dental care. As a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and active member of the American Dental Association, he stays current with the latest preventive techniques and technologies. Dr. Alissa Roman brings the same commitment to proactive care, combining her University of Buffalo dental education with advanced training through the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Our father-daughter team believes every patient deserves compassionate, comprehensive care. We take time to explain your oral health status, discuss any concerns, and create personalized prevention plans. Whether you’re establishing care for your entire family or looking for a new dental home after years away from regular visits, we welcome you. Patients from Teaneck, Maywood, Lodi, and throughout Bergen County trust us to help them maintain healthy smiles through every stage of life. Contact us today to schedule your preventive care appointment and take the first step toward lasting oral health.
FAQs About Preventive Dentistry in Hackensack, NJ
How often should I schedule preventive dental visits?
Most patients benefit from dental exams and cleanings every six months. However, if you have gum disease, diabetes, or a history of frequent cavities, you may need more frequent visits every 3-4 months. During your first visit, Dr. Donald J. Roman and Dr. Alissa M. Roman will create a personalized schedule based on your individual oral health needs.
What’s included in a preventive dental exam at Roman Dental Arts?
Our comprehensive preventive exams include professional teeth cleaning, plaque and tartar removal, oral cancer screening, digital X-rays when needed, fluoride treatment (if recommended), and personalized oral hygiene education. We also assess your gums, teeth, jaw, and oral tissues using modern diagnostic tools, like 3D imaging.
Are dental sealants worth it for my child?
Yes! Dental sealants are a protective coating applied to your child’s back molars to prevent decay. They’re especially beneficial for children and teens who are still developing proper brushing habits. Sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities in treated teeth and typically last several years.
What age should my child first visit the dentist?
Children should see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. At Roman Dental Arts, we specialize in gentle pediatric care and focus on making your child’s first dental experiences positive and comfortable.
Do you accept dental insurance for preventive care?
We work with most major dental insurance plans, including Delta and Cigna. Most insurance plans cover preventive services like cleanings and exams at 100%. Our team can verify your benefits and provide a cost estimate before any treatment. We also offer flexible payment options for your convenience.
What if I haven’t been to the dentist in several years?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to restart preventive care! During your first visit back, we’ll perform a thorough evaluation, address any immediate concerns, and create a gentle treatment plan to get your oral health back on track. Our experienced team makes the process comfortable and non-judgmental.
How do preventive dental visits save money in the long run?
Preventive care helps catch small issues before they become major problems. For example, treating a small cavity costs much less than waiting until you need a root canal or crown. Regular cleanings also prevent gum disease, which can lead to costly treatments if left untreated.
What makes Roman Dental Arts different from other dental practices?
We’re a multi-generational, family-owned practice with over 38 years of experience serving Hackensack and Bergen County. Our father-daughter dental team (Dr. Donald J. Roman and Dr. Alissa M. Roman) combines decades of expertise with state-of-the-art technology like laser dentistry and digital imaging. We offer personalized care in a comfortable environment with free parking.
