Your Six-Month Checkup in Norwood
Your exam is the appointment where problems get caught before they hurt. Most cavities, gum changes and cracked fillings give no warning at first. Dr. Monika Kaceli looks for them while they are still easy to treat.
At our Norwood office, an exam is usually scheduled with your teeth cleaning in Norwood. Plan on 45 to 60 minutes for the exam portion, and come every six months unless Dr. Kaceli suggests a different schedule.
The Parts of a Norwood Dental Exam
Each exam follows the same order, so nothing gets skipped.
- Medical and dental historyWe go over your health, medications and anything new since your last visit. Changes in health can affect your mouth, so this step matters.
- Digital X-rays if neededWhen images are clinically necessary, we take digital X-rays. They appear on screen within moments, and Dr. Kaceli can point out what she sees.
- Oral cancer checkDr. Kaceli examines your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, the floor of your mouth and your neck by sight and touch.
- Bite and jaw checkShe looks at how your teeth come together and how your jaw moves, watching for signs of grinding or joint strain.
- Restoration checkExisting fillings, crowns and bridges are checked for wear, leaks or cracks.
- Gum screeningWe measure and look at the gums for signs of gum disease, which often causes no pain in early stages.
Digital X-Rays and 3D CBCT Imaging
Digital X-rays can reveal decay between teeth, cysts, abscesses, bone loss and impacted teeth. A full set takes about 5 to 10 minutes at the start of an appointment. They use significantly less radiation than film, and we take them only when they are clinically needed.
For some cases, Dr. Kaceli recommends a CBCT scan. This cone-beam 3D imaging rotates around your head in about 30 seconds and produces a 360-degree view of the teeth, jaw and surrounding bone. It is especially useful when planning dental implants in Norwood or looking into a problem standard X-rays cannot fully show.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell us before any imaging. Parents should also talk with Dr. Kaceli before a child has a 3D scan.
For everyday records, our iTero and TRIOS intraoral scanners build a 3D model of your teeth in minutes, with no impression trays, and an intraoral camera shows close-up photos on screen.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
- Brush and floss before you come in
- Bring your medical history and a list of current medications
- Tell us about any changes, such as new sensitivity, sore spots, bleeding gums or jaw pain
- New patients can fill out our online new patient forms ahead of time
If you have been away from the dentist for a while, that is fine. Dr. Kaceli's goal is to understand where things stand, without judgment, and build a plan from there.
Cost and Insurance
The Norwood office accepts most insurance plans, and many dental plans include routine exams. Our team can check your benefits and give you an estimate of any out-of-pocket cost before your visit.
No insurance? Ask about our pricing options. For treatment that comes out of an exam, Cherry and Sunbit offer monthly payment plans.
Why Choose Kaceli Dental Studio in Norwood?
Norwood was Dr. Kaceli's first practice, and she set it up to give patients real time and a calm, gentle experience. Having CBCT imaging in the office means many questions can be answered without sending you somewhere else for a scan.
Scheduling can be easier, too. Besides Tuesdays and Thursdays, the office opens the third Friday and third Saturday of each month, and every treatment room has a flat-screen TV.
