.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
Dental Exams in Harlan, Iowa
A thorough dental exam every year is the single best thing you can do to catch small problems before they become big ones. We make it comfortable, efficient, and worth the drive.
.svg){kind=icon}
What Is a Dental Exam?
A dental exam, also called a dental checkup or comprehensive oral evaluation, is a structured review of the health of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues. It is not just a look around. Dr. Burkhalter follows a systematic process that includes a clinical exam, review of digital X-rays, an oral cancer screening, and a bite assessment.
Most adults should have a full exam once a year, paired with a professional cleaning every six months. If you are new to our practice, your first visit includes a comprehensive new-patient exam with a complete X-ray series so we have a full baseline of your oral health. From there, we create a treatment plan around your goals, whether that is maintaining what you have or addressing issues you have been putting off.
Types of Exams We Offer
The right type of exam depends on where you are in your dental health journey and when you last saw a dentist.
Comprehensive New-Patient Exam
Your first visit with us. Includes a full set of X-rays, a complete clinical examination of teeth, gums, and bite, an oral cancer screening, and a review of your medical and dental history. We take the time to understand your concerns and explain everything we find.
Periodic Recall Exam
The exam that pairs with your twice-yearly cleaning. A focused review of your teeth and gums since your last visit, updated X-rays as needed, and a check for any changes that need attention. For patients who are current with their care, this typically takes 45 to 60 minutes total with the cleaning included.
Limited Problem-Focused Exam
For patients coming in with a specific concern — tooth pain, a broken tooth, a sore that will not heal. This is a targeted exam focused on diagnosing and treating the presenting issue rather than a full comprehensive review.
What a Dental Exam Protects You From
Regular exams are not about being told what you are doing wrong. They are about giving you information early enough to act on it.
Catching Cavities Before They Hurt
Cavities caught at the exam stage are treated with a simple filling. The same cavity found a year later may need a crown, root canal, or extraction. The exam is the cheap intervention that prevents the expensive one.
Early Detection of Gum Disease
Gum disease is painless in its early stages. By the time it hurts, bone loss has already started. Your exam includes a periodontal assessment with pocket depth measurements that catch gum disease at the stage where it is still reversible.
Oral Cancer Screening
Every exam at Markham includes a soft tissue exam of the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, and throat. Oral cancer found early has a survival rate above 80 percent. Found late, it drops below 40. This takes two minutes and belongs in every routine exam.
What We Examine at Every Dental Checkup
A dental exam at Markham is not a single glance. Here is what a thorough review covers.
What the clinical exam covers:
.svg){kind=icon}
Tooth-by-tooth inspection for decay, cracks, and wear
Gum tissue color, texture, and pocket depth measurements
jaw alignment
Existing restorations — fillings, crowns, bridges, implants
Oral soft tissue screening for abnormal lesions
What your X-rays reveal:
Cavities forming between teeth, invisible to the eye
Bone levels around teeth and implants
Root anatomy and abscess formation
Impacted or unerupted teeth
Early signs of cysts or pathology below the gumline
Digital X-rays at Markham emit up to 90% less radiation than traditional film and are reviewed chair-side so Dr. Burkhalter can walk you through exactly what he sees.
Signs You Are Overdue for a Dental Exam
It may be time to come in if
It has been more than a year since your last full exam
You have tooth pain, sensitivity, or a tooth that has chipped or shifted
Your gums bleed when you brush, or you have noticed them pulling back
You have a family history of gum disease or oral cancer
You recently had a significant health change,pregnancy, diabetes diagnosis, new medication
What Happens at Your Appointment
1
Check-In and Health Review
Your hygienist reviews your medical history and any changes since your last visit. Medications, systemic conditions like diabetes, and new diagnoses all affect oral health. Keeping this current helps Dr. Burkhalter connect what he sees in your mouth to what is happening in your body.
2
Digital X-Rays
For new patients, a full set of X-rays is taken to establish a baseline. For returning patients, we take bitewing X-rays annually and a panoramic or periapical X-ray as needed. Our digital system is fast, low-radiation, and displays chair-side instantly so we can review the images with you.
3
Periodontal Assessment
Your hygienist measures the depth of the pockets between your gums and teeth using a small probe. Healthy pockets measure 1 to 3 mm. Deeper readings indicate gum disease is present and tell us its severity. This takes a few minutes and is one of the most important parts of the exam.
4
Clinical Exam
Dr. Burkhalter examines every tooth for decay, cracks, wear, and changes. He checks your existing restorations, fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, for function and integrity. Your bite and jaw alignment are assessed. This is the most thorough part of the visit.
5
Oral Cancer Screening
Dr. Burkhalter examines the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and throat for any abnormal tissue, sores, or lesions that do not resolve on their own. If something warrants a closer look, he explains what he found and what the next step is. This takes under two minutes.
6
Review and Treatment Planning
Dr. Burkhalter sits down with you to go through the findings. If treatment is needed, he explains why, what it involves, and what it costs. You leave with a clear picture of your oral health and a plan — not a bill for something you did not agree to.
Words From Our Patients
Why Patients Drive to Harlan for Their Dental Exam
A team you can count on
Meet The Team
Digital X-rays, CBCT 3D imaging, and same visit findings
Our Technology
Comfortable, judgment free exams for patients of all ages and dental histories
Our Services
How often should I get a dental exam?
What does a dental exam include?
Does a dental exam include X-rays?
What is the difference between a dental exam and a dental cleaning?
Is a dental exam covered by insurance?
What if I have not been to the dentist in several years?
Prepare for Your Visit
Patient Forms
Download and complete your forms before your appointment to save time when you arrive. Plan to come in 10 to 15 minutes early so we can get you settled.
Learn More
Insurance and Financing
We work with many PPO dental insurance plans and can file claims on your behalf when insurance applies. Financing options may be available for patients who need flexible payment options. Ask our front desk what works best for your situation.
Learn More
Contact Us
Start the Conversation
Address
2105 Pine St
Harlan, IA 51537, US
Harlan, IA 51537, US
Hours
Mon - Tue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wed: 7:00am - 2:00pm
Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Fri: 7:00am - 12:00pm
Sat - Sun: Closed
(712) 755-5342
.svg)