New Hanover County · Since 1987
Dental Cleanings in Kure Beach, NC
A cleaning removes what brushing cannot reach and gives us a look at everything before it becomes expensive. It is the cheapest appointment in dentistry and the one that prevents the rest.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
cleanings, explained
Our new patient exam is more thorough than a standard recall. It includes an oral cancer screening, a periodontal charting, a tooth-by-tooth assessment, a TMJ and bite evaluation, and an aesthetic consultation if you want one.
Patients from Kure Beach
Kure Beach has the oldest resident profile in New Hanover County. A third of the town is 65 or older, and barely one in ten residents is under 18.
Dry mouth from blood pressure and cholesterol medication is the quiet driver of decay in this age group, and it produces cavities on root surfaces that have never had a problem before. A shorter recall interval catches those while they are still small.
The dental needs here skew heavily toward restorative and prosthetic work rather than preventive care for children.
Fort Fisher and the aquarium bring the visitors; the year-round community is small, settled and largely retired.
Thirty-two minutes each way is the reason we plan Kure Beach treatment in as few appointments as the clinical work allows.
We see patients from across Kure Beach and the surrounding area, including the Kure Beach Pier, Fort Fisher, the NC Aquarium and the 28449 ZIP code.
New Hanover County is the built-out core of the region, growing around one percent a year, with roughly 21 percent of residents over 65 and the highest concentration of employer dental coverage in southeastern North Carolina.
A shorter recall interval is usually the right call at this stage, because medication-related dry mouth changes decay risk faster than most people expect.
We plan restorative treatment in as few visits as the work allows, because thirty-two minutes each way adds up fast.
You may be a candidate if
- It has been six months, or six years, since your last visit
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Persistent bad breath
- Tartar you can see or feel behind the lower front teeth
- A new move to the area and no dentist yet
From first visit to finished result
- Health history and x-raysWe need to know what is going on below the gum before we touch anything above it.
- Periodontal chartingSix measurements per tooth. This is how gum disease gets caught early.
- CleaningScaling and polishing, with ultrasonic instruments where they help.
- Doctor examDecay check, oral cancer screening, bite and joint assessment.
- Plan and scheduleAnything that needs attention gets explained and scheduled before you leave.
Afterwards
Gums may be tender for a day if there was a lot of buildup. Brush twice, floss once, and come back on the interval we recommend rather than the one your calendar prefers. Some patients need three or four month intervals, and that is a clinical call.
If getting to follow-up visits is difficult, tell us. We can often combine checks into fewer, longer appointments.
What it costs
Preventive visits are covered at or near 100 percent by most dental plans, usually twice a year with no deductible. If you have no coverage, this is still the least expensive way to avoid the treatments that are not cheap.
If you are on Medicare, note that it does not cover routine dental treatment. Many supplement plans include a limited dental benefit with an annual cap, and we will check yours before quoting anything.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger
Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.
Questions we get asked
Why do I need x-rays every time?
You do not. Bitewings on a routine interval and a full series every several years is the standard. We take what is diagnostically necessary.
What is the difference between a cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A cleaning works above and just below the gum line on healthy tissue. Scaling and root planing goes deeper, treats active gum disease, and is usually done in halves with anesthetic.
How far is your office from Kure Beach?
About 18 miles, or roughly 32 minutes via US-421 North the length of Pleasure Island. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Kure Beach?
Regularly. Kure Beach is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and we plan restorative treatment in as few visits as the work allows, because thirty-two minutes each way adds up fast.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Dental Cleanings · Kure Beach, NC
One trip. Everybody seen.
We block consecutive appointments so a family visit is one morning rather than three separate afternoons.
- General, cosmetic, orthodontic and surgical care under one roof
- Consecutive family scheduling on request
- Sealants and preventive care for children
- Most major dental plans accepted
Nervous child? Tell us before the appointment and we will slow the whole thing down.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
