At the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, we treat oral exams as the foundation of reliable dental care. An exam is more than a snapshot; it’s a recurring check-in that helps us understand how your mouth is changing over time and what steps will keep it healthy and comfortable. By combining focused clinical observation with modern diagnostic tools, we give you a clear, practical plan to preserve function and aesthetics while minimizing surprises.
Prevention guides every exam we perform. Our goal is to detect small problems early, manage risk factors before they escalate, and give you straightforward, evidence-based advice you can use at home. Whether you visit regularly or it’s been a while since your last appointment, you can expect an efficient, respectful evaluation tailored to your needs and concerns.
Your initial exam creates a baseline we can compare to future visits, so we take time to gather a complete picture. That begins with a careful review of your medical history, current medications, and any symptoms you may be experiencing. These background details help us choose safe and appropriate diagnostic measures and interpret findings in the context of your overall health.
The clinical exam itself is systematic and thorough. We inspect teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, lips, and other soft tissues for signs of decay, inflammation, abnormal lesions, and wear from habits like grinding. We also evaluate how your bite works and whether the jaw joints and muscles show signs of strain or dysfunction that could impact comfort or long-term stability.
If the clinical exam suggests a concern that isn’t visible to the naked eye, we’ll recommend imaging or other diagnostics to get a clearer view. After the assessment, we review results with you in plain language, outline any recommended next steps, and work with you to set priorities so treatment and prevention fit your life and goals.

The mouth often reflects what’s happening elsewhere in the body. During an oral exam we look for patterns — persistent gum inflammation, unusual ulcers, chronic dryness, or frequent infections — that can signal conditions requiring medical attention. Early detection of these signs can prompt timely coordination with your medical providers and better overall outcomes.
Research has linked oral conditions with systemic issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory concerns, so we treat oral findings as part of a larger health conversation. While a dental exam is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, it can surface important clues that merit further evaluation or lifestyle adjustments.
We also consider how medications and chronic conditions affect oral health. Dry mouth, for example, increases the risk of cavities and may require targeted prevention, while certain systemic diseases can influence gum health and healing. Taking your whole health into account allows us to recommend realistic, effective strategies that protect your mouth and support general wellbeing.

Regular checkups and professional cleanings are the backbone of long-term oral health. At these visits we remove plaque and hardened deposits, assess gum tissue, refresh preventive guidance, and update any necessary diagnostic records. That continuous attention reduces the chance that minor issues will become complex problems requiring more invasive care.
Professional cleaning reaches areas that are difficult to address at home, including below the gum line and between tightly spaced teeth. Eliminating hardened deposits reduces bacterial load and the risk of cavities and periodontal disease, which helps preserve natural teeth and the tissues that support them.
The frequency of visits is individualized. Many people benefit from twice-yearly exams and cleanings, while others with higher risk may need more frequent monitoring. We base recommendations on your dental history, current oral condition, systemic health, and lifestyle factors to keep care appropriate and efficient.
Education is part of every appointment. Our clinicians will demonstrate targeted brushing and interdental cleaning techniques, suggest helpful tools where appropriate, and discuss habits or dietary factors that affect oral health. Practical guidance paired with consistent follow-up helps you maintain improvements between visits.
Visual inspection is essential, but it can miss issues that lie between teeth or beneath the bone. Dental radiographs and digital imaging give us the detail we need to detect early decay, evaluate bone supporting the teeth, locate infections at root tips, and monitor developing teeth. These tools allow earlier, more conservative interventions when appropriate.
We use modern digital sensors that produce high-quality images quickly and with lower radiation exposure than older film techniques. Digital images appear instantly and can be reviewed together so you understand what we see and why a recommendation is being made. They also become part of an accurate, secure record for future comparison and monitoring.
Three-dimensional imaging such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is reserved for specific, complex situations where spatial detail changes the diagnosis or treatment plan — implant placement, evaluation of impacted teeth, or detailed assessment of jaw anatomy, for example. We recommend these studies only when they add clear diagnostic or safety value.

Every oral exam ends with a plan that fits your priorities. For some patients that means conservative monitoring and enhanced home care; for others it means targeted treatment or a referral to a specialist. We present options transparently and help you weigh the likely outcomes so you can choose a path that aligns with your needs.
Prevention is not one-size-fits-all. Based on your risk profile, we may recommend specific products, behavior changes, or alteration of recall intervals to keep your mouth healthy with the least possible intervention. Our approach is pragmatic: small, consistent changes often produce the biggest long-term benefits.
Communication is central to care. We explain findings in plain language, answer your questions, and document recommendations for easy reference. If a referral or medical follow-up is appropriate, we support that coordination to ensure you receive comprehensive care that considers both oral and overall health.
At the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, our oral exams are thorough, thoughtful, and focused on practical prevention. If you’d like to learn more about what to expect during an exam or wish to schedule a visit, please contact us for more information.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting J.Patrick Wharry, DDS for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of J.Patrick Wharry, DDS, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
