Comprehensive Check Ups / Dental Exams
A dental exam in Denver should do more than confirm you have no cavities. At Icon Dental, our new patient exam covers your teeth, gums, bite alignment, jaw function, airway health, and more, because real oral health is connected to how you feel, sleep, and live every day. Dr. Nazeli Tarjan, DDS, and Dr. Brandon Nguyen, DDS, lead each evaluation with a root-cause approach, taking the time to understand not just what is happening, but why. Your first visit is a 90-minute appointment built around you, and most patients tell us it’s the most thorough dental visit they have ever had.
Why Most Dental Checkups Leave Patients with More Questions Than Answers
Too many people leave a dental checkup in Denver without a clear picture of their oral health. You get a quick look, a reminder to floss, and a next appointment card, but no real explanation of why a problem keeps returning or what you can do differently.
Common gaps patients experience at standard checkups include:
- Jaw pain or morning headaches that no one connects to bite or jaw joint function
- Fatigue and disrupted sleep mentioned at appointments but never followed up on
- No explanation of why the same problem keeps coming back
- A clean bill of health with no screening for conditions that develop without pain
Early gum disease, cavities forming between teeth, oral cancer in its earliest stages, and sleep apnea can all be present without any noticeable discomfort. A dental checkup that only confirms nothing hurts isn’t the same as an exam that confirms nothing is wrong.
Our Approach: A Listening-First, Root-Cause Dental Exam
Starting with Your Story
Before any instruments are picked up, we ask about your health history, your current concerns, and your goals. That conversation isn’t a formality; it shapes everything that follows.
Finding the Why, Not Just the What
We don’t just fix a broken tooth. We look at how to fix it and why it happened in the first place, so it doesn’t keep happening.
A complete Denver dental exam at Icon Dental evaluates what we call the foundation up, starting with bone support, gum health, and bite alignment before looking at anything above it. TMJ assessment and bite alignment evaluation are part of every exam, not optional add-ons.
Airway and Sleep Are Part of the Conversation
Airway and sleep screening questions are built into our evaluation, because your oral health is connected to how you breathe and how you rest.
Every patient leaves with a clear, structured treatment plan written in plain language. Prioritized, forward-looking, and specific to you.
The Benefits of a Preventive Dental Exam Denver Patients Can Count On
A preventive dental exam in Denver is one of the most practical investments in your long-term health. Here is what changes when your exam goes deeper than the surface.
- Catch small problems before they become large ones: Early decay, gum disease, and structural concerns are far less invasive and less costly to address when found early. The exam is where the savings happen, not the treatment chair months later.
- Understand why problems keep returning: When a filling keeps failing or gum irritation never fully clears, there’s usually a reason. Our root-cause approach means your treatment plan addresses the source, not just the symptom, so you stop cycling through the same repairs.
- Get answers about pain you may have accepted as normal: Bite imbalance and jaw dysfunction contribute to headaches, facial tension, and jaw soreness that many people chalk up to stress. Those patterns are worth investigating, and the exam is where that conversation starts.
- Find out whether sleep and breathing connect to your oral health: Many patients learn this connection for the first time at Icon Dental. If you wake up tired, snore, or feel like you never fully rest, your exam may uncover information that changes how you feel every day.
- Leave with a written, prioritized plan: You’ll know exactly where you stand and have a clear path forward rather than a vague list of things to keep an eye on.
Who Benefits from a Complete Dental Exam
Our exam is built for anyone who wants a complete picture of their oral health rather than a confirmation that nothing is obviously broken. It’s a particularly good fit if you:
- Have recently moved to Denver and are looking for a dental home where you’ll feel known and cared for.
- Have put off care for a while and want to understand where things stand without judgment.
- Have jaw pain or chronic headaches that no one has ever connected to your bite.
- Snore, wake up unrefreshed, or wonder whether a dentist can help with sleep concerns.
- Want a thorough, unhurried exam rather than a quick in-and-out checkup.
We welcome patients of all ages, and the same thorough approach applies regardless of why you’re here.
Our 90-minute new patient appointment is our recommended starting point. It gives us the time to do the exam properly, ask the right questions, and deliver a plan that actually reflects your needs.
Technology That Makes Our Denver Dental Exam More Accurate
Better tools lead to earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis. Every technology we use serves a specific clinical purpose.
- Digital Dental X-Rays: Digital dental X-rays expose you to significantly less radiation than traditional film while producing clearer, more detailed images. We review them with you at chairside so the findings are transparent from the start.
- 3D Digital Scanning: Our 3D digital scanning removes the need for traditional impressions and supports more precise planning for bite, alignment, and restorative work. Scans are taken chairside and can be reviewed with you immediately.
- Laser Dentistry: Laser dentistry allows us to perform soft tissue evaluations and treatments with minimal discomfort and faster recovery.
Each of these tools serves the same goal: finding problems earlier, explaining them more clearly, and treating them more precisely than older methods allow.
What is Included in a Complete Check Up / Dental Exam at Icon Dental
A thorough dental exam covers more ground than most patients expect. Here’s what your appointment includes, and why each piece matters for your long-term health.
Your Health History and Concerns
We start by listening. Before any clinical evaluation begins, we review your medical and dental history, current medications, and any concerns you want addressed. This is where your care becomes personal.
Tooth-by-Tooth Structural Assessment
We check for decay, existing restorations, and structural risk across every tooth. Early issues found here are almost always simpler and less disruptive to treat than the same problem discovered later.
Gum and Periodontal Screening
We assess pocket depths, gum recession, and bone support to catch gingivitis and gum disease before they advance. Periodontal gum disease and screening at this level is how we stay ahead of one of the most common conditions in dentistry.
Soft Tissue Evaluation and Oral Cancer Screening
We examine the lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, and throat area for any changes that warrant attention. Oral cancer is most treatable when identified early, which is why this is a standard part of every exam.
Digital Dental X-Rays
Our approach uses digital X-rays and imaging that exposes you to significantly less radiation than traditional film. X-rays reveal cavities forming between teeth, bone changes below the gumline, and root concerns that a visual exam can’t detect. We review the images with you in real time so you see what we see.
Bite Alignment and Jaw Function
Bite evaluation is standard at every exam. Misalignment contributes to uneven wear, cracking, and recurring restorative problems that never fully resolve without addressing the underlying cause.
TMJ Assessment
Jaw joint health is evaluated at every appointment. Tension, clicking, limited range of motion, and pain patterns are all meaningful signals. If your exam points toward TMJ and sleep dentistry therapy, we’ll walk you through what that means before suggesting next steps.
Airway and Sleep Screening
We ask about sleep quality, fatigue, and breathing patterns as part of every evaluation. When findings suggest a need for formal diagnosis, we coordinate with sleep medicine specialists. Our sleep apnea screening process has been the starting point for patients who had gone years without the right answers.
Your Structured Treatment Plan
Every exam ends with a clear dental treatment plan. Findings are explained in plain language, prioritized by clinical need, and delivered without pressure. You leave knowing exactly where you stand.
What to Expect at Your New Patient Dental Exam in Denver
Here is how a new patient dental exam in Denver unfolds at Icon Dental, from the moment you schedule to the moment you leave with your treatment plan.
- Before You Arrive: New patient forms are available to complete in advance so your first visit focuses on care rather than paperwork.
- We Start by Listening: Our dentists, or a member of the care team reviews your health history, current medications, dental concerns, and long-term goals before any clinical evaluation begins. This step shapes everything that follows.
- Full Clinical Evaluation: We work through each component of the exam: teeth and gum assessment, soft tissue review, oral cancer screening, digital X-rays when clinically indicated, bite alignment, jaw function, and TMJ review. Airway and sleep questions are part of this evaluation as well.
- Plain-Language Findings Review: After the clinical portion, we walk you through everything we found using your images and plain language. You see what we see, and you have time to ask questions.
- Your Personalized Treatment Plan: You receive a written, prioritized plan before you leave. There’s no pressure to commit to anything immediately, and no rushed decisions. The plan is yours to review, ask about, and take home.
- Next Steps: Whether that means scheduling follow-up care or simply confirming your next cleaning, we make sure you leave knowing what comes next.
Ready to get started? Contact us via our website. Call (720) 645-2153 to schedule your new patient exam, or book online.
Comfort Options for Patients with Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is real, and we take it seriously. The unhurried pace of our exam is itself a comfort measure. We also offer:
- Weighted blankets
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Sedation options for patients who need additional support
If you have avoided care because past visits felt overwhelming, please tell us. We’ll adjust the pace and approach to make sure you feel at ease throughout.
Why Downtown Denver Patients Choose Icon Dental for Their Complete Exam
Patients consistently tell us their visit to Icon Dental is the most thorough dental appointment they have ever had. That’s the experience we build every exam around.
That sentiment is reflected in an Excellent rating across 615+ Google reviews and a 5.0 rating on Opencare. A downtown Denver dental exam at Icon Dental carries a level of care that patients notice from the first visit.
Dr. Nazeli Tarjan, DDS
Dr. Nazeli Tarjan, DDS earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a combination that directly shapes our listening-first approach.
Dr. Brandon Nguyen, DDS
Dr. Brandon Nguyen, DDS earned his DDS from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and brings the same patient-centered philosophy to every appointment.
Our professional dental memberships include:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM)
- Colorado Dental Association (CDA)
- Metro Denver Dental Society (MDDS)
- The Vivos Institute
Location and Hours
Our Denver dental office is located at 1425 Market St., Suite 100, in LoDo, steps from Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall Ride, making it accessible for downtown professionals who need care that fits a busy schedule.
Learn more about our Downtown Denver dental care team and meet the dentists.
Making Your Dental Exam Accessible: Insurance, Financing, and Membership Options
Cost concerns shouldn’t stand between you and a thorough exam. We accept insurance and will work with you to understand your coverage before your appointment.
For patients without insurance, we offer:
The long-term math on preventive care is straightforward: addressing a small cavity or early gum disease is far less disruptive than treating the advanced version of either problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Exams in Denver
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A complete dental exam at Icon Dental includes:
- Health history review and goals conversation
- Tooth-by-tooth structural assessment
- Gum and periodontal screening
- Soft tissue evaluation and oral cancer screening
- Digital X-rays reviewed in real time
- Bite alignment and jaw function evaluation
- TMJ assessment
- Airway and sleep screening
- Written, prioritized treatment plan
Each component gives you a full picture of your oral health, not just a cavity check. Learn more about why dental check ups are non-negotiable for your long-term health.
Schedule Your Complete Check Up / Dental Exam in Downtown Denver
Most patients tell us their visit to Icon Dental is the most thorough dental experience they have ever had. That’s not an accident; it’s how we start every new patient relationship, and it’s the foundation for the kind of care that actually lasts.
Now Accepting New Patients
We’re your source for the most advanced and innovative dental treatment options in Denver, thanks to our high-end technology, gentle and lighthearted patient care, and our mission to provide the best service possible. If you have any questions about our comprehensive check ups / dental exams or any of our general & preventative dentistry services, give us a call at (720) 645-2153 and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. Make your appointment at our Denver office today and you’ll see how much better dentistry can be at Icon Dental!
A little care today means a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Contact Us
1425 Market St. Suite 100 | Denver, CO 80202
p: 720.645.2153 f: 720.645.2167
info@icondentaldenver.com
Hours: 8am-5pm M-F