A dental exam is a careful look at your whole mouth: teeth, gums, bite, and the soft tissues most people never think about. At our Sonoma, CA office, dental exams are where we catch small problems while they're still small, and where you get honest answers about what's going on. No rushing, no lectures, just a clear picture.
Depending on what your teeth need, we take a full-mouth series or bitewings. Our digital sensors use a fraction of the radiation of film, and the handheld X-ray unit keeps things quick and comfortable. Images appear on screen instantly, and we read them with Overjet AI, which highlights early decay and measures bone levels.
That means Dr. Oliver can show you exactly what she sees, instead of asking you to take her word for it. Our post on how Overjet AI and digital scanning catch concerns earlier explains more.
Most dental problems are quiet at first. A cavity caught early can be a small repair, sometimes even a drill-less filling with no needles at all, while one that's left alone can grow into something bigger. Pairing your exam with a professional dental cleaning keeps it simple: one visit, a full picture, and fresh teeth. Only the treatment you actually need, never more.
To us, boutique dental care means you matter: personal, cozy, unhurried, and held to an exceptionally high standard. At Sonoma Springs Dental, Dr. Riley Oliver's boutique dental home in Sonoma, that means an exam where you feel heard, not hurried.
“What I love most about working with this team is the ladies themselves. They all have sparkling personalities, and they're all really fun.”
Chelsie, office manager
“My favorite part is the positive atmosphere and being able to help the Spanish-speaking community get access to care.”
Monsé, patient care coordinator
“I love that I can be myself in the office and with my patients, and I show it by wearing crazy colored scrubs each day.”
Cindy, registered dental assistant
“The office isn't a sterile medical atmosphere. It's homey, it's comfortable, it's an enjoyable place to be.”
Mandy, registered dental assistant
“I don't normally associate a dentist's office with being cozy and comforting, but this is. The work has been absolutely exemplary.”
Karen, patient
“This place is definitely not judgmental at all. You can open up about your past dental experiences, and there will be no judgment.”
Jocelyn, patient
“Ever since I was young, I dreaded going to the dentist, but I never expected to actually like coming here. They really treat you like family.”
Jahaziel, patient
Dr. Oliver takes a careful look at your teeth, gums, and bite, and checks for anything that needs attention. We use digital X-rays read with Overjet AI to help catch small issues early, and she'll show you what she sees right on the screen. Most exams are paired with a professional cleaning, so you leave with a full picture and fresh teeth.
Yes. Our digital sensors use a fraction of the radiation of traditional film X-rays, and our handheld X-ray unit makes each image quick and easy. We only take X-rays when they're actually useful for your care. If you're pregnant or think you might be, just tell us and we'll talk it through first.
Overjet AI reads your X-rays alongside Dr. Oliver, highlighting early decay and measuring bone levels. It helps catch small issues sooner, and it makes it easy for her to show you exactly what she sees. Learn more in our post on how Overjet AI and digital scanning catch concerns earlier.
It's a 3D digital scan of your teeth that we take at your first visit. It gives us a detailed, true-to-life view of your smile without any goopy impressions. We'll walk through it with you on screen, so you can see exactly what we see.
Yes. Every exam includes an oral cancer screening, a quick and gentle check of your mouth, tongue, and surrounding tissues. It's an easy step that adds real peace of mind. You can read more in our post on why oral cancer screenings matter.
Most people do well with an exam at each regular visit, alongside their cleaning. Some people benefit from seeing us more often, depending on their teeth and gums. We'll suggest the rhythm that fits you, not a one-size-fits-all schedule.
Usually, yes. Routine exams are considered preventive care, and most dental plans cover them. We accept all major insurances and will check your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises.
Call us at (707) 935-8200 or visit our contact page for more options. We're at 17776 Sonoma Hwy, in a standalone office with parking right outside. Your first visit is simple and unhurried: we get to know you, take a careful look, and walk you through everything.
