◆ Save $500 on Invisalign
Includes our 3-year results guarantee with 2 rounds of refinements
Flexible financing — because your smile shouldn't wait
We work with CareCredit to make treatment affordable. Apply in minutes with no hard credit pull.
◆ Save $500 on Invisalign
Includes our 3-year results guarantee with 2 rounds of refinements
We work with CareCredit to make treatment affordable. Apply in minutes with no hard credit pull.
A quick, painless check during your regular dental visit could be the single most important few minutes of that entire appointment. Oral cancer often develops silently, without pain or obvious symptoms in its earliest and most treatable stages, which means the people most likely to catch it in time are the ones who never skip their routine screenings.
At White Pine Family Dental, we build an oral cancer screening into every comprehensive exam because early detection changes outcomes. Our Reno team has spent over 30 years getting to know our patients individually, and that familiarity with your mouth, your history, and your risk factors helps us notice subtle changes over time that might otherwise go unnoticed.
An oral cancer screening is a visual and physical examination of your mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, throat, and neck. We look and feel for unusual lumps, discoloration, sores that will not heal, or texture changes in the soft tissue. This is a standard part of our dental exams and check-ups, so most patients receive one without needing to schedule anything extra.
The exam typically takes only a couple of minutes and involves no discomfort. We check the front and sides of the tongue, the floor and roof of the mouth, the gum tissue, and the lymph nodes in the neck. If anything looks or feels irregular, we discuss it with you directly, explain what we are watching for, and outline next steps, which may include a follow-up visit, further imaging, or a referral for biopsy.
Every adult patient benefits from a screening at each recurring exam, regardless of age or perceived risk, because oral cancer can affect people who have no obvious risk factors at all. That said, certain habits and exposures raise the likelihood of developing oral cancer, and knowing your own risk profile helps you understand why consistent screening is so important.
Tobacco use, whether smoked or smokeless, remains one of the most significant contributors to oral cancer risk, and heavy alcohol consumption compounds that risk further. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, has also become an increasingly recognized factor. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, roughly 58,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and an estimated 70% of newly diagnosed oropharyngeal cancers are now linked to HPV, a trend that is rising among younger, non-smoking adults. This shift is part of why we treat screening as essential for every patient, not just those who smoke or drink heavily.
Oral cancer is far more treatable when caught early, but it is also notoriously difficult to detect on your own because the earliest lesions seldom cause any pain. By the time symptoms like persistent soreness, difficulty swallowing, or a lump become noticeable, the disease has often progressed. This is exactly why a routine professional screening carries so much weight, as it catches what you can’t check in the mirror at home.
We also encourage you to watch for warning signs between visits so you know when to reach out sooner rather than waiting for your next scheduled exam. These include:
If you notice any of these changes, do not wait for your next scheduled cleaning. Reaching out promptly gives us the best chance to evaluate it early and determine whether further testing is needed.
Choosing where to go for your dental care is really a decision about who you trust to notice the things you might miss. Our doctors have built their careers on getting to know Reno families closely, and that relationship-driven approach means we’re more likely to catch subtle changes in your oral health because we know what is normal for you. We also go beyond our own clinical experience by pursuing ongoing education to stay current on detection methods and best practices.
We also believe screenings should feel like a natural, unhurried part of your visit rather than a rushed afterthought. Whether you are here for a routine cleaning or a specific concern, we take the time to explain what we are checking for and why, so you always understand your own oral health rather than just hearing that everything looks fine.
White Pine Family Dental · Reno, NV
New patient exam
Comprehensive initial visit
Teeth cleaning
Routine professional cleaning
Teeth whitening
Professional in-office treatment
Dental bonding
Cosmetic bonding per tooth
Dental crown
Build-up available: +$419
Dental bridge
Pontic $1,696 · Retainer/abutment $1,708
Dentures
Per arch
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Our Reno team is happy to walk you through your options — no pressure, no commitment.
Prices are starting rates and may vary based on individual treatment needs. Contact our office for a personalized estimate and to discuss your insurance coverage.
Protecting your health doesn’t require a separate appointment or extra effort on your part. It simply means keeping up with the regular visits where our team is already looking out for you, and speaking up if anything feels or looks different between visits. That consistency is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do for both your oral and overall health over the long term.
If it has been a while since your last exam, or if you’ve noticed a change that concerns you, we would rather see you sooner than later. Contact our office today to schedule your next visit with White Pine Family Dental, and let our experienced Reno team give your mouth the thorough, attentive check it deserves for your full peace of mind.
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Phone: (775) 825-6655
Fax: (775) 825-8691
