Dental Exams & Cleanings in Manchester, NH

If it's been a while since your last checkup, you may walk in carrying a little guilt, or worry about what Dr. Mann might find — and he'd love to help you set that down the moment you arrive. "There's no shame," he tells patients. "We've got to have a starting point." That's why your first exam at our Manchester dental office is a 90-minute visit: time for Dr. Mann to sit with you, hear what's been bothering you and what you want from a dentist, and get to know you as a person before he looks at a single tooth. "You cannot do that in 30 minutes," he says.

Before Dr. Mann joins you, one of our assistants takes a 3D scan of your jaw — the scan we take for every new patient — along with digital x-rays and a digital scan of your teeth. Each one has a job: the 3D scan gives Dr. Mann a starting point to look for anything below the surface that shouldn't be there, the x-rays show him every tooth up close, and the scan of your teeth goes up on the screen so the two of you can look at your smile together. All three are included in the price we share up front, so nothing comes as a surprise.

Enjoying a gentle, thorough cleaning with Kara

Plenty of people remember a cleaning that felt rough or rushed, and our patients are often surprised by how different a visit with Kara feels. Kara has been a dental hygienist since 2010 and with us since 2020, she graduated at the top of her class, and she's certified in local anesthesia, nitrous and laser care, so she can keep tender gums comfortable while she works. Dr. Mann calls her "so knowledgeable, so kind, so gentle, but so thorough," and some patients book an extra cleaning each year just to see her. She keeps up with the latest toothbrushes and floss, too, so the tips you take home fit your mouth.

What does Dr. Mann check for during a dental exam?

Dr. Mann checks your teeth for cavities and cracks, your gums for bleeding and early gum disease, and the soft tissue of your mouth with VELscope, a light-based oral cancer screening, and he looks at each one closely because these problems so often cause no pain at first. He also asks about your medical history, since conditions like diabetes and sleep apnea can affect your teeth, and he wants the whole picture of your health, not just your smile.

How much do dental exams and cleanings cost in Manchester, NH?

The cost depends on what your visit includes, and we tell you the price of your new-patient exam — with the 3D scan, x-rays and digital scan included — before anything begins. We're out of network, but we file your claims for you so any reimbursement comes straight to you. Our in-office membership plan, the Mann Plan, includes two cleanings, two exams and two oral cancer screenings a year, and we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit.

How often should I have my teeth cleaned?

Most people do well with a checkup and cleaning twice a year, and Dr. Mann and Kara set your schedule around what your gums truly need — so some patients come in every two months or every four months while their gums heal. "You spend a total of two hours of your life," Dr. Mann says of those twice-yearly visits, and in return you get to know your mouth is healthy.

Why should I see a dentist if nothing hurts?

Because many dental problems cause no pain until they've grown, and a checkup is how we find them while they're still small and simple to fix. Dr. Mann sees it all the time — a large cavity or an infection that never caused a moment of pain — and seeing you regularly lets him catch those early, talk with you about any changes in your health, and keep your treatment as easy as possible.

How is a new-patient exam different from a regular checkup?

Your first exam is a longer visit built around getting to know you: Dr. Mann listens to your concerns, walks you through your scans and x-rays, and puts together a plan for your whole mouth. After that, your regular checkups pair a cleaning with Kara and an exam with Dr. Mann, who compares what he sees against those first records so he can spot even small changes early.

Recommending exactly the care you need

Our Manchester dental office cares for adults and teens, and Dr. Mann recommends only what your mouth needs — "I treatment plan what's necessary," he says. So if he and Kara find signs of gum disease, they'll tell you honestly that a regular cleaning won't reach deep enough to help, explain why, and walk you through a deep cleaning that will. And if you decide to wait on any part of your plan, you're always welcome to keep coming in for your cleanings while you think it over.

Frequently Asked Questions