What Happens at a Routine Dental Check-Up?
A general dental check-up at Mona Lisa Smiles covers your whole mouth, not just your teeth. Your dentist examines each tooth for decay, wear or damage, assesses your gum health, and checks any existing crowns, fillings, bridges or veneers. They also look at your bite and jaw function and screen for any other changes worth monitoring, so you leave knowing exactly where your oral health stands. Your check-up is also the starting point for all of our general dentistry care in Barnet.

How Often Do You Need a Teeth Check-Up?
Most patients at Mona Lisa Smiles in Barnet have a teeth check-up about every six months, though the right interval depends on you. Some people need more frequent monitoring because of their oral health history, while others can safely go a little longer. Your dentist will recommend a schedule that suits your mouth rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.
Tooth Decay: Small, Silent, and Best Caught Early
Tooth decay starts when bacteria in plaque produce acids that slowly wear away tooth enamel. Left untreated, it can reach deeper layers of the tooth and lead to toothache, infection, the need for root canal treatment to save the tooth, or even tooth loss. A regular tooth check-up at Mona Lisa Smiles means decay can usually be treated before more extensive work is needed.
Dental Fillings That Blend In and Hold Strong
A dental filling repairs a tooth affected by decay or minor damage. Your dentist removes the damaged part of the tooth, then places filling material to restore its shape, strength and function. At Mona Lisa Smiles in Barnet, we use tooth-coloured fillings whenever appropriate, so the repair blends naturally with your surrounding teeth. If you’re mainly interested in improving how a tooth looks, see our cosmetic fillings, inlays and onlays page.

Signs a Tooth Might Need a Filling
A tooth that needs a filling often gives one or more of these warning signs:
- Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks
- Twinges or pain when eating something sugary
- Discomfort when biting or chewing
- Visible holes, dark spots or rough edges on a tooth
- Food repeatedly getting trapped between the same teeth
Not every cavity causes obvious symptoms, which is why a regular dental check-up in Barnet matters. If you notice any of these signs, book an appointment at Mona Lisa Smiles or call 020 8449 3411.
Your Filling, Done in One Visit
Most fillings at Mona Lisa Smiles are completed in a single appointment. Your dentist first assesses the tooth and how far the decay has spread. They then remove the affected area while keeping as much healthy tooth as possible, and place, shape and polish the filling so the tooth looks and works naturally again.
Keeping Cavities from Coming Back
A filling repairs damage, but prevention protects the rest of your smile. We recommend brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily and cutting back on sugary snacks and drinks. Keeping up your routine dental check-up and regular hygiene appointments with our dental hygienists helps as well, and with two hygienists available every day in Barnet, regular visits are easy to fit in.
Why Barnet Chooses Us for Routine Dental Check-Ups
- Thorough, unhurried examinations of your teeth, gums and bite
- Tooth-coloured fillings that blend with your natural teeth
- A preventive approach focused on catching problems early
- Two dental hygienists available every day
- Welcoming care for the whole family, children to grandparents
- A short walk from New Barnet station, with free parking nearby
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many dental problems, including early decay and gum disease, cause no pain at first. A routine dental check-up at Mona Lisa Smiles in Barnet finds these issues while treatment is still simple, often before you notice anything is wrong.
A routine dental check-up at Mona Lisa Smiles is a short appointment, and the exact time depends on what your dentist needs to check. Your first visit as a new patient may take a little longer, because your dentist builds a full picture of your oral health.
Tooth-coloured fillings can last many years with good care. How long yours lasts depends on the size and position of the filling, your bite and your daily habits. Your dentist at Mona Lisa Smiles checks your existing fillings at every routine check-up, so any wear is spotted early.
For most patients, tooth-coloured fillings are the preferred choice because they match the natural shade of your teeth and are far less noticeable. At Mona Lisa Smiles in Barnet, we use tooth-coloured fillings whenever appropriate, and your dentist will explain the best option for each tooth.
Yes. Mona Lisa Smiles welcomes new patients for routine dental check-ups at our practice on Station Road, New Barnet. You can book online or call 020 8449 3411.
Yes. Mona Lisa Smiles is a family-friendly practice, and we see patients of all ages for routine dental check-ups, from young children to grandparents.
Book Your Routine Dental Check-Up in Barnet
Book your routine dental check-up in Barnet at Mona Lisa Smiles, on Station Road in New Barnet. We see patients Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, with Saturdays by appointment. Many travel from Arkley, Cockfosters, East Barnet Village, Mill Hill, North Finchley and New Southgate.

