General dentistry in Boise, Idaho
General dentistry is everyday care, cleanings, exams, fillings, root canals, gum treatment, emergency appointments, plus the preventive work that keeps small issues from becoming big ones. Lamb Family Dental has been the go-to general practice for Boise families since 2003, with the same unhurried, patient-first approach across cleanings for kids, emergency care for sports injuries, and restorative work for seniors. Gentle as a Lamb.
What general dentistry covers
General dentistry is the broadest category of dental care, the work that keeps most patients out of bigger trouble. The American Dental Association defines general dentistry as the practice of preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures. In practical terms, it’s everything that doesn’t require a specialist: cleanings and exams, fillings, root canals, periodontal care, crowns for damaged teeth, emergency care when something goes wrong, and the coordination of care for everything in between.
The conservative approach matters here. A good general dentist catches decay before it needs a root canal, catches gum disease before it needs scaling and root planing, and catches structural problems before a crown becomes an extraction-and-implant. Every patient we see at a 6-month cleaning is also getting screened for everything that could go wrong, the goal is for you to never need the more complex services.
Our general dentistry services
Cleanings & Exams
Thorough 6-month cleanings with comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, oral cancer screening. Kids welcome from age 1.
Dental Fillings
Tooth-colored composite fillings that blend seamlessly. Mercury-free, durable, and conservative on enamel removal.
Root Canal Therapy
Modern root canals aren’t what you’ve heard about. Digital imaging, rotary instrumentation, gentle sedation options.
Periodontal Care
Gum disease prevention and treatment, from routine cleanings to scaling and root planing for advanced cases.
Emergency Dentistry
Same-day emergency slots every weekday for severe pain, broken teeth, lost crowns, and dental trauma.
3D Cone Beam CT
Advanced 3D imaging on-site for precise implant planning, complex root canal diagnosis, and airway assessment.
Also included under our general practice
- Pediatric cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, we see children from age 1, in the general practice, without requiring referral to a pediatric specialist for routine care
- Family dentistry, multiple generations at the same appointment slot; Boise, Eagle, and Meridian families book coordinated multi-generation visits regularly
- Tooth extractions, simple and surgical extractions, including wisdom teeth in appropriate cases
- Custom nightguards and sports mouthguards, for patients who grind at night or play contact sports
- Oral cancer screening, included in every routine exam
Why Boise families choose us for general dentistry
Unhurried Appointments
We schedule 45–60 minutes for routine cleanings, longer for new patients. No rush-you-out-the-door feeling.
Family-First Practice
Grandparents, parents, and kids in the same visit slot. Many of our Boise patients have been with us across 2–3 generations.
Honest Treatment Plans
We don’t recommend treatment you don’t need. Second opinions welcomed, many end up with smaller plans than what was originally quoted elsewhere.
Same-Day Emergency
Acute dental pain doesn’t wait. We hold slots every weekday for broken teeth, severe pain, and trauma.
The 6-month cleaning: what actually happens and why it matters
The routine cleaning-plus-exam is the cornerstone of general dentistry and the highest-ROI dental appointment you can make. In one 60-minute visit, we: remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing can’t reach; check every tooth for early decay; measure gum health with periodontal probing to catch gum disease early; screen for oral cancer; and review X-rays once a year to see between teeth and below the gumline.
Most dental problems are caught at a routine cleaning, when they’re still small, cheap, and easy to treat. Skip cleanings for a few years and those same problems become root canals, crowns, or extractions. The math on prevention is unambiguous. See our cleanings and exams page for the full process.
How to know when to come in between cleanings
Call us between scheduled visits if you experience:
- Tooth pain that persists more than a day or two
- Cold or hot sensitivity that lingers more than a few seconds after the stimulus
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- A loose tooth or a tooth that feels different when you bite down
- A chip, crack, or broken tooth
- A lost filling or crown
- Bad breath that doesn’t resolve with brushing
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- Any facial swelling
How much does general dentistry cost in Boise?
Rough ranges for common general-dentistry procedures in Boise:
- New-patient cleaning + exam + X-rays: $200–$400 uninsured; typically covered by most dental insurance
- Routine 6-month cleaning: $100–$175 uninsured; typically covered 100% by most dental insurance
- Composite filling: $150–$300 per tooth
- Root canal: $700–$1,500 depending on tooth location and complexity
- Porcelain crown (post-root-canal or damaged tooth): $1,000–$1,800
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning): $800–$1,400 full-mouth
- Simple extraction: $150–$400 per tooth
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care at 100%, basic restorative (fillings, extractions) at 70–80%, and major services (crowns, root canals) at 50%. For uninsured patients, our in-house membership plan is $375/year and includes 2 cleanings, 2 exams, routine X-rays, plus a 15% discount on other treatment.
“We don’t recommend treatment you don’t need. Second opinions welcomed, many end up with smaller plans than what was originally quoted elsewhere.”
Lamb Family DentalOur Promise
Your general dentistry team
Dr. Kimball Mack, DMD
Co-lead dentist with broad general and restorative experience across all age groups.
Dr. Kyle Pelletier, DMD
Co-lead dentist with a gentle chairside manner, a first choice for anxious patients and children at their cleaning visits.
Frequently asked questions about general dentistry
How often should I come in for a cleaning?
Every six months for most patients. Patients with a history of gum disease, heavy tartar buildup, or medical conditions that affect oral health typically need 3–4 month intervals (periodontal maintenance). We adjust based on what your gums and exam tell us, not a one-size-fits-all rule.
Do you see kids and families in Boise?
Yes, we see children from age 1 and up, teens, adults, and seniors. Many Boise, Eagle, and Meridian families schedule multi-generation appointments so parents, kids, and grandparents are seen in one trip. Fluoride, sealants, pediatric exams, cleanings, and emergency care are all handled in our general practice.
What does a first visit at Lamb Family Dental look like?
Plan 60–90 minutes for your first visit. You’ll fill out paperwork (or do it online in advance), get a comprehensive exam plus full-mouth digital X-rays, a cleaning if your gum health permits, and a personalized treatment plan. If you just want to meet the dentist before committing, a free consultation is available.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
We accept most major dental insurance plans including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Idaho (Regence and Pacificsource), United Healthcare, Guardian, Humana, and Principal. We also accept out-of-network plans and help file claims. Call (208) 344-6300 to verify your specific plan.
What if I don’t have dental insurance?
Our in-house patient loyalty membership plan provides 2 cleanings, 2 exams, routine X-rays, and a 15% discount on all other treatment for $375 per year. It’s designed for Boise patients without dental insurance who still want consistent, affordable care. For larger treatment, CareCredit financing with 0%-interest options is available.
Do you offer same-day emergency appointments?
Yes, we hold same-day emergency slots every weekday for severe tooth pain, broken or knocked-out teeth, lost crowns or fillings, facial swelling, or trauma to the mouth. Call (208) 344-6300 as early in the day as possible for the widest selection of same-day times.
Book your next appointment
Whether you’re due for a cleaning, need a filling, or just want to establish care with a Boise general dentist, schedule now and we’ll make time.
Patient Resources for General Dentistry
Want to dig deeper into the science of preventive and general dental care? These authoritative organizations publish patient-facing guides on the topics covered above. Lamb Family Dental practices in alignment with current professional guidelines from each.
- American Dental Association, Oral Health Topics, the ADA’s evidence-based patient guides on cleanings, fluoride, sealants, and home care
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH), federal research on tooth decay, gum disease, and oral systemic health
- CDC Oral Health Division, community water fluoridation, oral health surveillance, and adult/pediatric dental statistics
- Idaho State Dental Association, the professional body Dr. Mack and Dr. Pelletier are members of
- Academy of General Dentistry, continuing-education credentialing for general dentists, including AGD Fellowship and Mastership tracks
Insurance and Payment for General Dentistry
Most dental services are covered by insurance at some level. Preventive care is typically 100 percent, basic procedures 70 to 80 percent, and major procedures around 50 percent. We verify your specific benefits before treatment.
We accept Delta Dental, Blue Cross of Idaho, Cigna, Aetna, and 10+ other carriers. No insurance? Our in-house savings plan saves you 20–40% on every procedure. Learn about all financing and payment options.