Dental Exams & Cleanings
Comprehensive Dental Exam
You will meet the dentist and dental assistant for your initial, comprehensive exam, which includes the following:
- History: Review of your medical and dental history, including any problems you may be having and a discussion of your goals for treatment.
- Dental Exam: Thorough examination of your teeth to look for cavities, fractures, defective fillings or crowns, or any other pathology.
- Gum Disease Exam: Thorough examination of your gums to check for signs of periodontal (gum) disease, and damage to your gums caused by other factors.
- X-rays: Unless you have recent x-rays from another dentist, we typically take a full series of x-rays (20 individual x-rays) to check for problems we are not able to see directly in your mouth. Depending on your situation, we may also recommend taking a panoramic or 3D x-ray for more complete diagnosis of your dental condition.
- Photographs: We take a set of photographs on every new patient to provide us and you with a baseline of what your teeth look like. They provide us with a wealth of information, and allow us to better communicate with you about the condition of your teeth. They also allow us to look back and see how your teeth have changed after additional dental treatment, or if your teeth may be moving over time.
- Treatment Plan Conference: If significant dental treatment is required, we will schedule a time for you to discuss that treatment with the dentist to come up with a plan that best suites your needs and desires.
- We do not typically schedule your cleaning on the same day as the comprehensive exam. That way, we can schedule you appropriately with our hygienist, depending on your needs, after a complete evaluation of your periodontal condition from the clinical and x-ray examination.
Periodic Dental Exam
At regular check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will include the following:
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Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
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Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:
- Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
- Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
- Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
- Bacterial exam: We may take a sample of bacteria from beneath your gums to see what types of bacteria you have using a phase contrast microscope. This allows us to customize a plan for both your in-office and home care that addresses your specific needs.
- Laser bacterial reduction: Depending on the health of your gums determined by the clinical exam and microscopic bacterial exam, we may recommend using an Nd:Yag laser (MVP-7) to reduce the numbers of bacteria under your gums. In combination with a change to your home care routine, this can alter the environment under your gums, allowing health to return when you have a significant bacterial (periodontal) infection (gingivitis or periodontitis).
- Fluoride varnish: Fluoride helps make your teeth less soluble to acids produced by bacteria in your mouth, and from foods and drinks. Cavities and acid erosion can occur throughout life, so we may recommend having fluoride varnish applied at each of your cleaning appointments, depending on your individual needs.
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