What Does a Comprehensive Dental Exam Include?
A comprehensive dental exam is more extensive than regular dental exams and cleanings. It is a detailed assessment of every aspect of your dental health. A comprehensive exam covers everything from gum health, diagnostic exams, pre-existing conditions, and oral cancer screenings to ensure good oral health. The dentist usually performs a complete dental exam once every 3 to 5 years. Unlike a regular dental check-up, a comprehensive dental exam takes a long time.
What Does a Comprehensive Dental Exam Involve?
Apart from the standard checks of a routine dental examination, it includes the following.
1. Interview
Firstly, dentist 65203 will discuss your medical and dental history. It includes their expectations, worries, motives, and current medicines. To understand your overall oral health, a comprehensive dentist will also evaluate your current diet, hygiene habits, and risk factors.
The professional will also document your previous hospitalizations, allergies, surgeries, or other medical conditions you have. He/she will also find out if you have a history of side effects of anesthesia. Even if you do not believe your pre-existing condition is associated with oral health, inform your doctor.
2. Screening of Oral Diseases
The dentist will perform an extra-oral exam of the neck and head, along with an intra-oral exam of soft tissues in the mouth. It helps to find the early signs of oral cancer, gum disease, or TMJ disorder.
a) Oral Cancer
Screening for mouth cancer is usually painless and pivotal because getting the treatment earliest has a high chance of a complete cure. During the screenings, the dentist in Columbia, MO will evaluate the soft tissues and nearby muscles in your mouth to spot abnormalities. If the professional finds something suspicious, he/he advises you to have further tests.
b) Gum Diseases
The dentist examines the condition of the gum tissues of the patients to detect the signs of developed gum disease. As you know, gum disease can result in the loss of teeth and also cause other health conditions. Therefore, getting gum disease treatment at the earliest can help you rescue a great amount of hassle in the long term.
c) TMJ Disorder
The professional also checks for a painful dental condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
Diagnostic Exams
The professional use dental X-rays to detect issues that he/she cannot find during a physical exam. These include cyst formation, loss of bone, and other abnormalities.
X-rays help the professional check the bones underneath the inner layers of teeth and gums. It is also beneficial in noticing decay or a tooth infection. The professional might also use other diagnostic technologies like radiographs, depending on your unique needs.
Oral Exam and Cleaning
It includes:
a) Tooth-by-Tooth Exam
To determine if you are more prone to developing cavities or other oral diseases, the dentist at All American Dental performs a tooth-by-tooth exam. It includes evaluating the health of each tooth. During this, the professional will check for a slight plaque build-up, discoloration, chipping, or damage to the tooth.
b) Examination of Existing Dental Work
The expert will also check your existing restorations to find damage, discoloration, or plaque build-up.
c) Bite Evaluation
Bite evaluation helps the dentist find the main cause of pain and other discomfort in the gums and teeth. As you know, bite problems can cause risks like excess tooth wear, TMJ disorder, or loose teeth.
d) Cosmetic Evaluation
During a comprehensive dental examination, the professional also detects cosmetic problems like damage or stains on the teeth. In that case, he/she uses cosmetic dental treatments like veneers, professional teeth whitening, etc.
e) Stain Removal and Cleaning of Teeth
Professionals will also clean the build-up of stains on the teeth thoroughly to ensure a healthy set of the mouth. Book a dental exam and cleaning near you today.
Aesthetics
Strangely shaped teeth or overcrowded teeth form crannies. Even a toothbrush cannot reach it. It ultimately results in the build-up of tartar and plaque in these corners. When this happens, it increases the bacteria, which may cause infections in other areas. Therefore, the dentist also evaluates the back, front, and in between the teeth to ensure good aesthetics.
If you have sealants, the dentist will also check them during the semi-annual dental check-up. With time, they can become damaged or worn down. When this happens, sealants are no longer effective and might require replacement. In a few cases, damaged sealant lets the bacteria accumulate between it and the tooth.