Dental Exams

 Regular dental exams are an important part of preventive health care. During a dental exam, we will clean your teeth and identify gum inflammation or bone loss. We will also evaluate your risk of developing tooth decay and other oral health problems, as well as check your face, neck and mouth for abnormalities. A dental exam might also include dental X-rays or other diagnostic procedures.

During a dental exam, we will likely discuss your diet and oral hygiene habits and might demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Other topics for discussion during a dental exam might include:

• Any medications you're taking
• Use of tobacco products
• Consequences of tooth loss
• Benefits of crowns, fixed bridges or dental implants
• Use of dentures
• Cosmetic procedures

A dental exam also gives you the opportunity to ask questions about oral health. Regular dental exams help protect your oral health and general well-being. A dental exam gives your dentist a chance to provide tips on caring for your teeth and to detect any problems early — when they're most treatable.

When to have a dental exam

The American Dental Hygienists' Association recommends that adults schedule dental exams every six months — or according to their dentists' or hygienists' advice. Even if you no longer have your natural teeth, it's important to consult your dentist for regular dental exams to maintain your oral health and the usefulness of your replacement teeth.

During a dental exam, we may:

• Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
• Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
• Evaluate your need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement
• Check your bite and jaw for problems
• Remove any stains or deposits on your teeth
• Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for your teeth or dentures
• Assess how much fluoride you're getting through your diet and use of oral hygiene products
• Take dental X-rays or, if necessary, do other diagnostic procedures

During a dental exam, we will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you're taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health. If you have diabetes, for example, you're at increased risk of gum disease. Any medication that contributes to dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay. If arthritis interferes with your ability to effectively brush your teeth, your dentist or hygienist might show you how to insert the handle of your toothbrush into a rubber ball for easier use — or recommend using a powered toothbrush.If you have prosthetic replacements — such as dentures or bridges — we will examine how well they fit and discuss the need for adjustments.Dental exams might also include counseling about diet, smoking and other lifestyle factors that can affect oral health. 

Dental X-ray

A dental X-ray allows us to see detailed images of specific sections of your mouth. Traditional X-ray film is developed in a darkroom, but a newer technique allows X-ray images to be sent to a computer and viewed on a screen. Various types of dental X-rays are available, including:

• Bitewing. This type of X-ray allows the dentist to see the crowns of the upper and lower teeth. During a bitewing X-ray, you'll bite down on the X-ray film holder while the X-ray images are being taken.
• Periapical. This type of X-ray allows us to see the entire tooth and the surrounding bone.  
• Occlusal. This type of X-ray allows us to see the way the upper teeth and corresponding lower teeth fit together when the jaw is closed.
• Panoramic. This type of X-ray gives us a broad view of the entire mouth.  

Oral cancer exam

During your dental exam, we may look for any signs of oral cancer. He or she will feel the area under your jaw, the sides of your neck, and the insides of your lips and cheeks, as well as examine your tongue and the roof and floor of your mouth.

Dental impression

In some cases, we might recommend making a dental impression of one or both jaws to produce a replica of your teeth and oral tissue. This can help us evaluate your bite or make a mouth guard or bleaching trays. We fill horseshoe-shaped trays with a soft, gelatin-like material and place them over your upper or lower teeth. After a few minutes, the trays are removed and used to create a dental cast or replica of your mouth. We might also have you bite down on a soft material to record and evaluate your bite.