Exams and Cleanings

Comprehensive Dental Exam

A comprehensive dental exam is a thorough assessment performed by your dentist to evaluate your overall oral health. This exam is typically scheduled during your first visit to a new dental office or when you haven’t had a dental checkup for some time. During this visit, Dr. P. will:

• Review your medical history: Discuss any changes in your overall health that may impact your dental care.
   
• Examine your teeth and gums: Check for cavities, signs of tooth decay, and assess the health of your gums.
   
• Assess your bite: Ensure that your teeth are properly aligned and function together well.
   
• Screen for oral diseases: Check for signs of oral cancer, gum disease, and other potential concerns.
   
• Evaluate your jaw joint (TMJ): Assess your jaw function and any potential issues such as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
   
• Radiographs (X-rays): May be taken to detect issues not visible during a visual examination, such as cavities between teeth, bone loss, and the positioning of your teeth and roots.
   

The comprehensive exam sets the foundation for your dental health, allowing your dentist to create a personalized treatment plan and recommend any preventive or restorative care that you may need.

A periodic dental exam is typically scheduled every 6 to 12 months, depending on your oral health needs and risk factors. This routine exam is a key part of preventive care, allowing your dentist to monitor your oral health and detect potential problems early. During a periodic exam, Dr. P. will:

• Evaluate your teeth and gums: Check for any new signs of cavities, gum disease, or other issues.
   
• Review your oral hygiene habits: Discuss how well you're caring for your teeth and gums at home.
   
• Monitor previous dental work: Ensure that fillings, crowns, and other restorations are in good condition.
   
• Take X-rays if necessary: Radiographs may be taken if your dentist suspects underlying issues that are not visible through a regular examination.
   

Regular periodic exams are crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing larger dental problems that may require more extensive treatments in the future.

Radiographs, or dental X-rays, are a crucial diagnostic tool used by dentists to gain a clearer view of the teeth, roots, and jawbone. These X-rays can help detect issues that are not visible during a standard visual examination, such as:

• Cavities: Early detection of cavities between teeth or under fillings.
   
• Bone loss: Often associated with periodontal (gum) disease.
   
• Impacted teeth: Especially useful in assessing wisdom teeth and their development.
   
• Root problems: To identify infection, abscesses, or damage to tooth roots.
   
• Tooth development in children: Helps monitor how teeth are coming in and whether there are any alignment or developmental issues.
   

There are several types of radiographs that may be taken depending on your specific needs, including bitewing X-rays, periapical X-rays, and panoramic X-rays.

A prophylactic cleaning, also known as a routine dental cleaning, is an essential part of preventive care. During this procedure, a dental hygienist will remove plaque, tartar, and buildup from your teeth and gums to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. The cleaning process typically includes:

• Scaling: Removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the surfaces of your teeth, including below the gumline.
   
• Polishing: Smooths the surface of your teeth to make it harder for plaque to accumulate and leaves your teeth feeling clean and smooth.
   
• Fluoride treatment: A fluoride application may be done to strengthen your enamel and prevent cavities.
   

Prophylactic cleanings are recommended every 6 months for most patients, but they may be more frequent depending on your oral health needs.

Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) is a deep cleaning procedure that is recommended for patients who have early signs of gum disease (gingivitis) or more advanced stages of periodontal disease. Unlike a regular cleaning, SRP is done to address the deeper layers of the gums and roots. The procedure involves:

• Scaling: The dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and around the roots of your teeth.
   
• Root Planing: The roots of the teeth are smoothed to help the gums reattach to the teeth and reduce the risk of future bacterial buildup.
   

SRP is an important treatment for managing gum disease and preventing tooth loss. It may require one or more visits, depending on the severity of the condition. Following SRP, patients may need to schedule more frequent cleanings to monitor their gum health.

Resources

• American Dental Association (ADA) – https://www.ada.org/
   
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) – https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/
   
• American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) – https://www.perio.org/