Everything starts from a good and
thorough diagnostic review of your oral health. There’s no other way to tell
how well your oral health is than to have a thorough dental examination done by
an experienced dentist who knows what they’re looking for and who can provide
you with your ideal treatment options.
Early intervention and treatment
is the key to your overall health and well-being, including your dental health.
Most people don’t realize that, many times, pain may not be an indicator of dental
disease until it becomes serious and, often times, too late. Decay can begin
between the teeth and progress towards the nerve without pain. Left untreated
it will enter the nerve and cause the dreaded toothache.
Treatment would ultimately be
either extraction or root canal and crown, which is certainly more expensive
and time consuming than a small filling. Did you know that gum disease could
eat away bone at a rapid rate with no discomfort at all? The all-important
comprehensive dental exam is the first phase to a lifelong plan for your dental
treatment, this thorough process diagnoses and records your dental health and
maps out what dental work may be necessary. It’s similar to an architect’s
blueprint that serves as a master plan for a new construction.
A thorough dental exam is designed
to analyze the health of your entire mouth, including the teeth, gums, soft
tissues and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Each of these considerations is
essential in ensuring long-term oral health.
Digital X-rays
Digital radiography is one of the
first and most important tools in monitoring the health of your mouth. These
computer-aided X-rays provide images of unmatched quality, making it easier to
identify and diagnose oral health concerns. Combined with an oral cancer
screening, digital dental X-rays can identify any issues in the supporting
structures in the mouth. Furthermore, digital X-rays expose patients to far
less radiation than traditional X-rays, making them a much safer option.
Digital video imaging
While digital X-rays provide a
clear picture of underlying tooth structures, digital dental photographs are
designed to provide the patient with a clear visual aid of what is occurring in
their mouth. Full sets of digital photographs make it easier to show patients
potential problems in the mouth and more clearly describe any treatments needed.
Periodontal Examination and digital
Charting
The health of your gums is as
important as the health of your teeth. That is why any comprehensive oral
health assessment should include a thorough periodontal exam as well as baseline
gum charting. Periodontal charting consists of measuring the depth of gum
pockets, the areas which form between teeth. Pocket depths are a distinctive
indicator of gum health and are essential in monitoring for issues such as
gingivitis.
Bite Analysis and Examination of
the Temporomandibular Joints
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
is the joint that hinges the lower jaw to the skull. As many patients know,
this joint is prone to causing pain due to several different factors. At every
dental exam, your dentist should discuss any TMJ symptoms you may have and
determine what treatment is best to relieve your discomfort. Similarly, a
comprehensive bite analysis can determine if your teeth need adjusting in order
to create a more comfortable bite and prevent unnecessary tooth wear.
Thorough Tooth Assessments
The most important aspect of your
dental examination would be the inspection of each tooth for both present and
potential issues. These may include minor chips or cracks that you may not even
be aware of but have the potential to cause pain. By identifying cavities
early, the teeth can be repaired before they start causing pain and keep much
more of their original structure intact.
The Dental Disease process is the
same for all ages no matter how old you are.
The objective is to identify the disease before it does any damage. If
it has been a while since you had your last dental exam, please make that
dental appointment, for your sake.
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