Patient Interview

The first step in comprehensive dental exams is the patient interview. You'll discuss your dental and medical history with your dentist. This conversation will include stating your current medications, concerns, goals, and expectations.

You might have a pre-existing condition related to your oral health without knowing it's related to dental health so be sure to disclose this information.

The dentist will assess your current diet, risk factors, and hygiene habits to understand your overall oral health.

Disease Screening

A dentist in New York, NY will complete disease screening during your comprehensive dental exam. They'll do an extraoral examination and an intraoral examination.

These exams can detect early symptoms of these diseases:

• Oral cancer
• TMJ disorder
• Gum disease

Detecting oral diseases early is key in treating them.

A periodontal exam of the gums involves looking for color and testing the firmness of the flesh around the teeth. Gum disease that goes untreated can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. This can contribute to other health conditions.

Oral Examination and Cleaning

The dentist exam then continues with a tooth decay check and oral cleaning.

If you've had dental work done before, the dentist will examine the existing procedures you've had. For example, if you have existing fillings, a dentist will look at them.

A tooth-by-tooth exam is more in-depth than a standard dental exam. The dentist will check each tooth in detail, looking for:

• Discoloration
• Plaque
• Chips
• Subtle damage

You'll undergo a bite evaluation, teeth cleaning, and stain removal. Bite evaluation can reveal sources of pain in the gums and teeth.

If you have discomfort when biting down, it could indicate various problems including gum disease and toothache. Evaluating a person's bite can also spot issues in the joints of the jaw and subtle misalignment.

Diagnostic Exams

A New York dentist includes digital x-rays in a comprehensive exam. These are used for diagnostic purposes.

A dentist can only see the surface of your teeth. X-rays allow a dentist to examine the roots of the teeth and the structure of the jaw. You'll be able to figure out if you have underlying problems and damage to your bones.

Depending on your specific needs, you might opt for other diagnostic procedures like radiographs or other images. A dentist will discuss this with you and tell you if additional diagnostic exams are necessary.

Comprehensive Dental Exams: Are They Important?

How often you should get a dental exam depends on your oral health and the advice from your dentist. Comprehensive dental exams are necessary to maintain your overall oral health.

When you make an appointment, you can expect to go through a patient interview, disease screening, oral examination and cleaning, and diagnostic exams.

Request an appointment with us today to get started!