Comprehensive Dentistry

A comprehensive dental exam allows us to fully examine your teeth and gums in order to get a clear picture of your overall dental health. This includes taking and evaluating x rays, assessing your bite, as well as answering any questions you may have and addressing areas of concern. A comprehensive exam is important for both new and established patients in that it helps us keep a detailed record of your oral health.

Oral Cancer Examination

A comprehensive examination often includes an oral cancer screening that is able to identify the warning signs of disease. If the disease is caught early on, oral cancer treatment is most effective. A screening consists of feeling the tissues for signs of abnormalities as well as a dye that can detect lesions. If needed, a biopsy can be done to remove suspicious tissues for testing. Those who are smokers or heavy alcohol and tobacco users are at a higher risk for oral cancer.

X-Rays

During a comprehensive examination, x-rays are taken from the inside and outside of a patient’s mouth. These images enable us to take preventive measures in terms of developing teeth and cavities as well as evaluate roots.

Assessing Bite

The way our teeth come together to bite, chew and close our mouth can affect the condition of our overall oral health as well as the muscles in our jaw, head, and neck. To ensure a proper bite, we may offer recommendations to modify and adjust the way a patient’s teeth fit on top and below the surfaces of one another.

Impressions, photographs, and x-rays can be taken to best evaluate a patient’s current bite. A comfortable bite can reduce the wear and tear of a patient’s teeth from clenching or grinding as well as resulting headaches, sensitivity and muscle pain.