Everyone Should Undergo a Dental
Check Up Every 6 Months
When you believe your mouth is healthy, it’s easy to put off coming in twice a year for a routine exam. But that’s the worst decision you can make, as the longer you wait, the more likely you are to face dental issues sometime down the road.
We send out a reminder notice when it’s time to make an appointment. You can easily call us, request an appointment on our website, or click the QR code on the reminder notice to request a time convenient to you.
Prevention:
Routine Exams
During your exam, we include the following preventive & diagnostic services:
1
Discussion with you about any dental concerns.
This is an important opportunity for you to share with us any concerns you may have about your dental (or general) health. Your input helps our dental staff as we proceed with your evaluation, cleansing and remedial recommendations.
2
A visual examination of your teeth and mouth.
We look for any obvious abnormalities … especially broken teeth, apparent cavities, gum disease and, in particular, signs of oral cancer. We also check your jaw function.
3
We take a series of digital x-rays.
Using sophisticated technology, we can examine your teeth and discover breaks, chips, erosion, cavities and, especially, problems with your root canals. Should we discover what we might consider to be serious dental issues, we can use our Sirona CT Scanner to perform a more extensive diagnostic evaluation. Here is information and specific details about the digital technology we employ.
4
We clean your teeth.
The first step in the process is called scaling. We use ultrasonic hand instruments and other devices to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth, and which may have made its way deep into your gums.
The second step is to use an antibacterial mouthwash solution to disinfect the teeth.
5
Finally, we polish your teeth ...
... with a polishing paste which helps remove stains and return your teeth to a more natural color. If your teeth are really stained, we offer teeth whitening solutions in the office and for you to take home. You can learn more about teeth whitening here.
6
Optionally ...
... we may apply a fluoride solution to your teeth which helps to prevent decay.
In certain cases, we may recommend a deep cleaning ...
If we have concerns about the condition of your mouth, or if it has been a while since your last exam, we may recommend what’s called debridement or a deep cleaning.
This procedure is indicated when a normal cleaning can’t properly remove enough plaque and tartar from the teeth due to buildup or there are thick pockets in your teeth. If you do not choose to have a debridement, your mouth will not be fully cleansed. And, most importantly, you may be susceptible to more serious dental problems such as gingivitis or periodontitis (gum diseases).