Dental Exams

A comprehensive dental exam will be performed at a patients' initial dental visit. Regular exams will include the following:

Examination of Diagnostic X-Rays

Needed for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions for procedures such as implants.

Oral Cancer Screening

Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer. This is a must for prevention.

Gum Disease Evaluation

Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.

Examination of Tooth Decay

All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay.

Examination of Existing Restorations

Check current fillings, crowns, etc. for chipping, cracking and other possible damage that will need repaired either immediately or in the foreseeable future.

Dental cleanings include the following:

Removal of Calculus (tartar)

Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments. Waiting to clean your teeth for more than six months can cause build up of tartar and is more difficult to remove.

Removal of Plaque

Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins or poisons that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease and should be addressed immediately.

Teeth Polishing

Remove stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling. If your teeth cannot be polished to your satisfaction, ask about teeth whitening.

Fluoride Treatments

Floride treatments help prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth's enamel layer by two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost from a tooth's enamel layer when acids (formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth) attack the enamel. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay.

Sealants

Sealants are a clear coating that act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth; premolars and molars, because they are more prone to cavities.