What is a dental exam?
Well, a dental exam, especially for a new patient in our office, consists of an evaluation of the patient's teeth, gums, and bite for health and aesthetic reasons. We also do oral cancer screenings on a regular basis. We usually take a full mouth series, which means x-rays of all your teeth. These are done with a digital x-ray, which means radiation is minimal. We also do intraoral pictures because these actually reflect a lot of problems that we can show the patient on the screen. The usual patient doesn't understand x-rays—they're not supposed to; it's a tool for us, more or less. But intraoral pictures really can show the patient any problems. So, we do our exam approach as a whole team: hygienist, assistant, and doctor. The hygienist will evaluate the probing of the health of the gums and come up with a solution for treatment.
Why are dental exams important?
Dental exams are essential because they let us know about the health of your mouth. The mouth is the first gate into the digestive system and usually isn't evaluated by regular doctors. Therefore, you should have a dental exam. A lot of times, you think you don't have any problems, but we can pinpoint just the beginning of a problem that could be addressed and fixed so it doesn't cause a major problem.
What is a dentist looking for when doing a dental exam?
During a dental exam, dentists usually look for problems with the teeth and gums, such as cavities, fractures, or infections. All of that can be pinpointed during an exam.
What types of recommendations might come from a dentist?
During an exam, we can come up with recommendations for specific treatments for the gums, especially if periodontal disease is involved, which can affect your overall health. We can recommend treatments for periodontal problems and dental problems like cavities. We may also suggest aesthetic treatments. Additionally, we can evaluate you for possible orthodontic treatment using Itero scanning, which, within a few minutes, shows a simulation of how your teeth could look. It's kind of fun to discover.
How long does a dental exam take?
In our office, a new patient exam takes about an hour and a half. Some offices only allocate half an hour for appointments, but we need the time to cover all aspects. We also want to talk to the patient about their concerns, what they would like to improve, what they like, and what they don't like. It takes a little time.
Are dental exams painful?
Dental exams are not painful, but I have to say that some patients have dental anxiety and don't like it. So, we try to make them feel at ease. We're not poking or bumping their teeth; we try to be gentle.
The dental examination is a diagnostic evaluation of a patient’s overall oral health and hygiene.
During a dental examination, the doctor or hygienist may:
- check for signs of decay or periodontal disease
- ask about any medications
- take dental x-rays
- evaluate occlusion (bite)
- evaluate jaw
- discuss proper cleaning
- remove stains or debris
- take a dental impression
The doctor or hygienist may also perform an oral cancer exam. This involves feeling around the cheeks, gums, and tongue, under the jaw, and the sides of the neck for signs of oral cancer.