What’s in a Dental Check-Up?
The Dental Check-Up Checklist:
Vitals (blood pressure, temperature, pulse)
Review of current/new medications
Review of changes in Medical history (surgery, allergies, hospitalizations) and if a new patient their Dental history
Head + Neck Physical Examination - Extraorally and Intraorally (feeling lymph nodes, skin, TMJ, thyroid, overall symmetry, the soft tissue of the mouth, the floor of the mouth, tongue, hard palate, soft palate, oropharynx - this includes an oral cancer screening and any visible or palpable lesions or areas in your mouth that may be of concern)
Complete Periodontal Examination (measuring the gum pockets around your teeth, checking for changes from previous measurements if provided, assessment of inflammation or bleeding in your gums, tooth mobility, and bone loss)
The periodontal examination allows us to determine if you may suffer from gingivitis or periodontitis (which is gum or bone inflammation). Based on this examination we can determine if you will require a regular cleaning (without anesthesia) or a deep cleaning (also called Scaling & Root Planing - which calls for the use of local anesthesia in the affected areas).
Clinical/Radiographic Examination of your teeth (checking for cavities that may not appear on the X-rays and vice versa -- this exam should include a thorough assessment where all surfaces of every tooth are examined by the clinician.
X-rays when justified and warranted (checking for changes in bone levels, pathologies, caries, infections). Our clinical and Radiographic examination of your teeth allows us to discover any cavities or carious lesions that may be in need of surgical intervention or possibly remineralizing therapy via fluoride gel/application.
Caries Risk Assessment -- each risk category dictates the future schedule of X-rays, cleanings, and possible prescriptions indicated for each patient’s specific needs
Treatment Planning for anything that may require intervention
Referrals are to be written for any findings that require deeper investigation from a specialist.
Now this all may sound painfully thorough and tedious, however, the actual process does not take very long at all! Furthermore, it is a reassuring and pleasant feeling to feel that you have had a thorough examination and that no pathology or medical condition may be lingering in the shadows.
