Full-Mouth Dental and Periodontal (gum) Exam

Our dental exams are thorough, unlike the quick, cursory check-ups you might be used to. Our comprehensive evaluations typically last 60-90 minutes, giving us ample time to assess every aspect of your oral health. We don’t just look for obvious signs of cavities or gum disease; we also conduct detailed assessments that may include digital X-rays, oral cancer screenings, and evaluations of your bite and jaw function. 

Here’s what you can expect from our detailed dental exams.

• Teeth and gums inspections: Our comprehensive dental exam involves a tooth-by-tooth examination. The dentist inspects each tooth for signs of decay, misalignment, discoloration, etc. We’ll also examine existing restorations to ensure they are in great shape. Our periodontal exam assesses the health of your gums. The dentist assesses the color and firmness of your gums to detect any signs of gum disease. Sometimes, we can use a dental probe to measure the distance between teeth and gums (sulcus) to detect gum recession. 
• Oral cancer screenings: Like all types of cancer, early detection of mouth cancer is vital for successful treatment. Our dental check-ups include oral cancer screenings to detect cancerous and precancerous signs. Mouth cancer exams are quick and painless but can save your life. The procedure involves visual exams to detect unusual sores, patches, bumps, etc. The second part is a physical exam, where we use gloved hands to feel abnormal bumps and masses in your neck, gums, and jaws. We’ll refer you to a specialist for further testing and treatment if we detect suspicious signs. Early detection improves oral cancer prognosis by 80-90%. 
• Bite and jaw assessment: Poor occlusion has numerous impacts on oral health. During your comprehensive dental exam, we’ll inspect the health of your jaw joints and bite using a physical exam and 3D scans. Also, your diagnosis features a Tekscan (T-Scan), which measures the timing and force of your bite. Evaluating your bite health helps resolve numerous problems, including TMJ pain, tooth sensitivity, bruxism, and other dental issues. 
• Digital X-rays: Besides the basic but detailed checks, your dental exam involves digital X-rays to scrutinize the oral structures beneath the gum line. Dental radiographs help us visualize your jaw structure to examine your bone health. This way, we can detect bone loss, cysts, tumors, tooth impaction, developmental issues, etc. Dental X-rays also help us visualize the inside of your tooth and roots to identify hidden cavities, abscesses, internal damage, etc.

Once we complete your full dental exam, we’ll discuss the findings and devise a personalized treatment plan to restore your oral health. Whether you have decay, gum disease, bite misalignment, or missing teeth, we have the techniques and experience to restore your health. If no significant problems are detected, we’ll proceed with a professional dental cleaning to remove unhealthy deposits from hard-to-reach areas of your teeth.