Dental Exams and X-Rays
Routine dental exams are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Routine exams can help prevent large financial costs for expanded treatment plans in the future. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends twice yearly checkups for people of all ages. At this frequency, most problems will be caught while they remain in an early, and more easily treatable, stage.
How it’s done
Dr. Gabriel first reviews your medical history, taking note of medical conditions present and reviewing any medications you’ve been prescribed. He will assess how any new medical conditions or medications my affect your dental health. He will also:
- Examine your bite, and Temporal Mandibular Joint (jaw), looking particularly for evidence of grinding.
- Examine your mouth visually using a mouth mirror, an explorer and high intensity light. He is looking for cracked or decayed teeth in this step.
- Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, and gums will be checked for any signs of oral cancer.
- Evaluate gum health, checking the gum and bone around teeth to check for evidence of periodontal disease.
- Examine your existing restorations (crowns, fillings, bridgework) to ensure their integrity.
- Diagnostic x-rays may also be taken to reveal other issues not visible to the eye, as in areas below the gum line or between teeth. Generally, these x-rays are Periapical (PAs) or an x-ray of the tooth (or teeth) from crown to root.