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Never Had A Complete Oral Exam? Here Is Why You Need One.

December 9, 2019

Filed under: Dentistry — Tags: , , , , — salvaggiodentistry @ 5:40 pm

You may be wondering about the difference between having a regular check-up exam and a complete oral exam. During a check-up exam, your dentist will perform a check to monitor your oral health, address any concerns and have dental Xrays updated if they are out of date.

A complete oral exam is much more involved, by comparison to the check-up exam. Think of the regular check-up exam as more of a monitoring exam after the in-depth oral health information is gained from the complete oral exam. It is recommended to have a complete oral exam every 3 to 5 years, or more frequently if there are any dental concerns or increased risk factors. You may also hear a complete oral exam referred to as a comprehensive oral exam. Listed below are the major components of a complete oral exam. 

What Is Involved in a Complete Oral Exam?

  • Creating a new medical and dental history form, recording any medical conditions, medications, past surgeries, allergies, etc. 
  • Addressing any concerns regarding aesthetics or function 
  • Completing an extra-oral exam to check for any skin or lip abnormalities 
  • Completing an intraoral exam to check the health of the gum tissues, the throat, tongue, cheeks and palate 
  • An oral cancer screening 
  • A check of the temporomandibular joint to assess for proper function 
  • Checking for signs of clenching and grinding 
  • Any Xrays if they are required to check for cavities, bone level, infections, wisdom teeth, etc.
  • Updating the odontogram to record teeth, fillings, crowns, missing teeth, bridges, implants, chips or fractures, rotations, etc. 
  • Updating the periodontal charting, checking teeth for signs of gum disease 
  • Giving oral hygiene recommendations for at-home regimen 
  • Making any necessary referrals to a specialist if necessary 
  • Diagnosis of cavities and determining the need for restorative work 
  • Assessment of the health of previous dental restorative work 
  • A custom-made treatment plan based on the patient’s oral health needs 

It is essential to have your complete oral exam every few years, or more frequently if there is a need. A comprehensive oral exam allows your dentist and dental hygienist to explore findings that may not be addressed with a check-up exam. If you believe you are due for your complete oral exam or have any questions about them, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

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