Dental Services

Comprehensive Exams

Comprehensive Exams

In our office we like to begin with a thorough consultation which is scheduled for 1 1/2 hours of the doctors’ time.
During this exam many important aspects of your health are explored:

  • Any necessary radiographs are taken
  • Chief concerns are explored
  • History of current concerns are identified
  • Past dental histories are taken
  • Your current preventive practices are discussed
  • Past medical histories are explored
  • Past surgeries and complications that may have a dental impact are discussed
  • Healthy practices for your specific age are discussed
  • Vitamin and Medicines you are taking are identified
  • Allergies are identified
  • A thorough extraoral and intraoral exam is performed
  • Temporomandibular joint is examined and any muscle fatigue or joint pain is identified
  • Oral cancer screening is performed
  • Complete periodontal exam is performed in most cases
  • Complete dental exam is performed
  • Occlusal analysis is performed
  • Aesthetic analysis is performed
  • Intraoral camera images are captured

A review is offered:

  • Specifically addressing the reason you came
  • Identifying any pain or discomfort that needs immediate attention
  • Discussing relevant past concerns that may require modification of the future treatment
  • Discussing relevant medical conditions, past surgical complications, medications or allergies that might alter how we care for you in the future to keep you safe and healthy
  • A summary of your general exam findings
  • Bite analysis and preventive ideas
  • A summary of your periodontal diagnosis and oral hygiene information that enhance the way you care for your teeth and gums
  • Preventive measures that might assist you in avoiding breakdown in the future
  • Dental exam summary and a discussion of a long term strategy to keep your teeth strong and healthy
  • Discussion of any early wear or damage that is beginning and strategies for minimizing breakdown
  • Optional esthetic information that may be unique for your smile

If a second records appointment is needed, some tests performed might include:

  • Diagnostic models
  • Centric relation bite registration
  • Photo analysis
  • Facebow jaw relation records
  • Endodontic tests
  • Advanced occlusal analysis completed
  • Aesthetic smile analysis

Whenever we are reviewing your exam findings it is important for us to communicate clearly the difference between conditions that:

  • require urgent treatment or consequences may be more costly and inconvenient,
  • are preventive in nature and may be a part of a long term plan that will move in the direction of lasting health over a longer period of time
  • and, treatments that are truly optional esthetic choices. Today there are many new technologies and treatments that are conservative and can enhance the smile. Most patients would like to be informed about what is available for their unique situation. These may be fun and enhance the way you feel about your smile and self image, but are purely elective and should not be confused with treatment recommended for your health.