Dental Comprehensive Exam and Cleaning
A healthy mouth and beautiful smile starts with a comprehensive exam. We will examine your gums, teeth, tongue, soft tissue, bite/occlusion, lips, muscles and joint (TMJ) in detail. In conjunction with the oral exam, we will review your medical history with you because your oral health is associated directly or indirectly with your overall health. It is important that we keep the gums, bones and teeth inside your mouth healthy so that it does not harm your general health.
Once we have gathered information and findings inside your mouth, we create a treatment plan that is personalized and custom-made just for you. The plan consists of preventative treatment such as cleaning, evaluation of your gums and bone and fluoride treatment.
Further treatment can include restorative, cosmetic or surgical procedures. We listen to your concerns and requests and we will take our time to advise you on which option and pathway is best to achieve your desired results.
What is included in the oral exam?
Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays provides the doctor with a lot of in-depth detail in your mouth to look for cavities, evaluate the health of the bone and development of your teeth, check for any infections, status and growth of developing children and adult teeth. X-rays provide us with valuable information to formulate a treatment plan that is both preventative and restorative.
TOOTH BY TOOTH EXAM
During the comprehensive exam, each tooth is checked for cracks, cavities, and fractures. We evaluate the condition of any work that has been done on the tooth such as fillings or crowns. We analyze the condition of the outer layer of the tooth known as the enamel and inner layer of the tooth known as the dentin. We will recommend preventative and restorative treatment to keep your teeth in top condition.
Periodontal Exam
During the periodontal exam, we will evaluate the condition of your gum and bone to see if any disease is present. In other words, we are examining the “foundation of your teeth”. Bacteria and plaque can cause your gums to be inflamed, red, swollen causing them to bleed, become sensitive. This stage is known as gingivitis. As the problems worsen, the pockets between your teeth and gum starts to get deeper, you experience bone loss and recession of the gum line. Adverse consequences involves gaps between the roots of your teeth, mobile or loss of your teeth. You may not feel any pain when you have gum disease. Early treatment will prevent you from undergoing complex expensive procedures in the future.
Oral Cancer/ Oral Pathology Screening
Every patient will get an oral cancer screening by both the hygienist and the dentist. We are looking for early signs of mouth cancer. When oral cancer is detected early, there is a 90 percent chance of being cured. We also check your gums, tongue, floor of the mouth, throat for suspicious looking lesions that are signs of a disorder or disease in the mouth.
Aesthetic Evaluation
During your aesthetic evaluation, we will analyze your smile, alignment of your teeth, contour of your gums and listen to what you want for a beautiful smile. You deserve a perfect smile – nothing less. Cosmetic services that we provide include teeth whitening, Invisalign, ceramic veneers, tooth colored fillings and more! Dr. Minh Dinh is trained in delivering to you a beautiful, white, life-like and natural smile through the use of high end material, laboratories and clinical skills.
Bite Analysis/ Occlusion Evaluation
During the exam, we will look at how your upper and lower teeth come together (ie: occlusion, also known as your bite). A bite that is “off” or not equilibrated can cause your teeth to be loose, wear down quicker than normal and can even cause your temporomandibular joint (TMJ disorder) to become inflamed and hurt. We will discuss treatments to relieve symptoms and treat the problems that a bad bite has produced.
Dental Cleanings Are Good For Your Smile And Your Overall Health
Dental cleanings are one of the most important procedures in dentistry. During your cleaning, the hygienist or doctor removes plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. Plaque and tartar (also known as calculus) are the primary causes of gum disease. Plaque and tartar contain colonies of bad bacteria that cause your gums and underlying bone to be inflamed, irritated and bleed. When brushing and flossing normally, gums that bleed is a sign of gum disease or worse, periodontal disease. Teeth are embedded in bone and surrounded by the gingiva/gums. It is important to keep your teeth’s foundation healthy so that they do not resorb and cause your teeth to become mobile. A healthy mouth should receive a professional cleaning every 6 months.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Plaque and tartar are damaging products in the mouth that cause gum and bone disease. With good home care, regular professional cleaning and maintenance, home brushing and flossing, gingivitis is reversible. Signs of gum healing is noticeable in as little as 3 days. Your periodontium (ie: your gums and bone) will be feel better, bleed less on brushing and floss, and have a healthy pink color with good home care and a professional dental cleaning regiment.
When gingivitis is left untreated, your gums and bone will eventually start to degrade/resorb.. The destruction to your periodontium may not cause you to feel pain! This disease is known as periodontitis.
A professional cleaning will reduce your risk of developing gingivitis or periodontitis. Your oral health affects your overall health. When you reduce gum disease, you decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, failure of prosthetics in your body and more. At Lakeside Dental Designs, we look forward to caring for your dental needs. Our goal is to keep your smile bright and clean for a lifetime. Early detection and treatment decreases the need for complex and more expensive treatments in life.