Different Types of Dental Exams and Cleanings and Their Consequences
Dental exams and cleanings are an integral part of preventative dentistry. They help maintain proper oral health and prevent and treat oral health problems as early as possible. The procedures are scheduled regularly depending on the patients’ dental health needs. Continue reading for more about dental exams and cleanings in Peabody, MA.
Types of Dental Exams
A dental exam is a complete evaluation of oral tissues by a dentist in Peabody, MA. They vary in type based on the patient’s dental health needs and goals. Your dentist can carry out either of the dental exams below.
- Comprehensive Exams
They aim at establishing a baseline reading for the patient’s entire mouth. The results help to pinpoint changes in dental health later. Comprehensive exams are carried out at the patient’s initial dental checkup. They are repeated every several years or when the need arises, such as before major dental work. The exam consists of:
- A detailed examination of the mouth, head, and throat
- Full mouth x-rays and scans
- Temporomandibular joint exam
- Thorough evaluation of gum disease
- Salivary exam
- A detailed assessment of each tooth
- Review of underlying health problems
- An aesthetic exam to check the overall appearance of teeth in relation to the face
- Occlusal exam to analyze your bite
- Limited Oral Exam
These are evaluations for specific problems related to your teeth. The dentist in Peabody, MA does not look elsewhere for dental problems but only focuses on a particular issue. For example, the dentist will take an x-ray or scan of the tooth and its surroundings after tooth loss. The image will be used to address the issue in that particular tooth.
- Regular Dental Exams or Recall Exams
These evaluations are carried out during routine dental visits every six months. The results of each exam are compared to those of previous exams. Your dentist does this to check for dental problems that may have arisen since the last exam. In addition, during the exam, you discuss changes and address concerns you may have about your mouth.
- Follow-up Dental Exam
After every significant dental procedure, the dental health professional schedules a follow-up exam. It is a chance for the dentist to monitor your recovery and intercept any possible complications. For example, a dentist can perform follow-up dental exams after dental implant surgery. They ensure that the post fuses appropriately to the jaw bone.
Types of Dental Cleanings
- Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis is routine cleaning carried out on patients with healthy teeth to ensure good oral health. It is carried out once every six months for plaque removal. The cleaning also removes surface stains on teeth and helps prevent gum disease. From each side of the tooth
- Scaling and Root Planing
This is deep cleaning often carried out on patients with symptoms of gum disease. Those at high risk of developing the condition also have frequent scaling and root planing. The dentist removes plaque and tartar from each tooth while focusing on the gums. Tartar, plaque, and bacteria are eliminated from the teeth and below the gum line.
If the patient has developed gum pockets due to periodontitis, the dentist cleans and treats them. Next, the dentist will carry out root planning to remove the gum pockets. Finally, they help the gums reattach to teeth by smoothing the tooth roots.
- Gross Debridement
This is intense teeth cleaning performed on patients who have not had their teeth cleaned for more than a year. It removes large amounts of plaque and tartar that have hardened over time.
Consequences of Dental Exams and Cleanings
Dental exams allow the dentist to check for early signs of decay and dental health problems that you may not have felt or seen. They help your dentist in Peabody, MA to help you prevent issues with your oral tissues. The exam can reveal health problems such as diabetes, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and oral cancer.
Dental cleaning focuses on areas of the mouth that is hard to reach during daily cleanings. It stops the advancement of gum disease, eliminates surface teeth stains, and gets rid of bad breath caused by gum disease. Contact us at Premier Family Dentistry for customized dental exams and cleanings in Peabody, MA.