by Dr. Thomas Detert
April is Oral Health Month.
Quite often, oral health is a very neglected component of one’s overall health. That is, until, something goes wrong.
A tooth may start to ache, a filling my fall out, or your child may fall and break a front tooth. Then oral health becomes a priority.
There is a growing body of scientific evidence that demonstrates a strong correlation between your oral health and your general overall body health. Put another way, the health of your mouth is not isolated from the rest of your body.
That is why we recommend a complete dental exam, aka the “New Patient Exam” for all our patients. The complete exam is the key that unlocks the door to achieving optimal oral health.
The Complete Exam
The complete exam is the appointment where you establish yourself as a patient of the dental practice. The dentist and his/her dental team gather up all the information that they need to properly assess your needs and recommend appropriate treatment.
We allocate a significant amount of time to this visit.
At this visit you can expect:
the opportunity to discuss your concerns and treatment goals
discuss your medical history including current medications
discuss your dental history including any problems or concerns with previous treatment
a thorough oral exam and oral cancer screening
a TMJ screening
pertinent dental x-rays
a tooth-by-tooth exam for wear, cracks, decay, bone loss, mobility, failing dental work and infection
The Treatment Plan
Once all the information is gathered, the dentist will then explain any findings. From there, treatment options to correct any problems and/or address any of your concerns will be discussed. The pros and cons of the treatment options will be discussed including expected longevity and costs.
A preventative plan to maintain your oral health will be recommended.
A word about dental x-rays.
Dental x-rays are a vital part of the complete exam. Up-to-date x-rays show the dentist a great deal about your teeth including:
health of the bone supporting your teeth
screen for dental decay between teeth and underneath existing fillings
how deep a cavity or filling is in a tooth
root anatomy and proximity to other structures
infection in the bone
Summary
Having practiced dentistry for quite some time now, I can confidently say that the complete exam is the most important visit I ever get to have with my patients.
From the patient, I learn who they are and what they want. From the exam I learn what’s going on.
The patient learns about me, my practice style and treatment philosophy.
After presenting the findings, and options, together we decide upon the best possible treatment. The best treatment isn’t necessarily the most expensive — it is the best options for you based upon your needs, wants, and budget.