Dental Cleaning
Before you even open your mouth, your certified hygienist will need to update your medical history. If this is your first appointment, or, if you are a current patient, it's important for us to be aware of any changes in your health such as new medications, diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy, etc. We also need to be aware of any health concerns, anxieties, or allergies you may have in order to avoid complications and to make sure we give you the best care. And when we say tell us about any concerns or anxieties, we mean it! Don’t be a hero and try to be brave – it’s VERY common to be afraid of any dental procedure. Sometimes, all you need is a little explanation or to voice your fears to make things seem a little better.

Now that you have shared your health concerns, the hygienist can begin working inside your mouth. The first thing the hygienist will do is give your teeth a thorough cleaning by scraping off built up plaque and tartar that collects above and below the gum line.

Next, the hygienist will give your teeth a smooth and shiny finish using a tooth polisher with a spinning head and slightly abrasive paste. The polishing will get rid of any residue that was previously missed and will make your teeth smoother so that plaque will not collect as easily on them between visits to the dentist.

Dental X-Rays
The next thing we'll do is take x-ray images of your mouth so the doctor can see if there are any issues below the mouth’s surface. Today, x-ray imaging is performed by biting down on a piece of specially designed plastic connected to a computer while an x-ray imaging machine is placed against your cheek. (Note: digital x-rays are safer, emit up to 90% less radiation, allow for easy storage, and take less time than traditional machines.) The resulting image will instantly show the visible parts of your teeth as well as the roots below the gum line and your jaw bones, allowing your dentist to see exactly what is happening in your mouth and assign your oral care as needed.

Dental Exam
Now it’s time for the doctor to identify any problem areas in your mouth. The dental exam is different from the initial examination conducted by the hygienist. The doctor will use your dental x-rays to see if there is any loss of bone, fractures, or any other abnormality below your visible gum line before moving on to look for issues with jaw alignment, teeth grinding, and oral cancer. Generally, the doctor will feel your jaw bones from outside of your mouth while you bite down to ensure that your bite is smooth, aligned, and there is no clicking or popping from your jaw joints. They will also inspect the grooves of your teeth to see if any of them have been cracked or smoothed down due to grinding or jaw clenching.

Next, a metal probe with a small angled mirror will be used, which the dentist uses to see behind and between teeth and gums, as well as check for the softening of tooth enamel and dentin. The doctor will also be on the lookout for the swelling of gums in any areas, mouth sores, and redness. Finally, the dentist will measure your mouth’s periodontal pockets, which are the spaces between the top of the gum line and where the gum tissues firmly attaches to the tooth. Ideally, this pocket should only be between one and three millimeters deep, however deeper pockets can be a sign of gum disease and thus should be closely monitored.

Once all of this is done, your dentist should have a full understanding of what your oral health needs are, and will be able to prescribe any necessary treatments to prevent or treat your issues during his consultation.

Doctor Consultation
After completing your dental examination, the doctor will let you know exactly what is going on in your mouth and will advise you about next steps. Sometimes everything checks out fine and we schedule you for another cleaning and exam for the following year. If the doctor identified areas of concern during his exam, he will likely discuss a treatment plan which works for your schedule and budget.