A complete oral exam will be recommended at your first visit to a new dental office and every few years after that. This type of exam differs from a regular check-up exam because it is more extensive and utilizes a larger range of assessment tools. Your dentist will talk with you about when and why you are due for a complete oral exam before the exam takes place and will also explain what will be done during the exam. To give a general overview, listed below are many typical assessments completed and information gathered during a complete oral exam.
Complete health history
Any medications, current and past health conditions, past surgeries, etc., will be added. This information is essential because your general health affects your oral health. Certain medications and health conditions can affect the health of your teeth and gums.
Complete oral history
This entails a background of your oral health and addressing your concerns with your smile.
Creating/ updating dental chart
Fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers and any past dental work will be charted in addition to any decay, chips, fractures and any dental work that needs to be completed.
Periodontal exam
This exam measures the depths of your gums and the amount of attachment of the gums to the tooth and bone. It is the best exam to assess the general health of the gums and supporting tissues. Six measurements will be taken for each tooth.
Intra/extra oral exam
Assessing the tissues of the mouth and face for any abnormalities or concerns, including an oral cancer screening. During this exam, the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth, throat and jaw will be checked.
Oral photos
Photos of your teeth, bite and tissues will be taken to assess for changes over time. A photo is a great tool to spot differences that may not appear on x-rays visually.
Dental X-rays
If due, x-rays will be taken to check for cavities, bone levels and any abnormalities that cannot be assessed visually or through photos. For instance, a small cavity forming between teeth can only be diagnosed with an x-ray.
Ask your dentist if you may be due for a complete oral exam. If you have any questions about completing oral exams, please get in touch with us to book an assessment today.