Routine vs Comprehensive Dental Exam in Tewksbury & Westford MA
General Dentistry
What is a Dental Exam?
Depending on your situation, Dental Exam would be either routine or comprehensive. If you are visiting a dentist after a long time, you may need a Comprehensive Dental Exam. If you go for regular dental visits, it would mean a regular dental exam.
What is Comprehensive Dental Exam
Comprehensive exams include much more than the general checkups and cleanings you had as a kid. They are thorough evaluations of your oral health history and the current health of your mouth, teeth, gums, neck, jaws and throat. Performed over time, these exams can tell you a lot about your teeth and gums. They can detect oral cancers and gum diseases in their early stages, and also examine the condition of any previous dental work done on your teeth. It’s an important tool that your dental team at Comfort Dental uses to formulate a long-term care strategy for your oral health.
If you are a first time patient or a some one not gone to a dentist in a long time, you would need a comprehensive dental exam. During your comprehensive dental exam, we will:
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Taking full mouth x-rays, typically done in a 3 to 5 year intervals
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Full evaluation of medical history
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Check for any problems with the bite and any other that you may not see or feel
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Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
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Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
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Perform a thorough teeth cleaning
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It's typically takes a little longer time for this exam compared to a regular exam. So you would need to plan for an hour.
Why Regular Dental Exam
Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:
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Check for any problems that you may not see or feel
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Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
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Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
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Perform a thorough teeth cleaning
Your regular exam will take about 45 minutes. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, in which we will clean, polish, and rinse your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth’s surface.
What is the Best Frequency for Dental Visits
Typically six months is an optimal time to visit the dentist. For patients with periodontal gum disease it may be better to visit dentist every three months. Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to talk to the doctor about any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.
Scheduling dental appointments is easy at our dentist offices in Tewksbury or Westford Ma locations. Simply give us a call or request an appointment online today. We look forward to seeing you!