On your first visit, the dentist will introduce himself and will inquire about the problems or issues you may have in your teeth and mouth.
Your first visit will consist of a comprehensive oral exam and your dentist will try to decipher the reason for your visit to the dental clinic. Firstly, he will take a series of x-rays to get a better understanding of your entire mouth. This will allow him to ensure if you have any bone fractures, tumors, cysts and even sinus issues. What are the different types of X-rays? There are three types of X-rays your dentist may recommend:
Simple Dental X-Ray - for individual teeth
OPG - a complete mouth X-ray
3D Cone Beam X-Ray - a detailed 3 dimensional X-ray that allows your dentist to identify any problems which may not be identified in other X-rays.
What is the procedure after having X-rays? The dentist will review your x-rays following which, your dental and medical history (complete health history) will be discussed. Prior to your oral
examination, you have to give a detailed health history which helps your dentist to identify any oral and overall health issues you have.
After that, an oral exam will be performed to check your oral soft tissues, gums, teeth and existing restorations, and any dental decay.
A complete and all-inclusive treatment will be planned for you. Your dentist will address your immediate problems and will also give recommendations for maintaining long-term oral health.
What does the oral examination include? 1) Assessment of your decaying teeth. Tooth decay is still a big trouble for many people. The cavities in your teeth often start in the deep grooves of the back (posterior) teeth or between the teeth where it is difficult to clean them and also hard to detect. This means when your teeth start paining, the cavity is very close to the nerve and your tooth can have an abscess.
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2) Evaluation of previous dental
restorations.
Old amalgam (silver) fillings deteriorate with time and begin to corrode and turn black. When amalgam restorations do not fit the teeth then bacteria can 'leak' in around the edges of the restorations which lead to further decay of your teeth.
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3) Assessment of your gums and bone around the teeth.
Infection in the gums cannot be detected just by looking at them. The best way to identify it is by using a measuring stick called as periodontal probe. The probe is used to measure how far below the gum your tooth is attached. Ideally, it should be 1 - 2 mm. If the measurement comes out to be 5mm or more then, it signifies complete bone loss and destruction, and the bone will never grow back.
4) Examination of the roots of teeth to detect signs of abscess or cyst formation.
If detected at an early stage, the pain and swelling associated with tooth abscesses can be avoided. If left unnoticed, these abscesses and cysts will silently eat away your jawbone that holds the teeth within.
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After your oral examination, your teeth cleaning (scaling) may be performed at your first visit or might be scheduled for a follow-up visit depending on the condition of your teeth and gums.