If you are new patient to Southern Smiles Dental Studio, your dentist may do a brief initial exam to determine any obvious problems and then turn you over to a dental hygienist for a full dental exam and professional cleaning. If you have pain or an immediate problem, your dentist may deal with these issues first, before doing a full dental exam. From there, any further treatment depends on the state of your dental health.
During a typical dental exam, the dentist or a hygienist will clean your teeth and check for any issues with your teeth, like cavities, cracks, or chips. They will also inspect your gums for any signs of gum disease. Your dental exam will include assessing your risk of acquiring other oral health problems and checking your face, neck, and mouth for any abnormalities. An oral cancer screening may also be completed in some cases. A dental exam often includes dental X-rays or other diagnostic procedures to assess the non-visible positions of your teeth and jaw.
A dental exam appointment with the dentist usually takes one hour. Depending on the findings of that exam, a follow-up appointment or treatment plan may be discussed. A teeth cleaning will typically be scheduled as well if it wasn’t a part of your basic dental exam.
If you see your dentist consistently, have excellent oral hygiene and aren’t experiencing any dental problems you might need X-rays once a year to examine for early signs of cavities. Kids may require X-rays more frequently since their teeth and mouth are changing frequently.
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