Dental Exam

Small X-Rays

Dental X-rays (radiographs) are detailed images of teeth used to evaluate oral health.

• These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of teeth and gums. This form of analysis can help to identify problems like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.
• Dental X-rays may seem complex, but they’re actually very common tools that are just as important as your teeth cleanings.
• Dental X-rays are typically performed yearly. They can happen more often if your dentist is tracking the progress of a dental problem or treatment.
• Factors affecting how often you get dental X-rays may include your age, current oral health, symptoms of oral disease, history of gum disease (gingivitis) or tooth decay.
• New patients are encouraged to undergo dental X-rays to provide a dentist with a clear picture of dental health. This is especially important if you don’t have X-rays from a previous dentist.
• Children may require dental X-rays more often than adults to monitor the growth of adult teeth. This is important because it can help a dentist determine if baby teeth need to be pulled to prevent complications, such as impacted teeth.
• A dental X-ray allows the dentist to see detailed images of specific sections of your mouth to help diagnose problems not visible during the dental exam.
• Radiation exposure from dental X-rays is very low, especially from digital X-rays now used, but talk to the dentist if you concerned.

Call us at 020 3583 9809 or visit our website at www.maidasmiles.co.uk to book your initial consultation and find out whether this is the right treatment for you.

Extensive Dental Exam

Extensive dental examinations are essential for identifying potential issues that have yet to show any symptoms.

• It is important to get a comprehensive exam during your first appointment with a new dentist, if you haven’t been to the dentist in three or more years, or if you have experienced any significant health issues since your last dental appointment.
• Unlike a general dental examination, comprehensive exams include several steps, designed to identify specific potential issues.

These include:

• Digital X-Rays,
• Gum Disease screening,
• Oral Cancer screening,
• Oral examination.
• Digital X-Rays are used to check for:
• decay,
• cavities,
• cysts,
• tumors,
• bone loss and other potential issues.

X-rays will also allow the dentist to map tooth and root positions,

Monitor changes over time, while also providing a visual reference to better explain conditions and treatment options to patients.

Gum Disease Screening involves an inspection to your gums and the bone around your teeth for any signs of gum disease.

Separately, Oral cancer screening is used to detect symptoms which can go unnoticed for years before. Early detection is essential to promoting positive outcomes.

• Your dentist will inspect your oral tissue for any lumps, lesions or discolorations, which could be a sign of oral cancer.
• This will include your mouth, gums, tongue, lips and neck. If your dentist suspects a potential issue, they may suggest a biopsy to test suspicious tissue for cancer cells.

During the oral examination, your dentist will inspect your teeth for signs of decay and assess the condition of previous restorations, including fillings, bridges, crowns and implants.

Routine Examination

Routine dental exams are the most efficient way of identifying abnormalities in the mouth and preventing potential issues from growing in size and severity.

• In today’s increasingly busy society, it can often be difficult to keep up with everything.
• Oral health, arguably one of the most important aspects of overall wellness, tends to be an area that is easily neglected. This is especially true in regards to regular dental check-ups which can help diagnose problems early and prevent the need for invasive dental procedures. Issues that can be detected early during a dental check-up include tooth decay, cavities, gum diseases, and oral cancer.

Identifying and dealing with these problems early enough not only increase chances of successful treatment but also help save a lot of money in the long run.

Routine examinations include visual inspections using tools to physically check and touch:

• each tooth,
• your gums,
• tongue
• and cheeks.

If there is an obvious cavity or infection an x-ray to be taken. After the inspection, your teeth will have any build-up of plaque removed.

Children’s Dental Exam

Regular dental examinations are a critical part of a child’s preventive health care.

• While they protect your child’s oral health, it also gives your child’s dentist a chance to detect problems early, when they’re most treatable, and provide tips for caring for your child’s teeth.
• During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will clean your child’s teeth and evaluate your child’s risk of tooth decay.
• The exam might include applying a sealant or fluoride to reduce the risk of decay.
• A dental exam for children might also include dental X-rays or other diagnostic procedures.

It will further involve discussion about your child’s diet and oral hygiene habits and demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Various factors might determine how frequently your child needs to have a dental exam, including:

• age,
• health
• and risk of tooth decay.

For children aged between 6 months and 1 year a baby dentist will evaluate your child’s oral hygiene and overall health, drinking and eating habits, and risk of tooth decay.

• They will remove stains or deposits on your child’s teeth by gently scrubbing with a wet toothbrush or wet cloth.
• It will further involve the simulation of proper cleaning techniques and an assessment of how much fluoride your child is getting through diet and use of oral hygiene products. If necessary, your dentist may prescribe a fluoride supplement or apply a topical fluoride treatment to your child’s teeth.
• The examination will also identify any sores or bumps on your child’s tongue, inside the cheeks, and on the roof of the mouth while evaluating the impact of habits such as pacifier use and thumb sucking.

For toddlers, school-age children and adolescents:

• The dentist will continue to evaluate your child’s oral hygiene and overall health, drinking and eating habits, and risk of tooth decay. They may also take digital dental X-rays or, if necessary, do other diagnostic procedures.
• We can also apply sealants, or thin, protective plastic coatings, to permanent molars and other back teeth susceptible to decay, while repairing cavities or tooth defects.
• We encourage guardians to look for problems in the way your child’s upper and lower teeth fit together and to counsel your child about the impact of thumb sucking, jaw clenching or nail biting. As your child gets older, dental exams might also include counselling about the oral health risks associated with: Drinking sugary beverages, Smoking, Eating disorders, Oral piercings.

Your dentist might also discuss the possibility of removing of your child’s wisdom teeth (third molars) at the appropriate age, usually at age 16.

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