Comprehensive Dental Exam

At your initial visit, a comprehensive and thorough dental examination will be conducted by your dentist, in collaboration with the hygienist. Together, they will methodically examine your teeth, gums, jawbones, jaw joints, lips, and skin health, among other areas. Following your comprehensive dental examination, all findings will be presented and explained to provide you with a full understanding of your oral health, as well as various treatment options and procedures. We dedicate the necessary time to each of our patients, aiming to educate and address all questions you may have. After discussing treatment options, we will create a treatment plan and program specifically tailored to meet your unique dental needs.

A comprehensive dental exam is conducted at your initial dental visit. During regular check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will include the following:

  • Medical History: Understanding your medical history allows your dentist to adopt a holistic approach to your treatment, recognizing the strong link between oral health and the prevalence of many serious health conditions.
  • Examination of Your Teeth: Analysis of tooth condition (wear and tear, fractures, cracks) and the state of existing restorations (fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, implants).
  • Examination of Diagnostic X-rays (Radiographs): Essential for detecting decay, tumours, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Intraoral and Extraoral Photos: A record of photos aids in presenting what is inside and outside your mouth, as a picture speaks a thousand words.
  • Oral Cancer Screening: Checking the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
  • Gum Disease Evaluation: Checking the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of Decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay.
  • Examination of Existing Restorations: Checking current fillings, crowns, etc.
  • Bite Analysis: Assessing how the bite affects tooth function and overall oral health.
  • Discussion of Sleep Apnoea or Sleep Disturbances: Identifying signs of sleep disturbances by examining the mouth.
  • Diet Advice: Recommendations on what, when, and how to eat certain foods to prevent decay and acid wear.
  • Skin Care Advice: Guidance on protecting your skin from harsh environmental conditions.
  • Oral Hygiene Care Advice: With a myriad of toothbrushes and toothpaste brands available, we provide personalized recommendations for the right toothpaste, brush, and floss for your specific needs.

Are you due for your six-monthly Hygiene?

Call us now to book a time for your next Comprehensive Dental Exam

If you are interested in getting a Comprehensive Dental Exam then you may also be interested in learning more about Dental Hygiene & preventative dentistry 

Dental Check Up FAQ’s

t is recommended that you should be going to the dentist for a dental check-up and clean every 6 months, however, we are all individuals and some patients need to visit us only once a year while others 3 – 4 times a year.

Some of the many reasons why we recommend routine dental examinations is:

  1. Oral cancer screening
  2. To check teeth health
  3. To make sure there are no issues, (gum disease, cavities, etc) If there is an issue it is always better to get on it early, rather than having it left for a long period of time. In most cases, more work will have to be done to fix the issue if its left unchecked.
  4. To get a thorough dental clean.
  5. To be reminded to floss (haha)
  1. Regular brushing (twice a day)
  2. Flossing (once a day)
  3. limiting you sugar intake (diet)
  4. limit acid drinks such as soft drinks and energy drinks
  5. Balanced diet of fruits and vegies
  6. Avoiding tobacco
  7. Using toothpaste with fluoride

Your dentist should take a full set of dental X-rays early into the doctor-patient relationship. So, if you are a new patient then it is recommended so your dentist has a baseline

to monitor any changes that could be happening in your teeth between appointments.

Most adult patients have bitewing X-rays every 2 year and a full mouth series every four to five years.

But those with a higher risk for dental caries problems may need them every six to 18 months.

Patients with tooth sensitivity feel pain when they consume foods or drinks that are hot or cold, sweet, or acidic. Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel, which protects the tooth’s pulp and dentin, is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Sensitivity can also occur as a result of:

  • Receding gums
  • Tooth grinding during sleep
  • Chipped or fractured teeth
  • Tooth whitening
  • Orthodontics
  • fillings

Talk to your dental professional, and they will examine the affected teeth and recommend treatment to reduce your sensitivity.

It depends – there are different kinds of mouthwash.

Cosmetic mouthwashes aim to freshen breath and to maintain a healthy teeth colour, but they contain fluoride to help fight cavities as well.

Therapeutic rinses work to help treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation.

For more advanced conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation, and plaque or biofilm formation.