Dentists evaluate the full scope of your oral health through a dental exam. At Paramount Dental in Elk Grove, we know that regular exams improve oral health by identifying small dental concerns before they become more serious. To schedule your dental exam visit, call Paramount Dental at (916) 333-0609.
The Benefits of Dental Exams
A dental exam helps your dentist provide you with quality preventive care, diagnose oral health issues early, and create treatment plans for addressing those diagnosed conditions.
Regular dental exams provide many benefits for your dental health. They help your dentist to provide you with excellent preventative care; enable your dentist to diagnose potential oral health problems earlier than later stages; and provide the basis for creating a customized treatment plan to address the diagnosed problem.
Your dentist provides you with improved oral health by:
- Evaluating the teeth for cavities, cracks, chips, enamel wear, and sensitivity concerns.
- Checking the gums for inflammation, recession, bleeding, pocketing, and signs of gum disease.
- Accessing fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants for fit and function.
- Evaluating the alignment of your upper and lower teeth, the jaws, and any possible grinding or clenching of your teeth.
- Screening lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, throat area, and other soft tissues for cancer.
- Using X-rays to view areas that cannot be seen during a visual exam.
- Creating a personalized plan of care to maintain your oral health.
Dental Exam Process
Your dental exam begins with a review of your medical history, dental history, medications, and any symptoms or concerns you have noticed.
Examination
Our dentist assesses the health of each of your teeth, checking for cavities, cracks, worn-out enamel, and discoloration, as well as checking proper fit and functionality of your existing fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
Gum and Bite Review
Your gums are examined for signs of redness, swelling, receding, bleeding upon probing, and periodontal pockets. Your Jaw and bite are evaluated for evidence of bruxism (grinding/clenching), an uneven bite, and joint pain related to jaw disorders.
Soft-Tissue and Cancer Screening
The dentist examines the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, throat area, and other oral tissues for signs of cancer. This assessment typically involves a VELscope screening using a blue spectrum light to assist in identifying tissue color variations that might not be evident in a conventional visual examination.
Dental X-Rays If Required
Depending on your needs, symptoms, dental history, risks, and the amount of time it has been since your last radiograph(s), x-rays may be ordered to examine areas below the surface and/or in-between your teeth. The images obtained from x-rays help your dentist understand the severity of any issues present.
Developing a Personalized Treatment Plan
Following your dental exam your dentist will discuss the findings with you and suggest a course of action. A simple course of action may merely involve continuing your home care practices and scheduling your next preventive visit. Alternatively, suggested courses of action may include a deeper cleaning of your teeth and gums; replacement of any failing fillings; repair of any damaged dental work; or recommendation to wear either a night guard or sports mouth guard.
Good Candidates for Exams & Exam Alternatives
Patients of all ages, including new patients, returning patients, or anyone who notices a change in their smile benefit from regular dental exams.
It is especially important to schedule a dental exam if you have:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- A broken, chipped, cracked, or loose tooth
- Loose fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, or implants
- Jaw pain, headaches, or signs of clenching and grinding
- Dry mouth or persistent bad breath
- A mouth sore or lump that does not heal
- A change in the soft tissue color of your mouth
A dental exam is the starting point for diagnosis and dental treatment planning, so there is no alternative to regular dental exams.
Dental Exam Cost & Insurance Coverage
The cost of a dental exam depends on:
- Whether you are a new or returning patient
- Whether x-rays are required
- Whether VELscope screening is included
- Whether a cleaning or additional diagnostic service is provided at the same visit.
Most dental insurance plans cover routine exams as part of preventive care. However, coverage, frequency limits, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan. Our office team in Elk Grove will review your insurance plan benefits and provide you an estimate any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
Ask us about new patient promotions, payment options, or financing options that may be available, especially if you do not have dental insurance.
After Your Dental Exam
Following your dental exam, the dentist will inform you what was found, good or bad, and recommend a plan to maintain or improve your oral health.
Maintaining your oral health involves:
- Brushing twice daily with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning in between teeth once daily with floss or a flossing tool
- Avoiding or limiting eating/drinking excessive amounts of sugar
- Scheduling routine exams and cleanings
- Wearing a nightguard or sports mouthguard if recommended
- Calling our office at (916) 333-0609 if you develop tooth pain, swelling, bleeding gums, a cracked tooth, or a mouth sore that does not go away
While routine exams, professional cleanings, and home care routines are all key components in helping maintain your oral health and prevent various types of dental problems, they are most effective when practiced consistently over time.
Dental Exam Frequently Asked Questions
What does a dental exam include?
A dental exam evaluates the condition of your teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints, existing dental work, and oral soft tissues. If necessary, x-rays and a VELscope screening may be used along with the visual exam.
What is VELscope screening?
The purpose of the screening is to rule out early cancer signs in the soft tissue of your mouth. The VELscope tool uses a blue spectrum light that allows dental professionals to better see changes in soft tissues within the mouth. This screening does not replace diagnosis, biopsy, or treatment when abnormalities are identified.
Should I have a dental examination even though I don’t feel any pain?
Yes. Many common oral health issues such as cavities, gum disease, tooth fractures, bone loss or soft tissue changes often begin developing without causing any pain. Dental exams identify these concerns before they become painful.
How often should I schedule a dental exam?
We recommend that patients schedule their routine examinations twice annually as part of their scheduled cleanings. Depending on your specific situation your dentist may recommend different frequencies.
Will I need x-rays?
Our dentist will only recommend x-rays based on your symptoms, dental history, risk level, and the length of time since your last radiographs.
Does VELscope screening hurt?
Patients should feel no discomfort. VELscope screening is non-invasive and does not require injections, rinses, or tissue removal.
Is a dental exam the same service as a dental cleaning?
A dental exam helps to evaluate and diagnose oral health issues. A dental cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth. Although some patients receive both services simultaneously, they represent two distinct processes.
What information should I share with the dentist during my exam?
Share with your dentist any tooth pain, sensitivities, bleeding gums, jaw discomfort, dry mouth, loose dental work, recent medical changes, medications, tobacco use, and sores, lumps, or color changes you have noticed in your mouth.
Improve and maintain your oral health with preventive dentistry services from Paramount Dental.