A dental exam gives your dentist a complete view of your oral health before small concerns become bigger problems. At Paramount Dental, your exam includes an evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints, restorations, oral tissues, and VELscope screening.
These regular exams help identify early signs of decay, gum disease, bone loss, bite wear, cracked teeth, failing restorations, or soft-tissue changes before they become more significant problems.
Schedule A Dental Exam Consultation
Benefits
A dental exam helps understand your overall oral health by:
- Assessing your teeth for cavities, enamel wear, cracks, chips and tooth sensitivity concerns.
- Evaluating your gums for signs of healthy gums vs. gum disease, receding gums, bleeding gums, pockets formed due to infection, and signs of bone loss.
- Reviewing the condition of your restorations (crowns, bridges, dentures, implants) to ensure they’re functioning properly and haven’t deteriorated.
- Evaluating your bite alignment (the way your upper and lower teeth align), jaw joints and evidence of bruxism (grinding/clenching).
- Using a VELscope screening to visually inspect soft tissues (lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, throat area) for any changes in tissue color that may indicate oral cancer.
- Taking dental x-rays to assess areas that aren’t visible during a visual inspection.
What to Expect
Medical and Dental History
After reviewing your health history, prescribed medications, and dental background, we ask you if you have any concerns. It is important to let our dental team know if you have experienced any recent tooth pain, bleeding gums, sensitivity, or jaw discomfort so that we can ensure that we focus on these areas during the exam.
Evaluation of Teeth and Existing Restorations
Your teeth are carefully examined for evidence of cavities, cracks, worn enamel, discoloration, and other areas of concern. Existing fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants are also examined to ensure they are in good condition, fit well, and function properly.
Gum and Bite Examination
We examine your gums for signs of inflammation, redness, swelling, recession, bleeding, and pocketing. In addition, we will evaluate your bite to look for signs of grinding, clenching, or unbalanced forces on the teeth.
Soft-Tissue, Oral Cancer, and VELscope Screening
During this part of your appointment, we visually examine your lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, and throat area for unusual tissue color or growth. VELscope screening, which involves shining special blue spectrum lights around the inside of your mouth, helps us see tissue color changes that may not be apparent by the naked eye.
Dental X-Rays if Necessary
If due to symptoms, dental history, and/or the length of time since your last radiographic images were taken, X-rays may be requested by your dentist. These images allow the dentist to diagnose various concerns such as undetected decay, bone loss, infection, impacted teeth, cysts or tumors, and root-related issues.
Treatment Options
Once the examination is completed, your dentist will let you know what her/his findings were and recommend a treatment plan. Treatment options range from simply maintaining good oral hygiene practices to scheduling a professional cleaning, repairing or replacing defective dental restorations, recommending a night guard or sports mouthpiece, or whatever treatment addresses your particular situation.
Candidacy & Alternatives
Dental exams are for patients of all ages, including new patients, returning patients, and anyone who has noticed a change in their smile. Exams are especially important if you have tooth pain, swelling or bleeding gums, a broken tooth, loose dental work, jaw pain, dry mouth, or an oral sore that is not healing.
Some of our patients benefit from more frequent dental exams if they:
- Experience gum disease
- Get frequent cavities
- Have diabetes
- Are pregnant
- Experience dry mouth
- Regularly use tobacco
- Have orthodontic appliances or restorations
- Have a history of oral health concerns.
Because a dental exam is the foundation for diagnosis and treatment planning, there are no recommended alternatives.
Exam Cost & Dental Insurance
The cost of a dental exam depends on whether you are a new or returning patient. Also factored into the cost are x-rays if needed, VELscope screening, and whether a cleaning or other diagnostic service is provided.
Most dental insurance plans cover routine exams as part of preventive services. Because each plan is different, our office team will review your specific coverage and estimate any out-of-pocket expenses prior to treatment.
New patient promotions, payment options, or financing choices can be discussed with the office staff.
Aftercare & Maintenance
After your examination, your dentist will provide guidance on how best to maintain good oral hygiene.
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once daily.
- Schedule regular cleanings and exams with your dentist.
- Limit food and drinks that have a high sugar content.
- If recommended, wear a night guard or sports guard as instructed by your dentist.
- Contact (916) 898-0003 if you experience a toothache, oral pain or swelling, or bleeding gums, a cracked or broken tooth, or a mouth sore that won’t go away.
Dental Exam FAQs
What does a dental exam include?
A standard dental examination includes an evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints, existing dental work, and oral soft tissues. When appropriate, x-rays and VELscope screening may be used in combination with this visual inspection.
What is VELscope screening?
Veloscope is a supplemental oral screening device used by dental professionals to detect changes in oral soft tissues. Veloscope works by emitting a specialized blue-spectrum light that enhances the visualization of these tissues. While veloscope can help detect abnormalities that may warrant further investigation it does not substitute for diagnosis/biopsy.
Why do I need to see my dentist if nothing hurts?
Many oral health problems develop without warning signs such as pain. Examples of untreated problems include cavities, gum disease, cracks in a tooth, bite wear, bone loss, and soft-tissue changes. Regular examinations enable detection of these concerns at an early stage.
How often do I need a dental exam?
Dental exams are recommended at least twice a year, along with your professional cleanings. Some patients require exams more often if they are suffering from gum disease, frequent cavities, dry mouth, or have other complex dental challenges.
Are dental x-rays taken at every examination?
No they are not always taken at every examination. X-rays are generally recommended based on symptoms, dental history, risk level, and the length of time since your dentist last obtained radiographic images.
Is VELscope screening uncomfortable?
No, VELscope screening doesn’t involve any invasive procedures. No injections, rinses, or tissue excisions are involved. Your dentist uses a specialized light source to examine the soft tissues within your mouth
Is a dental exam the same as a dental cleaning?
No these two procedures serve different purposes. A dental cleaning involves removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth, while a dental examination provides diagnostic screening and planning for future treatment. Most people undergo both procedures simultaneously, but they are separate procedures.
What should I tell the dentist during my exam?
Tell your dentist about tooth pain, sensitivity, bleeding gums, jaw discomfort, dry mouth, loose dental work, recent medical changes, medications, or any sores or spots you have noticed in your mouth.