Dental Exams & Cleanings

Dental Exam

A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit. At regular check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will include the following:

  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.  X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
  • Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
  • Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
  • Perio charting: Check pocket depth between each of the teeth to diagnose periodontial disease and bone loss.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists.  Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:

  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface.  Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth.  It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva.  The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums.  This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

Scaling and Root Planing

The goal of scaling and root planing is to eliminate the source of periodontal infection by removing the plaque, tarter, and bacterial toxins from the root surfaces of the teeth below the gumline.

When you have active periodontal disease, routine cleanings are not enough because they generally remove plaque and tarter from above the gumline only.

Using specialized instruments, we carefully and meticulously remove the plaque and tarter around and beneath the gumline, and then smooth the root surfaces.  This removes the source of infection and helps your gums heal.  As they heal, your gums will tighten around your teeth.

We may schedule scaling and root planing over several appointments.  This way we can promote your comfort, check the healing, and help fine-tune your homecare efforts.