A complete oral exam is a dental exam completed at the first visit to a new dental office or every 3-5 years routinely. Think of it as a physical for your mouth. It is the best way to have a complete examination of all oral and facial structures. In addition, it provides updated information and assessments that are lengthier and time-consuming, that don’t get completed during the regular check-up exams every 6-9 months.
During your complete oral exam, you can expect to have some or all of the following:
– Create, review or update the medical health, checking for allergies, medical conditions, current medications and any past surgeries
– Address any chief concerns. I.e. any issues with function or aesthetics of the teeth and mouth
– Extraoral exam, checking the health of the lips, face and neck
– Check the TMJ (jaw joint) for any clicking, cracking, deviation or tenderness
– Intraoral exam, checking the cheeks, tongue, mucosa, vestibules, the roof of the mouth, the floor of the mouth, tonsils and throat
– Checking the vitality of each tooth for mobility, percussion, etc.
– Oral cancer screening, looking for any abnormalities such as colour or texture changes
– X-rays, if needed, to check for cavities, the health of the bone and supporting tooth structures and the roots of the teeth
– Intraoral photos of the mouth and teeth
– A periodontal exam to check the health of the gums and used comparatively with past exams to check for any changes
– Recording any gum recession
– Checking for any signs of clenching or grinding such as wear and flattening of the tooth surfaces
– Creating/ updating the odontogram with any missing teeth, fillings, crowns, bridges or implants
– Checking the teeth for any cavities, chips, fractures or infections
– Making any referrals to specialists as necessary, such as an orthodontist for braces, periodontist for any gum issues or endodontist for root canal treatments
– Reviewing oral hygiene instruction for at-home care such as brushing and flossing
– Reviewing any proposed treatment plan
– Thorough cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque, tartar and staining
If you believe you may be due for your complete oral exam or have any questions about them, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.