Examination and General Care

Examination

Do you know the importance of routine examinations?

Essentially our routine dental examinations help you maintain a healthy, functional smile through focusing on early prevention; whereas delayed examinations can lead to more complex treatment.

This is achieved through the early detection of potential future problems and effectively treating them. By having routine 6 monthly check ups, your teeth and oral region will be comprehensively examined to ensure there are no existing or early forms of disease. By doing this we can prevent problems such as advanced gum disease, broken fillings or untreated cavities (holes in your teeth) developing. Regular check-ups therefore minimise your treatment needs, involve less invasive procedures and reduce your investment in dental treatment.

Even if you have not been for an examination in some time, our highly qualified, understanding and friendly team will have no problem in providing a comprehensive check-up including a full treatment plan and explanation for any suggested treatment.
It’s never too late to get your oral health in check.

As part of our comprehensive examinations, a full set of digital x-rays will be taken. These include intraoral (inside the mouth) and extraoral (outside the mouth) images.

Intraoral images include:

•  Bite wings. These are x-rays that are taken to detect interproximal (in between adjoining teeth) cavities (holes).
•  Periapicals, which are comprehensive x-rays that are taken of a specific tooth to identify localised problems. They show the whole tooth from the crown (top) to beyond the end of the root to where the tooth is anchored in the jaw.

 

Extraoral images include:

•  Two dimensional panoramic x-rays of your upper and lower jaws taken on our digital OPG machine.
•  A lateral cephalogram, which is a profile x-ray of your skull and soft tissues, is taken at an orthodontic consultation (for example if you need braces). This image shows the relationship of the teeth and jaws.

 

All of our x-rays are digital which means that they are low radiation. Once your x-rays have been completed you will generally not need another set taken for two years.

As well as x-ray images, high quality intraoral (inside of your mouth) photos are taken for explanatory purposes and treatment planning, so that you can clearly see what is going on. They are also used to take before and after images of your procedure that you can take with you if you desire. To learn more about this technology please click here.