How Often Should I Get a Comprehensive Dental Exam?

May 3, 2021

We at OliveTree Dentistry believe in prevention rather than treating dental problems after they develop. That’s why we offer outstanding preventive services, including comprehensive dental exams. Dr. Koshy and her exceptional team never spare any effort to ensure you and your loved ones maintain healthy smiles for a lifetime. 

All About Comprehensive Dental Exams

A comprehensive dental exam is more extensive than your twice-a-year routine dental exams and cleanings. It involves an in-depth evaluation of all aspects of your oral health. The information we collect provides a baseline we use to make recommendations for future preventive and restorative dental care. 

How Often Should You Schedule Your Comprehensive Dental Exam?

At OliveTree Dentistry, we recommend a comprehensive exam for all our new patients and every three years for our existing ones. It’s also vital that you maintain your routine dental exams and cleanings every six months, and in some cases more frequently, depending on your unique needs. That will allow us to monitor your oral health and restorations to ensure you maintain a healthy smile.

What Should You Expect During Your Comprehensive Dental Exam?

We will start by asking you about your dental and medical history, previous or current complaints, and if you’d like to change anything about the appearance of your smile. 

Here’s what typically takes place during a comprehensive dental exam:

Digital Dental X-Rays: We will take digital dental x-rays to help us uncover problems we can’t see during a physical examination, including tooth decay, bone loss, cysts, or any other abnormalities. 

Tooth By Tooth Examination: A tooth by tooth examination will evaluate the health of each of your teeth and will determine the condition of your tooth enamel to see if you are at risk of developing cavities. We will also examine each of your restorations to rule out any damage. 

Periodontal (Gum) Evaluation: We will assess the health of your gums to rule out periodontal disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Early detection of gum disease delivers promising treatment outcomes.

Bite Analysis: We will evaluate the health of your occlusion (bite). Problems with the bite can result in a host of complications, including loose teeth, excessive tooth wear, and a painful condition known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

Oral Cancer Screening: This simple and painless exam is often a life-saver. We will evaluate the soft tissue in your oral cavity and the surrounding muscles to rule out abnormalities. If we find anything that looks suspicious, we will recommend further testing. Oral cancer screenings are vital because early treatment has an excellent chance for a complete cure. 

Smile Analysis: We will evaluate your unique needs and may recommend one or more cosmetic dentistry services to enhance the appearance of your smile. These include teeth whitening, dental veneers, cosmetic dental fillings, and dental bonding. We may also recommend restoring missing teeth or correcting misshapen or misaligned teeth. 

What Happens Next?

We will create a fully customized treatment plan including immediate restorative needs, preventive measures, and cosmetic dentistry services you may require. Our goal is to ensure you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile for many years to come. 

Comprehensive Dental Exams in Sunnyvale, TX

Visit OliveTree Dentistry in Sunnyvale, TX, to learn more about our comprehensive dental exams and the quality preventive services we offer. You can always count on Dr. Koshy and her outstanding team for care that exceeds your expectations! Call us at 469-248-3455 and schedule your appointment today!

Request Your Appointment Today

Please click the link to conveniently schedule your appointment with OliveTree Dentistry. A member of our team will contact you to confirm your selection. We look forward to caring for your smile!