Dental Exams
In order to maintain a healthy smile, it is important that our Ann Arbor dentists perform comprehensive oral examinations of your teeth, gums, and jaws. With advanced dental technology, such as digital X-rays, we can effectively monitor the condition of your teeth and identify early signs of decay. This part of your preventive dental care visit also allows our staff to assess the state of your gums and their position along your teeth
Learn more about dental exams below.
What Is a Dental Exam?
A dental examination is nothing to fear. They’re quick, painless, and are in your best interest as they provide an opportunity to check in on your oral health. The main areas of focus during your exam will include your:
- Neck
- Face
- Lower jaw
- Lymph Nodes
- Gums
- Tongue
- Teeth (and existing restorations, i.e., fillings)
- Bite (how your teeth come together)
Our staff will also take digital X-ray images of your mouth, if you’re due for them, so we can monitor any arising dental problems that may not be visible to the naked eye. Dental X-rays are safe for patients of all ages and give our family dentists the insight needed to provide the best treatment for you.
What Will Happen & Why Dental Exams Are Important
Whenever you come in for a teeth cleaning, we’ll start by performing a . This way, our hygienists can alert our dentists before the cleaning to point out areas of concern if necessary.
Our hygienist will gently feel along your neck and face for any discrepancy in your lymph nodes. If we do find something unusual, we can then instruct you to check with your primary care doctor. Next, we’ll examine your gums and inside of your mouth for any signs of gum disease or oral cancer.
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Moving on, our hygienist will check for chipped, cracked, broken, or loose teeth. We’ll assess your bite and how your teeth rest together during this time as well. If you have had any restorations, we’ll also see how those are fairing.
At the end of the day, a professional dental exam is the perfect complement to a cleaning and should be sought out every six months if possible. Not only do they help confirm existing dental issues, but they also can help predict those that may come in the future.
Make an Appointment
At Liberty Dental, our family dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, want the best for your smile. That means that dental exams are needed to monitor your oral health. Call (734) 994-0909 today to request an appointment and get started.