Dental Exam

X-rays allow us to see between the teeth and under fillings, determine the level of the bone that supports the teeth, check for tooth infection … Click to open this link in the same window … , and evaluate anatomic structures and a number of other areas.

Some patients who are especially cavity problem-prone, have periodontal disease … Click to open this link in the same window … , or have a large number of restorations in their mouth may need X-rays updated every six months. For those who are low-risk for cavities and have an otherwise healthy mouth, X-rays may need to be updated every six months. See our dental X-ray … Click to open this link in the same window … page to learn more.

The dentist or hygienist uses X-rays to check bone health and uses an instrument called a periodontal probe to measure how tight or loose the gums are around the teeth. They also look for signs such as bleeding, plaque, and tartar, and inflammation to determine if periodontal disease is present.

Changes in your home care may be recommended and addressed if there are areas that need to be improved upon when you clean your teeth. See our page on gum disease … Click to open this link in the same window … to learn more.

Your risk factors for developing oral cancer … Click to open this link in the same window … will be reviewed, including tobacco use, age, gender, presence of HPV, and alcohol use. Even if your risk is low for developing oral cancer, your mouth and neck will still be evaluated since a number of cases every year develop in patients with no risk factors.

Dr. Gretzula and your hygienist will look at your cheeks, tongue, gums, throat, floor of your mouth and neck to determine if any abnormalities are present. Additionally, the use of the VELscope ® light is recommended for each patient. The use of the VELscope® light can aid in the early detection of pre-cancer or abnormal lesions. Please see our oral cancer and VELscope® page to learn more about our oral cancer screening.

The doctor will evaluate the integrity of any existing tooth restoration, such as crowns, implants, or fillings that may be present. She will feel and listen to your TMJ … Click to open this link in the same window … and check your tooth enamel for any problems, such as cracks or wear that may be due to clenching or grinding, in addition to discussing the actual tooth filling cost … Click to open this link in the same window … . Lastly, the doctor will check for any new cavities.

An aesthetic consultation may be included if there are areas of your smile you wish to improve upon. For a comprehensive list of procedures we offer, please see our cosmetic dental services page.