New Patient Exam & Re-Care Exam
At My Hollywood Smile Dental Hygiene Clinic We Offer An Extensive Choice Of Services.
Who are new patient exams & re-care exams for?
Everyone! A comprehensive dental exam is an extensive evaluation and recording of all extra oral, intra oral, soft and hard tissues.
Re-Care Exams Overview
A recare exam (check up) is an exam that is done on established patients to determine any changes in dental and health status since a previous comprehensive or periodic evaluation. The comprehensive exam lays the foundation for the “routine oral exam” (check up).
The mouth is really a window into the body. Medical conditions may be discovered by a comprehensive dental exam before symptoms show up elsewhere in the body. Diabetes (especially poorly controlled or undiagnosed), systemic disorders such as leukemia; blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, oral cancer, immune abnormalities and sinus problems are just a few examples.
All new patients in our office will go through a COE, as well as all existing patients every 5 years after the age of 20.
By doing a comprehensive exam, we can together devise a strategy for long-term oral and general health.
What is involved?
First, we will collect an extensive medical and dental history. It is important to note any current medications, natural remedies or vitamins being taken. Any medical conditions being treated, previous surgeries or hospitalizations, and allergies are also important to note. It is important to keep record of any previous experience, adverse reactions, or family member reactions to anesthesia. Also notify us of any smoking and/or alcohol habits.
Oral X-rays
A series of x-rays. depending on your needs, will be taken. Most common during a compre-hensive exam is the full mouth series of approximately 10-18 films. This series of xrays clearly shows each tooth and its’ supporting structures, which will help detect abnormalities not visible to the naked eye.
Oral Cancer Screening
A visual and manual oral cancer screening of the lymph nodes in front of and behind the ears, beneath the chin, and neck area, will be carried out. We will look for pain, tenderness and flexibility of the nodes. Also, there will be screening of the lips (inside and out), inside the mouth including hard and soft palate, behind the molars, floor of the mouth, lips, borders, frenums and surfaces of the cheeks.
In addition, we will check your TMJ for any chewing problems, pains in joints and jaw area, and mouth opening abilities.
Gingival Assessment
A periodontal and gingival assessment, which involves probing six measurements of pocket depths on every tooth, will be completed. In this exam mobility of teeth are checked and bone loss is measured, which will then indicate any signs of gum disease. Calculus build-up, bleeding. swelling and recession will be recorded.
Your bite will be assessed, which may include charting of teeth that are crooked, crowded or spaced too far apart, an overbite, open bite or crossbite.
We will chart, in a detailed tooth chart, conditions of the teeth by checking each tooth individually. Also, any work done, decay, leakage, treatments needing to be done, positions of teeth, impactions, wear of teeth, and a cavity check will be noted.
Intra oral photos will be taken which will allow you to see your mouth tooth by tooth to record visually any cavities, microcracks, defects in tooth structure, faulty fillings and crowns, as well as tissue health.
Oral Health Care Plan
Lastly, we will discuss any important findings with you, and together work out a treatment plan, which will incorporate your immediate, intermediate and long-term dental needs.
Gum disease and overall health: there is a link.
Although it is not commonly considered, our mouths are connected to the rest of our body. Research studies have linked gum infections to other diseases of the body such as heart disease and stroke. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body!
Gum disease is one of the most common human diseases. It is an inflammatory and infectious condition resulting from a build-up of bacteria called plaque. Without effective home care, bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) may cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) at and below the gum line. The inflammation and the formation of both plaque and calculus may spread to underlying bone causing bone destruction.
If left untreated, chronic inflammation may eventually lead to swollen bleeding gums, gum and/or bone shrinkage, infection and abscesses, pain and tooth loss. If your gums bleed, the plaque bacteria may travel through your blood stream, increasing the chances of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory diseases and premature or low birth weight babies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How often should I have a COE?
A Comprehensive Oral Examination (COE) should be done every 5 years for EACH patient whether or not you have periodontal disease.
If you have periodontal disease and are classified as a periodontal patient it is important to ALSO have an Annual Periodontal Assessment (APA), which is a branch of the comprehensive oral examination and consists of the cancer screening, as well as gingival and periodontal assessment. It is used to monitor the disease and it’s condition once a year.
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