Oral Evaluation and Cleaning

A standard dental exam covers all the basics, looking at the teeth and mouth condition. During comprehensive dental exams at Spring Leaf Dentistry, our staff looks into your dental health with much greater depth and detail. American Dental Association recommends everyone get their comprehensive dental exam twice a year. Doing so will help avoid pain, tooth loss, and expensive restorative dentistry procedures.

During a comprehensive dental exam, our staff will perform a tooth-by-tooth exam, checking for discoloration, plaque, chips, and slight damage. We'll also conduct a periodontal exam, examining the gums for color, firmness, and any signs of receding or bleeding, which can indicate gum disease. Additionally, we'll evaluate your bite to identify any sources of pain, misalignment, or issues with the jaw joints.

Beyond the standard checks, we also offer additional tests to ensure a complete evaluation of your oral health. We'll assess the aesthetics of your teeth, looking at their whiteness and straightness, and check for overcrowding or uneven teeth that can create hard-to-reach areas for plaque and tartar accumulation. We'll also take X-rays to examine the jaw's bone structure and the roots of the teeth, revealing damage that may not be visible to the naked eye. And, we'll also conduct a cancer screening to detect any signs of oral cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.

What does a comprehensive dental exam involve?

Besides the usual standard checks of a regular dental exam, a comprehensive exam goes into detail. The extra attention includes:

  • Tooth-by-tooth exam: Tooth-by-tooth exam checks each tooth in detail. The dentist looks not just at discoloration and plaque but also for chips and slight damage. The dental exam also includes checking the condition of existing fillings or other repair work.
  • Periodontal exam: We examine the gums, looking at the color, and testing the firmness of the flesh around the teeth. Receded or bleeding gums are an indicator of ill dental health. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and may contribute to other health conditions. Treating gum disease early can save the patient a great deal of trouble by preventing problems before they set in.
  • Bite evaluation: Testing the patient's bite can reveal sources of pain in the teeth and gums. Discomfort when biting down may indicate toothache, gum disease, and other conditions. Evaluating the person's bite can also help identify subtle misalignment of the teeth and jaw. It can also spot problems in the joints of the jaw.

Additional tests

Besides the more detailed version of a standard dental checkup, a comprehensive dental exam also includes the following:

  • Aesthetics: Whiteness and straightness of the teeth are good indicators of overall oral health. White teeth are clean teeth. The dentist will check the front and back and in between the teeth. Overcrowded or uneven teeth can create crannies that are difficult to reach with a brush. These tricky corners between the teeth are prime spots for plaque and tartar accumulation. They can also host bacteria, which may spread to become infections elsewhere.
  • X-rays: A comprehensive dental exam may also include using X-rays. The dentist can only see what is on the surface of the teeth. X-rays allow examination of the jaw's bone structure and the teeth' roots. They can reveal damage to the bones that are not visible to the naked eye. X-rays provide a breadth of additional information on underlying problems with the teeth.
  • Cancer screening: In addition to all the above, a comprehensive dental exam also checks for oral cancer. Early cancer detection is essential to treatment. The longer cancer goes undetected, the more difficult it becomes to treat. Oral cancer screening is a potentially life-saving element of a comprehensive dental exam.

Is it time for your dental Exam?

Regular oral evaluations and cleanings at Spring Leaf Dentistry can help avoid pain, tooth loss, and expensive restorative dentistry procedures. If it's time for your dental exam, book an appointment with us today!

Book an Appointment CALL US at 281.661.1414

Spring Leaf Dentistry - 1922 Greenhouse Rd #475 - Houston, TX 77084