On many occasions people have heard the dentist tell them that it is necessary to perform an oral review annually or bi-annually, in order to keep up to date with what is going on orally. The latest techniques in dentistry allow a Dentist in Farragut, TN to perform proper oral exams and all their anatomies in a more reliable, fast and convenient way, leading to a more complete visit. In a review, a dental professional will carefully study not only the structure of the teeth, but also the gingival state, health of the mucosa, see if lesions are present, etc. They will review clinical and radiological study of overall oral health.
During the exam, dentists will observe teeth to see if tooth decay is present or not, if there is a malocclusion or bruxism (grinding teeth) present, if the position in the oral cavity is correct or not. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, they will get a radiographic study, consisting of a panoramic radiograph and periapical radiographs. The patient’s gingival status will also be assessed during the oral exam using a periodontal probe that will tell the dentist if there is presence of periodontal pockets and alveolar bone loss. Radiography or panoramic radiograph will also be of great help concerning this study.
It is also very important to assess whether there is an absence of teeth and discuss the possible consequences this may have caused for other teeth. The absence of teeth notably influences the structural stability of the mouth and can lead to oral and masticatory phonetic and structural dysfunctions. It is important to discuss what your oral status is with the dentist and establish the proper dental treatment plan going forward. The famous phrase “Prevention is better than cure” is especially important in dentistry.
If you schedule a dental review annually, you can prevent dental complex and expensive treatments down the line. A perfect example is undiagnosed tooth decay, which can lead to tooth nerve damage and even the total destruction of the tooth. What would be a simple filling could turn into a complicated and more expensive root canal treatment or extraction. The need to rehabilitate the space with a dental implant, bridge or denture could be in the works as well. If you have any questions or concerns, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Joshua Eades in Farragut, TN.
