Consistent with our high standard of care, we provide new patient and continuing care exams. Our new patient exams are where we get acquainted with you and your oral health needs. During this initial appointment, we provide optimum dental care by taking necessary dental x-rays and examining your teeth, gums, and other soft tissues. We will also discuss your medical history and list of current medications to determine if there are any factors that can affect your oral health. Using this information and the results of our findings, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan to improve or maintain your oral health. After having a new patient exam, you will return to our office 1-2 times per year for continuing care exams. CC exams allow us to carefully monitor your oral health and detect potential problems early on. Dental x-rays may also be taken during CC exams if needed.
Did You Know?
It can take a cavity months or even years to develop, depending on factors such as enamel thickness, oral hygiene, location, and how frequently the teeth are exposed to acid. By having regular dental exams, your dentist can help you prevent cavities or catch them early.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need a dental exam?
Yes, everyone benefits from regular dental exams since they help to preserve or restore your oral health. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist twice a year for dental exams. If you have never been to our office, we will perform a new patient exam, otherwise your visit will be considered a continuing care exam.
What can I expect during a dental exam at Desert Pearl Dentistry?
Dental exams are usually divided into two parts: dental x-rays and the actual exam. While having dental x-rays taken, you can expect to have multiple exposures taken of both the inside and outside of your mouth. X-rays taken inside the mouth are known as intraoral x-rays and they tend to provide a closer view of one or more teeth. X-rays taken outside of the mouth are known as extraoral x-rays and they are used to detect impacted teeth, as well as to evaluate your bite. Dental x-rays generally take up to 10 minutes and don’t cause any pain.
After your dental x-rays, you will meet our compassionate dentist, Dr. Morales. He will examine your teeth using a metal instrument known as a sickle probe or explorer to gently tap on each tooth and check for signs of decay. He will also examine your gums and may even measure the depth of your gum pockets to check for gum recession. Once he has thoroughly examined your teeth and gums, Dr. Morales will discuss his findings with you, as well as anything they noticed on your dental x-rays. He will then answer any questions you may have.
If everything looks good, then you will simply be directed to schedule a continuing care appointment within the next six months. If Dr. Morales noticed something concerning, he may have you come in sooner so he can keep an eye on your oral health. He may also recommend certain treatments to restore your oral health.
Do I need to follow any special instructions between dental exams?
In between dental appointments, it is important to maintain a proper daily dental hygiene routine. This routine should consist of brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing daily. In some cases, Dr. Morales may also recommend using mouthwash. To maintain your oral health, it is also encouraged to limit your sugar intake, drink plenty of water, and avoid damaging habits, like smoking.
