Initial Dental Exam
Dr. Roth will perform a comprehensive oral exam at your initial visit. The initial exam will consist of the following:
- Examination of Diagnostic X-Rays (Radiographs). Radiographs are essential in providing a thorough and legal dental exam. Unless adequate radiographs have been forwarded from your previous dentist, Dr. Roth and his team will take the appropriate x-rays. The subsequent radiographs are essential in diagnosing decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss that would otherwise be undetectable to the naked eye. Dr. Roth uses the most advanced digital x-ray system. The radiographs can be viewed and enlarged easily on the computer monitor to discuss with the patient any areas of concern. To learn more about the digital x-ray system, click (Office – Technology)
- Intra-oral Photography. Dr. Roth uses detailed high resolution photography to take images of the teeth and surrounding tissues. Using the computer monitor for visualization purposes, Dr. Roth can then discuss areas of concern in a collaborative manner with the patient. These images are also important if in the future it is necessary to make comparisons.
- Head and Neck Oral Cancer Screening. Dr. Roth will examine the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for any signs of cancer or precancerous lesions.
- Examination for Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease). Dr. Roth with examine the health of the supporting tissues of your teeth by taking detailed measurements of gums around the teeth. Periodontal disease not only affects your gums, but the bone that supports your teeth. In many cases, if caught early enough, periodontal disease can be easily stopped or reversed.
- Examination for Dental Decay (Dental Caries). Examination of the teeth for decay is an essential part of your exam. Dental caries refers to the infection of the tooth by decay causing bacteria. A detailed visual and tactile exam of each tooth will be performed. Although dental caries can leave obvious holes and soft spots in the teeth, many times dental caries can spread below the surface of the enamel through cracks and groves that are not as obvious. Differentiating between decay and stain is Dr. Roth’s specialty. If a tooth is diagnosed to have dental caries, he will explain in detail how it occurred, the best possible treatment for the tooth and how to prevent it from happening in other teeth.
- Examination of Existing Restorations. If you have old fillings or other restorations in your teeth, Dr. Roth will examine the integrity of these restorations. Many dental restorations can last 25 or more years, but unfortunately, many do not. A close examination of each restoration in the tooth will be done to evaluate if the restoration is still holding strong or if replacement is deemed necessary.
Check-Up Exams
After periodic six month teeth cleaning appointments, Dr. Roth will perform a periodic check-up exam. The check-up exam will consist of:
- Examination of Diagnostic X-Rays (Radiographs). Depending on the frequency of checkup x-rays that are deemed appropriate for the patient, when new x-rays are taken, Dr. Roth will examine the radiographs and compare the new radiographs with those taken previously. Comparison of x-rays is important when determining if small suspicious areas that are being monitored are getting bigger or staying the same.
- Intra-oral Photography. As in the initial exam, Dr. Roth will take any necessary photos to help monitor areas of concern or to help with the explanation of why a tooth requires treatment.
- Head and Neck Oral Cancer Screening. Cancer screening is an essential part of every exam. As in the initial exam, every subsequent check up exam will include the examination of the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for any signs of cancer or precancerous lesions.
- Examination for Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease). Annually, periodontal measurements will be taken and compared to previous measurements taken. If there are specific areas of concern, periodontal measurements may be taken more frequently.
- Examination for Dental Decay (Dental Caries). Examination of the teeth for decay is an essential part of your exam and is performed at every check-up exam.
- Examination of Existing Restorations. As in the initial exam, close examination of each restoration in the tooth will be done to evaluate if the restoration is still holding strong or if replacement is deemed necessary.