Soft Tissue Examination

When most people think of a dental examination, they think of an evaluation of the teeth. The other tissues provide us a great deal of information about your health, both oral and general. Inflammation or changes to the condition of these tissues may affect the treatment offered to you. Continuing irritation of tissues may lead to some forms of oral cancer.

Oral health and systemic health are generally one and the same. If the soft tissues of the mouth are inflamed or are in otherwise poor health, the same is likely to be true elsewhere in the body. When we treat local problems properly, we affect the overall health.

Muscle Palpation
Often, when the teeth do not mesh completely, the muscles of the jaw must be called into action to position the jaw more comfortably. Over time these muscles may become cramped or stressed by performing extra duty. The doctor will press gently over these areas to see if the muscles are so affected. Some of the muscles checked are on the outside of the mouth and inside.

Complete Tooth Survey and Examination

Obviously, when you see a dentist, sooner or later he's going to want to look at your teeth. The dentist conducts a visual survey of your teeth to see where you already have fillings or other restorations as well as check for signs of visible tooth decay or other concerns that may require attention.

Wear and Stress Check
Often in dentistry, the dentist and staff are so involved with fixing immediate problems, such as a broken tooth, that we fail to ask very basic questions (such as, "Why did this tooth break to begin with?"). If we could prevent problems from occurring, we could prevent the need for costly dental treatment. By looking at early signs of stress or wear on teeth, the doctor is evaluating the potential for problems to develop, and finding ways to prevent them.

Bony Tissue Examination

Care and restoration of the teeth may be ultimately futile if the surrounding tissue is in bad shape. Changes in bone density and the progression of periodontal disease can make radical changes in the supporting structures of the teeth. It is important to maintain the health of the bone to be able to keep your teeth.

Oral Cancer Screening

Not only will the doctor check the hard tissues (such as tooth and bone), but he will also evaluate the soft tissues. The inside surfaces of the mouth will be carefully checked to rule out changes to the tissues there (some of which may be precursors to different forms of oral cancer). The doctor will explain his findings to you.