What Happens on My First Visit in Detail?
- Dental Health Interview - We listen to you, and to what you have to say. We want to know your past problems, past dental experiences, past treatments, concerns and expectations. What you tell us may help determine why certain problems may be occurring. We also need to know what you think about your smile. Most of all, we want to know how we can make your experience with us the best dental experience that you and your family have ever had.
- Comprehensive Medical History - is taken as well as digital camera pictures.
- Soft Tissue Exam (oral cancer screening) - Dr. Guy examines your cheeks, roof of the mouth, throat, tongue, floor of the mouth, and your lips. He looks for any problems that you may have including ulcers, oral cancer, cysts, benign tumours, or oral signs of cancer from other parts of the body.
- Periodontal Screening and Recording - The PSR is a routine part of every oral examination for people 18 and older. It is a simple test specially designed for early detection of periodontal disease. This is important because periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. And early detection means early treatment for healthier gums. Your mouth will be examined in six sections with a special instrument. The instrument has a rounded tip that is gently moved around your gum line. Each section will be coded according to the PSR scoring system, featuring numerical scores 0 through 4. PSR tells us how healthy your gums are and whether or not you need a full periodontal assessment. For example, if all of your scores are 0 through 2: additional examination is not required. However, we may recommend some treatment for specific conditions. If you score 3 or 4 in any sextant: a more detailed periodontal examination is necessary. Based on this exam, we will recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
- Examination of the Teeth - We examine your teeth and existing restorations for stains, chips, cracks, cavities, malformations, excessive wear and mobility.
- Comprehensive X-ray Examination - We take necessary digital dental radiographs of all teeth and supporting structures of the jaws. If you have had recent x-rays performed, we may only have to take few cavity detection x-rays. With the aid of these x-rays we will be able to determine; Decay, Abscesses or other infections, Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease), Tumours and other pathologic growths and conditions, and Other bony abnormalities.
- Evaluation of Your Bite - This examination determines how the upper and lower teeth function (or malfunction) in relation to one another. If there are significant problems we will take impressions (moulds of your teeth). The molds are then attached to an articulator (jaw simulator) for further evaluation. This helps us to determine; Proper and/or improper alignment of the teeth and jaws, Premature contacts on teeth that can cause fractured teeth or headaches, Proper relationship of your teeth to the rest of your head, and Excessive wear patterns on teeth.
- Jaw-Joint and Muscle Examination - This examination determines if the jaw joints and muscles are healthy and functioning properly and includes physical tests on the TMJ such as; Palpation (pressing various areas), Auscultation (listening while the jaw moves), Range of motion tests, Loading or joint compression tests (using a gentle technique called "Bilateral mandibular manipulation"). Palpation of the muscles of the head and neck area to determine if they may be a source of pain.
- Personalized Treatment Plan - After the all the necessary information has been gathered we construct an ideal treatment plan that will correct your problems and prevent future ones.
- Consultation - A comprehensive exam is not complete until we have a consultation. This no charge appointment is where we; Explain our findings, Present the treatment plan that represents the best treatment available. We explain the consequences of not having treatment. We discuss the alternatives available for treatment. We discuss the cause of gum disease, dental decay and bite problems. We discuss preventive measures that can improve your dental health, and Develop a financial plan that is comfortable for you.
