Your First Visit to Health Centered Dentistry
With most dentists an initial exam consists of a set of X-rays, a tooth exam and a few other items. At Health Centered Dentistry our infinitival examination consists of a complete series of detailed exams that look at all aspects of your your oral health, not just your teeth.
Click on an item in the list to see more details about what your initial exam will include.
Complete Series of X-rays
One of the first steps in any dental evaluation will be x-rays to determine the presence and extent of dental decay, bone loss from periodontal disease, bone density, presence and extent of abscesses or cyst formations, or signs of bony degeneration.
Most dentists will take panoramic and bite-wing x-rays, but at Health Centered Dentistry of Anchorage we don't stop there.
Our cephalometric X-ray unit with digital output shows a profile image of the entire airway passage. This equipment is rarely found in dental offices and can aid in the identification of a range of breathing and speaking problems including snoring and sleep apnea.
Conventional visual interpretation of X-ray film is limited. The human eye is only capable of discerning a limited range of shades of gray. But through the use of digital image enhancement software, a far greater range of sensitivity is possible.
That means subtleties in the X-rays that would have gone unnoticed can now be seen, resulting in the detection of decay at a much earlier stage. By catching the decay early we can preserve more of the tooth.
In addition to tooth decay, digital imaging can alert the dentist to a range of potential threats such as erosion of a tooth’s enamel layer, bone and jaw related problems and more.
The benefits of digital imaging extend beyond enhanced diagnosis. At Health Centered Dentistry, safeguarding our patients’ health is a primary concern. Our imaging technologies require 90% less radiation exposure for the patient compared to traditional X-rays.
Blood Pressure Check
While unfortunate, it is true that most people see their dentist more frequently than their physician. At Health Centered Dentistry of Anchorage, we screen our adult patients for abnormal blood pressure. Blood pressure may play an important role in the dental office due to the effects of some dental anesthetics and/or medications, but additionally, we can play a valuable role in helping keep an eye on this important measurement for you.
Oral Tests
PH
We conduct oral pH tests to determine the relative acidity in the mouth. This can be an important gauge of your immediate state of health. Many of the microorganisms that can contribute to oral diseases are anaerobic (they thrive in an oxygen-poor medium). A low pH (or acidic) environment is a potential indication of problems, and should be monitored.
Vitamin C Test
Vitamin C plays a great many important roles in the human body. On top of its well-documented effects in supporting general health, vitamin C is also essential in the construction and maintenance of collagen, a connective tissue. Vitamin C deficiencies may contribute to gum disease by limiting the body's ability to maintain the connective tissues between tooth and bone.
Zinc Test
Zinc is one of many minerals your body needs to maintain good health and is critical in the healing processes. However, zinc can be depleted by physical or emotional stresses, or by the consumption of diuretics (either in tablet form, or caffeinated beverages). Because of this, many of us suffer a zinc deficiency without even knowing it.
Health History Review
If you want to understand the present and chart a course for the future you need to understand the past. One of the forms you are asked to fill out as a new patient is a health history which indicates any prior problems, allergies, etc.
The doctor will review this history and probe for additional details when indicated to gain a deeper understanding of your health history. This process can sometimes uncover important information for the doctor that the patient might not have regarded as relevant to a dental exam.
Patterns of symptoms may lead us to think there may be other systemic health issues at stake. Your input can help the doctor in making that determination. We can work together with your local health care provider to address any concerns.
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 and inside of the mouth.
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 restoration as well as check for signs of visible tooth decay, stress, structural integrity 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 (some of which may be precursors to different forms of oral cancer). The doctor will explain his findings to you.
Jaw Joint Examination
Finally, the examination is concluded with a screening of the health and function of your jaw joints. You will be asked to open wide, move your jaw from side to side and relax as the doctor checks the health of the joints on each side. He will also put some firm force on the jaw to check its state of health. This check is not uncomfortable at all, and provides valuable information about the jaw joints. Finally, the doctor will tap your teeth together gently to see if and where your teeth are slightly mismatched.