How Do We Diagnose Smiles During Checkups?

astoria checkupWe want to see you every few months for a dental checkup. During this visit, we will diagnose and identify any possible areas of concern, so we can help preserve your overall oral health. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist will talk about the process of examining your smile, and how this helps you enjoy your best possible smile!

Your Six-Month Visit

We agree with the American Dental Association: People need to see their general dentist for a checkup visit every six months. When we have the opportunity to regularly examine your smile, this means we can diagnose the presence of oral health concerns in the early stages, before you develop discomfort or serious complications. In the same visit, we also remove all plaque buildup with a cleaning, which reduces the risk of tooth decay and even gum disease. If you do have gingivitis or gum disease already, a visit every three to four months may be recommended to manage the inflammation and keep your smile whole! To make a diagnosis with accuracy and precision, our team will implement digital technology.

The Use of Advanced Technology

Instead of traditional x-rays, we use a digital alternative. This not only uses a fraction of the radiation, but the images will be available instantly chairside, no need to wait around for their development. We also take pictures with intraoral cameras. The digital images allow us to carefully examine your smile and identify the earliest indicators of tooth decay, gingivitis, gum disease, or dental infection. They also aid in the diagnosis of issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism, and make our oral cancer screenings more accurate.

What Happens Next?

Following the exam, we will discuss what we have found and ask questions about your oral hygiene routines. If we find areas of concern, we will discuss possible treatment options. For example, minor cavities could be treated in one visit with a lifelike filling. More serious concerns could be addressed with a custom and lifelike dental crown. We could also create an oral appliance to tackle your TMJ disorder and bruxism, and to also treat sleep apnea as well! Once we discuss possible treatments, we will then use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to clean the teeth and remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup.

If you have any questions about the checkup process, or if you would like to schedule one for you or a member of your family, then contact our team today.

Do You Have Questions About Our Dental Exams?

Our team is ready to diagnose your smile and address any concerns that threaten your oral health. To learn more about the checkup and cleaning process, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.