Overview
Regular oral exams are an integral part of preventive dental care and an excellent way to remain proactive in your efforts to establish good oral hygiene. Dental exams allow our skilled team of dentists to comprehensively evaluate your oral hygiene and health to identify dental issues early, often allowing for a more conservative approach to restorative care. Typically performed during your dental cleaning visits to PDA Dental, a dental examination screens for signs of tooth decay (cavities), periodontal (gum) disease, oral cancer, damaged restorations, and other oral health concerns. During dental exams, our team of experienced dentists also evaluates your jaw joint function and bite and takes digital x-rays to check the health of your tooth roots, jawbone, and structures we cannot see when examining your mouth. For more information on comprehensive exams from our full-service practice in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, NY, talk to our friendly team today.
Oral Cancer Screening
Our team is committed to overall oral health and wellness and performs an oral cancer screening during each dental exam. Oral cancer screenings involve a thorough assessment of your lips, gums, back of the mouth, throat, palate, cheeks, tongue, and floor of the mouth. We will also palpate your salivary glands, neck, and jaw and thorough assessment for any areas of concern. Any abnormal or suspicious tissues, such as sores, lesions, bumps, or nodules, may be further investigated through a biopsy or examination from our oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist.
Dental Exam Reviews
Best Candidates for Dental Exam
Patients of all ages should receive a dental exam by one of our general dentists at least once each year to help maintain good oral hygiene. To make your care as convenient as possible, we often perform exams during your dental cleaning visits. Exams from our skilled team are extremely thorough and interactive as we use the latest in technology to evaluate your oral health with precision and accuracy. Even if you brush and floss well as home and are not experiencing any issues, it is still important to undergo routine dental exams. Many oral health concerns may not display signs or symptoms or cause pain in the early stages. When we have the chance to detect problems sooner rather than later, we can often help you avoid needing more involved treatments.
At PDA Dental, we treat patients of all ages, including the youngest members of your family, and recommend that you schedule the first visit around ages 2 – 3. During your child's exam appointment, our team will offer tips on how to best care for their oral health and provide information on common concerns, like thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and baby bottle tooth decay. Encouraging good dental health from an early age can help your family establish lifetime oral hygiene habits. Maintaining dental exams as your child grows can help meet their health needs as their jaw develops and teeth erupt.
What To Expect
To begin your exam, our team will review the dental and medical health information you have provided and discuss any oral concerns you may have. Depending on your needs, digital x-rays may be taken and used throughout your exam to check the internal areas of your teeth and jawbone health. After performing a thorough oral cancer screening, we will evaluate the health of your gums, teeth, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), bite, and jaw function. Any fillings, crowns, dentures, or other restorations you may have will also be assessed as we screen for signs of oral damage and tooth decay. One of our dentists or hygienists will measure the spaces separating your teeth and gums to screen for the presence of gum disease. This information will be used along with your x-rays to identify any areas of periodontal concern. When your exam is complete, our team will discuss any findings and offer solutions on how to best manage your oral health. Any treatment recommendations and options or care will also be presented at that time.
Follow-Up
Our team at PDA Dental recommends that patients of all ages have their oral health examined at regular intervals, usually during their routine dental cleaning appointments. We will strive to schedule your exam and follow-up treatment visits for any necessary procedures at a time most convenient for you. In some cases, we may suggest more frequent care if it best serves your oral health and wellness. When you visit our practice for your exams and oral hygiene visits, we will offer tips on the ideal methods for brushing and flossing and taking care of your smile between visits. Approaching oral health on a daily basis with home care and routine dental visits at our New York City, NY office can help keep your treatment needs to a minimum while preserving your long-term oral health.
Insurance Coverage
Routine dental exams are a preventive dentistry service and largely covered by most dental insurance providers. Our practice accepts PPO insurance plans and will gladly file your family's claims for you. PDA Dental offers a range of easy payment solutions, including flexible medical financing, to make getting the care needed for a beautiful smile convenient for our patients.
Annual Dental Exams
Dental exams from our qualified team of dentists at PDA Dental can help you stay on top of your oral health and hygiene and preserve the quality of your smile. Identifying oral problems now allow our team to help save you from greater treatment needs in the future. Preserve the health and beauty of your family's smiles by scheduling routine dental examinations at our Financial District, Lower Manhattan, NY dental practice.