Routine dental exams are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Additionally, they can help to avoid the financial costs associated with large treatment plans later on. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends twice yearly checkups for people of all ages. At this frequency, most problems can be caught while they remain in an early stage. At Mountain Dental, we prioritize prevention above all else. We make your six-month check-ups and cleaning visits fast, gentle and fun. We catch things early to keep you in top health! Maintaining your mouth is our number one priority. We are dedicated to making your experience as pain free as possible.

How it's done

The dentist first examines your mouth visually, using dental equipment such as mouth mirrors, dental picks, and high intensity lights. They will look for cracked and decayed teeth, as well as review other important items such as:

• Medical history review: The dentist will assess how any new medical conditions or illnesses may affect your dental health.
• Examination of tooth decay: Your mouth will be checked for cracked or decayed teeth.
• Oral cancer screening: The face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums will be checked for any signs of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation: Your gums and bone around the teeth will be checked for any evidence of periodontal disease.
• Examination of existing restorations: Current fillings, crowns, and other restorations are made sure to be in good order.

Additionally, we may take digital diagnostic x-rays to reveal any other hidden problems, especially in the areas below the gums. Bitewing x-rays are typically taken every 12 months and a full mouth series of x-rays, is taken every 3-5 years. Dental X-rays help the dentist visualize diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue that cannot be seen with a simple oral exam. In addition, X-rays help find and treat dental problems early in their development, which can potentially save you money, unnecessary discomfort, and maybe even your life.

What Problems Can Dental X-Rays Detect?

In adults, dental X-rays can be used to:

• Show areas of decay that may not be visible with an oral exam, especially small areas of decay between teeth
• Identify decay occurring beneath an existing filling
• Reveal bone loss that accompanies gum disease
• Reveal changes in the bone or in the root canal resulting from infection
• Assist in the preparation of tooth implants, braces, dentures, or other dental procedures
• Reveal abscesses (an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth)
• Reveal other developmental abnormalities, such as cysts and some types of tumors

In children, dental X-rays are used to:

• Watch for decay
• Determine if there is enough space in the mouth to fit all incoming teeth
• Determine if primary teeth are being lost quickly enough to allow permanent teeth to erupt properly
• Check for the development of wisdom teeth and identify if the teeth are impacted (unable to emerge through the gums)