Comprehensive Dental Exams

Dental Health Care for Any Age

It Starts With the 25 Point Evaluation

A Thorough Look at Your Oral Health

Every patient we welcome into our practice has the choice of receiving a thorough dental exam, hallmarked by a 25 Point Evaluation. (If your first visit is the result of a dental emergency, we will address that problem first. Your subsequent visit may involve a comprehensive dental evaluation of the entire oral health system.) The evaluation determines the current condition of your teeth, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that facilitate the movement of your lower jaw and the muscles that move the jaw. You can choose to have a remedial dental exam if that’s what you’re used to, but it won’t tell you all you need to know.

This comprehensive look at your oral health gives us a baseline by which we can make future measurements and comparisons. Basically, it gives us a crystal clear picture of your oral health today and provides a road map for where you’re going.

Modern dentistry offers so many opportunities to enhance your health, comfort and appearance; this evaluation reveals which dental care treatments would benefit you.

The 25 Point Comprehensive Evaluation

A personalized time set aside exclusively for you to review your medical and dental history
Clarify your concerns, current problems, your desires for future health and expectation of how we can care for your problems
An introduction to Wellness Oriented Dentistry and how it can mean a lifetime free of dental problems
A thorough oral cancer examination
A detailed tooth examination on live video camera to check for decay, cracks, fracture, wear and failed dentistry
Periodontal (or gum and bone tissue) Examination: Measuring gum crevices at 6 points on every tooth to check for hidden gum disease
Evaluate the condition of the existing gum tissue for proper quantity and strength
Measure all teeth for any looseness, another sign of problems
Assess the existing fillings or crowns that could potentially cause gum irritation
Provide an objective evaluation of your effectiveness in plaque removal and disease control
Evaluate your susceptibility to gum disease
Provide detailed instruction to help you immediately improve your gum health
Temporomandibular Joint Orthopedic and Bite Analysis: Palpation (pressing with finger tips) of the jaw joints to check for inflammation
Range of motion tests, to check the health of jaw movements.
Ultrasound examination of the joints to check for clicks, grating or other noises which indicate problems
Orthopedic pressure (load) test, to check the health of the cartilage disk
Palpation (pressing) of muscle groups of the head and neck, both within and outside the mouth for any signs of discomfort or tension (often a cause of persistent headaches)
Examine all teeth to evaluate if they touch equally
Examining all teeth to evaluate how the jaw moves in all directions and if the teeth properly guide
Radiographs (X-rays): A full radiographic series (if indicated), 20 views, to show decay, infection, bone condition
A panoramic radiograph, if indicated, showing the entire upper and lower jaw and jaw joints, sinuses and many other important structures
Diagnostic Models of Your Mouth: Two sets of models, one serving as a baseline, the other for 3-dimensional planning and prototype design
Precision measurements to customize models for jaw simulator
Precision measurements to show how teeth bite together
Photographs: Full series of approximately 20 views taken with our high quality 35mm digital camera

After your comprehensive examination, our dentist will:

Evaluate and study all the above information
Consult with any specialists, if indicated
Make a specific diagnosis for your current condition
Design a blueprint for your care and a prototype with the diagnostic models of your mouth
Develop an individualized long-term treatment program and sequence

At your consultation appointment, you and your dentist will:

Review all findings
Discuss your treatment recommendations and sequence and timing
Give you a customized written report
Discuss all fees
Help you to decide what choices are best for you and the pace at which you choose to have care
Answer all questions to your satisfaction and understanding

Contact Us Today!

DISCOVER BEAUTY, COMFORT, FUNCTION AND LONGEVITY

Discover the possibilities offered by James Otten Dentistry