A Unique Dental Examination

What is it? A Comprehensive Examination is the most thorough examination at the dentist that you will ever have. The examination includes smile analysis along with teeth, gums, muscles, joints and Doppler analysis.

Why is it done? To create a long lasting smile, control or eliminate headaches and protect teeth from bruxism (subconscious grinding or clenching of your teeth.)

The Comprehensive Examinaton
Whether you desire a new smile or treatment of a headache this is the cornerstone to delivering optimal care and forms the basis of formulating a master plan for life-long oral health. The best dentists believe that the masticatory system has been created by nature to work in perfect harmony and a change in one component will effect others – therefore whether you desire a smile makeover, require advanced reconstruction or suffer with TMD it makes sense to examine everything because everything matters. Many patients have been disappointed with dental care, -this can be traced back to an inadequate examination and diagnosis. I also feel that this type of
examination is interactive -you will be involved and encouraged to ask questions. Many of my clients describe the experience as thought provoking and the subsequent treatment as life changing.

21 Point examination
Put simply you can think of the comprehensive examination as a “medical” of your masticatory
system, as well as a detailed smile analysis -:

1) Review your medical and dental history

2) Clarifying your concerns, expectations and/or problems

3) Oral cancer examination

4) Dental examination evaluating condition of teeth and/or restorations

5) Periodontal examination. To test for gum and jaw bone disease:
- Probing depths around each tooth
- Condition (quality and quantity) of gum tissue attachment
- Signs of mobility
-Relationship of current restorations to gum levels

6) Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examination. This joint is just in front of your ears.
-Palpation (pressing with finger tips)
-Range of motion tests
-Auscultation (listening) during function
-Orthopaedic load testing

7) Muscle examination
Palpation (pressing) of all muscle groups both within and outside the mouth

8 ) Occlusal (bite) examination
-Relationship of upper and lower teeth when jaw is relaxed
-Relationship of teeth when jaw moves right, left and forward

9) Radiographs (only essential x-rays are taken)
-Full mouth series
-Bitewings only
-Panoramic showing entire upper and lower jaw
-Transcranial radiograph showing TMJs

10) Diagnostic study casts
-Two sets, either originals or duplicates
-Aesthetic and functional transfer record (face bow)
-Bite records
10 Photographs – Purpose: to evaluate aesthetics and condition of teeth and gums (diagnosis)
-Full series
-Selected views

What follows after the examination is a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes. I will spend considerable private time in thought and reflection, studying the above findings. You will then receive a written report followed by a consultation to discuss findings and a way forward. You will be encouraged to ask questions and will truly understand your problems and the options for treatment. This is a new level of care and communication that you will not have experienced before.