Typically a full examination consists of:
Mouth cancer screening. Mouth cancer is the most rapidly-increasing form of the disease in the UK. Patients over 18 benefit from being screened at least once each year. Early detection saves lives! Mouth cancer identified early can be treated much more simply than when it is discovered late, and early treatment carries a far better chance of survival.
Soft Tissue Screening. It isn’t only mouth cancer that causes problems. The skin of the mouth can suffer from a variety of other conditions that may need attention to stop them getting worse.
Gum Screening. More teeth are extracted in the UK because of gum disease than because of any other cause. Gum disease takes years to develop but can eventually end with pain, abscesses and swelling.
Examination of the Teeth. Each tooth has 5 surfaces where decay can start. That’s up to 140 surfaces for the dentist to look at in the average patient!
X-Ray Examination. X-rays show the areas you can’t see with the naked eye. They can identify small problems before they become big ones!
Other Tests. Is that discoloured tooth still alive? Might it be developing an abscess? Does that crown look tight or is it on the point of falling off? Is that just staining or is it tooth decay? These and other issues are considered at a full exam.
Clinical Photographs. To help you see any problems with your teeth and to act as a record for comparison in the future.