Dental Examinations and X-Rays
Dr. de Vigné does a complete and thorough dental exam, which includes:
- Evaluating the health of the teeth for decay, cracking and leaking fillings and cracked or fractured teeth
- Oral cancer screening
- Taking intraoral pictures
- Evaluating the health of the gums
- Evaluating over all health through a health history
- Blood pressure and pulse monitoring
- Taking impressions for study models
During a patient's initial visit, we usually take full mouth X-rays consisting of 18 films. In addition to the usual 'check up' X-rays, these include X-rays that show the entire root of the teeth, the bone, the upper jaw, sinus areas, and the lower jaw bone. Viewing these areas helps us determine if there are any bone cancers, sinus infections, bone loss related to periodontal disease, or any symptomatic or non-symptomatic abscessed teeth. This number of X-rays is only necessary every 5-10 years, depending on a patient's level of oral disease. Check-up type X-rays (bite wings) are usually taken about every year. Our X-ray machines are regularly calibrated for safety, and we use lead shields to minimize radiation exposure.
We also have a panographic type of X-ray available that shows the status of dental growth and development of our child patients, the status of wisdom teeth, bone cancers and trauma to the jaw or tempromandibular (jaw) joint.