Comprehensive Oral Evaluation

A comprehensive oral evaluation is the first step to your dental health at Birmingham’s Comfort Plus Family Dental. At this appointment, Dr. Gutti and our Hygienist will evaluate your dental health along with any medical conditions that you may have. Some of the medical conditions that are evaluated at your comprehensive oral evaluation appointment are diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, oral cancer, hepatitis, artificial joints etc.

Steps involved in comprehensive oral examination:

• A full medical and dental history is taken. This step involves reviewing any current medications, allergies, surgeries, tobacco and alcohol use. At this time you can discuss any concerns that you have had and would like to get them addressed.
• X-rays : A full set of X-rays are taken which show the entire length of every tooth, the supporting structures and any abnormalities that may not be visible to naked eye. At Comfort Plus Family Dental, we use digital X-rays, so you get minimal exposure to radiation.
• Oral cancer screening: Visual and manual oral cancer exam includes evaluation of lips, cheek, gums, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, the throat and the base of the tongue. We use an advanced oral screening technology, Identafi, to perform oral cancer screening.
• TMJ: Temporomandibular joint is evaluated to assess issues like clenching/grinding/opening and closing the mouth, chewing problems and pain in the jaws.
• Periodontal Disease: Includes taking 6 distinct measurements around every single tooth, checking tooth mobility, any bone loss, bleeding of gums, presence of plaque and calculus.
• Others include bite assessment, intraoral pictures, presence of decay, missing teeth etc.

Once all the necessary information is collected and Dr. Gutti has finished an in-depth conversation with you about your short-term and long-term concern/ needs, a treatment plan is designed. Dr. Gutti is a firm believer in patient education. She not only educates the patient on their oral hygiene but also the various treatment options available.

Should you have any questions call us today, thank you for considering us for your and your family’s dental needs, we look forward to serving you.