Dental Exam
Dentist McHenry, IL
 You should have one of our dentists examine your mouth at least once a year at the minimum. However, these occur following each routine dental cleaning, which the American Dental Association recommends at least twice a year. There are three main components of the dental exam; general visual exam, diagnostic imaging, and oral cancer screening. We provide detailed dental exams at McHenry Smile Center.
General Visual Exam
Once our dental hygienist is finished cleaning your teeth, our dentist will come in to meet with you. They will look at your mouth to check for any abnormalities. This could be unusual growths, discoloration, or various other dental conditions. You can also mention any symptoms you may have experienced such as tooth sensitivity or pain. If there are any concerns, our dentist will plan for follow-up testing or a procedure to resolve the issue.
In addition, our dentist will also check your bite. We do this to ensure proper dental development and check for any changes in your oral structure. These could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs to be treated.
Diagnostic Imaging
Dental x-rays are provided once a year, so they will occur at every other exam. These x-rays reveal changes in oral structure and underlying issues that cannot be seen on the surface.
There are two types of dental x-rays that we use; intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral x-rays are administered more commonly than extraoral x-rays. To get the x-ray, our dentist will have you bite on a piece of plastic that supports the x-ray film in front of your teeth. These show the tooth root and surrounding bone tissue.
Extraoral x-rays utilize a different machine since they are more comprehensive. These are generally not included in routine exams unless you have a chronic condition, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Our dentist may also administer this type of x-ray if there are concerns brought up during the exam.
Oral Cancer Screening
The final component of your routine exam is the oral cancer screening. This is the shortest part of the exam as it generally only includes a visual check. Most of the time, no concerns are noted during this visual check, so our dentist does not need to have a lengthy discussion with you.
Our dentist will look over your mouth to check for oral cancer symptoms. They will also feel your jaw and neck to determine if there are any growths under the skin. If our dentist does find any concerns, they will recommend follow-up testing.
For follow-up testing, we can provide additional diagnostic imaging such as x-rays, CAT/CT scans, MRI’s, and ultrasounds. We may also recommend an endoscopy to examine the tissues with a camera or biopsy to examine them under a microscope. At this point, we may need to refer you to a specialist for testing and treatment.
Before you leave, our dentist will talk to you about any concerns you had and give you general advice for oral hygiene maintenance at home. You will also be scheduled for your next routine cleaning. To schedule a cleaning and exam, call (815) 578-1000. |
