Your first visit to the periodontist may sound scary. You may not know what to expect, and perhaps you are worried about any issues your periodontist may uncover. The first step in allaying those fears is knowing exactly what to expect when you visit North Raleigh Periodontics for a comprehensive oral evaluation.
First, we will review your dental history with you to make sure we have a thorough understanding of your oral health and any problems or concerns you or your dentist may have. Don’t worry if you cannot remember everything; we will remain in close contact with your dentist as well.
Also, we will discuss your oral habits with you. This includes whether you have a history of clenching or grinding, which is a substantial contributor to jaw pain. We will also give you a comprehensive tutorial on the proper technique for brushing, flossing, and other at-home oral health measures.
Next, we will evaluate your periodontium (the tissue surrounding the teeth). We assess the color, contour, texture, tone, movement, and any defects in the periodontium. Also, we will measure periodontal pockets (the space between the teeth and gums) by gently measuring your probing depths.
Pockets that are three millimeters deep or more indicate the onset of periodontal disease; by measuring the pockets, we can analyze and address underlying periodontal issues head-on. Pocket depths are an important indicator of gum disease, especially since gum disease at its early stages is usually painless and may go undetected until it becomes more serious. If you experience root sensitivity or have inflamed gums, this helps us determine the severity of periodontal disease.
We will also measure your occlusion (your bite). Malocclusion (a bad bite) may threaten your overall oral health by damaging your teeth and gums, and malocclusion manifests as an override, underbite, or crossbite. Assessing occlusion gives us a fuller understanding of the contributors to periodontal issues you may be experiencing.
Moreover, we will review radiographic (x-ray) findings with you. Radiography helps reveal osseous (bone) loss, density of your jaw bone, and any periapical recession. The periapical is the tissue at the apex of the tooth root. Unfortunately, gingival recession at the periapical is common, but catching it early on helps us chart the best course of treatment for you.
After obtaining this full picture of your oral health, we will be able to formulate a course of action for any gingivitis, periodontitis, or other complications that we uncover. Then we will discuss treatment options with you and answer any questions you may have.
For patients, one of the most intimidating parts of a periodontal exam is facing the reality of oral health complications. However, it is much better to tackle these issues and begin a treatment plan tailored to you than to simply do nothing and hope any complications will disappear (they won’t). We look forward to working with you and your dentist to help restore your periodontal health– and your peace of mind!
Have questions? Give us a call at (919) 518-8222. You can also learn a little more about Dr. Singletary here.
For more information on this topic, listen to the Gum Guru Podcast by clicking the link below: