Dental Exams and X-Rays in Cameron Park, CA

At Cameron Park Family Dentistry, Dr. Nav and our team know how important oral health is for your overall well-being. That’s why we offer thorough dental exams and X-rays to support your best oral health. Our modern dental office has the latest technology and equipment to give our patients in Cameron Park top-notch care.

Regular Dental Exams Are A Foundation

You probably know how crucial regular dental check-ups are for keeping your smile healthy, right? But have you ever wondered why? Well, they allow you to have your teeth cleaned and catch any sneaky issues like cavities, gum disease, or even oral cancer early on. Catching these things early usually means treatment is easier and can prevent more significant problems later!

Dental Exams in Cameron Park, CA

At Cameron Park Family Dentistry, we aim to make your dental examination comfortable and informative. Here’s what you can expect during a standard dental exam with us:

1. Dental History Review: Dr. Nav will start by discussing your dental and medical history, medications, and any worries or questions you might have.
2. Complete Cleaning: Our dental hygienist will professionally clean your teeth to eliminate plaque, biofilm, and tartar accumulation that regular brushing cannot reach.
3. Full Mouth Exam: Your Cameron Park dentist and hygienist will then carefully examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to spot any signs of decay, disease, or other issues and ensure you’re in excellent oral health.
4. X-rays: Depending on your needs, we may recommend digital X-rays to examine the health of your teeth and bones. X-rays allow us to uncover hidden issues that might not be immediately obvious.
5. Customized Treatment Plan: After reviewing your exam results, Dr. Nav will discuss necessary treatments and develop a personalized plan to keep or improve your oral health.
6. Preventive Guidance: We’ll also offer helpful tips on caring for your teeth and gums at home, such as diet suggestions, brushing and flossing techniques, and picking the best dental products.

Why Dental Exams are Needed

Most dental health concerns are preventable or can be reversed when caught early enough. Routine dental exams allow our Cameron Park dentist to continually assess changes in your oral anatomy, screening for abnormalities such as:

• Periodontal disease
• TMJ disorder
• Oral cancer
• Enamel wear
• Leaking or aging dental work
• Demineralization and tooth decay
• Breathing or sleep disorders

By assessing situations early, we can treat concerns while they are small. More conservative treatments help preserve healthy tooth structure, limit the extent of therapy required, and also help you save money.

What to Expect During a Comprehensive Dental Exam

If it’s your first appointment with our Cameron Park dentist or you’re due for a comprehensive examination, the visit will usually take a bit longer than a typical six-month checkup. As we meticulously evaluate each aspect of your smile and health, you can expect us to review the following:

Health History

From medications you take to recent hospitalizations or treatments, it’s important for our dentist to be aware of any co-existing medical concerns. Please let us know of any new diagnosis you have received or risk factors, such as family medical conditions that may be genetic. We encourage you to bring a list of any prescriptions or supplements that you’re taking, as well as the contact information for your current medical providers.

What most people don’t realize is that there is a close oral-systemic connection between the health of your smile and your overall body. Conditions like periodontal disease can place you at a much higher risk of heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes, and even infertility (in both men and women.) By improving your oral health, you’ll also get to enjoy the benefits of better overall wellness.

Dental Charting

From re-charting each of your existing restorations to measuring attachment levels around every tooth, we’ll have a new baseline measurement to screen for gum (periodontal) disease, tooth decay, and even TMJ function.

We will also evaluate each of your existing dental restorations for their integrity and performance. Since some restorations only last 5-10 years, a thorough examination is needed to prevent unnecessary complications or emergencies.

Updated Dental X-rays

A full mouth series (FMX) or panoramic X-ray is usually taken at every comprehensive dental exam. These images allow us to better assess your entire oral anatomy as opposed to just screening between back teeth for cavities. Since issues such as cysts, tumors, bone loss, and impacted wisdom teeth cannot be seen on traditional dental X-rays, these full-mouth images are extremely important. For patients scheduling a six-month checkup, we will usually arrange to take bitewing X-rays at every other visit.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Abnormal and precancerous oral tissues can be practically impossible to self-diagnose, especially in the earliest stages, where they can be successfully treated. Sores that don’t heal, abnormal tissue colors, or lumps may all indicate oral cancer. This dangerous disease is best treated when caught early. Risk factors include things like sun exposure, HPV, alcohol, and tobacco use. However, healthy individuals have also been known to develop oral cancer, which is why routine screenings are lifesaving. 

Occlusion and TMJ Function

Each of your teeth and jaws is shaped to fit together in a certain manner. If they don’t close correctly, it can lead to issues like jaw pain, TMJ disorder, broken dental work, and abnormal tooth wear. We will assess your bite alignment to determine if any interceptive therapy is needed, such as braces or clear aligners.

Issues like bruxism (chronic teeth grinding and clenching) can also be intercepted with oral appliance therapy to prevent broken or worn teeth. We will also check to see how you swallow, as tongue movements may affect tooth alignment. Other warning signs, such as those associated with sleep apnea, will also be noted.

Treatment Planning or Referrals

Based on the findings during your dental exam, our Cameron Park dentist will discuss our recommendations with you regarding any therapies or treatments that may be needed. If referrals to a separate specialty office are required, we will also provide contact information and communicate with those practices to ensure consistent care during the referral process.

Cost of Dental Exams

The fee for dental exams varies depending on the type of oral exam you need. Most dental evaluations are covered under your dental insurance policy if you carry one. The modest fee for a dental exam can help you reduce the price of dental treatment in the future when issues are identified as early as possible. Be sure to ask Cameron Park Family Dentistry about our current special offers on dental exams and X-rays, as we want to assist our patients with affordable care (especially when they do not carry dental insurance.)

Our Commitment to Our Patients

At Cameron Park Family Dentistry, we’re all about being open with you regarding your oral health. That’s why we walk you through our exam results and treatment suggestions. Our goal is for you to feel assured and well-informed about your dental well-being, helping you choose what’s best for your smile.

Reserve Your Dental Exam in Cameron Park Today

Don’t wait until you have a problem to schedule your next dental check-up! Regular visits help us catch any issues early and keep your smile healthy. How about giving Cameron Park Family Dentistry a call to book your appointment?

Join forces with Cameron Park Family Dentistry to ensure your smile stays happy and healthy!

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On This Page

• Regular Dental Exams Are A Foundation
• Dental Exams in Cameron Park, CA
• Why Dental Exams are Needed
• What to Expect During a Comprehensive Dental Exam
• Cost of Dental Exams
• Our Commitment to Our Patients

Related Topics

• Dental Cleaning
• Preventative Dentistry

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Definition of common dental exams terminology

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: WebMD (Oral Checkup) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)