A periodic oral evaluation-established patient is a checkup done on a patient of record to see whether there have been any changes in the patient’s dental or medical health status since a prior comprehensive or periodic evaluation.
A limited oral evaluation focuses only on a single oral health issue or complaint. This can necessitate diagnostic techniques. Patients who need this kind of evaluation frequently have a particular issue, as well as dental emergencies, injuries, severe infections, etc.
A thorough examination of your gums, teeth, jaw, mouth, and overall oral health constitutes a complete or comprehensive oral exam. This kind of oral examination uses thorough diagnostic techniques to accurately diagnose all oral disorders. A thorough oral examination is performed every three to five years or at the initial visit to a new dentist clinic. This exam is more thorough than the checkup exam conducted during a dental cleaning. A comprehensive oral examination can spot oral problems because of its depth.
A comprehensive periodontal evaluation, which generally includes gum probing and charting, can determine the state of your periodontal health by looking at your teeth, gums, bite, bone structure, plaque, and other risk factors.
A series of images of the entire mouth can be obtained with intra-oral radiography. These pictures show both the crowns and the roots of the teeth, giving important information to help diagnose periodontal gum disease, tooth decay, and other frequent dental issues like abscesses.
The tooth is depicted in its entirety in the intraoral periapical first radiography image, from the crown to beyond the root, where it is attached to the jaw. The root and the surrounding bone structures are examined using periapical X-rays to look for unexpected changes.
Extraoral radiographs monitor growth and development, assess the condition of impacted teeth, examine the interactions between teeth and jaws, and evaluate the face’s bones. They are typically not used to find cavities or other problems in particular teeth.
By focusing on the back of the jaw from the canines forward, bitewing radiographs, typically taken in a four-film series, offer high-resolution images of both sides of the mouth.
Similar to panoramic photographs, panoramic x-rays are utilized to capture images of your whole mouth region. It displays all three tooth positions—fully emerged, emerging, and impact—in a single picture.
Adults with a permanent dentition are prophylaxis patients, when the appointment involves scaling and polishing procedures that eliminate coronal stains, calculus, and plaque. Simply, this is an adult dental cleaning above the gumline in which dental instruments and polishing techniques are used.
Dental Prophylaxis on children is a preventative measure to avoid the build-up of plaque and tartar on teeth. It is a simple, painless procedure that can be done at the dentist’s office or home with a toothbrush. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children have dental Prophylaxis by age three.
To stop tooth decay, people use fluoride varnish as a topical fluoride. The fluoride in varnish penetrates the tooth enamel and hardens the tooth. It prevents the progression of deterioration and stops new cavities from forming. It restores the tooth if tooth decay has not yet begun.
Your dentist could advise you to consider using a dental sealant to protect your child or yourself from developing cavities. Sealants are thick plastic coatings painted into the tooth’s surface in clear, white, or slightly colored plastic to help prevent decay-prone cracks and pits.
Commonly referred to as “tooth-colored” or “white” fillings, composite resin fillings are constructed of an acrylic resin type of material that has been strengthened with glass filler powder. They are used after decay has been removed to restore a tooth’s shape and function.
Porcelain crowns are individual synthetic teeth that are made from a type of ceramic that is very strong and durable, as well as looks extremely natural. Porcelain crowns can be used to protect a prepared tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury to restore function or esthetics.
Core buildup, including any pins when required, is most commonly used to provide support for the new restoration. In cases where the original tooth structure is not strong enough to support a new restoration, the core buildup can help ensure the restoration will be durable and long-lasting.
An infected or abscessed tooth is treated with endodontic therapy. By eliminating the nerves and tissues inside a tooth, it gets rid of the infection. When oral bacteria attack the pulp of your tooth, it becomes necessary, as well as in the case of severe trauma.
Occasionally a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment does not heal completely and can develop pain or disease months or even years after the procedure. With a root canal retreatment, the dentist will endodontically retreat the tooth to ensure the root canal is successful.
Periodontal scaling and root planing are performed on four or more teeth per quadrant, and allows the dentist or hygienist to thoroughly clean all surfaces of the teeth, both above and below the gum line. In some cases, only a few teeth may need to be treated instead of the entire quadrant.
Periodontal scaling and root planing is a procedure for one to three teeth per quadrant that is typically used to treat gum disease. The goal of the procedure is to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and smooth out the teeth’ roots so that bacteria can no longer attach themselves.
Tartar buildup and stain on the teeth is removed during periodontal maintenance, much like during routine dental cleaning. In contrast to a typical preventative cleaning, periodontal maintenance is a medication to treat periodontal disease.
Full mouth debridement is the removal of all plaque and tartar from the teeth. This gives the dentist a clear view of the teeth and gums, which is essential for comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.
A complete maxillary denture is a dental prosthesis that replaces all of the natural teeth in the upper jaw. It is held in place by suction and gravity, and it rests on the gingiva (gums) and alveolar ridge (the bony ridge that forms the roof of the mouth).
Complete dentures are usually worn by patients who have lost all their natural teeth due to decay, infection, or injury. Wearing a complete denture on the lower jaw can help to restore chewing and speaking function, as well as improve the overall appearance of the smile.
An immediate denture is a denture that is inserted immediately after the removal of natural teeth. It is worn until the gums heal and new teeth can be placed. An immediate maxillary denture covers the upper jaw.
An immediate denture is a removable dental prosthesis inserted on the same day the teeth are removed. This type of denture is used to support the lips and cheeks and prevent jaws’ collapse. An immediate mandibular denture is used when all teeth in the lower jaw are removed.
Resin base partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth have many advantages over other types of partial dentures. They are much more comfortable and natural-looking and don’t require metal clasps to hold them in place. They are also easier to keep clean than other types of partial dentures.
A partial maxillary denture is a cast metal framework with resin denture bases used to replace missing teeth in the upper jaw. The metal framework supports the denture bases and helps keep them in place. The denture bases are made of a flexible material that conforms to the mouth’s shape and helps hold the denture in place.
A mandibular partial denture with cast metal framework and resin denture bases is used to replace one or more missing teeth in the lower jaw. The framework comprises an inner metal core and an outer layer of plastic. The denture base is a soft, pliable material.
An overdenture is a dental prosthesis that covers and replaces all-natural teeth in the upper jaw, and is supported by implants, which are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. Implants provide a more secure and stable foundation for the overdenture than traditional dentures.
A type of dental prosthesis called an overdenture cover replaces some, but not all, of the natural teeth on the upper arch. This denture is held in place by attachments to remaining natural teeth or implants and sits on the mouth’s bony ridge.
Overdenture is a dental prosthesis used to replace all missing teeth on the lower jaw, and either the remaining teeth, gums, or implants support it. A complete mandibular overdenture is a removable appliance that covers the entire lower jaw.
A partial mandibular overdenture usually has a metal framework that attaches to the remaining natural teeth or implants. The framework supports a plastic or acrylic base, which holds the artificial teeth (called pontics). The pontics may be made of porcelain, composite resin, or acrylic, etc.
Endosteal implants are surgical devices that are placed directly into the bone and is used for people who have lost a tooth or multiple teeth. The endosteal implant acts as a synthetic root to support for artificial teeth, which are then attached to the implant.
Abutment-supported porcelain fused to metal crowns (high noble metals) are affixed to an implant and are incredibly strong and durable. They and can last for many years with proper care and are esthetically pleasing, as they can be made to match the color of your natural teeth.
An artificial tooth on a bridge is a pontic, and is made by fusing layers of porcelain and high noble metal. The resulting product is strong and durable, making it ideal for dental prosthetics and other applications where strength and durability are important.
It is placed over the high noble metal base of the crown that is fitted over the tooth to improve its aesthetic appeal. Through a high-heat process that fuses the porcelain to the tooth, porcelain veneers are precisely molded to the crown’s surface.
A pediatric extraction removes the remaining coronal portion of a permanent tooth (baby tooth). The removal of these coronal remnants with soft tissue retention. Usually doesn’t need sutures or intensive postoperative care.
After simple tooth extraction, dental roots lodged in the bone beneath the gum line are removed by a procedure known as surgical root extraction. The affected gum area is first numbed with local anesthesia before the procedure can begin.
Dentists employ extraction forceps and elevators to grab or exert pressure on the tooth and extract it. These plier-like tools are used to effortlessly grab and extract teeth, and can apply pressure specifically to teeth and is molded to the forms of teeth.
Any bone that prevents access to the impacted tooth root is removed during extraction by your dentist after making an incision in your gums. then the dentist stitches up the wound after extracting the tooth, and gauze will be placed inside the socket to fill the space.
Impacted wisdom teeth can be extracted by making a minor incision to remove one or more of your impacted wisdom teeth after numbing your mouth to minimize pain. After the impacted wisdom teeth are removed, the incision will be closed with stitches to promote the healing of the gums.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment is the best way to align every tooth and jaw. Both good shape and good function are the outcomes of this. Because the body is still developing, this is usually done with teens. At this point in life, orthodontic procedures work better on it.
When it comes to emergency dental treatment, a few options are available depending on the severity of the pain. For minor pain relief, palliative treatment may be all that is necessary. This involves numbing the area with a local anesthetic and then using a drill to remove any inflamed tissue.
Nitrous oxide is the most popular inhaled anesthetic used in dentistry to reduce patient discomfort and anxiety. Most dentists who treat children and most dentists, in general, utilize it. The inhalation of nitrous oxide along with oxygen is a secure and reliable way to treat anxiety and pain.
Desensitizing medicines plug the small pores of exposed root surfaces in people who are more than mildly sensitive. Dentists utilize desensitized medications to seal the dentin layer of the tooth, which is sensitive and uncomfortable.
Occlusal guards are orthotic devices created especially for people with problems with their bite, temporomandibular joint, or teeth grinding. Materials like vinyl, light-cured composite, soft acrylic, or resin manufactured from heat-cured acrylic are used to create the device on a custom basis.
Using clear aligners instead of metal braces, Invisalign may straighten your teeth. A set of clear braces produced specifically by Invisalign gradually moves your teeth into the right position by covering them in a succession of gentle pressures. They are less obvious than conventional metal braces due to their transparency and ease of removal.
For more information, please see these valuable resources from the American Dental Association:
Clinical Terms: https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-of-dental-clinical-terms
Administrative Terms: https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-of-dental-administrative-terms
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