Dental exams, also known as an oral exams or dental checkups, are one of the most important steps to keeping your mouth happy and healthy. During this exam, the Orange Beach Family Dental team will review the current state of your oral health and discuss any issues you are experiencing.
If this is your first time at Orange Beach Family Dental, or if it has been a long time since your last visit, we will perform a comprehensive oral examination to assess your entire mouth. If you are experiencing pain or swelling, have a broken tooth, or are suffering from any other specific dental problem, we may recommend additional examinations or imaging procedures. This allows Dr. Lauren to recommend the best treatment plan for your situation.
What to Expect During Dental Exams
During your dental exam and other procedures, Dr. Lauren and the Orange Beach Family Dental Team use the following equipment and technologies:
Visual Examination and SOPROCARE Intraoral Camera
During dental exams, we will conduct a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and all surfaces inside your mouth. This will be done visually and, in some cases, with our SOPROCARE Intraoral Camera.
This advanced dental imaging instrument allows us to quickly and accurately identify cavities, new and old dental plaque and gingival inflammation in our patients. This same device also allows us to take pictures of your mouth, so we can show you exactly what we see and track your progress over time.
Oral X-rays
If you visit us for the first time, have not seen the dentist in a long time, or are experiencing certain symptoms, we may also recommend oral X-rays. In our office, we are proud to offer imaging with the NOMAD Pro 2™ Handheld X-ray system. This compact, modern device allows us to take accurate images of your mouth without leaving your side.
In some cases, we may need to obtain three dimensional images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone to diagnose and plan treatments for certain conditions. To capture these images, we use a Dental Cone Beam CT system. Dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) is a special type of x-ray equipment used when scans by regular X-rays do not give us enough information. With this technology, we can gather information about of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan. Capturing these images does not require any special preparation on your part. Other than wearing comfortable clothes and removing jewelry and dental work, just let us know if you are or may be pregnant before we begin.
VistaPure™ Water Filtration System
At Orange Beach Family Dental, we work hard to keep our tools, equipment and hands as clean and sterile as possible. To make sure that the water we use in our office procedures is free from contaminants and bacteria, we use the VistaPure water filtration system. Rather than using harsh chemicals, this system passes water through multiple filters to produce pure, clear filtered water for rinsing and cleaning in all of our treatment rooms.
Orascoptic™ Loupes
Orascoptic™ magnification loupes are bright lights with high-powered magnifying glasses. The combination of magnification and intense, directed light allows us to see even the smallest of details of your teeth and mouth clearly. In the hands of our highly-trained and professional staff, Orascoptic™ loupes provide the view needed to produce precise and accurate results.
Dental Evaluation
During dental exams at Orange Beach Family Dental, Dr. Lauren and/or one of our hygienists will typically provide the following:
- Evaluation of your overall health, oral hygiene and discuss the impacts of any medications or conditions on your oral health
- Evaluation of your risk for tooth and root decay, as well as your risk factors for gum or bone disease
- Discuss your options for tooth restoration or replacement
- Observe your bite and jaw alignment
- Perform a thorough cleaning to remove stains and deposits
Call Orange Beach Family Dental to Schedule Dental Exams
Get in touch with the Dr. Lauren and the Orange Beach Family Dental team and start your journey to a happy, healthy smile!