Why do you need regular dental checkups?
It's really important to have regular dental checkups because most dental issues are not detected soon enough. By the time a tooth starts hurting or has a problem, that problem is usually a lot harder to treat and a lot more expensive.
At Dover Dental Clinic, we always try to treat something when there is the highest chance of success, and usually that is sooner. Keeping on top of health checkups will certainly help with a better outcome. We usually recommend 6 months at the very least, so twice a year. It's very easy to do, and we often help patients pre-book.
What is included in a dental checkup at Dover Dental Clinic?
There are two types of checkups. There is a new patient checkup and then a regular maintenance checkup.
For a new patient checkup, we do all the work where we are trying to get a full understanding of your mouth and your oral care. We start by taking a dental X-ray of every single tooth and then a CT. We take a 3D image as well as a panorex X-ray that captures all the anatomy in the mouth and in the jaws as well.
For a regular dental checkup, we do smaller dental X-rays where we just take a few, or in more problem-specific areas.
What is the dentist looking for during a dental checkup?
We often look for issues in the teeth, of course, or any cavities, but there are so many other things we look for as well. These include any cracks, damage, as well as early signs of tooth decay, and any possible oral lesions that could indicate other health problems that are going on.
How long does a dental checkup take?
A dental checkup on average takes anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. For new patients, that can be anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours at most.
Do dental checkups hurt?
No, they should not hurt because the purpose of a dental checkup is not to do any kind of treatment or anything related. It's mainly to gather information and to gather data. It's as simple as doing a lot of diagnosing, and dental X-rays should not hurt. They might be slightly uncomfortable, but nothing that can't be managed.
What is the best way to schedule a dental checkup at Dover Dental Clinic?
The best way to schedule a dental checkup would be to look ahead on your calendar and know that, if we are thinking about a year out or 6 months out, you have a preferred time that you would like, and you would relay that information to our lovely front desk ladies who are in charge of our scheduling.
Dental Checkups at Dover Dental Clinic
If you're ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we'd love to hear from you. Call us at (931) 330-1839 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.