Oral examinations and cleaning
Oral examinations and cleaning (disinfection therapy)
Oral examinations should not be limited to examining your teeth, gums and mouth. As dentists it’s important to have a more holistic approach and be able to understand and identify the connections between the oral cavity and the rest of the body. The oral cavity is complex and it plays an essential role in your overall health. It is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts and from here to the rest of your body. Identifying potential risk factors in your overall health are paramount for prevention of chronic systemic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy and birth complications, diabetes, pneumonia and many others.
At VIP dental clinic we understand and are highly trained in the connection between oral health and general health. We go beyond the traditional concept of the dental check up where the teeth and gums are quickly looked over.
Following the principles of The Larkin protocol and The BaleDoneen method and using advanced technology we are proud to offer a more comprehensive approach to preventative dentistry.
At your oral examination your dentist will:
- Ask questions about your general health, including any illnesses that you may have or had in the past, current medications, allergies, the dentists will also ask about any symptoms that you may be experiencing even if you think they are not related to your mouth.
- Take a sample of your plaque, this sample is screened under a microscope so we can see which groups of bacteria are present in your sample. This allows us to determine whether the bacteria in your mouth is healthy or unhealthy.
- Take x-rays and pictures of your mouth that are deemed necessary for your individual case. Depending on your oral health history and present oral health status, the dentist may recommend different types of x-rays, ranging from intraoral X-rays to more sophisticated 3D scans, which allows not only to assess the overall picture of your general oral health but also airways, sinus, infections , oral cancer, etc… Our 3D scan has green technology which allows us to get great images using less radiation.
- The dentist will perform an extra oral exam and an intraoral exam
- The intraoral exam is divided in different areas: Examination of soft tissues, gums , cancer screen, tongue , oro faringeal area and muscles and hard tissues which includes your teeth, bones and joints
- Your dentist will then assess your oral hygiene, diet, smoking and alcohol use. We use state of the art protocols that allow us to determine and give you immediate feedback on your present condition.
- Any other tests that are deemed necessary you your individual case
Once your dentist has gathered all the information needed to assess your oral health condition, the dentist will be able to determine your risk profile and discuss your individual needs and solutions.
The clean/hygiene or disinfection therapy treatment
Traditionally dental cleans have been limited to scraping your teeth with an ultrasonic device and then polishing your teeth with a coarse/rough paste. Leaving many areas of your mouth with undisrupted unhealthy bacteria and unhealthy plaque.
Today we have state of the art technology that allows us to identify where the bacteria is located in your mouth, gums and teeth. Once visible, with the new dental spa experience called Guided biofilm therapy the patient can see exactly which areas need to be improved, how to achieve a better oral hygiene and have the bacteria removed not only from your teeth but from your gums and your tongue
We use three Gold standard technologies to assist us in this process.
EMS Airflow
Airflow is a innovative device that projects a controlled stream of air, warm water and fine, sweet powder onto the tooth to remove plaque and stains
Ozone water
Ozone water is used at different points during your hygiene appointment.
Lasers
Laser Treatment is a noninvasive method of killing unhealthy bacteria in your mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are the most commonly asked questions we receive from our patients.
You can expect the braces to make your teeth sore for a few days after they are placed and after each adjustment. These adjustments will make you more conscious of your teeth, but they should not be painful.
Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.
