Preventive Dentistry examinations include the following:
- Gum disease screening for preventive dentistry
- Oral cancer screening
- Visual tooth decay evaluation
- Visual gum disease examination
- Gum pocket measurement and tracking
- X-ray examination to detect: tooth decay, cysts, tumors, problems below the gums, and other hidden issues
Using specialized tools and training, your hygienist or dentist will:
- Remove plaque build-up from the surfaces of teeth. (Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, which collects on teeth and causes decay, gum disease, and gingivitis.)
- Remove tartar from teeth surfaces. (Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that has become so hardened on the teeth that its removal requires special procedures. Tartar below the gum line is also an indicator of gum disease.)
- Remove surface stains from teeth through polishing.
X-rays are primarily used for preventative dentistry :
- Internal tooth decay
- Cysts (fluid-filled sacks at the base of your teeth)
- Tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous
- Impacted teeth
- Teeth that are still coming in
At Mount Vista Family Dental our dental team uses digital x-rays which have several advantages over traditional film based x-rays. They emit up to 90% less radiation, are ready for examination nearly instantly, can be viewed by the patient and dentist on a computer screen, and are better for the environment; no chemicals are needed for processing.
Preventive Dentistry is the best way to preserve your teeth. If you live in the Vancouver WA, Salmon Creek, or Mount Vista areas, contact us to make an appointment today: (360) 558-3950