Preventative Services Dentistry
Preventative Dentistry Services are the best way to ensure the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Rather than allowing complications that may lead to the more extensive procedures, regular preventative check ups are a great way of maintaining a consistently healthy mouth. Catching the problems before they progress is always preferred than attempting to repair the damage.
A dental cleaning and an examination appointment is a great way to help maintain a healthy and beautiful smile!
Contact us to request an appointment!
Consultations
A consultation is a preventative dentistry service and provides an excellent introduction to our dental practice for prospective patients. At a consultation, patients have a chance to get to know Dr. Miller, meet his friendly staff and to become familiar with our office procedures. Consultations allow patients to ask questions about oral health issues and to receive professional feedback about these concerns. A consultation is the perfect time to learn more about preventive dentistry, to explore possible courses of treatment, or to get a second opinion about your dental health care. Please remember that a consultation is not a formal examination of one’s teeth or oral condition.
An examination is another preventative dentistry service and is essential step in the process of assessing a patient’s dental health. During an examination, Dr. Miller can evaluate a patient’s general dental condition and diagnose any problems that need to be addressed. Our practice offers both comprehensive and limited examinations. A comprehensive examination provides a complete analysis of a patient’s oral health. Preventative dentistry services include a limited examination as it focuses on a specific dental issue or problem, i.e. toothache, broken tooth or filling, sore gum etc. Our state-of-the-art intraoral camera allows Dr. Miller to pinpoint potential issues and to display them on a laptop for viewing as patients treatment plans are being developed.
Oral Cancer Screening
Preventive dentistry services are the key to avoiding serious health issues in the future. Oral cancer is a rare but very serious illness that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated by medical professionals in a timely fashion. During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Miller can examine the tissues within your mouth for sores, lesions and other abnormalities that could be indications of cancer. Oral cancers are often curable when detected and treated at an early stage. Patients who are heavy users of tobacco or alcohol may be at greater risk and should consider these preventive screenings. Preventative dentistry services have a great value in patient care.
X Rays
Dental problems are not always visible to the eye, so x-rays can be a helpful diagnostic tool in preventive dentistry. An x-ray or radiograph allows a dentist to see hidden problems in a patient’s mouth, including bone loss, concealed wisdom teeth, abscesses, cysts, and areas of decay between teeth or under a filling. X-rays also are useful for patients who are preparing to get dentures, braces or implants. Today’s oral x-rays are safe when supervised by licensed professionals in a dental office. X-Rays are a valuable tool and are included in our preventative dentistry services.
Cleanings/Dental Prophylaxis
One of the most popular preventative dental services is a dental cleaning. A beautiful smile begins with regular cleanings, also known as dental prophylaxis. Dental cleaning can help to preserve your bright, white smile by removing unpleasant stains, including the yellowing caused by caffeine, tobacco and similar substances. Cleanings can also help to prevent bad breath or halitosis. However, dental prophylaxis is not just a cosmetic procedure — it is a vital part of preventive dental care. Cleanings can help and possibly prevent more serious health problems before they happen by reducing the bacteria in a patient’s mouth and by eliminating the plaque that builds up on teeth. Bacteria and plaque can lead to periodontal disease and other complex health issues.
The primary cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease, therefore it is important to address these problems as soon as they are discovered. When a patient has an infection in the gum tissues, gum therapy may be recommended as part of the treatment plan. A deep cleaning of the gum tissues is typically done to remove tartar and plaque around and under the gum line. Antibiotic prescriptions or periodontal surgery also may be used to treat and manage gum disease. Dr. Miller can refer patients to a gum specialist if a specialist care is needed.
“With a Smile, We’re Changing Lives”
