Affordable Dental Exams & X-rays | Middletown Dental Care

Oral Exams & X-rays

Are you a person who doesn't wish to go to doctors without serious issues? Do you argue that why should I visit doctors as I am completely healthy? Well, your beliefs and arguments may look good to you. But in reality, you must pay regular visits to doctors/dentists to check on your health. The entire health of your body depends on your oral hygiene. Your mouth and teeth are the entry point for the bacteria and viruses to affect your body.

Therefore, you must do oral examinations on a routine basis as they are essential for good oral hygiene and a healthy smile. It prevents dental ailments and saves you from spending money on costly dental procedures for treatment. That is why we advise our patients at Middletown Dental Care to come for a routine oral check-up at least twice a year.

Welcome to MiddleTown Dental Care Services, where we prioritize your oral health and provide top-notch dental care services. We understand that oral exams and X-rays are crucial to your oral health. Our experienced team of dental professionals ensures your oral health is in top shape. First, let us understand what oral examination means.

What is an Oral Examination?

Oral exams are essential for maintaining good oral hygiene. They involve a comprehensive examination of your mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue to detect any signs of dental problems. Oral exams also evaluate the existing condition of fillings already in the mouth to check if the fillings need replacement. Also, if you have a specific complaint as pain or swelling in a particular tooth or area, that zone is examined in detail.

At MiddleTown Dental Care Services, we use the latest technology and equipment to conduct oral exams, ensuring detection of any potential dental issues early on. We recommend regular oral exams every six months to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy. There are several types of oral exams available. Let us see about them in detail.

Types of Oral Examination

Oral Exams fall under four main categories. They are,

1. Comprehensive Oral Exam

If you visit a new dentist for the first time, you may undergo a comprehensive oral exam. As the dentist does not have your previous records, he examines you thoroughly for every detail and records it.

2. Regular Oral Exam

If you visit your dentist regularly once in six months you might need a regular oral exam. Here the dentist knows all your previous records and examines the present condition. The dentist updates the records as per the need. It comes under a six-month dental checkup process. This regular oral exam may or may not include X-rays, depending on the previous record. You may need to take an X-ray if the dentist observes an issue or if you come in with pain or other symptoms.

During regular or comprehensive oral exams, your dentist will review your radiographs (X-rays), conduct a visual exam, and look for inflammation, bleeding, periodontal pockets, and calculus (build-up) around and under the gum line. The dentist will check the outside and inside of your mouth, tongue, and other soft tissue, and will let you know if they see anything that may be a potential warning sign of oral cancer or other condition. Your dentist may also refer you to another physician for certain issues.

During this oral exam, your dentist will ask if anything is bothering you. It is an excellent time to tell your dentist about your concerns and symptoms about your oral health or your smile in general.

3. Limited/Problem focused oral exam

If you visit your dentist regularly but suddenly develop discomfort or pain, you come under a limited oral exam. It identifies and diagnoses symptoms such as dental pain or swelling in a particular area of your mouth. Limited exams may involve digital X-rays of the affected area as well as a visual evaluation. Your dentist will ask questions relating to your symptoms. Your dentist gives special focus to the painful area, swelling or any other discomfort.

4. Follow-Up Oral Exam

Your dentist may ask you to come back for a follow-up visit to check on the healing and progress of certain types of treatment provided. They also examine if you are experiencing pain or other symptoms beyond the expected level.

These are the various types of oral examinations done at your dental clinic. They help to prevent any future dental ailments.

Hopefully, you got a better understanding of oral exams. Now, let us throw some light on X-rays.

What are X-rays?

X-rays, on the other hand, are an essential part of dental care. They help our dental professionals to detect potential dental problems that may not be visible during a routine oral exam. X-rays are especially useful in detecting tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues that hide beneath the surface.

At MiddleTown Dental Care Services, we use digital X-rays, which are faster and more precise than traditional X-rays. Digital X-rays also emit less radiation, making them safer for our patients.

X-rays are also of different types, and let us see about them.

Different Types of X-rays

There are mainly two types of X-rays under which several categories of X-rays are there to detect your teeth problems. They are,

1. Intra-Oral X-rays

When the X-ray film or sensor is inside your mouth, it comes under Intra-Oral X-rays. The three categories under this are,

Bitewing X-rays
Periapical X-rays
Occlusal X-rays

Bitewing X-rays

You are advised to take a Bitewing X-ray once a year. They show the upper and lower teeth in one area of your mouth. It helps your dentist detect decay between your teeth, gum diseases, bone loss or any changes below your gum line.

Bitewing X-rays do not usually show the roots of your teeth.

Periapical X-rays

A periapical X-ray shows your entire tooth, from the crown to the root tip. This type of X-ray helps your dentist detect decay, gum disease, bone loss and any other abnormalities of your tooth or surrounding bone. The main difference between bitewing and periapical is, here the entire tooth is visible.

Occlusal X-rays

Occlusal X-rays help to detect any issues in the floor or roof of your mouth. Occlusal images can also help identify cysts, abscesses and jaw fractures. Pediatric dentists may use occlusal X-rays to evaluate developing teeth.

2. Extra-Oral X-rays

When the X-ray film or sensor is outside your mouth, it comes under Extra-Oral X-rays. The three categories under this are,

Panoramic X-rays
Cephalometric X-rays
Cone beam CT scan

Panoramic X-rays

A panoramic dental X-ray shows the entire structure of your mouth in a single image. It includes upper and lower teeth, jaw joints, nerves, sinuses and supporting bone. A panoramic X-ray helps your dentist to get an overview of existing oral health issues.

Cephalometric X-rays

A cephalometric X-ray shows your entire head from the side. It shows the location of your teeth in your jaw.

Orthodontists (dentists who are specialized in correcting bites) often use cephalometric X-rays to plan treatment.

Cone beam CT scan

Dentists use computed tomography (CT) scans to capture 3D dental X-rays of your teeth, jaws, joints, nerves and sinuses. These X-rays can also detect tumors or facial fractures.

Surgeons often use dental CT scans to check the height, width and jawbone location before dental implant placement.

These are the various types of X-rays available in the dental field, and they help to diagnose and plan treatment for your oral problems.

Our team of dental professionals at MiddleTown Dental Care Services has years of experience in conducting oral exams and X-rays. We use a gentle approach, ensuring that our patients feel comfortable and at ease during their visits. We take time to explain the process and answer your questions before doing any procedure.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced dental professionals. Let us help you maintain oral health and achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

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Testimonials

Dr. Christian and staff are all top notch. Professional, friendly, courteous. Dentist and hygienists are all Great with kids and the receptionist is very kind. They work with you to fit your schedule. Nice small family practice. My kids and I have been patients for 10+ years.

Robin J.

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Monday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed