General Dentistry

Routine dental check ups are designed for patients we see regularly and are usually shorter and simpler, while still being thorough.

We begin with a brief discussion to check in on any concerns and ensure nothing has changed since your last visit.

We then complete an examination of your teeth, gums, and bite. Because we are monitoring your oral health over time, clinical photographs updated at no charge if there is something important to show or a specific area we wish to track.

If required, we take small in the mouth x rays. These are recommended when existing x rays are more than two years old, or if there is a particular concern we need to assess more closely.

Your teeth are professionally cleaned, and fluoride is applied to help protect against decay.

We finish by reviewing our findings with you, answering any questions, and discussing next steps if needed. If treatment is required or desired, a written quote is provided for you to take home.

As always, there is no pressure to proceed with treatment. Our role is to support informed decisions and ongoing oral health.

X-rays allow us to 'see the unseen'. Many places like inbetween the teeth, beneath the gums and within the bone are not able to be visualised in regular examination. By having regular X-rays we are able to pick up on problems before they become larger problems, and can often manage things more conservatively as a result. By the time problems are visible to our eyes in an exam, they're often becoming quite significant of a problem, that if we had X-rays, perhaps we could have resolved the issue earlier, and with a better prognosis.

Dental x-rays can be used to:

• Show areas of decay that may not be visible with an oral exam, especially small areas of decay between teeth or underneath existing fillings
• Reveal bone loss that accompanies gum disease or an infection
• Reveal an abscess or other developmental abnormalities, such as cysts and some types of tumours

The frequency of getting x-rays of your teeth often depends on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need x-rays as often as every six months; others with no recent dental or gum disease and who visit their dentist regularly may get x-rays only every couple of years. If you are a new patient, your dentist may take x-rays as part of the initial exam and to establish a baseline record from which to compare changes that may occur over time.

From a general perspective we recommend X-rays every 24 months for the in the mouth 'bitewing' types.

Full mouth X-rays can be taken less often, depending on individual risk, every 3-5 years. 

Besides these points, we often need to X-ray the teeth to simply find out more about them. If you have a particular issue, X-raying the area will often give us a very good idea as to what is or is not happening, that my be influencing your symptoms.