Dental Check-Up

Why a dental check-up?

Keeping your teeth clean every day by brushing and flossing is one of the most important things you can do to keep your smile healthy. Routine dental checkups are vital to good oral hygiene and are the best way to detect problems at their earliest stages. Early detection and treatment save unnecessary discomfort, time, and money.

The Academy of General Dentistry recommends checkups twice a year. Oral needs change with age and the condition of your teeth and gums. Your Dentist may recommend a checkup schedule that is more or less frequent than twice a year.

What to expect at your dental check-up

1. Digital x-rays & intraoral photos, as determined by the dentist
2. A visual exam of your mouth, face, jaw, and neck
3. A gingival pocket exam
4. Comprehensive electronic dental records
5. Recommended dental treatment & fees

1. Digital Radiographs & Photos

X-Rays: Digital x-rays find dental problems not detected during a visual exam. We use digital x-rays that give instant results. Our team will determine when and how often you will need to have x-rays.

Intraoral Photos: We use an intraoral camera to take clear, magnified, and lighted images of your teeth and gums. We will be able to show you any problems or conditions that are affecting your teeth and gums right on the computer screen in front of you. You will be able to see what the dentist sees.

2. Visual Examination

During your visual exam, we will check the lymph nodes of your head, jaw, and neck for pain, tenderness, and flexibility. We will also check your TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) for clicking and popping, soreness, or lack of motion. Finally, we will look for cracked and decayed teeth, as well as growths and sores on the roof and floor of your mouth, tongue, lips, gums.

3. Gingival Exam (Gumline)

A hand-held instrument is placed between the gums and teeth to measure the depth of each pocket. A gingival pocket exam determines the presence or risk of gum disease. Each tooth sits inside a gingival pocket of gum tissue. Food and plaque naturally collect inside this pocket, and it takes daily brushing and flossing to remove the food and plaque from the gingival pocket. If not removed, harmful bacteria penetrate the gum-line and deepen the pocket. As the depth of a gingival pocket increases, so does the risk of tooth damage and infection. Gum disease may be reversible if found quick enough. Since it rarely has symptoms of pain, it is possible to have gum disease and not even know it.

4. Electronic Dental Records

We keep the records for each of your checkups, diagnostics, and treatments electronically. You benefit because our dentists have immediate and comprehensive access to all of your medical histories, exams, diagnostics, treatment plans, and progress reports. Electronic dental records improve patient safety and create efficiencies that help reduce patient waiting times.

5. Treatment Plan & Review

After completion of the exam, you and the dentist will discuss appropriate treatment sequencing and create a personalized treatment plan for you. After, a treatment coordinator will review treatment fees, insurance benefits (if available), and financing options with you to help you complete all your necessary treatment in a timely and affordable manner.

First visit to OpenCare Dental?

Is this your first visit to OpenCare Dental in Tucson, Arizona?  Please view our New Patient Information page and forms.

Have you seen a dentist in another office?  Let us know ahead and we’ll make sure that your records get transferred to our office.