What is a Comprehensive Dental Exam? A Prescott AZ Dentist Answers!
Are you experiencing that “still not clean” feeling even after you brush your teeth? You know it. It’s time to make a dental appointment. But all you really need is a cleaning, right? Before you answer, let your Prescott family dentist explain a little about comprehensive dentistry. What is a Comprehensive Dental Exam? And why do you need one?
The Lowdown on Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive means “complete; including everything that is necessary”. Because your oral health is related to your whole body health, progressive dentists take a holistic approach to understand all the factors going on in your body.
How does this benefit you?
- A comprehensive dental exam is essential for good dental care and accurate diagnosis.
- It can result in the prevention and early detection of oral and other diseases.
“More than 90% of all diseases have oral symptoms. That’s why to provide the very best dental care to our patients, we focus on the whole-person before doing any dental work.”
At Distinctive Dental Care, we work with you to identify why a problem exists in the first place, how we can fix it properly, and how we can make sure the problem never resurfaces.
To find out more about comprehensive dentistry, download our free infographic:
Free Infographic: Why Comprehensive Dentistry Makes Sense:
Learn how comprehensive dentistry:
- Takes less time out of your life
- Costs way less than traditional “drill & fill” dentistry
- Prevents dental problems from arising again or ever happening at all
- And guarantees a spectacular smile for a lifetime
What is a Comprehensive Dental Exam?
A comprehensive dental exam includes far more than just cleaning your teeth. It involves a complete and thorough patient examination covering everything from pre-existing conditions, gum health, even screenings, and diagnostic exams to guarantee optimal oral health. But not all dentists are as thorough as others. At Distinctive Dental Care, our comprehensive dental exams include all of the following:
Patient Interview
Dr. Wulff will discuss your dental and medical history (including current medications), concerns, expectations, and goals. Even if you don’t think a pre-existing condition is related to your oral health, let your dentist know. Assessment of your current hygiene habits, diet, and risk factors will enable your comprehensive dentist to understand your overall dental health.
Disease Screening
An extraoral examination of the head and neck and intraoral examination of the oral soft tissues is completed to detect the early symptoms of diseases, such as:
- TMJ disorder
- Oral cancer
- Gum disease
Oral Examination and Cleaning
- Complete tooth decay check
- Existing dental work examination
- Bite evaluation
- Teeth cleaning and stain removal
Diagnostic Exams
Your comprehensive dental exam includes digital x-rays for diagnostic purposes. Optional diagnostic procedures such as radiographs or other images will be discussed with you depending on your specific needs.
How Much Does a Comprehensive Dental Exam Cost?
The national average for dental exams varies. Basic dental exams can cost anywhere between $50-$175. X-rays can cost $30-$250. And basic cleanings can cost between $75-$200. Because we want what’s best for our patients at Distinctive Dental Care, we give all our patients ONLY complete comprehensive exams. However, we don’t sacrifice cost for quality. You can be confident that you are receiving optimal dental care at an affordable price.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Exam Today!
All you really need is a cleaning, right? You might want to reconsider. Now that you know what a comprehensive dental exam is, do you see the value of such a thorough analysis of your oral and overall health?
Our Prescott restorative dentistry office is eager to give you the quality exam you deserve. Contact Distinctive Dental Care at 928-445-3181 or request an appointment now by completing our online form.
Don’t forget to share this information with your family and friends. They’ll be glad you did!
