Dental Exams

A comprehensive dental exam or dental checkup procedure will be performed by our dentist at your initial dental visit.

What does a dentist do on a check up? At regular dental exams, our dentist will include the following:

•  X rays (radiographs) diagnosis: Essential for detection of decays, tumours, cysts, and bone losses, abscesses.  X rays also help determine presence of teeth including wisdom teeth.  The benefits of these X rays outweigh dentist X ray cost.

• Oral cancer screening:  Examination of your face, neck, lips, tongue, cheeks and gum for as part of oral cancer screening.  Many people are unaware of what do the early stages of mouth cancer look like.  Oral cancer survival rate is usually good if detected early.

• Gum disease evaluation: Analysis of your gum and bone around the teeth for any sign of periodontal disease. Sore gum around tooth or sore gums after flossing are common symptoms of gum disease.

• Detection of dental caries: All teeth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments including Diagnodent.
• Examination of existing restorations: All current fillings, crowns etc. will be checked for marginal integrity and secondary decay.

How often should you go to the dentist for a checkup depends on various factors.   A dental checkup frequency is usually every 6 months.

Professional Hygiene Therapy 

Professional scale and clean procedure is usually performed by our dentist.  What happens when you get your teeth cleaned at the dentist?  Your cleaning appointment will include the following:

• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is recalcitrant plaque that has been left untouched on a tooth surface for prolonged period and is now firmly attached and unremovable with a toothbrush.  Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special ultrasonic and hand scalers.  Removal of calculus may also get rid of bad breath symptoms.  These steps go a long way towards reversing gum disease.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible bacteria film that forms on the surfaces of teeth.  It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva.  The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums.  This inflammation may initiate the start of periodontal disease.
• Teeth polishing: Removing stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during scale and clean procedure.  When necessary, overhangs on fillings are also removed as they may accumulate calculus or plaque.
• Periodontal Pocket Charting:  Creating a baseline charting is essential to monitor progress of periodontal disease.  In some cases, where periodontal disease is not under control,  or if you are already suffering from advanced periodontal disease stages, referral to a specialist or a periodontist may be necessary.

What are you waiting for?

So, ring us during office hours on 03-51748338 to book your dental appointment with our Traralgon Dentist. Alternatively you can book your appointment online now – our online appointment system is available 24/7.

How to get to our clinic

From Stockdale and Leggo Traralgon, travel north along Franklin Street. At Seymour Street, turn right. Our clinic is right next to the old office of Latrobe Valley Express.