The New Patient Exam
This appointment is all about you! Every person who wishes to become a patient at the office will require a comprehensive new patient exam. You can expect to spend about 90 minutes with Dr. Pranata and her team. During this time, they will take records, address your concerns and you have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. This appointment will set the foundation for the ongoing care you will receive and is used to establish a comprehensive diagnosis.
Here are some things included in your exam:
- Photographs of your face and teeth- we are looking for symmetry and asymmetry of the face and teeth as well as harmony of the teeth in the smile window. Using these photographs we can track patterns of wear and tooth movement, as well as have a reference point in case a tooth or the smile needs to be reconstructed in the future.
- Digital Scan – a digital model is created and used as a tool for patient education, documentation and treatment planning. Just like the photographs, the scan is used to track patterns of tooth wear, gum recession, tooth movement and to assess the bite.
- Periodontal Probing – this involves a series of gum measurements that altogether provide us with an impression of the health of your gums and bone surrounding your teeth. This “road map” of your gum health will identify areas of concern and dictate our treatment.
- Xrays – this allows us to check for cavities, infections, bone loss and other abnormalities that are not visible to the naked eye and have not bothered or become symptomatic to the patient.
- Airway Assessment – we check your risk for breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea by going through a questionnaire and visually inspecting your airway.
- Oral Cancer Check – we check all soft tissues in your oral cavity for signs of change.
- Clinical Assessment – we complete a TMJ assessment and check for tooth wear, cavities, tooth fractures, gum recession, areas of plaque retentiveness, and many other things.
