Dental Cleanings & Preventive Dentistry
At Premier Smiles, we provide different dental services, from you preventive dentistry to dental cleanings. Preventive dentistry involves a series of measures taken to prevent dental diseases of any kind. This means a common effort from both dentist and patient, in order to preserve the natural dentition.
Some of the best methods of preventing any dental diseases are a good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. The prevention is continued in the dental office, where Dr. Catalin Florin Arhiri and our dental team maintain and improve your oral health.
Regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays are also parts of prevention. At the same time, sealants and fluoride help prevent cavities and tooth decay.
By paying attention to preventive dentistry, you can avoid severe and costly dental problems and you can mantain a healthy and beautiful smile.
Dental Exam
At your first dental visit, you will get a complete dental examination. A regular dental check-up exam can include the following:
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Examination of diagnostic X-rays (radiographs): This step is necessary to determine tooth and root positions along with detection of decay, tumors, cysts and bone loss.
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Oral cancer screening: Examination important for detecting any signs of oral cancer, that include checking the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums.
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Gum disease evaluation: The gums and bone around the teeth will be checked for any signs of periodontal disease.
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Examination of tooth decay: Your mouth will be checked in order to indentify decayed teeth.
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Examination of existing restorations: The dentist will check the current status of fillings, crowns, etc.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are treatments performed by registered dental hygienists. They will include a dental exam and the following procedures:
- Removal of calculus: Calculus, also know as tartar, is a form of hardened plaque that remained on the tooth for a period of time and can affect your tooth enamel. There are special dental instruments used to remove subgingival and supragingival calcus.
- Removal of plaque: Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is continually forming on teeth. The bacteria produce acids that can attack tooth enamel and inflame the gums. This inflammation can cause periodontal disease!
- Teeth polishing: This procedure is important for eliminating the stain and plaque that is not removed any other way during tooth brushing and scaling.
Dental X Rays
Dental radiographs (X-rays) are important diagnostic tools and provide the dentist information about any dental problems, irregularities or hidden abnormalities. After the X-rays are taken, the dentist can develop a complete dental treatment plan.
Dental X-rays may reveal:
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Abscesses or cysts.
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Bone loss.
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Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
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Decay between the teeth.
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Developmental abnormalities.
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Poor tooth and root positions.
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Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.
It′s important to know that detecting and treating your dental problems as soon as possible will help you save money, time and maintain a healthy smile.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays require low levels of radiation and are considered safe diagnostic procedures. The amount of radiation exposure from a X-ray is the equivalent to the amount of radiation a person is exposed from natural sources in single day.
Furthermore, dentists take all the necessary measures to reduce the patient’s exposure to radiation during dental X-rays. They use lead apron shields as a form of radiation protection for the body and fast films in order to shorten the exposure time of X-rays.