Dental Exams & Cleanings
Dental Exam
At your initial dental appointment, Dr. Leung will conduct a comprehensive dental exam which includes checking your mouth for cavities, injured teeth and gum disease.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Preventive dentistry relies on good oral hygiene and regular dental care; and is important throughout your life, whatever your age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting the doctor regularly, you will help prevent dental problems and save time and money. In the process, you can save your teeth and gums.
A professional dental cleaning (hygiene therapy) is performed by a Registered Dental Hygienists. Your hygiene appointment will include a dental exam and the following:
Dental Exam
At your initial dental appointment, Dr. Leung will conduct a comprehensive dental exam which includes checking your mouth for cavities, injured teeth and gum disease.
- Oral cancer screening: Visual inspection of the the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums, including a check for lesions and signs of oral cancer.
- Gum disease evaluation: Periodontal screening, which may include a measurement of the space between the teeth and gums for signs of gum disease.
- Examination of tooth decay: Visual inspection for signs of tooth decay on all tooth surfaces. This may include the use of specialized tools that can help a dentist identify the presence of cavities.
- Examination of head and neck: Feeling the head and neck area, including the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), for signs of infection, disease or other problems.
- Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
- Examination of dental x-rays (radiographs): Essential in identifying any hidden signs of decay or disease. The frequency of x-rays depends on a patient’s dental history and risk of tooth decay.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Preventive dentistry relies on good oral hygiene and regular dental care; and is important throughout your life, whatever your age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting the doctor regularly, you will help prevent dental problems and save time and money. In the process, you can save your teeth and gums.
A professional dental cleaning (hygiene therapy) is performed by a Registered Dental Hygienists. Your hygiene appointment will include a dental exam and the following:
- Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is the hard residue ranging from yellow to brown forming on teeth when oral hygiene is incomplete or improper. Calculus is formed from Plaque (a soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed largely of bacteria and food substances suspended in saliva) which can build up and become hard. Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove calculus. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
- Removal of plaque:Plaque is the accumulation of bacteria and food debris that manifests itself as a soft sticky substance stuck on tooth surfaces. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
- Teeth polishing:The process cleans and smoothes the surfaces of the teeth, removing stains and plaque (not removed by brushing and scaling), thereby making it harder for plaque to stick to the teeth.