Dental Exams are a vital part of your checkup visit to the dentist. Whether it is your first visit to our Stratford office or if you have been seeing us for several years, we always thoroughly evaluate the condition of your teeth and mouth. Our family clinic has been serving the Stratford, Trumbull and Bridgeport areas for years – providing friendly, quality dentistry with a smile. Our Stratford dentist office is conveniently located to serve those who live and work in all three communities.
During your dental exam, we will evaluate a number of areas for any problems and utilize a number of tools to ensure your oral health is at its best.
- Dental x-rays: X-rays allow us to see between the teeth, under fillings, determine the level of the bone that supports the teeth, check for tooth infection, evaluate anatomic structures and a number of other areas. Some patients who are especially cavity problem prone, have periodontal disease or have a large number of restorations in their mouth may need x-rays updated every six months. For those who are low-risk for cavities and have an otherwise healthy mouth, x-rays may need to be updated every six months. See our dental x-ray page to learn more.
- Periodontal Evaluation: The dentist or hygienist uses the x-rays to check the bone health and uses an instrument called a periodontal probe to measure how tight or loose the gums are around the teeth. They also look for signs such as bleeding, plaque and tartar and inflammation to determine if periodontal disease is present. Changes in your home care may be recommended and addressed if there are areas that need to be improved upon when you clean your teeth. See our page on gum disease to learn more.
- Oral Cancer Screening: Your risk factors for developing oral cancer will be reviewed including tobacco use, age, gender, presence of HPV and alcohol use. Even if your risk is low for developing oral cancer, your mouth and neck will still be evaluated since a number of cases every year develop in patients with no risk factors. Dr. Gretzula and your hygienist will look at your cheeks, tongue, gums, throat, floor of your mouth and neck to determine if any abnormalities are present. Additionally, the use of the VELscope ® light is recommended for each patient. The use of the VELscope® light can aid in early detection of pre-cancer or abnormal lesions. Please see our oral cancer and VELscope® page to learn more about our oral cancer screening.
- Restorative Examination: the doctor will evaluate the integrity of any existing tooth restoration such as crowns, implants or fillings that may be present. She will feel and listen to your TMJ and check your tooth enamel for any problems such as cracks or wear that may be due to clenching or grinding, in addition to discussing the actual tooth filling cost. Lastly, the doctor will check for any new cavities. An aesthetic consultation may be included if there are areas of your smile you wish to improve upon. For a comprehensive list of procedures we offer, please see our cosmetic dental services page.
Based on the findings from your exam checkup, Dr. Gretzula will discuss her recommendations and your options for regular cleaning and treatment to help you restore and maintain a healthy smile. A treatment plan will be created that is best suited to meet your expectations, needs and budget. Our treatment coordinators will go over with you any health insurance coverage questions your may have, set up a financing plan if necessary and schedule your next visit.
