Comprehensive Dental Analysis

Dental health is essential to the overall wellbeing of your body. At LPS Dental, we take that wellbeing seriously, and it all starts with our comprehensive dental exam and analyzing your unique dental needs.

During our comprehensive exam and analysis, we look at the mouth as more than just teeth and gums. We include the soft tissues of the surrounding oral cavity and muscles used for chewing and movement. In fact, these muscles help create your bite and can greatly impact the health of your mouth. These are often the source of mouth problems like jaw pain, neck or headaches, tooth wear, and stress.

Sometimes our patients are surprised after their exam reveals problems with their teeth. Often times, the uneven wear patterns and the way your teeth fit together become apparent when your dentist helps you explore what you can feel and see when you look in the mirror.

Our Chicago restorative dentists have state of the art training in examining and treating problems so that with corrective care, stress can be reduced and pain can often be alleviated, making dental restorations and procedures last longer.

At LPS Dental, we pride ourselves in making sure our patients are provided with the very best of dental care. We always strive to work so that the natural structure of the tooth can be preserved irrespective of the problem.

The first appointment will start with an overall evaluation of your teeth, gums, tongue and throat, the roof of your mouth, your cheeks, and other oral checkpoints. This includes looking for signs of oral cancer in your mouth. The dentist or a member of our team will take digital x-rays and check for any abnormal tissue in the gums.

Also, our dentists will evaluate your head, neck, and jaw, including your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and bite while talking about any concerns found and your treatment options. Our dentist will then discuss any health conditions you have, prescriptions you may take, and how they will impact your oral health by causing dry mouth and tooth decay. Finally, they will examine any prosthetics you have, like bridges and dentures, to check for proper fit and wear.

As part of our comprehensive examination procedures, our dentist generally

• Look out for signs of decay
• Enquire about medications
• Take dental x- rays
• Examine occlusion and jaws carefully
• Remove stains and take proper dental impressions
• Perform oral cancer exams

Once the exam itself is complete, you’ll receive a comprehensive cleaning. Your dentist will begin by exploring the surface of your teeth to determine if there are any cavities and examine the quality of existing fillings. The dentist will then perform a periodontal exam to be sure your gums adhere tightly to your teeth, and no signs of periodontal disease are present.

After that, your teeth will be cleaned with a variety of tools to remove any hard mineral buildup (tartar) from your teeth. Cleanings are not painful, but if a patient has any anxiety about your dental exam, we encourage you to let us know. So we can offer several sedative measures to ensure your comfort. If you are found with tooth decay or gum disease, we often recommend changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases, we offer antibiotics or other dental treatments. If your teeth appear to be healthy, our dentists will only recommend that you continue your brushing and flossing routine as usual.

Scheduling your next oral examination will depend on your oral health. When there are no problems, the only follow-up you need is a stable home oral care routine which includes brushing and flossing twice a day, along with annual dental exams and bi-annual cleanings.

Often, people think they are healthy because they don’t feel any pain in their gums or teeth. Many common conditions, like gum disease, do not show any symptoms. The earlier your teeth problems are caught, the more treatment options that will be available to you.

Here at LPS Dental, restoring and maintaining your oral health and personal confidence is our top priority. Our dental team delivers premium restorative and cosmetic dental treatments without compromise. Our services are personally administered by doctors with the closest attention to detail and quality of care available, supported by the genuine care and concern for our patient’s oral health.