YOUR DENTAL EXAM

Welcome to ZWC PERIO.
We are committed to help you with the health of your teeth and gums.

A periodontal dental examination is essential to learn the extent of your periodontal disease. At the beginning of your exam, your gums are checked for bleeding, swelling, firmness, and abnormal contours. The teeth are checked for mobility and sensitivity. Your bite and other factors that can affect your teeth are assessed.

A Periodontal Examination Evaluates:

Your bite
Bleeding gums
Any lumps or other abnormal areas in the mouth
Missing or loose teeth, and how loose they are
The color, texture, size and shape of your gums
Problems with existing fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures or implants
Plaque build up
Depth of the space between your tooth and gum
Receding gums

A periodontal exam also uses probing, to help assess the health of your gums and teeth. Probing can help us diagnose the gum diseases gingivitis and periodontitis Probing also can reveal receding gums, exposed roots, tooth grinding and other problems.

What Is Periodontal Probing?

A probe is like a tiny ruler. It is gently inserted into the pocket between your tooth and gum. The deeper the probe goes, the deeper the pocket, and the more severe the periodontal disease. Periodontal probing is done to find out how severe your disease is and to plan your treatment. It involves measuring the depth of the pockets around each tooth.

Besides the examination, you also may need X-rays of your teeth. The periapical X-ray helps to show the extent and pattern of bone loss around each tooth. These X-rays show the entire tooth, from the crown (top) to the end of the root, which anchors the tooth in your jaw. You also may need an X-ray of your entire mouth. This is called a panoramic radiograph. This type of picture shows other important structures in your skull. They include the maxillary sinuses and jaw joints.

After the exam, we will discuss your treatment options, including home care instructions, non-surgical therapy and in some cases surgery.