Dental Check-Ups

At Opal Dental Group, we take a conservative approach to dental care, always prioritizing quality over quantity, and that's why we emphasize preventative care for all of our patients. Our patients enjoy access to comprehensive dental care, including thorough routine dental examinations. We invite you to continue reading to learn about the importance of regular dental appointments before exploring our full menu of general and preventative dental services. 

What Is a Dental Checkup?

A dental checkup is a routine dental appointment that focuses on general and preventative care designed to achieve and maintain optimal oral health. A dental checkup typically includes:

• Professional teeth cleaning (dental prophylaxis)
• Dental examination
• Oral cancer screening
• Digital dental radiographs
• Treatment recommendations
• Additional preventative care services
• Personalized patient education

Benefits of Regular Dental Exams

Dental examinations help patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health with the following benefits:

• Prevent Oral Health Problems - By removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth, routine dental cleanings reduce the risk of oral health problems such as tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. 
• Early Detection and Treatment - If oral health problems do develop, routine dental checkups ensure early detection and treatment. This helps patients avoid painful symptoms, serious complications, and the need for more complex treatments. 
• Save Money by Investing in Oral Health - Routine, preventative dental care helps patients save money on more complex and advanced treatments by preventing oral health problems from developing in the first place. 
• Better General Health - Oral health problems, like gum disease, are correlated with several serious systemic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, dementia, chronic respiratory infections, and reproductive problems). So, maintaining good oral health also helps to support the general health and wellness of your body. 
• Maintain Existing Dental Work - If you have existing dental work (such as dental bonding or dental prosthetics), routine dental checkups will help ensure the integrity and proper care of these treatments for long-lasting results. 

Who Should Have a Regular Dental Checkup?

Routine dental checkups are recommended for patients of all ages, at any level of dental health, and with any number of remaining natural teeth (you should still see the dentist regularly even if you don't have any remaining natural teeth). 

The American Dental Association recommends that adult patients with generally good oral health visit the dentist every six months for a checkup. Patients with existing oral health problems or those who are still growing and developing might need to visit the dentist more frequently. 

If it's been more than six months since your last appointment, contact our office today. 

New and Existing Patients: Preparing for Your Dental Exam

We welcome new and existing patients to our office for dental checkups. To prepare for your appointment, be sure to bring a valid form of identification and your current insurance information. Maintain your normal oral hygiene routine and avoid eating right before your appointment. 

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Health Review and Consultation

Your appointment will begin with a quick review of your medical and dental history. Be sure to bring a list of current medications and supplements, in addition to notes about any changes or oral symptoms you've been experiencing. 

Professional Cleaning

Our dental hygienist will then use special tools to scale and polish your teeth. Scaling involves scraping the surfaces of the teeth to remove accumulated calculus (hardened tartar and plaque) from the tooth enamel. We then apply a gritty paste with a rotating brush head to polish remaining tartar and stains away from the teeth. 

Visual Examination and X-Rays

After your professional cleaning, Dr. Waheed will closely examines your teeth and gums, looking for any abnormalities or signs of oral health issues, such as irregular wear, soft spots, cavities, or deep gingival pockets. Your examination might also include a set of digital dental X-rays, which we use to evaluate the structures of your teeth and jawbone that are not visible to the naked eye. 

Oral Cancer Screening

Every appointment includes a routine screening for oral cancer. Our dentist visually examines the oral cavity, looking for abnormalities like sores, discoloration, or unusual textures. We also palpate your oral tissues and the areas around your jawline, cheeks, and neck, feeling for unusual bumps or lumps. If any abnormalities are detected, we will provide you with guidance on further steps for evaluation. 

Discussion of Findings and Personalized Treatment Recommendations

If we detect any potential issues, our dentist will discuss our findings and your diagnosis with you. We will be sure to answer any questions you might have and thoroughly explain all of our treatment options before working with you to determine the next steps for your dental care. 

Additional Preventative Services

We provide patients with professional fluoride applications to reverse tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel, in addition to dental sealants designed to protect the chewing surfaces of the teeth from tooth decay. If either of these treatments is appropriate for you, we can provide them during your routine appointment. 

Patient Education and Guidance

Finally, our dental hygienists and dentists provide patients with personalized recommendations for improved oral hygiene, which are intended to target any specific issues you might be having. These recommendations might include:

• Oral care technique adjustments and guidance
• Oral hygiene tools and product recommendations
• Recommendations for lifestyle or dietary adjustments

Dental Checkup Aftercare and Following Up

Before leaving our office, be sure to schedule your next six-month appointment (or at the recommended date). Patients should then continue brushing, flossing, and following personalized recommendations until returning to our office. 

How Much Do Dental Exams Cost?

The average cost of a dental checkup ranges from about $50 to $350, depending on the patient's needs. Most dental insurance plans include coverage for dental exams and prophylaxis cleaning. We also provide patients with a variety of options for financing their dental care and making dental care more affordable with an Opal Membership Plan.

Our office team will be happy to help you navigate the financial side of your dental care, explaining payment options and answering your questions. 

Searching for "Dental Checkups Near Me?" Search No Further! 

If you've been searching for a "dental checkup near me," then search no further. At Opal Dental Group, we strive to offer unmatched dental care with a focus on individualized approaches, a comfortable patient experience, affordability, and advanced treatment tools and technology. From general and preventative dentistry to more advanced restorative and cosmetic treatments, we're experienced and fully equipped to provide your family with the best dental care available. 

To learn more about routine dental exams or to schedule your next dental checkup, we invite you to contact our dental office in Macomb, MI to request an appointment today. 

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