Dental Exams & Cleanings in New York, NY
What are dental exams & cleanings?
Dental exams & cleanings are routine check-ups with Dr. Classi that can help promote and maintain proper oral and dental health. During a dental exam and dental cleaning, Dr. Classi is able to evaluate the health of your gums, teeth, jaw, and more to ensure that your teeth or existing dental restorations are healthy. Dr. Classi is able to detect the earliest signs of an oral or dental irregularity and treat these abnormalities before they negatively affect your dental health. On top of offering in-depth dental exams, Dr. Classi will also clean your teeth and remove built-up plaque deposits, as well as detect any signs of tooth decay or a cavity. If a cavity or tooth decay is found during a dental exam or cleaning, Dr. Classi can offer a quick treatment and ensure your smile is as healthy as possible.
What tests are performed during a dental exam?
There are many dental screenings and tests that Dr. Classi may provide during a dental check-up. Dr. Classi may perform certain dental exams if you have a history of a particular dental condition or exhibit symptoms of an oral disease. Some of the most common dental exams that Dr. Classi may perform include dental X-Rays, oral cancer screenings, digital oral impressions, gum disease evaluations, checks for cavities or tooth decay, and assessing existing dental work.
Dental X-Ray Scan:
Dental X-Rays are commonly referred to as dental radiographs and create comprehensive pictures of your jawbone. A dental X-Ray scan is an efficient tool for diagnosing various dental conditions of the mouth and jaw. Dental X-Ray scans can even be used to properly plan for a dental procedure or oral surgery. There are many different types of dental X-Rays that help diagnose various oral conditions. With a dental X-Ray scan, Dr. Classi is able to detect signs of bone loss, oral cysts, impacted teeth, abscesses, bone fractures, oral infections, oral tumors, and more.
Oral Cancer Screening:
During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Classi looks for signs of cancerous or suspicious growths that may be a result of oral cancer. While Dr. Classi may provide a routine oral cancer screening for all patients, he may suggest more in-depth oral cancer tests for patients who are at a higher risk of developing mouth cancer. Risk factors that put patients at a higher risk include tobacco use, a history of oral cancer, or excessive alcohol intake. The overall goal of an oral cancer screening is to ensure that your mouth and smile is healthy. If a suspicious growth or lesion is found, Dr. Classi may suggest additional testing. Oral cancer screenings can help detect oral cancer earlier, which allows more time to plan an effective treatment.
Digital Dental Impression:
Digital impressions are taken with an intraoral digital scanner, which is a device that allows Dr. Classi to better understand your unique smile. A digital impression can be taken without impression putty, which is used in traditional dental impressions. Offering a detailed view of your teeth, smile, and bite alignment, digital impressions allow Dr. Classi to better understand your oral health and evaluate if you would benefit from any dental procedures. During a digital impression, the hand-held device scans your teeth and sends the information that is gathered to a computer. This computer then creates a 3-dimensional image of your teeth.
An impression with an intraoral scanner is taken much more efficiently and quickly than traditional dental impressions. This means that you spend less time in our office and get back to your daily routine more quickly. The information gained from a digital impression can be used to plan a dental procedure or oral surgery. Digital impressions are precise and can be taken in just minutes with an intraoral scanner.
Gum Disease Assessment:
Dr. Classi is able to evaluate your smile and check for signs of gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease. During a routine dental exam, Dr. Classi will check your gums for any signs or symptoms of gum disease. Some common symptoms of periodontal disease include swollen gums, oral sores, loose teeth, receding gum lines, and gums that are prone to bleeding. Dr. Classi will evaluate your gum line and teeth and make sure that your smile is healthy. Gum disease is a serious condition that can result in tooth loss, so it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene and routine dental check-ups.
Cavity & Tooth Decay Exam:
During a dental exam, Dr. Classi will assess your teeth and see if there are any signs of tooth decay or cavities. Cavities are areas of tooth decay that are permanently damaged. Cavities are often caused by excessive sugar intake, bacteria, and poor dental hygiene. If a cavity is not treated, it will continue to grow larger and can negatively impact deep layers of your teeth. Untreated cavities can lead to pain and tooth loss. Proper oral hygiene and routine dental exams & cleanings can help you avoid tooth decay and cavities. If a cavity is found, Dr. Classi can remove the damaged area of your tooth and fill it with a porcelain filling that will maintain the shape and appearance of your teeth.
Assessments of Existing Dental Work:
If you have dental restorations or have undergone dental procedures, Dr. Classi will assess these in order to ensure that they are in good health. Dr. Classi can evaluate dental bridges, crowns, dental implants, implant dentures, veneers, porcelain inlays / onlays, and more to ensure that they are natural-looking and long-lasting. Dr. Classi will make sure that a dental bridge or crown is comfortable and properly fitting and ensure that any dental work looks natural and is stable. If Dr. Classi detects a dental restoration that is failing, unnatural-looking, or needs repair, he can create a proper treatment plan to restore your smile so that your dental restorations look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
How often should I have dental exams & cleanings?
We recommend that you have a dental check-up and cleaning every 6 months to maintain proper oral health. If you are undergoing a dental procedure or oral surgery, Dr. Classi will schedule periodic dental exams to ensure that you are healing properly and that your dental restoration looks and functions properly. Routine dental exams & cleanings can help you avoid a serious oral condition. If Dr. Classi detects an oral condition, such as gum disease, cavities, or failing dental restorations, he can help create an effective treatment regimen to restore your smile.