Dental Wellness Check and X-Rays

Lexington Dentist

Dental diseases such as cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth loss can absolutely be predicted and prevented by complete and regular dental wellness check-ups and x-rays. We recommend to all of our patients to come in on at least six month intervals for their dental wellness check-up, x-rays, and cleaning at our Lexington KY dentist office. Often these visits are partially if not fully covered by insurance.

In your personalized dental wellness check-up, your dentist will determine which, if any, new x-rays are required. Regular x-ray intervals allow us to identify minor problems before they become major concerns. Dental x-rays allow us to observe carious tooth decay (more commonly known as cavities), but also help make long term predictions for the health and stability of the teeth and supporting bone. Dental x-rays also allow a view into the jaw bone, which could reveal abnormalities such as tumors, cysts, or dental abscesses. Many of these could go absolutely unnoticed without dental radiographs.

After reviewing your medical and dental history, the dentist will determine the proper tooth cleaning treatment for you. Even if you are a regular brusher and flosser, there are areas that cannot be properly cleaned without regular, professional dental cleanings. These cleanings remove plaque, tartar build up, calculus (mineralized calcifications), as well as some tooth staining from tea, coffee, and smoking.

At your yearly dental wellness exams, your hygienist and dentist will also perform a thorough head, neck, and oral cancer screening. Although the chances of finding an abnormality may be unlikely, early identification saves lives. For prevention of cavities and other oral health problems, as well as a beautiful and thorough dental cleaning, we highly recommend for our patients to visit Commonwealth Smiles, their Lexington KY dentist, at least twice a year.

Dr. Kress says
The adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is doubly important in dentistry. Regular dental wellness exams and x-rays can save you pain, money, and time later. Our yearly exams include a head, neck, and oral cancer screening.

To detect signs of gum disease and bone loss, we will measure the “turtle neck” of gum tissue surrounding your teeth using a ruler with millimeter markings on it. This is a critical part of the dental exam and allows us to ensure we can maintain your teeth and gums at optimal health.