New Patients

Routine dental exams are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Additionally, they can help to avoid the financial costs associated with large treatment plans later on. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends twice yearly checkups for healthy individuals of all ages. At this frequency, most problems can be caught while they remain in an early stage. Some people may require more frequent visits.

How it's done
Your first visit to Media Dentistry will involve a series of exams to help us detect the current health status of your mouth and teeth. By compiling this information, we are then better able to recommend the necessary treatment options best suited to achieve or keep your smile healthy.
These exams include:

• Medical History Review: Many current medical conditions and medications can present themselves in negative ways in your mouth. In addition, certain medications may dictate the type of treatment available to you. We ask that all patients bring us a current list of medication that they are taking. 

• Blood Pressure Screening: Your dentist is also one of your medical providers. Many people visit their dentist twice a year, or more frequently. High blood pressure not only interferes with the dental procedures that can be performed, but can be potentially deadly. We screen all patients, every visit. 

• Oral Cancer Screening (OCS): Checking for oral cancer is one of the primary functions of your oral health provider. At Media Dentistry we perform a visual OCS on your first comprehensive exam and every hygiene recare appointment.

• Examination and Charting of Existing Restorative Work: A thorough evaluation of your current dental work will be performed to make sure they are in good order. In addition, we develop an up to date computerized chart of your mouth. 

• Examination for Current Disease: We will thoroughly access each tooth for any signs of decay, worn restorative work, cracks, chips, stain, or excessive wear. 

• Gum Disease(Periodontal) Evaluation: We will perform a periodontal screening. This involves measuring the health of the bone structure supporting your teeth. It is not always what you can see above the gum that can be destroying your teeth and affecting your health. 

• Additionally, we will take diagnostic x-rays to reveal any other hidden problems, especially in the areas below the gums. 

• Bitewing x-rays are typically taken every 12 months.

• Full mouth series of x-rays are taken at your comprehensive first visit, then every 3-5 years. 

• If you have experienced moderate to severe decay, Doctor may recommend some  x-rays  and cleanings more frequently.