Dental exams and x-rays

Routine dental exams are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Also, they can help you avoid the potential financial costs later on that would be associated with large treatment plans. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends two checkups per year for people of all ages. At this rate, most problems can be caught while they are still in an early stage.

How it's done 

Dr. Cozzi first examines your mouth, using equipment such as dental picks, mouth mirrors, and high intensity lights. She looks for cracked and decayed teeth, in addition to going over the patient's medical history to assess how any medical conditions may affect dental health. She checks for any signs of oral cancer (face, neck, lips, tongue, tissues, gums, throat) and performs a gum disease evaluation to check for signs of periodontal disease. Lastly, there is an examination of existing dental work (e.g. fillings and crowns)

Additionally, we will take diagnostic x-rays to reveal any other potential issues, especially in the region below the gums. X-rays are typically taken once a year and panographic x-rays, which revolve around the head, are usually taken every 3-5 years.