Comprehensive Exam
The comprehensive examination is a process in which Dr. Hudimac and his staff take all of the necessary records to detect any oral health problems and create a plan of action that will guide you to ideal oral health. This exam is a very thorough process. It is often called an initial exam or new patient evaluation. Our office is set apart from many other offices as we do this examination first before a patient gets hygiene therapy. You benefit from an hour of Dr. Hudimac’s time, where he will evaluate you for cavities and other issues with the teeth and bite, your gum tissue health, oral cancer screening, photos and xrays. Below are the services we provide at our comprehensive examinations:
Occlusal Examination
The forces of your bite can sometimes affect the positioning of your jaw and teeth, and misdirected chewing forces can have serious consequences. Broken teeth, excessive bone loss, abscesses, and headaches can all result from teeth that are out of alignment. Through minor reshaping and polishing of the enamel surfaces or fillings of the teeth, Dr. Hudimac can help redistribute and redirect the biting forces. Adjustments to chewing surfaces can often eliminate headaches that occur as a result of irregular biting patterns.
Caries Exam
Tooth Decay is one of the most prevalent diseases known to man, and if left untreated will ultimately lead to pain, abscesses, and tooth loss. During this examination, Dr. Hudimac locates areas of decay on chewing surfaces, between the teeth, and near the gum line. Our office uses a clinical exam, a laser cavity detector, and x-ray (radiographic) findings to determine the most conservative treatment plan for your oral needs.
Periodontal Exam
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone that is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. An exam of your gum tissues will ensure that any gum disease present is detected in its early stages. Because bone loss is a significant consideration in determining how long you have your teeth, we take the health of your gum and bone tissues very seriously. In addition, research now links periodontal disease as a possible contributing factor to a higher likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, hardening of the arteries, low birth weight babies, and premature deliveries.
TMJ Examination
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) is a condition that afflicts thousands of people. Frequent indicators of TMD include popping and clicking of the jaw, limited jaw function, pain in the neck, shoulders, and back, and pain and pressure in the face and ears. We provide conservative therapies that can eliminate this painful and frustrating problem.
Oral Cancer Screening
More than 8,000 deaths were attributed to oral cancer in the past year. If you are a tobacco or smokeless tobacco user, consume alcohol, or are over the age of 60, you are in primary danger of developing oral cancer. We are committed to the prevention of oral cancer through the early identification of pre-cancerous conditions, and provide oral cancer screenings at each preventive care appointment including the use of the Velscope, an advanced technique for cancer detection.
Oral Health Action Plan
Once this thorough and comprehensive exam is completed, a discussion of the options available to correct any health problems that have been identified can help you decide what treatment you want to have done to meet your personal oral health goals. Together we will form a plan of action to help you have the healthy attractive smile you desire.