1011 E Prescott Rd
Salina, KS 67401
DENTAL SERVICES
Dental Exams & Cleanings
Dental Exams
A comprehensive dental exam will be performed at your initial visit to provide a thorough evaluation of oral and dental health, including a review of medical and dental history and any provided recommendations or diagnostic reports from a referring provider, if applicable. Exams include the following:
Examination of Diagnostic X-Rays
An essential element of exams for detection of decay, tumors, cysts and bone loss, x-rays also help determine tooth and root positions, which can be necessary for treatment planning.
Oral Cancer Screening
During an exam, the dentist performs an oral cancer screening to check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
Gum Disease Evaluation
As an experienced periodontist, Dr. Moeller performs a thorough exam of the gum tissues to evaluate the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
Examination of Tooth Decay
All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with appropriate dental instruments.
Examination of Existing Restorations
A thorough dental examination also includes an evaluation of any existing restorations including current fillings, crowns, implants or other temporary or permanent oral and dental treatments present.
Professional Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:
Removal of Calculus (Tartar)
Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
Removal of Plaque
Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
Teeth Polishing
Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
The Importance of Professional Dental Cleanings
A professional dental cleaning, or prophylaxis, is an important dental treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis.
Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause serious inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body. As a result, the body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, making the teeth shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria which may travel via the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body.
Benefits of Professional Dental Cleanings
Preventive care through professional dental cleanings is an excellent approach to keeping the oral cavity in good health and can also halt the progression of gum disease. Some of the benefits of prophylaxis include:
Tartar Removal
Tartar (calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can cause serious periodontal problems if left untreated. Even using the best brushing and flossing homecare techniques, it can be impossible to remove debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dentist using specialized dental equipment is needed in order to spot and treat problems such as tartar and plaque buildup.
Aesthetic Improvements
Prophylaxis can rid the teeth of unsightly stains and return the smile to its former glory.
Fresher Breath
Periodontal disease is often signified by persistent bad breath (halitosis). Bad breath is generally caused by a combination of rotting food particles below the gum line, possible gangrene stemming from gum infection, and periodontal problems. The removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria noticeably improves breath and alleviates irritation.
Detection of Health Issues
Many health problems first present themselves to the dentist. Since prophylaxis involves a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity, the dentist is able to screen for oral cancer, evaluate the risk of periodontitis and often spot signs of medical problems like diabetes and kidney problems. Recommendations can also be provided for altering the home care regimen.
Process of Professional Dental Cleanings
Prophylaxis can either be performed in the course of a regular dental visit or, if necessary, under general anesthetic. The latter is particularly common where severe periodontal disease is suspected or has been diagnosed by the dentist. An endotracheal tube is sometimes placed in the throat to protect the lungs from harmful bacteria which will be removed from the mouth.
Prophylaxis is generally performed in several stages:
Supragingival Cleaning
The dentist will thoroughly clean the area above the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and calculus.
Subgingival Cleaning
This is the most important step for patients with periodontal disease because the dentist is able to remove calculus from the gum pockets and beneath the gum line.
Root Planing
This is the smoothing of the tooth root by the dentist to eliminate any remaining bacteria. These bacteria are extremely dangerous to periodontitis sufferers, so eliminating them is one of the top priorities of the dentist.
Medication
Following scaling and root planing, an antibiotic or antimicrobial cream is often placed in the gum pockets. These creams promote fast and healthy healing in the pockets and help ease discomfort.
X-Ray and Examination
Routine X-rays can be extremely revealing when it comes to periodontal disease. X-rays show the extent of bone and gum recession, and also aid the dentist in identifying areas which may need future attention.
Prophylaxis is recommended twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be performed every 3-4 months on periodontitis sufferers. Though gum disease cannot be completely reversed, prophylaxis is one of the tools the dentist can use to effectively halt its destructive progress.
