Diagnostic Procedures

Oral Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnostic Procedures for more Accurate Dental Treatment Plans for your Oral Health

A regular oral checkup and comprehensive diagnostic procedures provide more benefits than just getting your teeth cleaned and checked for cavities. In fact, dental experts opine that getting a dental checkup through meticulous diagnostics procedures can detect other underlying health concerns even before the symptoms present.

Your oral health is not independent of your overall physical health. Diseases like diabetes and some immune disorders often have oral signs before any other symptoms. Regular oral exams can help catch these diseases early and increase the chances of improvement.

Here at i2m Dental, Dr. Pallavi Sinha is a dental expert that provides various comprehensive diagnostic procedures across Silver Spring and Hyattsville, Maryland. These diagnostic procedures allow her to detect signs of other illnesses and create accurate treatment plans for your individual case. Her expertise extends to a wide range of patients, benefitting people regardless of their age.

Whether you have never been to a dentist, facing a dental problem, getting active treatment for a dental issue or at risk of developing one, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment. Your consultation will include a detailed check up and diagnostic procedures to detect the problem.

When do you need a Dental Check Up and Diagnosis?

Regular and timely dental checkups can help diagnose diseases early and prevent underlying health conditions from worsening over time. If any of the following apply to you, you should schedule an appointment for a checkup with Dr. Pallavi.

Toothaches

Toothaches usually indicate a cavity. However, they can also be a symptom of gum disease or some oral condition. If you have been experiencing toothache for more than one day, seek a dental professional’s attention. Diagnostic procedures can help detect the cause of the pain and allow early treatment.

Bleeding Gums

Otherwise, healthy gums can sometimes bleed if you brush them too hard. However, if you experience bleeding from your gums regularly, see a dentist for a checkup. According to the ADA, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis. Early diagnosis can help prevent the issue from getting any worse.

Tooth Damage

Whether it’s due to an accident, poor oral hygiene or some other underlying health condition, tooth damage and decay need immediate attention. A dental checkup will allow the dentist to find the cause of the damage and recommend proper treatment.

It’s been 6 or more Months since your Last Appointment

The ADA recommends regular dental checkups every 6 months. If six months or more have elapsed since your last dental appointment, it is critical for your oral health that you do so right away.

A Range of Oral Diagnostic Procedures

Dr. Pallavi is particular about her oral checkups and makes sure that every patient receives a comprehensive inspection for existing and developing oral or dental concerns. However, there are several oral health conditions that are not detectable with just a visual inspection.

Infections, hidden cavities, impacted teeth, bone loss, and others can be hard to see. For these situations, Dr. Pallavi conducts a series of diagnostic procedures that help detect abnormalities that can’t be seen otherwise.

These diagnostic procedures are extremely beneficial for the patients as they help:

Give a clear picture of your oral health, creating a baseline for future checkups.
Help diagnose infections, cavities, caries, cancer, and other oral health conditions.
Create accurate treatment plans based on your diagnosis.

Here at i2m Dental, we offer the conduct the following diagnostic procedures:

Caries Detection

Dental caries is commonly referred to as tooth decay or cavities. It is of one of the most common dental diseases that are prevalent among both children and adults. However, if detected and treated early, it is fixable and with proper care, it is even preventable.

There are two main types of caries including occlusal caries and interproximal caries. Occlusal caries is one that form on the top of the tooth while interproximal form between the teeth. Both of these locations are excellent habitats where bacteria fester easily. If they are not cleaned properly, the bacteria begin to digest sugar left on the enamel, exposing it to acids that demineralize it.

Since caries can be seen with the naked eye, visual inspections are often sufficient for detection. However, depending on the examiner and patient, the appearance of carious lesions can be inconsistent. X-rays or radiographic images of the teeth can show early signs of lesions.

Malocclusion

In general terms, malocclusion of the teeth is a misalignment problem that can cause a number of oral complications. Malocclusion is also referred to as crowded teeth, crossbites, underbites, overbites, and open bites. It often prevents patients from carrying out vital functions like chewing. Proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary for overall oral health improvement.

In most cases, malocclusion is inherited. However, there are some habits that can change the haw structure. Tumors, a habit of thumb-sucking, prolonged use of pacifiers, injuries, and others. Dr. Pallavi uses x-rays and diagnostic casts to evaluate the malocclusion.

Class 1 is diagnosed when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. Class 2 is diagnosed when there is a severe overbite, which is also known as retrognathism. Lastly, class 3 malocclusion is diagnosed when there is s severe Underbite or prognathism.

Pulp Vitality

Dental pulp or pulp chamber is a soft area in the center of the tooth. It contains the nerve, blood vessels, and the connective tissues, which are all vital for the tooth. Pulp disease or apical periodontitis can damage the pulp and cause a number of oral issues. This is why dental pulp testing is crucial.

Pulp vitality testing addresses the blood or vascular supply of a tooth. Vitality testing is a more accurate diagnostic procedure compared to sensibility testing and provides a more accurate diagnosis of the disease.

Diagnostic methods for pulp vitality include:

A laser-doppler flowmetry test where a laser beam is directed on the tooth.
A pulse oximetry test where red and infrared light absorption is used to determine the oxygen saturation levels.
Dual wavelength spectrophotometry uses dual wavelength light to see the contents of the pulp chamber.

Oral Cancer Screening

Without regular checkups, oral cancers can go undetected. Dr. Pallavi has made oral cancer screening a part of routine dental checkups as it allows for early detection. The screening is a non-invasive, quick and painless examination that can lead to effective treatment.

The first diagnostic method, which all dental patients get, includes a physical exam. During the physical exam, the dentist will examine your oral cavity, lips, neck, jaws, and soft tissues of the mouth. If they find questionable sores or white patches in the mouth, they might suggest a biopsy.

This involves removing a sample of cells from the suspicious area and getting it tested for cancer or precancerous changes. Furthermore, the biopsy can also indicate if there is a risk of future cancer.

Dental X-Ray

Dental x-rays are a common diagnostic tool that most dentists use during regular dental checkups to have a clear picture of your oral environment.

However, there are multiple types of x-rays that are used to examine different regions of the oral cavity. The most commonly used types of dental x-rays include:

Bitewing X-rays: These are used to look at one specific area inside the mouth. Dentists take x-rays of both sides, highlighting the crowns of the molars and bicuspids to detect decay. This type x-rays are called bitewing as you bite on a wing-shaped device while the x-ray is being taken.
Periapical X-rays: these x-rays are used to highlight one or two teeth at a time, showing the entire length of each tooth from crown to root. These are often used to detect abnormalities or changes in the tissue and bone structure surrounding a tooth.
Intraoral Camera: these help the dentist look inside your mouth and capture images if necessary with great ease to help the patient understand various oral conditions.

Technology

These x-rays allow the dentist to look at the structure of your teeth, bones, and the state of any fillings, crowns or implants you might have.

Full-Mouth Survey X-rays or FMX: FMX is a combination of both bitewing and periapical x-rays that are taken when you go to a dentist for the first time. They are also used if a dentist suspects a more serious oral disease.
Occlusal X-rays: Occlusal x-rays are mostly used to track the development and placement of teeth in children. These x-rays are larger than most and show the entire arch of teeth.
Panoramic X-rays: As the name suggests, these x-rays are similar to panoramic images and are used to see the entire mouth in one image.

Consultation and Results

Depending on the type of diagnostic procedure used, it might take a few days for your results to come back. Once they do, Dr. Pallavi will call you back in and discuss the findings. If any tests show a more serious condition, Dr. Pallavi will proceed to advise you on the appropriate way forward.

If the diagnostic tests come back clear, Dr. Pallavi will offer guidance for better oral hygiene care along with any other recommendation she seems necessary.