Dental Exams

Regularly scheduled dental exams play a vital role in helping the dental team at Pike & Valega, DDS form trusting professional relationships with our patients. These regularly scheduled appointments allow us to better understand your clinical needs and learn more about your aesthetic goals while also getting to know you as a person.

What Happens During a Dental Exam?

A comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums, mouth and tongue is performed as part of your dental exam. Our dentists look for any signs of dental problems during a dental exam.

Some of the things our dentists may do during a dental exam include:

• Using a small handheld mirror to check the backs of the teeth and in between the teeth for any signs of cavities or tooth decay
• Inspect the gums to see if there are any signs of a problem such as redness, swelling or sores
• Measure periodontal pockets – deeper periodontal pockets are often a sign of gum disease
• Check your jawbone for any potential problems such as misalignment or making noticeable clicking noises – we will ask you to perform different motions, such as biting down or opening your mouth, so we can conduct a thorough inspection of your jawbone
• Looking for any noticeable signs of infection such as redness or formation of pus
• Inspecting the surface of the teeth for any visible signs, such as chips or erosion, that you may clench or grind your teeth
• Oral cancer screening – looking for any visible signs of lumps or bumps on the tongue, gums, cheeks and facial area

Digital X-Rays Help Detect Problems That Aren’t Visible During the Exam

Not all dental problems can be detected during a visual examination. Some problems may not be visible during an exam because they occur below the gum line or surface of the teeth. Digital X-rays allow our dentists to see below the gum line and the surface of the teeth.

Digital X-rays may not be taken at every dental exam. Typically, if your teeth and gums are healthy, you may only need to have digital X-rays taken approximately once a year. However, if our dentists are monitoring the health of your teeth and gums, we may take digital X-rays at every exam.

Digital X-rays can also be taken if there are any signs that you may be experiencing a current dental problem.

Why Are Dental Exams Scheduled Every Six Months?

It is recommended that you schedule a dental exam every six months. Sometimes, if you are at risk for developing certain dental problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease, we may recommend you come in for a dental exam every three to four months.

It is suggested to have dental check-ups every 6 months because it is easier to identify and treat any potential issues when they are still minor, and for those that may have mobility issues, we remove the hardened plaque or tartar that has built up on their teeth.

Contact Us To Schedule an Appointment for a Dental Exam

We invite you to schedule an appointment for a dental exam and experience for yourself the exceptional dental care that Pike & Valega, DDS provides to each and every one of our patients. Dental exams can be scheduled at our Poolesville dental office or Rockville dental office.

Fill out the request appointment form and we will contact you as soon as possible. If you prefer, you can call us during business hours to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve all of our smile goals.