Dental Exams
Regular dental exams help protect your oral health and general well-being.
The American Dental Association recommends that adults schedule regular dental exams at intervals determined by their dentist according to each patient’s individual needs but at a minimum of once a year. These regularly scheduled dental exams act as a premeditative treatment for any abnormal changes to your oral health.
During your exam, Dr. Patterson and our Mountain Springs Advanced Dental team of hygienists in Colorado Springs will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems. X-rays will be prescribed on an individual basis to determine if there are any concerns with your teeth or underlying bone. Periodontal charting helps to determine the current state of your gum health and preventive care needs. We may also capture intra-oral photographs to help you visualize what is happening in your mouth.
During a dental exam, we will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you’re taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health. If you have diabetes, for example, you’re at an increased risk of gum disease. Any medication that contributes to dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay. If arthritis or mobility issues interfere with your ability to effectively brush your teeth, your hygienist will share tips, tricks, and tools to better maintain your oral health. Dental exams might also include counseling about diet, use of tobacco products, and other lifestyle factors that can affect oral health.
If you have prosthetic replacements — such as dentures, implants or bridges — your dentist and hygienist will examine how well they fit and discuss the need for adjustments.
Even if you no longer have your natural teeth, it’s important to see our office for regular dental exams to maintain your oral health and the usefulness of your replacement teeth.
Consultations
We see patients for a variety of dental consultations from crowns, veneers, full mouth restorations, to complete and immediate dentures. Most consultations in our office take about an hour and are with Dr. Patterson. During these appointments he will meet with you to assess your situation, discuss your concerns, wants, and needs, and to formulate a treatment plan. He will also discuss with you about what you can expect during and after your treatment appointments.
When a patient is referred to us from their general dentist we will limit our treatment to the referred issue. If time allows and patient is okay with the presented financials we can often start treatment that same day with the patient.
Consultations are also used when patients are interested in getting a second opinion. In these situation Dr. Patterson will do a full examination and let you know his opinion of your treatment needs. He prefers to not know what any other provider has recommended so that he can give you an unbiased opinion. We gladly accept copies of recent radiographs. However we do sometimes need to get our own x-rays in order to accurately diagnose.
Regardless of why you need the consultation, we always do our best to make sure you understand your options, the risks and benefits, and the costs. Once Dr. Patterson has gotten a treatment plan together our office manager will complete an estimated treatment cost for you with your insurance information. If everything is agreed upon we will then schedule you for all treatment.
Consultations in our office are $95.00. Some insurance companies do cover some of the cost. If you agree to treatment the $95.00 will be applied toward your treatment cost. Call us today to schedule a consultation for your dental needs!
ORAL CANCER EXAM
During your dental exam, our Mountain Springs Advanced Dental team of hygienists in Colorado Springs will thoroughly examine for signs of oral cancer and other diseases.
During this screening, our hygienists will feel the area under your jaw and sides of your neck, the insides of your lips and cheeks, as well as the sides of your tongue, and roof and floor of your mouth.
The incidence of oral cancer in the United States is on the rise.
The elevation and sun exposure here, in Colorado, has been found to further increase our risks of developing oral cancer. Additionally, some other forms of cancer and other diseases can cause changes in oral tissues.
By getting regular dental exams with us, at Mountain Springs Advanced Dental in Colorado Springs, we are able to keep a careful eye out for any abnormal changes in your mouth that will act as a primary oral cancer screening and will help be indicative of other health problems.