COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT
Do you need basic or comprehensive dental care? Before you begin any type of dental treatment, you will need to start with a dental exam to determine what type of issues you might have. Then your orthodontist will be able to determine what type of treatment you need. That might include comprehensive dental treatment. But what is comprehensive dental treatment?
What Is Comprehensive Dental Treatment?
Comprehensive dental treatment is required when your dental issues need more than just basic dental care. Comprehensive dental treatments usually involve the soft tissues that surround the oral cavity and the muscles that are used for chewing and movement, including the temporomandibular joint. For example, braces are considered a comprehensive dental treatment whereas something like a filling is considered a basic dental treatment.
What Does a Comprehensive Dental Exam Include?
During a comprehensive dental exam, your dentist will look at your overall periodontal health. They will look at your gums, teeth, throat, and jawbones for signs of infection or disease. Your dentist will also look at your mouth and the surrounding muscles for abnormalities.
After your exam is complete, your dentist will develop a treatment plan that will address your specific issues. Your teeth don’t function singularly, so your dentist will look at your mouth as a whole to protect your teeth and entire mouth from additional problems that could result in your current treatment.
So here’s the comprehensive dental exam formula:
- Gather Patient Data
- Perform Necessary Tests/X-Rays to Develop a Diagnosis
- Treat the Diagnosis with One or More Treatment Options
What Does a Comprehensive Orthodontic Exam and Treatment Include?
For a comprehensive orthodontic exam, your orthodontist will use one or more X-rays to look for new cavities, look at your current fillings, crowns, gum or bone recession, and tooth wear due to an abnormal bite, bruxism, or TMJ.
The orthodontist will then develop an orthodontic treatment for your specific needs. Comprehensive orthodontic treatments frequently include metal, ceramic, or tooth-colored braces, Invisalign, etc.
What Is the Best Age to Get Braces?
The pre-teen and teenage years are the best time to get braces. The teenage years are the stage when most, if not all, of the adult teeth have erupted and the jawbone tissue is softer, so it is more responsive to repositioning. However, it is still possible for adults to get braces; however, the treatment might take a little longer.
