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Detailed Diagnostic Services

Dental Exam

During a dental exam, the dentist will examine your mouth, including your teeth and gums, and will evaluate your risk for developing oral health issues, such as gum disease, decay, and oral cancer. If your visit is part of a yearly checkup, x-rays may be used to further assess areas of your mouth that are hard to see otherwise. Your dentist will discuss any concerns with you, and if necessary, provide a recommended treatment plan.

Oral Cancer Screening

During your dental exam, the dentist will perform an oral cancer screening. The dentist is looking for signs of cancer in your mouth. The goal of the oral cancer screening is to detect oral cancer early, when there is a greater chance of a cure.

Periodontal (Gum Disease) Screening

Healthy gums are the foundation to healthy teeth. The dentist or hygienist will perform a periodontal screening and assess the health of your gums. They will look at the color, texture, size, and shape of your gums. They will also look for missing or loose teeth, measure the depth of your periodontal pockets using a probe, and determine if there is a presence of blood during probing. Based upon the periodontal screening, your dentist will determine if periodontal disease is present and what treatment is necessary.

Digital Intraoral X-rays

X-rays are an essential part to your visit to the dentist, as well as your overall dental health. They are diagnostic and preventative, in that they help detect oral health issues before they become a major problem. X-rays are used to find cavities, view tooth roots, examine the health of the bony area around the tooth, determine if gum disease is an oral care issue, check the status of developing teeth, and help monitor good oral health through prevention. Digital x-rays also provide significantly less radiation exposure to the patient.

Intraoral Camera

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in the case of the intraoral camera, it may be worth more! The intraoral camera resembles an oversized pen and can be inserted into a patient’s mouth and gently turned about to take various photographs of the mouth, including the teeth and gums. The intraoral camera is used in tandem with a flat screen monitor so we can show you a problem focused area or the results from a cosmetic procedure, and also educate patients on what exactly is going on inside their mouth.

Panoramic X-Ray

The panoramic x-ray covers a wider area than the intraoral x-rays and shows the entire mouth in a single image, including the teeth, jaw, nasal area, and sinuses. It can also be used to detect periodontal disease (gum disease), oral cancer, impacted teeth, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Study Models & Dental Impressions

Study models are used in several areas of dentistry, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry. A study model is formed from a dental impression, which is an imprint of the teeth and gums from which a shape can be formed. The dental impression serves as a close replica of your teeth and gums. Impressions can be used to create mouth guards, whitening trays, retainers, crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, among many other things.

Digital 3D Impressions using the CEREC Omnicam

Using the CEREC Omnicam, we are able to take an accurate digital impression of your tooth, produce a precise digital restoration, and then chemically bond it in place – all completed right in our office while you relax. This method allows us to be more conservative in our treatment approach and preserve as much of your healthy tooth as possible. There’s also no gloppy, foul-tasting impression gel involved, only pure digital imaging and manufacturing while you relax in the comfort of our office.

Franklin Family Dentistry provides dental care using the most cutting edge technology in dentistry. We are your trusted professionals for dentistry in the Franklin, Indiana area. Call (317) 736-6361, or schedule an appointment online today.