Patient Exam
A comprehensive dental exam allows us to get to know you as well as to obtain a thorough understanding of your dental and overall health. It includes a review of your health and dental history and a thorough analysis of all of the hard and soft tissue in the mouth as well as the head and neck.
Our Dental Exams consists of a review of your gums, your teeth, how your teeth function together (occlusion), an oral cancer screening, and a radiographic exam. This type of dental exam is provided at your initial appointment and is repeated periodically as necessary. This exam is followed by a detailed discussion of any indicated dental treatment if it is necessary.
Please let us know if we can assist you in obtaining any previous dental x-rays. This may reduce the amount of new x-rays needed to provide you with proper care and may aid in the diagnosis of any dental problems that you may have. Please contact us so that we can obtain your health and dental history prior to your appointment in order to maximize your time with the doctor.
Components of a Comprehensive Dental Exams
At Healthy Smile 360, our goal is to ensure that you’re well educated and aware of what your a dental examination entails. Some of the elements or sub-examinations that make up comprehensive dental exams include:
- Periodontal Exam (gum and bones supporting the teeth)
- Dental Exam (teeth)
- Head and Neck Cancer Exam (soft tissues of mouth, throat and surrounding structures)
- Occlusal Exam (bite analysis)
- TMJ Exam (jaw joints)
- Radiographic Exam (x-rays and various scans)
- Salivary Function Exam (quantity and quality of saliva)
- Esthetic Exam (appearance of teeth and gums related to the face)
Dr. Michael Mostofi provides patients with care that goes beyond traditional dental care. In our aliso viejo practice, we monitor patient's blood pressures and also take time to review medical history during each visit. High blood pressure is associated with a number of life-threatening diseases and a complimentary blood pressure check at your regular dental appointment provides each patient with an opportunity to know these very important numbers.
Dr. Michael Mostofi also uses the latest innovative salivary diagnostic tests from OralDNA® Labs. This painless saliva examination identifies the type and concentration of specific bacteria that are known to cause periodontal disease. Traditional hygiene treatment, although effective in the elimination of plaque build-up that leads to gum disease, cannot eliminate the bacteria that cause gum disease at a systemic level. Once Dr. Michael Mostofi identifies the specific oral bacteria that exist in the saliva of a patient, he and patient together are able to plan a course of treatment that will prevent further gum disease that has been correlated to heart disease and stroke. As part of a comprehensive oral screening,
Dr. Michael Mostofi also screens patients for oral cancer using ViziLite Plus®.Oral cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer when disease identified early. The ViziLite Plus® exam is painless, fast, and could help save your life. In addition, Dr. Michael Mostofi provides Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing in his practice. Twenty million Americans are infected with HPV and an additional six million become infected annually. In 2007, the World Health Organization stated that HPV was a cause for oral cancers.