About Dental Exams
To keep yourself healthy, you need to be proactive with dental problems by getting them diagnosed and treated before they become more serious issues. This is why it's important to schedule a dental examination for you and your family. While teeth are examined superficially during a cleaning, a dental examination provides a much more in-depth analysis. Dental exams at White Lotus Dental in McKinney, TX evaluate your total and oral health by checking for tooth decay, disease, and signs of oral cancer. Our experienced dentist, Dr. Karuna Peravali, will determine your need for treatments and check your bite and jaw for problems. A series of advanced x-rays will be taken to get better insight into the health of your teeth, jawbone, and gums. Our dental office also has the latest cavity detection technology and other dental software that can help locate even the smallest of issues. If you live in or near McKinney, TX, schedule a dental examination at our dental practice today.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer includes any abnormal growth of cells in the mouth, including the jawbone, lips, gums, throat, salivary glands, and tongue. Every dental exam at White Lotus Dental includes an oral cancer screening to look for early signs, including sores, inflammation, lumps, and lesions. Dr. Peravali will also palpate the throat and jaw for abnormalities. If any areas of concern are found, a biopsy may be performed or you will be referred to a specialist for further care.
Best Candidates for Dental Examination
McKinney and North Texas residents of every age should get a dental exam every year. Some of the most common conditions, such as periodontal disease (the top reason for tooth loss), do not have signs you can see. If concerns are noticed early, you are more likely to have more treatment options.
The ADA (American Dental Association) suggests that children visit a dentist before they turn one. Dr. Peravali can talk about common problems, including using pacifiers, teething, and baby bottle tooth decay. Our team at White Lotus Dental can help inform you of ways to clean and care for your baby's oral health so they develop good habits early in life. Dental examinations are also crucial for older children as their teeth, gums, and jaw develop.
Dental Examination Reviews
What to Expect
Your dental examination will begin with an initial assessment of your gums, teeth, tongue, throat, the inside of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and other checkpoints. This includes checking for symptoms of oral cancer. Dr. Peravali or a member of our dental team will take digital images and check for abnormal gum tissue. We will evaluate your jaw, including the bite and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). We will then discuss any issues discovered and your treatment options. Dr. Peravali takes the necessary time to address specific questions with each of her patients. She will go over any other concerns you may have, discuss prescriptions and supplements you are taking, and if they might affect your dental health by causing tooth decay or dry mouth. Lastly, she will check any restorations you have, such as crowns, dental implants, and dentures, to assess the wear and fit.
Treatment Aftercare
The follow-up period (how soon you will need to return) will be based on the results of your exam. If Dr. Peravali doesn't find any issues, then you can follow a normal regimen of flossing and brushing every day, plus yearly dental examinations and twice-yearly professional cleanings at White Lotus Dental. If a dental problem is found that needs to be addressed, the necessary procedures will be presented, discussed, and planned in a schedule that would start with the highest priority issue first. Dr. Peravali's goal is that every patient gets a clean bill of oral health and she works with her patients to achieve this.
Insurance Coverage
Since a dental exam is vital to your dental health, it's usually covered by insurance. We can talk to your insurance company to understand your coverage and discuss any personal, out-of-pocket expenses you may be responsible for. If you don't have insurance, our McKinney, TX dental office accepts various forms of payments, including dental/medical financing in some cases. Our dental team will work with you to help you afford good dental health.
Prevent and Protect
True oral health means you don't just go to the dentist only when something goes wrong. You have to be proactive with preventive care. It can save your teeth and gums, as well as a significant amount of time and money. We recommend visiting Dr. Peravali at White Lotus Dental annually for a thorough dental examination. Doing so will enable you to stay on top of any dental problems by catching them early. We work hard to make dental examinations a positive experience for you and to educate you along the way so that you can have a thorough understanding of the condition of your teeth. Our team is friendly, compassionate, and knowledgeable, and we strive to make each visit pleasant so you'll look forward to coming back. Contact our office in McKinney, TX to schedule your dental examination.
