Most patients require preventive dental care which entails an examination and scale and clean every 6, 8 or 12 months, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are (the dentist will recommend which visit cycle is appropriate for you). Having your mouth checked regularly by a dentist helps diagnose any potential problems early such as gum disease, oral cancers and decay. Gum disease, if left untreated, can result in the loss of bone around teeth, which may eventually lead to tooth loss. Decay, if left untreated, can result in the need for large fillings, crowns, abscessing, root canal treatment, or extractions.
Dental Examinations and the Importance of Radiographs
At your dental examination the dentist requires a full mouth orthopantomogram (OPG) X-ray to be taken at your first appointment with us. We recommend OPG X-rays to be taken every 5 years for the dentist to determine if there have been any changes to your teeth, mouth or jaw. However, if you are having your wisdom teeth removed or implant surgery then these will need to be current and taken within the year of your treatment. The dentist may also require ‘Bitewing’ X-rays to be taken at your dental examination, these are 2 small X-rays which are placed at the back of your left and right side of your mouth to assess if your back molars have any decay present. These Bitewing X-rays are taken every 2 years to determine if any decay has been developing in between your teeth. The dentist cannot perform a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth without X-rays. Often infections and decay lesions can’t be seen with the naked eye, and X-rays are a vital tool to help the dentist correctly diagnose your oral condition.
Our friendly reception team can provide you with a quote for these type of X-rays over the phone or at the time of your appointment, and if you have private health insurance we can provide you with a health fund quote through our HICAPS machine at your appointment, however you must have your health insurance card to obtain a quote.
Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Radiographs
Our practice has an in-house CBCT X-ray machine. A CBCT scan is a 3D visual of your teeth, jaws and face. It provides dentists and dental specialists with more detailed information to help with optimal diagnosis, and treatment planning for procedures such as wisdom teeth removal and implant placement surgery. Our dentists will let you know if you require a CBCT X-ray at the time of your consultation or your specialist will let you know if you require this type of X-ray prior to having surgery with them. The cost of a CBCT X-ray is determined on what areas of your teeth, mouth and jaw are being treated and we can provide you with a quote on the same day as your consultation appointment with us, if you have private health insurance we can provide you with a health fund quote through our HICAPS machine at your appointment, however you must have your health insurance card to obtain a quote.
Scale and Cleans and Promoting Good Oral Hygiene
At Doucas Dental we have a dedicated team of dentists who provide gentle and regular care and are committed to providing professional scale and cleans whilst promoting good oral hygiene techniques to every patient. If you have private health insurance, scale and cleans maybe be partially or fully covered by your health fund depending on your level of dental cover. As we are a HBF member plus dental provider and a CBHS choice network and corporate health dental provider, these funds may cover the total cost of one scale and clean per calendar year, however this depends on your level of dental extras cover and annual limits do apply.
Call our Doucas Dental Team on 08 9274 1657 to book an appointment for your dental check up, scale and clean today or Book Online by clicking here.