What Happens at the Continuing Care

What Happens at the Continuing Care (Checkup) Appointment?

The vast majority of our patients return to the dental office at regular intervals, determined by their individual needs, for continuing care appointments. These visits allow our staff to conduct periodic evaluations and perform preventative care. We are motivated to help our patients maintain optimal oral health. This preventative strategy is designed to achieve many goals, some of which include:

1. to avoid the need for major treatment in the future

2. to allow the dentist and the hygienist to monitor concerns that may require clinical treatment

3. to allow the dentist to diagnose concerns before they become major problems

4. to assist patients with their home care

5. to provide diet recommendations to promote ideal dental health

At every continuing care visit we will:

- update the medical history

- perform an oral cancer screening of the soft tissue

- do a periodontal analysis

- assess existing fillings and detect cavities

- provide oral hygiene instruction

- scaling above and below the gum line, irrigation of the gum pockets, polishing, and desensitization

- when necessary, take new radiographs and compare to existing x-rays

- diagnose and treatment plan by communicating among the dentist, the hygienist, and the patient

Successful periodontal treatments, good periodontal health, and minimal decay result when the patient, the hygienist, and the dentist all work together. The continuing care appointments are far more than "just a cleaning".

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