A complete oral exam is a diagnostic exam performed by your dentist to gather the necessary information for your mouth, oral and overall health. It is used to obtain important baseline information and should be repeated every few years to update all current information.

Benefits of a Complete Oral Examination

The complete oral exam is critical to provide a full assessment and to diagnose any dental/oral problems at an early stage and is usually done every 3 to 5 years.

Between each comprehensive oral exam, your dentist will do a brief check-up, known as a recall exam. Recall exams are usually done every 6 months to check for any tooth or gum problems. While the recall exam is useful, it is much less detailed than a comprehensive oral exam.

During your complete oral exam, we will: 

• Update your medical history
• Chart any missing, chipped, broken or decayed teeth
• Chart any existing fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, root canals or prosthetics
• Assess the condition of previous dental restorative work
• Assess the condition of your gums, such as periodontal pockets, inflammation or other signs of gum disease which can lead to tooth and bone loss
• Take digital dental x-rays to check for possible decay between your teeth or under your gums, dental or jaw infections, as well as dental and bone abnormalities
• Assess the position and occlusion of the teeth
• Assess the jaw joint and check for signs of grinding or clenching
• Check for early signs of throat or mouth cancer 
• Check your lymph nodes and neck for any signs of abnormalities

The dental exam can catch problems early—before you see or feel them—when they are much easier and less expensive to treat. If you have any questions about a complete oral exam, please contact us!