How Do You Diagnose My Smile?
September 14, 2017
Receiving any diagnosis, especially one which may require extensive treatment, can be confusing. Your dentist or doctor or whoever provided the diagnosis will often be happy to answer any questions to try to clear up any confusion. With cosmetic dentistry, a diagnosis may come with a variety of treatment options. So, how do we diagnose your smile? The simple answer is that with experience comes trained eyes. Investments in technology can also lend a hand in diagnosis. With a combination of training, experience, and technological cameras and scanners, diagnostics on your smile can be determined.
Experience and Training
Before any diagnosis is given, your dentist will talk to you about your mouth and your needs. You are on the frontlines with your smile and you know if anything unusual is going on. If you have been referred to us by another dentist, we will talk with them about their take on your smile situation. During the exam, we will look for signs of anything unusual, any signs of trouble, or anything that could be improved. This first stage will allow us the opportunity to decide if any technological assistance is needed to assess your situation.
Technology
Digital X-rays are an excellent way to get a read on your mouth’s health. A digital X-ray emits up to 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays, and the images can be pulled up almost instantly. Intraoral cameras are small digital cameras that can allow us to see areas of our mouth that cannot be seen by the eye. The footage from the digital camera can be brought up on a chairside monitor in real-time to allow for a keen sense of what is going on with your smile. CT scans are not typical for preventative care but may be used to diagnose a more complicated situation. A CT scan is a computerized tomography that gives a precision map and scan of your mouth.
Trust Us With Your Smile Diagnosis
We diagnose your smile with experience, training, and technology. To schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.