Dental Exam and Checkup
Regular dental exams and checkups are a critical part of your preventative health care. An important part of your routine dental care includes having a complete dental exam and checkup performed by Dr. Crystal Dental. It is essential to your oral health to schedule a dental exam and checkup twice a year at a minimum.
A dental exam is just not reserved for when you are experiencing tooth pain, or you accidentally chip a tooth. Consistent and regular dental exams and checkups are the best way to prevent emergencies from occurring from cavities, gum pain or infections. While some emergencies cannot be prevented, like an accident; issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer can all be detected early and treated, therefore avoiding future problems.
The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental radiates compassion and enthusiasm. Every member embraces your individual comfort and dental needs. We seek balance in our practice, our procedures, and your health. You will find your entire dental experience with us comforting from start to finish. We balance exceptional, personalized dental care with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Call us today at 440-974-4449 to schedule your appointment for a dental exam and checkup for you or a family member. You can conveniently find us at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.
Dr. Crystal
Dr. Crystal is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine and went on to receive training at one of the most prestigious dental residencies in the nation, The Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.
Inform & Educate
We empower you to make wise, well-informed decisions for your oral health through patient education and individual consultation. We do this through the modern technology we offer. Our digital x-rays are equipped with special cavity-detecting software, and we also utilize an intraoral camera to show you what we see in your mouth. We also make sure to stay up-to-date on your medical history, current medications and any other factors that might affect your dental health and treatment.
Insurance & Billing
We are an insurance-friendly office, so please call us about your plan. We will do our best to assist you in maximizing your benefits. At your first visit to our Mentor dental practice, we will ask you for your current insurance information. We may ask you to confirm this information at subsequent visits so we can stay up-to-date and fully informed to serve you. As a courtesy to you, we file all claim forms electronically, provide postage for special claims, and we track claims for you.
Who is a Candidate for a Dental Exam and Checkup?
Absolutely everyone is a candidate for a dental exam and checkup. No exceptions. All family members, from the small children with their baby teeth to the grandparents with restorations, should see Dr. Crystal Dental at the very minimum of every six months. Children may be more susceptible to decay due to enamel that is thinner that enamel on permanent teeth, dietary habits, and oral hygiene habits. It is important to have dental exams to make sure their teeth are growing in properly without decay or disease, as well as to monitor proper jaw growth and development. Even though children lose their baby teeth eventually, the first set is important to maintain space for their permanent teeth.
As for the adults in your family, routine dental exams and checkups are an important part of preventative dentistry, to help maintain a healthy smile throughout life. As you age, along with lifestyle and health changes, there are dental conditions that may arise that can increase your risk for oral infections or conditions. Risks for dental decay, periodontal or gum disease, functional bite and joint issues, as well as esthetics need evaluation over time. At home brushing and flossing twice daily will help keep your mouth healthy, and we can complement your efforts with a more thorough cleaning and then screen for more serious oral issues at your exams.
The Expectations at a Dental Exam and Checkup
During your dental exam and checkup with Dr. Crystal Dental, we will examine your mouth thoroughly with the latest technologies and instrumentation. These will help our team perform a thorough checkup of your teeth and gums and to perform various examinations of your mouth. Here are some common issues identified in an exam:
- Tooth decay- We will check every tooth for weakening enamel, cracks, or areas of plaque buildup which are signs of potential decay and eventual cavities or infection.
- X-rays- These images allow us to identify what is going on below the surface of your gums. X-rays will show our team how healthy a tooth is, how the root looks below the gum line, and if there are growths, tumors, cysts, or places of decay. Once we have a series of x-rays to compare from previous visits to the current one, we will have a more complete set of data to monitor the progression of your dental health.
- Gum disease – We will look closely at your gums and your teeth near the gum line to check for any signs of periodontal disease.
- Existing restorations- We will check all fillings, crowns, or other restorations for signs of serious wear and tear that can result in future infections. We want to ensure that your dental restorations are maintainable and cleansable for long lasting health.
- Oral cancer screening- Our gentle team will closely evaluate your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, lips, and throat for any signs of cancer, abnormal growths, or other pathology that may need further investigation.
- Education- Our detail-orientated team will review with you the best ways to keep your mouth healthy at home from how to brush and clean between your teeth to which areas of your mouth might need more attention. With that in mind, we may recommend specific products or techniques unique to you and your mouth. We can even review suggestions regarding your diet that includes avoiding sugar, adequate water intake and foods to eat to get the nutrients you need to maintain a strong and healthy smile.
Deep Teeth Cleaning Information
Sometimes, even adults who meticulously brush and floss twice a day, visit Dr. Crystal Dental twice a year, and maintain healthy diets still run into issues with gum disease. Those at higher risk for gum disease, known as periodontitis, often have a family history of the disease despite good oral care habits. When our team detects gum disease in one or more areas of your mouth, we will recommend a more thorough deep cleaning involving cleaning below the gum line with specific dental tools. This is called a scaling and root planing, or a deep cleaning and it will remove tartar buildup, debris, and bacteria from below the gums which is the source of the inflammation of your gums. If this is not addressed, it can lead to more serious stages of gum disease which include tooth and bone loss.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry with Dr. Crystal Schneider, involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. She believes that preventive care is the most important aspect of comprehensive dentistry. Dr. Schneider aims to identify and treat problems while they’re still small, which can save you time, money and more extensive dental treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. We provide several cosmetic dental treatments that can subtly enhance your smile, and there are many other more dramatic treatments, often called “smile makeovers,” that can give you the smile of your dreams.
Specialized Dentistry
Missing teeth can take the joy out of the everyday things we love, from smiling and talking with confidence to eating our favorite foods. All of these things can become easier again with specialized dental care. Dr. Schneider offers advanced treatments that will not just restore your smile to its former health – they’ll make it look and feel even better than before!
Keeping Your Dental Visits to A Minimum
No one should attempt to avoid the dentist all together, but you certainly can keep your appointments to a minimum. Brushing at home twice a day, for two minutes each time, with a fluoride toothpaste and soft brush is a healthy start. Flossing as a part of your daily routine will help remove any food particles left between the teeth and loosens any plaque building in between the teeth. You can add a rinse with a mouth wash or antibacterial rinse to help your gums to stay healthy and disease free. Eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and avoiding high sugar and high acid foods will help keep out of our dental chair other than your scheduled preventative exams.
Our Devotion to Family Dentistry is Unparalleled
Our attention to detail is second to none. Either when it comes to your personalized dental care or the array of amenities in the relaxing comfort of our office. The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental goes the extra mile in providing communication and consultation, realizing that we collectively are committed to developing long lasting relationships with every patient. We find gratification in life changing healthy smiles. Call us now at 440-974-4449 to make an appointment for a dental exam and checkup for you or your child. Our office is located at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.