Routine Dental Checkups

The Importance of Routine Checkups

Even the healthiest patients need regular dental checkups. Many times, there may be areas of your teeth or gums that you cannot see on your own at home which have underlying problems. A visit to Mountain Aire Dentistry can help you keep your mouth healthy and avoid problems.

What to Expect at a Routine Checkup

While most dental checkups consist of a routine cleaning and exam, at times there will be additional procedures depending on your current oral health. Each routine checkup begins with a consultation with Dr. Bockrath including a review of your current and past medical history.

Sharing Your Medical History

Before any dental treatment can commence our dental team will need to know your medical history. If this is your first appointment at the dental practice or, if you have been to the practice before, any changes in your health need to be shared. New medications, diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy, are all conditions that you need to let your dental team know about. This is the time to share any health concerns, anxieties, or allergies you may have in order to avoid complications and to make sure you get the care you need.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Mountain Aire Dentistry has the newest technology and equipment to help diagnosis your dental health with accuracy, speed and comfort.
Digital X-rays with our handheld X-ray device are faster and much more comfortable than conventional X-rays. They also help us diagnose your oral health needs more accurately — all with up to 90% less radiation exposure than conventional X-rays! Digital x-rays give your dental team a look at what is below the mouth’s surface; they offer your dentist and dental team visual knowledge of your teeth as well as the roots below the gum line and your jaw bones. Having this information, Dr. Bockrath is better able to assign you the oral care you need.

Our intraoral camera lets you see what we see when we examine your mouth. Our dentists will be able to show you any problem spots and thoroughly discuss your oral health with the help of the live digital images. You can now be an active participant in your dental exams!

Cleaning

One of the most important parts of the dental checkup will be a thorough cleaning of your teeth, gums and mouth. In the absence of gum disease (inflammation), a regular adult cleaning is provided. If gum disease is present, a deeper cleaning of the gums may be needed. Routine checkups are usually recommended every 6 months to ensure you are healthy.

Dental Exam

After your teeth are clean, and Dr. Bockrath has had an opportunity to review your dental radiographs, he will examine your teeth closely for signs of decay, using a metal probe and a small mirror with an angled handle. During your dental exam, he is checking for gum swelling and redness and will measure the depth of your gingival pockets. Swelling, redness, and deep pockets are all signs of gum disease. Dr. Bockrath will also test how your upper and lower teeth come together and will look for evidence of tooth grinding or problems with the temporomandibular joint (which connects the lower jaw to the skull). He will also examine your neck, lymph glands, palate, and the soft tissues of your mouth (cheeks, tongue, lips, and floor of the mouth) for signs of infection or oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screenings are a routine part of each checkup to make sure your mouth is free of any lesions or areas of concern. While oral cancer is extremely rare, it can progress very quickly and is a very deadly. Because early detection of oral cancer is important, you may also want to perform a monthly self-exam–particularly if you are at high risk.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Once Dr. Bockrath has had the opportunity to gather his findings and complete his diagnosis, together you will formulate a treatment plan to fit your needs. After the dental exam is complete, your dentist he will let you know about your current mouth health and will advise you about next steps. Sometimes this involves scheduling another dental appointment for a procedure while other times he will advise you on homecare steps to better your oral health. Put it into action Dr. Bockrath’s recommendations as best as you can to ensure that your next checkup is the best it can be.

Experience You Can Trust

Dr. Bockrath has many years of dental experience and is very efficient at the diagnosis of oral diseases and conditions. The staff at Mountain Aire Dentistry is trained to answer any questions you may have. Our office is conveniently located in Broomfield, CO and also serves surrounding areas such as Westminster, Thornton, Lafayette, Erie and Boulder. Contact Mountain Aire Dentistry today for an appointment at (303) 731-7755.