Dental Check-Ups and Examinations

A dental examination is a critical part of the dental check-up appointment. At your first visit and subsequent dental check-up appointments, our dentist at TEETH @ Tiong Bahru Dental Clinic in Singapore will thoroughly examine the health of your oral and perioral tissues.

During a dental check-up, our dentist will perform a comprehensive dental examination to assess the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. This includes checking for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. Our dentist will also evaluate your bite, jaw alignment, and any existing dental work conditions, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges.

A dental check-up appointment typically involves thoroughly cleaning your teeth, known as prophylaxis. Our skilled dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and along the gum line, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. They may also polish your teeth to remove surface stains and leave your smile looking brighter and healthier.

Benefits of Dental Examination

A dentist should be one of the healthcare professionals you see regularly. Regular dental check-ups of teeth, gums, oral and perioral health allow us to catch problems at an earlier stage. This generally means that they will be easier to treat and that the treatment will have a higher chance of success.

Routine dental check-ups and examinations offer numerous benefits for your oral health:

Early Detection of Dental Problems: Regular dental check-ups allow our dentist to identify and address dental issues in their early stages, such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. Early detection and treatment can prevent these problems from progressing and requiring more extensive and costly procedures in the future.

Preventive Care: During your dental check-up, our dentist and hygienist will provide personalised advice on maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing. They may also recommend preventive treatments, like fluoride applications or dental sealants, to help protect your teeth from decay.

Improved Overall Health: Your oral health is closely connected to your overall health. Regular dental check-ups can help identify and address oral health issues linked to other systemic health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Maintaining good oral health can contribute to better overall health and well-being.

Dental Check-Up Process

Signs of oral health issues can be seen even before a dentist looks inside your mouth. Our dental team will start by checking jaw joint movements, lymph nodes, and facial symmetry. They will then check for signs of other oral health conditions, tooth decay, and gum health. To do this, they will look at your cheeks, tongue, below the tongue, and palate.

Our dentists conduct a complete dental examination to check for gum disease and tooth health. They conduct a Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) for every adult at every dental check-up. They also examine each tooth, looking for signs of caries, checking the integrity of existing fillings, and treating if necessary.

During the dental examination, our dentist will:

• Assess your gum health by measuring the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums, known as periodontal pockets. This helps to determine if you have any signs of gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
• Check for tooth decay by visually examining each tooth surface and using special instruments to detect soft or decayed areas. They may also use a laser cavity detection tool to identify cavities in their earliest stages.
• Evaluate the condition of any existing dental work, such as fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants, to ensure they are still functioning properly and not showing signs of wear or damage.
• Screen for oral cancer by examining your lips, tongue, throat, and the inside of your cheeks for any unusual lumps, patches, or sores indicative of precancerous or cancerous changes.

X-rays may be recommended as part of the dental examination. These usually come in ‘bitewings’, small X-rays showing the top and bottom back teeth on each side. All X-rays are taken using the most advanced digital equipment. Digital X-rays require dramatically less radiation than the old film system: they are fast, save straight to the computer for you to see, and allow us to diagnose problems at an early stage more easily.

Dental X-rays are an essential diagnostic tool that allows our dentist to see beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. They can help detect problems that may not be visible during a visual examination, such as:

• Cavities between the teeth or under existing fillings
• Impacted or misaligned teeth
• Infections in the bone
• Cysts or tumours
• Developmental abnormalities

At the end of the examination, your dentist will discuss your overall oral health and give you a customised treatment plan for your consideration. Please do ask our team any questions at any time throughout the process. Your treatment is under your control, and we will only proceed with the treatment you have consented to.

Cost of Dental Examinations at Our Clinic

The dental checkup costs and examination consultation fees vary depending on the complexity of each patient’s needs. However, the fees are usually deducted from subsequent treatment charges — in effect, they are typically waived.

At TEETH @ Tiong Bahru Dental Clinic, everyone should have access to quality dental care. We offer competitive and transparent pricing for our dental check-up and examination services in Singapore. The cost of your check-up will depend on factors such as the type of examination required, additional diagnostic tests (e.g., X-rays), and dental insurance coverage.

Our friendly staff will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs of your dental check-up and discuss any available payment options or dental insurance plans that may help make your dental care more affordable.

Regular dental check-ups and examinations are crucial to maintaining good oral health. Making a dental check-up appointment with a highly qualified dentist for routine examination can ensure dental problems are detected and treated early, helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years. 

Contact TEETH @ Tiong Bahru Dental Clinic today to schedule your dental check-up appointment and take the first step towards optimal oral health!