If you’re looking for diagnostic dentistry services in Columbia, Maryland, you may already be aware of the benefits of diagnostic dentistry. But just in case you’re not, it’s worth remembering that any diagnostic process is the practice of determining all health problems within an area of medical expertise. Therefore, diagnostic dentistry aims to discover all oral health problems in a patient. A dental diagnosis makes it easier to create an effective treatment plan.
Want to experience the benefits of diagnostic dental care in Columbia, Maryland? Reach out to Columbia Smiles today. You can call 410.690.4855 or contact our team online.
What Is Diagnostic Dentistry?
While sometimes used interchangeably, diagnostic dentistry is different from preventive dentistry, although both are needed to maintain good oral health. While diagnostic dentistry, as mentioned above, is meant to spot oral health problems that are developing or have developed, preventative dentistry is meant to hold off on the development of oral health problems.
If you have a regular schedule of preventative dental procedures, such as professional teeth cleaning appointments, you may not develop common oral health problems, or if you do, they may develop slowly. Diagnostic dental procedures, on the other hand, can spot problems in your mouth before they turn into costly, painful, or time-consuming issues. You can work with your dentist on a treatment plan that fits your budget, your time, and your specific oral health needs.
Like dental cleanings, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a diagnostic dental checkup every six months. However, if you have already been diagnosed with an oral health condition, your dental cleaning and diagnostic checkup schedule may be customized to address the existing issue.
Diagnostic dentistry services may include the following:
- Checking biting, chewing, and swallowing patterns
- Checking blood pressure
- Evaluating gum tissue
- Examining teeth to detect decay
- Reviewing and updating medical history — including cancer treatment, diabetes issues, heart problems, joint replacement, medications, pregnancy, and upcoming surgeries
- Screenings and examinations to detect oral cancer
- Treatment planning — including referrals to specialists
What Are the Benefits of Diagnostic Dentistry?
1. A Chance To Consider Preventative Dental Care
If you don’t have a regular schedule for preventative dental procedures, especially dental cleanings, you should definitely consider making a change. In many cases, a diagnostic dental checkup will find minor problems that can be treated with minor adjustments to your diet and oral health habits.
2. Better Care
One of the best benefits of diagnostic dentistry is that it’s a foundation for better dental care. If you set diagnostic dental checkups every six months, your dentist will have the information to make proper decisions when it comes to your preventative dental work and your personal oral health routine.
3. Better Rapport With Dental Professionals
Were you or are you afraid of going to the dentist? Some people grow up with dental anxiety and, as adults, don’t take care of their teeth properly. Another great benefit of diagnostic dentistry is that it gives patients the space and time to get to know their dentists, which can help ease dental anxiety.
Better rapport with your dentist and their staff can help you trust them to perform sometimes painful or discomforting procedures on your teeth and gums. Overall, diagnostic dentistry can help you feel more comfortable with seeking professional dental care.
4. Dental Education
When something’s wrong with your gums and teeth, wouldn’t you want to know the specifics of the situation? More than diagnosing oral health problems, a dentist can also explain them to their patients during a diagnostic dental checkup. This information, combined with further research, can help patients figure out what type of procedures they want to undergo and which medications they want to take.
5. More Effective Treatment Plans
Because oral health problems identified during diagnostic dental checkups are often still minor issues, there’s time for the dentist and the patient to work together on a treatment plan that’s affordable, effective, and ideal. More than any other diagnostic dentistry benefit, this is the one that should convince you to schedule diagnostic dental checkups every six months.
Schedule a Professional Teeth Cleaning at Columbia Smiles Today
If you’re looking to experience the benefits of diagnostic dental care in Columbia, Maryland, contact Dr. Michael Hsu at Columbia Smiles today. You can call 410.690.4855 or reach out to our team online.
