Checkups and Cleanings
Checkups include diagnostic x-rays, thorough clinical evaluations, team to become familiar with your smile, prevent many common oral health concerns, and diagnose others in their earliest stages allowing us to offer the most conservative treatment options. Our comprehensive checkups encompass the following treatments:
Cleanings
Our skilled hygienists carefully remove plaque and tartar from every surface of teeth, explain and demonstrate best practices in at home hygiene, answer your questions, and make product recommendations.
Examinations
Dr. Munkel carefully examines your teeth, gums, and other oral structures in order to screen for common oral health concerns including tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) and oral cancer. He will respectfully explain his findings, answer any questions, and partner with you to create a plan for ongoing oral care that meets your personal needs.
Oral ID Cancer Screening
While many people believe that only those patients who use tobacco products need to receive oral cancer screenings, research has shown that more than 25% of those diagnosed with oral cancer DO NOT engage in any of the high risk behaviors associated with the disease. According to research conducted by the American Cancer society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 7,000 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The GOOD NEWS is that oral cancer can be effectively treated when caught in its earliest stages. The Oral ID is an optical based technology that allows Dr. Munkel to identify oral cancer, pre-cancer, and other abnormal lesions at an earlier stage, thus saving lives.
During regular check-ups, the dentist and hygienist will thoroughly look for changes and lesions in the mouth, but a dedicated comprehensive oral cancer screening should be performed at least once each year.
If you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer, please ask your dentist or dental hygienist.