A comprehensive oral examination - in
conjunction with a thorough medical and dental history - can also provide
valuable insight into the overall health and well-being of the patient. In
case of the first encounter it is essential to analyze the
patient's case history (anamnesis, previous diseases) and exam the mouth,
which enables the dentist to set up the treatment plan. Firstly, during the
examination, the dentist surveys the face, touches the lymphatic nodes (extra
oral examination) and examines the whole oral cavity. After careful
inspection of the teeth the dentist examines the gingiva, the mucous membrane of
the oral cavity, the palate and the tongue, which is essential due to the
increasing number of neoplasm in the oral cavity.
Small X-rays help to observe a single tooth or teeth groups.
The X-ray can help in detecting cavities or analysing periradical
processes.
Panoramic X-ray gives information about all of the teeth and
also about the state of the jaws (thickness of bone), maxillary sinus and
mandibular joint. It helps the dentist in creating the treatment plan.
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