Timothy P. Sulken, D.D.S. believes that one of the most important parts of lasting oral health and wellness is to schedule wellness visits every six months, and the Cleveland Clinic agrees.
You may know wellness visits as cleanings, but they are so much more than that.
An oral wellness visit to Timothy P. Sulken, D.D.S. will also include the following services:
- Diagnostic X-rays – X-rays are vital for detecting oral health problems like decay, bone loss, cysts, tumors, and more. Additionally, they help Dr. Sulken determine the position of your teeth and roots.
- Oral Cancer Screenings – Dr. Sulken will check your face, neck, throat, tongue, gums, and lips for signs and symptoms of oral, head, and neck cancer.
- Gum Evaluation – Dr. Sulken will examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease. This evaluation is a series of steps that will allow the dentist to determine the health of your gums and if a treatment plan should be employed.
- Dental Decay Evaluation – Dr. Sulken or his team will check the surface of your teeth for cavities. This evaluation is performed using special dental instruments. If a cavity is found we will suggest a treatment strategy and perform the necessary fix if possible.
- Restoration Evaluation – Dr. Sulken or his team will check your restorations such as fillings, crowns, veneers, etc. to ensure they are still healthy and performing their essential duties. If they are not we will recommend a treatment strategy or correct the problem during your visit if possible.
Along with these evaluations, screenings, and examinations is your professional cleaning (dental prophylaxis) performed by a member of Dr. Sulken’s team of Dental Hygienists or Expanded Function Dental Assistants. The professional cleaning includes the following:
- Removal of Tartar – Tartar is plaque that has hardened over time. Tartar is firmly attached to the surface of your tooth. Tartar can form above and below your gum line and can only be removed using special dental instruments.
- Removal of Plaque – Plaque is a group of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that exists on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is extremely hard to see and can cause gum inflammation if not removed. This inflammation is the beginning of periodontal disease.
- Teeth Polishing – This process removes stains and plaque that have been leftover after brushing and scaling. This process also smooths your tooth in order to make it harder for plaque to accumulate on the surface of your tooth.
In addition to your cleaning and examinations, your wellness visits offer us an opportunity to educate our patients on proper dental care.
This opportunity is important in maintaining proper at home care of your teeth.
Finally, before leaving our office Dr. Sulken will evaluate all information attained during the visit and go over any concerns you may have.
If treatment is needed outside of your wellness visit it will be scheduled by one of our outstanding administrators on a future date.
Your wellness visits are critical to your oral and overall health. In fact, it has been found that patients who schedule wellness visits every six months end up spending less money on treatments. The reason for this is that you avoid costly and big problems with routine maintenance. The sooner you can catch a problem, the better. Not only are wellness visits saving your teeth but they are also saving your money.