Protect Your Smile with
Comprehensive Dental Exams in
Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH
Your Complete Dental Check-Up: Personalized, Preventative, Professional
During your initial visit and routine check-ups, Dr. Briggs and our experienced team will conduct a thorough dental examination, carefully evaluating every aspect of your oral health. Our proactive approach ensures we can detect potential issues early, helping you avoid more complex procedures down the line. By focusing on prevention and patient education, we empower you to maintain a healthier smile with treatments that are both effective and minimally invasive.
Comprehensive Oral Health Evaluation
A comprehensive dental exam is more than just a routine check-up—it’s a thorough assessment of your entire oral health, allowing us to identify any issues early and provide tailored treatments. As part of your dental exam, we’ll conduct:
Examination of Diagnostic X-Rays (Radiographs)
X-rays are crucial for identifying hidden dental problems, such as decay between teeth, abscesses, cysts, bone loss, and tumors. They also help determine the position of teeth and roots, guiding accurate treatment plans. Dental X-rays are safe and performed annually or biannually based on your needs.
Oral Cancer Screening
Detecting cancer early is imperative to your oral health. We perform a detailed check of the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums to identify any signs of oral cancer, ensuring early detection and timely intervention.
Gum Disease Evaluation
Healthy gums are the cornerstone of oral health. Our evaluation focuses on detecting any signs of periodontal disease by examining the gums and bone structure around your teeth.
Examination of Tooth Decay
It’s important to treat cavities before they become a bigger issue. Using specialized dental instruments, we thoroughly check all tooth surfaces for any signs of decay to prevent cavities from progressing.
Visual and Physical Cancer Screenings
Early detection is key to successfully treating oral cancer, and regular screenings are a vital component of our preventative care services. During your dental exam, we conduct both visual and physical screenings to thoroughly evaluate your oral and facial health.
- Visual Screening: Dr. Briggs carefully inspects the mouth, lips, tongue, cheeks, and throat for any unusual patches, sores, discolorations, or other signs that could indicate the presence of cancerous or precancerous conditions.
- Physical Screening: In addition to the visual inspection, Dr. Briggs will gently feel the tissues in and around your mouth, including the neck, jaw, and under the chin, to detect any lumps, swelling, or irregularities that might not be visible. This comprehensive approach allows us to catch potential concerns early, when treatment is most effective
Personalized Preventative Care
Preventative care extends beyond our office—it includes your daily habits at home. To maintain a healthy smile, we recommend that you brush and floss at least twice a day, especially before bedtime.
Rinsing your mouth after brushing and meals will release any food particles in the mouth that may lead to tooth decay. We can offer personalized advice on mouthwash, fluoride treatments, tongue cleaners, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Exams
How often should you visit the dentist?
For most patients, a dental exam and professional cleaning every six months is a smart routine. These visits help us catch small concerns early, such as cavities, gum inflammation, or signs of wear, before they become bigger, more costly problems. Regular exams also include important screenings that protect more than just your teeth.
That said, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all schedule. Some people benefit from visits more often, especially if they’ve had gum disease, frequent cavities, certain health conditions, tobacco use, pregnancy-related gum changes, orthodontic treatment, or dental implants. On the other hand, patients with consistently strong oral health may be able to come in less frequently, but only if your dentist recommends it, since many dental problems can develop without obvious symptoms.
How often do you need dental X-rays? Are they safe?
The right schedule for dental X-rays depends on your age, your oral health history, and what we see during your exam. If you’re prone to cavities, have gum concerns, or are experiencing symptoms such as pain, we may recommend X-rays more frequently. If your mouth is healthy and stable, you may need them less frequently.
When X-rays are recommended, they’re taken with your safety in mind. Modern dental imaging uses very low levels of radiation, and we only take X-rays when they help us diagnose or prevent problems, like decay between teeth, infections, bone loss, or issues that aren’t visible during a visual exam.
Do you screen for oral cancer at dental exams?
Yes. Oral cancer screening is an important part of a comprehensive dental exam. During your visit, we look for unusual changes in the mouth, tongue, cheeks, and throat, things that can be easy to miss on your own.
Screenings are quick, comfortable, and designed to catch concerns early, when treatment is often simpler. If we see anything that looks abnormal, we’ll explain what we found and guide you on the next best step.
Are dental exams covered by insurance?
In many cases, yes. Most dental insurance plans include preventive benefits that help cover routine dental exams (and often cleanings), especially when you stay on a regular schedule. Coverage details vary by plan, though some have waiting periods, frequency limits, or different coverage levels depending on the type of exam.
If you’re not sure what your plan includes, our team can help. We’re happy to review your benefits and explain what to expect before your visit, so there are no surprises.
Contact Us
Your Partner in Dental Health
At Stephanie Briggs, DDS, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Preventative care is a partnership, and we are honored to be part of your journey to optimal oral health.
Contact us today to schedule your next dental exam and take the first step toward a healthier smile!