Preventative Care
One of the best ways to avoid having to come to the dentist for major dental work is to come to see us routinely for care that helps you keep your teeth and smile healthy and problem free. Dr. Leong and his team truly believe that the best dentistry for you is that which results in not needing treatment at all. Coming to our clinic and learning about the right habits and ways to care for your teeth is what can ultimately keep pain and discomfort away and make you happiest about your oral health! Contact Us Today!
New patient visits
Your first patient experience with Dr. Leong is about getting to know you and identifying your needs and concerns regarding your oral health. He will have a comprehensive discussion with you about your medical and dental history, your life circumstances, any problems you might currently have with your teeth, and your desires regarding your teeth and smile. The first time you come to our office, Dr. Leong will perform a comprehensive examination, not only of just your teeth, but your whole head and neck. During this visit we will:
- Take digital photographs of your teeth and smile
- Take digital x-rays of your teeth
- Screen for oral cancer
- Assess the function of your teeth and check existing dental work
- Conduct a periodontal assessment of the supporting structures around your teeth
- Discuss findings and present possible treatment options
Dr. Leong understands that this process is one of the most important aspects of your dental care and he will take the time to sit with you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of all of your proposed treatment options and answer any questions you might have about what was covered during this visit.
Preventative Hygiene
At Bow View Dental Care we believe in a team approach for the maintenance of your teeth and gums. Although we all do our very best to keep our teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing and flossing, soft plaque and hard scale (calculus) deposits will accumulate on the teeth over time. As plaque and calculus collect in the mouth, they create infection in the gums which can lead to bleeding gums, inflammation and bone loss around the teeth.
Common signs of gum disease:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Swollen gums
- Loose teeth or shifting teeth
Regular scaling is needed to remove these irritants and prevent this bacterial accumulation that can lead to gum disease. We provide comfortable ultrasonic scaling which uses vibration and gentle water flow to flush the tissues and remove hard and soft plaque, along with hand scaling using fine instruments to gently and carefully smooth the teeth. Our hygienist Toni will do a thorough assessment of your gum health, take measurements of the gums around each tooth and record any gum recession. She will explain what she sees and offer you treatment options and tools to care for your teeth and instruct you on their use. Together you will develop a strategy tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle, to keep your mouth healthy and catch problems early, before irreversible problems can occur.
Digital X-rays
A crucial part of helping you keep your teeth healthy is early detection of any problems that might be occuring in your mouth. X-rays allow the dentist to be able to see things that can’t be ordinarily seen when just looking inside the mouth. These images allow us to see decay happening between teeth or underneath existing dental work and infections happening at the roots of our teeth. Our digital x-ray system allows us to take highly detailed images of your teeth with less radiation than conventional x-rays. Patients who are concerned about radiation are often surprised that even a full mouth series (14-18 images) exposes you to less radiation than a day in the sun! When we can detect problems earlier, it allows us to fix problems with less treatment, and less cost to our patients.
Recare visits
Coming to the dentist for routine recare visits, and not just when we feel pain or see a problem, can go a long way in helping you to keep your smile healthy and avoid having to undergo extensive dental treatments. Regular exams allow us to catch problems early which makes them much easier and less expensive to treat. How often you should visit your dentist for continuing care will depend on your individual needs and will be recommended based on your dental history, health, and risk for problems.