Dental Checkup

Dental Check-ups

Dental Checkups in Cork: Preventing minor dental issues from flaring up into much more severe health problems is possible when you maintain a good check-up routine with our dentist. A check-up and consultation for additional dental services and treatments can help you ensure proper oral health.

 

Taking good care of your whole mouth begins with a check-up with your dentist, cleaning with the hygienist and a treatment plan to take care of any existing concerns if necessary.

Dental Consult Cork City Dentist L - General Dental Treatments Cork City Dentist

Prevention is better than the Cure!

It can be tempting to skip those routine check-ups if you feel like your teeth and gums are in great shape. However, routine check-up appointments are very often where cavities and other dental health concerns can be identified in their earliest stages. If a cavity can be treated before the decay has spread extensively, then this can help to avoid the need for root canal therapy, a large filling or a crown. It can also ultimately lead to the preservation of the tooth.

Getting a dental check-up and cleaning can help to remove tartar from the teeth and from below the gum line, which in turn can help to prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Remember symptoms of early decay and especially early gum disease are essentially painless. By the time these conditions are painful it is often too late. This especially true for baby teeth which have less hard tooth material and get in trouble very quickly.

One aspect that people overlook is that our dental check-ups scan for traces of mouth cancer which can be treated if identified early. A full oral cancer screen will not only check the soft tissues of your mouth but also your face, the lymph nodes in your head and neck and your thyroid gland where cancer can spread.

Consultations with your dental professional are an opportunity to learn more about oral health treatments that may be of interest to you. Remember that the better-informed patient is the patient who can make the right decisions for his or her dental health. Whether you are looking for restorative, cosmetic or orthodontic treatments, a consultation is your first step.

Every member of the family should be seen by their dentist at least twice a year. The routine check-up is your chance to share any concerns that you have about your teeth and gums. If you have noticed any changes to your teeth or your gums, a check-up is the perfect time to let your dentist know about it. Have you experienced sensitivity to heat or to cold drinks? Is there any swelling, pain or bleeding from your gums or white marks? Mentioning these issues to your dentist will ensure that they can be investigated before they escalate into larger issues.

Your check-up is also a chance to speak with your dentist about any questions that you may have about your teeth, your gums or your whole mouth care. Remember that check-ups are a great chance for children to learn or re-learn techniques for good brushing and flossing habits.

Excellent oral health care begins with open communication. Whether for a routine check-up or a consultation to learn more about some of the treatments we can offer you, keeping that conversation flowing will go a long way towards ensuring a beautiful, healthy smile.

It’s important to keep in mind that your routine check-up is more of a preventative than a treatment. It’s during this visit with your dentist that you will be able to learn which types of treatments can offer you the most benefit.

Your dentist will be checking for signs of decay and damage. Any signs of tooth grinding, infection in the gums, and even oral cancers can be spotted during an examination.

A consultation is your chance to meet with your dental professional in order to discuss more focused treatments and solutions. If you are interested in veneers or an orthodontic solution, your consultation will allow you to learn more about the options that you have available to you.

Dental Treatment Options Cork City Dentist L - General Dental Treatments Cork City Dentist

During your check-up, your dentist will perform an examination of your mouth. Each of your teeth will be carefully examined and if there are any signs of decay or an infection, then it will be noted so that a treatment plan can be formed. X-rays may be taken if there is any indication that trouble spots may be just beneath the surface of what your dentist can see.

Your dentist will have an understanding of the types of oral health issues that you may need to have addressed. Personalised preventive advice will be offered, tailored to meet the health goals for YOUR teeth and gums.

There is no one-size solution when it comes to the care of your teeth and your gums. The treatment options that you will be presented with will be those that will help you to achieve the best results.

When you work with your dentist and keep up with your routinely scheduled check-ups, you will be able to keep your teeth and gums in good health. When your dentist is allowed the opportunity to evaluate your current dental health, routinely, it will help to keep you on the right track for good oral health care. The sooner that any potential concerns are identified, the sooner your dentist will be able to offer a treatment solution and the simpler that solution will be. Did you know early cavities in the enamel can have some fluoride cream applied and will often harden up and reseal.

If you or a member of the family are a good candidate for additional dental treatment options, then your dentist check-up and consultation will be the perfect time for you to learn more about these opportunities to get the perfect smile.

At Cork City Dentist we provide our patients with a wide range of dental services and treatments that are each designed to meet the unique needs of our patients. Our competitive pricing ensures that patients can reach their oral health goals without worry. Our team of experienced professionals will work with you to determine the best types of treatments that will meet your oral health care needs. Review our pricing chart below or call the clinic to learn more about how we can keep you smiling.

TreatmentPrice
PRSI - Annual Examination (including oral cancer screening)FREE
PRSI - Scale and Polish€15-25
Examination (including oral cancer screening)€40
Scale and Polish€80
Prescriptions€30
Fissure Sealants€25
Hygienist visit€75
Periodontal therapy/treatment of gum disease per visit€80-90
Dental Splint/Nite guard - Light€200
Dental Splint/Nite guard - Heavy Duty€400
Small X-rays€10 each
Panoramic X-ray€80

Keep your teeth and gums as healthy as can be, with your routine check-up and professional cleaning. Book your appointment online or call the clinic at 0214501306.

IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY

Please Call us via the number below

(021) 450 1306

Contact Us


    Just finished my one year invisalign journey with Micheal and his team. After he spent a whole hour for free with me explaining invisalign and was really reasonably priced, I knew I would go with him. He is SO kind and gentle, and was really helpful and attentive during my treatment, adjusting things when needed. He also recommended his colleague Dr Russell for composite bonding to finish off my teeth and I'm delighted I did, I'm so happy, I have the smile I've wanted my whole life now. I've recommended Michael to my friends with small kids and they all love him too. 100% recommend this dental practice. Thank you Michael!!!

    Michelle Healy Avatar Michelle Healy
    March 4, 2023

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    A dental checkup ideally twice a year is the best way to ensure the health and longevity of your teeth. Your dentist may spot the early signs of decay and gum disease- the leading causes of tooth loss in the world,. We will also screen your mouth for any of the early signs of mouth cancer. The vast majority of people will have their examination and oral cancer screen free of charge through the state dental schemes – either through their PRSI payments or perhaps their Medical Card. If you are paying privately it will usually cost 40euro with possibly 20euro for some small x-rays.  The PRSI scheme now offers a cancer screening and yearly checkup for 15 euro.

    You should visit your dentist twice annually that is every six months. Your mouth is an integral part of your body and the gateway to the inside of your body. Seeing your dentist twice a year means any potential problems may be diagnosed early and possibly before more severe treatment is required. The classic example of this is where perhaps a tooth cleaning can stop reversible gingivitis/ gum inflammation from progressing to permanent gum disease and loose teeth. There is mounting evidence of the connection between untreated mouth problems and serious medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, meningitis and dementia. This list continues to grow and is yet another reason to keep your mouth in good condition. Occasionally certain oral conditions will require you to attend more frequently perhaps every three months. For example in people who have dry mouths related to medication or who are at greater risk of dental problems.

    Your dental check-up will involve your dentist assessing all the soft and hard tissues of your oro-facial region. The usual check-up will take approximately 30 minutes however this time may be extended for nervous patients and for patients where extensive conversations regarding their wishes will be accommodated. Analysis of dental x-rays may take some time. Our clinic uses the most modern digital x-ray systems which are low dose, consistently accurate and develop in seconds. When you arrive at our surgery there may be a small amount of paperwork to complete including a medical history which may also take a minute or two. Alternatively, we can email this to you prior to your visit.

    Inside your mouth

    At your dental checkup, your dentist will review the health of all the parts of your mouth and face. We will review your teeth from the point of view of any acute dangers like decay and gum disease but also longer-term dangers such as tooth wear. Decay happens when bacteria in your mouth ferment sugar in your food and drink to create an acid. Tooth wear may be caused by your teeth grinding against each other or something you are eating or drinking can be too acidic and may be very mild in the early stages when you want to halt progress! Once we are happy that all urgent problems are dealt with then questions of aesthetics such as colour and alignment can be assessed.

    One of the most depressing situations occurs when a perfectly healthy tooth is being extracted because it has been hopelessly loosened by gum disease. While gum disease, also known as periodontitis, can occasionally cause rapid gum breakdown usually it is a slowly progressing condition. Therefore if any early problems are noticed at your check-up they can be treated before any major issues develop often with some oral hygiene advice and a scale and polish

    We have to remember that your mouth is more than just teeth and gums. Therefore we will also check the condition of your palate, tongue cheeks and throat. This will include checking the health of the ducts from your saliva glands which can occasionally be infected or blocked.

    Outside your mouth

    A good examination will also include a visual examination of the skin covering your face, head, ears and neck. It will also cover structures such as the muscles used for eating and chewing, your saliva producing glands and lymph drainage nodes. Smile aesthetics are also best assessed from the outside. Elements such as how many teeth you show when smiling, alignment, lip height and symmetry may be assessed. A whole front tooth show on smiling is considered aesthetic in men with a little more considered acceptable in women

    Oral cancer screening

    Your check-up will include a comprehensive oral cancer screen. Oral cancer has a high incidence in Europe and is increasing in frequency in those under the age of 45yrs.  All the structures of your mouth and face will be reviewed visually-  the soft tissues of your mouth internally and externally and the lymph nodes of your head and neck will be palpated. Of particular interest will be any persistent, ( more than 3 weeks), white or red patches and ulcers. One of the most disturbing things in recent years is the increase in the incidence of oral cancer in the under 45’s thought to be related to the HPV virus.

    The Irish Dental Association and all the major dental associations of the world recommend that a child’s first dental visit should be no later than one year of age. The reasons behind this apparently extremely early check-up are

    • the early establishment of good dental care at home,
    • early use of dental disease preventions/ interception,
    • early familiarization with the sights,
    • sounds and smells at the dental clinic thereby reducing anxiety,
    • education of parents on promoting and maintaining their child’s dental health.

    At our surgery, we recognize that with very small kids it is very unlikely that we will be allowed full access to the mouth and we will try and keep the visit fun for small kiddies. Often small children will sit on their parent’s knee however they are welcome to explore the dental chair!

    Dental sealant is also called fissure sealant. The fissure is the groove/valley in the top your side and back teeth when you look down on them and on the molars resembles a hot cross bun. A huge survey of dental decay patterns has found that 90% of decay in permanent teeth starts in this fissure. This is due to the ability of food to stick in and sink into the fissures which are hard to clean compared to the outside of your teeth for example.

    A fissure sealant is basically liquid white filling material which is stuck onto the fissure to block it off and stop food getting stuck. Occasionally people will have pits on the palate side of their front teeth which should be sealed but in general fissure sealants are for premolars, (side) and especially molars/back teeth. The first permanent molars come into the mouth at approximately six years of age without any baby tooth falling out. They are situated away at the back of the mouth in a hard to reach area and can do with all the protection they can get. They have to last a lifetime after all! Fissure seals are painless and do NOT involve any drilling or numbing. Usually, the tooth is brushed clean, a blue gel placed, the gel washed off, the sealant applied and a light shone on it to set. The age varies as to when a child will let us do a fissure seal as it takes a minute or so with your mouth open. As a general rule certainly most eight-year-olds are fine with some kids managing younger

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