Preventive Care in Raritan, NJ
Dental Hygiene Visits
Our hygienists provide services backed by the latest science and research. Many systemic diseases begin in the mouth and our team is committed to thorough assessment and discussion about your individual diagnosis and treatment plan. You visit us for your preventive care just a few days per year so we provide the teaching, the tools and the products for you to use on all of the days that we aren’t right there with you!
Dental Exams And Cleanings Specialist
Dental X-rays, and cleanings are all part of regular dental wellness check-ups. Most patients need to have a dental cleaning, X-rays, and a full dental exam and cleaning at least once or, preferably, twice a year. People with serious dental issues might need to schedule exams more often. Dr. Loutfi, practicing at Stunning Smiles of Somerset in Raritan, New Jersey is always there to help his patients, with routine care like teeth cleanings, exams and emergency care when needed.
Why are routine dental exams important?
Routine dental exams are an integral part of good dental health. We cannot have a healthy body without a healthy mouth. Science has proven that patients who maintain healthy teeth and gums enjoy better overall health and avoid the additional costs of major dental treatments in the future. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends that patients of all ages have routine dental exams in Raritan twice each year. Our hygiene team works with you to establish the best plan of action for you.
A Check Up in our Office
We hope you leave our office saying, “This was the best hygiene visit I’ve ever experienced!” Not only will you receive an excellent dental cleaning, you’ll also leave with a thorough and precise accounting of what you and your hygienist have found during your visit. Using digital radiographs, oral cancer screenings, full periodontal assessments, head and neck examinations, pH screening, doctor exam and a laser-focused plan for each of you we hope you feel cared for at the highest level.
How does a routine dental exam work?
First, Dr. Loutfi will do a full visual examination of your mouth. He uses dental equipment including mouth mirrors, high-intensity lights, and other specialized dental tools. During this visual exam, Dr. Loutfi is searching for issues and emerging issues such as cracked teeth, tooth decay, and other problems.
During a routine dental exam in Raritan, NJ, Dr. Loutfi will review your medical history to determine whether any new conditions are affecting your dental health.
He’ll also perform an oral cancer screening, checking the gums, throat, tongue, lips, face, and neck for signs of oral cancer.
A routine dental exam includes a full gum disease evaluation. Dr. Loutfi will check both gums and bone surrounding the teeth for periodontal disease.
Additionally, any existing restorations will be checked during the exam. This includes fillings, crowns, inlays, overlays, bridges, and all other restorations.
Periodontal Services
Our team of hygienists have gone through the highest level of training in preventive and periodontal treatment and care. While we are able to treat most periodontal patients in our office, should the need arise, we partner with specialists who can assist when needed and are with you every step of the way.
Dental X-Rays: When and Why?
X-rays are done during routine dental exams. Diagnostic X-rays can reveal hidden problems that the visual exam didn’t reveal.
Bitewing X-rays are usually taken once a year, while a panographic X-ray that revolves around the entire head is usually taken every three to five years.
Because we are only able to see about 25% of your teeth when we look inside of your mouth, dental X-Rays are imperative for a thorough exam. Our doctor evaluates the 25% he can see visually and the other 75% that he cannot see visually, with X-Rays. We invest in the best digital scanning and X-Rays equipment on the market. Why? So that we see what we need to see, when we need to see it using the lowest amount of X-Ray exposure available on the market today.
What is included in a dental cleaning?
A dental cleaning at Stunning Smiles of Somerset starts with tartar (calculus) removal. Tartar starts out as plaque, which is easily removed. However, once it’s on your teeth for a long time it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dental care professional.
If any plaque is present, it’s also removed at the time of the dental cleaning.
Your teeth are then thoroughly cleaned and polished.
In cases where the tartar builds up under the gums, a deep cleaning called a root planning may be necessary.