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Preventative Dentistry |
| Dr. Patel recommends that certain procedures be performed at regular dental visits as part of your proper dental hygiene. This preventative dentistry prevents problems before they start, corrects routine problems before they worsen, and identifies serious oral problems so they can be properly treated. |
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| Cleaning
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| Regular dental cleanings by Dr. Patel or his dental hygienist are part of a proper oral hygiene program. Cleanings help fight plaque, the major cause of tooth decay, gingivitis and serious gum disease. |
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| Dental Exams
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| Regular dental exams are a crucial part of preventative dentistry because they allow Dr. Patel to address dental problems in their early stages, and to identify serious problems. Most people need an exam every six months, but Dr. Patel may recommend more frequent visits depending on your circumstances. |
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| Polishing
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| Polishing is often the last step of a dental cleaning, scaling, and some restorative procedures. It smoothes and polishes teeth or restoration surface and removes some stains. |
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| Scaling
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| Plaque that remains on teeth eventually hardens into tartar, which is virtually impossible to remove with brushing and flossing alone. Scaling is the deep-cleaning procedure Dr. Patel or hygienist uses to scrape the tartar off your teeth at and below the gumline. |
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| X-Rays
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| X-rays take pictures called radiographs that show Dr. Patel the interior of dental structures and tissues, like teeth, gums and bones. These allow him to make a more thorough examination than is possible with the naked eye, and can help spot problems that would otherwise go undetected and untreated. |
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