Preventative
Dentistry
Hygiene Visits with Dr. Munro
The best defense for your teeth, to keep those cavity-causing bacteria at bay, is excellent dental care. But we understand that this can seem vague. What exactly should a patient like you be doing to keep your smile in the best shape? One way is to keep up with regularly scheduled dental appointments! During these visits, Dr. Munro can check your oral health for any signs of oral disease, cavities, and more. Take a look at what services we offer here at Parkview Dental.
What Patients Can Expect
At Parkview Dental, we believe strongly in providing minimally invasive dentistry. Many of our patients may have had negative experiences with past dentists, but we believe that if there’s a less invasive way to treat a patient, we’ll do it. Less pain, and less poking and prodding.
During a routine hygiene visit with Dr. Munro, patients can expect:
- X-ray Examination: It’s normal to have x-rays taken during each of your visits, in order to keep tabs on developing diseases and any tooth movements. Dr. Munro will also use these x-rays to determine candidacy for certain treatments, as they reveal what lies under your gums.
- Polishing and Flossing: Flossing is fairly common, but we also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. Along with fluoride application, we hope to prevent your teeth from becoming susceptible to tooth decay.
- CaMBRA Testing: CaMBRA stands for Caries Management by Risk Assessment, and tests for the biofilm that typically comes with a bacterial infection.
- Discussion of Treatment Options (if needed): If Dr. Munro notices any changes that need to be addressed, such as developing cavities, loose teeth, and more, then you’ll sit down with him one-on-one to discuss treatment options.
CaMBRA Testing
What is CaMBRA?
CaMBRA is a risk assessment tool that determines a patient’s risk to garner more cavities in between treatment visits. By determining a patient’s risk, we can tailor a treatment plan specifically to help the patient’s condition improve.
Part of the CaMBRA test includes testing for frequency of caries as well as remineralization of your jawbone and teeth. We advise patients on best homecare practices.
Risk Assessment Protocols
Patients are sorted into low, moderate, or high risk groups. The assessment takes into account certain factors like diet, home dental care practices, medical conditions, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I schedule hygiene appointments?
In order to maintain a healthy smile, it’s crucial to visit Dr. Munro for hygiene appointments at least twice a year. During these visits, we’ll clean and polish your teeth, take x-rays if necessary, and examine your entire mouth for signs of any potential issues. If Dr. Munro finds anything concerning, such as developing cavities or gum disease, he’ll work on developing an effective treatment plan right away.
I brush and floss every day -- do I still need hygiene appointments?
Yes! No matter how well you brush and floss, plaque can still accumulate in hard-to-reach areas of your teeth and gums. Without professional dental cleanings, all this built-up plaque will harden into tartar and lead to harmful oral infections. That’s why it’s crucial to schedule hygiene appointments at our practice every six months. Using special dental tools, our team will remove all the harmful bacteria to preserve the health of your smile.
What's the benefit of CaMBRA testing?
When you visit us for a hygiene appointment, we’ll include a CaMBRA test as part of your evaluation. This convenient risk assessment tool allows Dr. Munro to determine how likely you are to develop cavities before your next hygiene visit. Using this information, he can tailor your treatment plan for optimal results and help you improve your oral care at home, if necessary. Thanks to CaMBRA testing, our goal of keeping your smile cavity-free for a lifetime becomes much more manageable.