Oral examinationIt refers to the process of evaluating oral and dental health through professional medical means, aiming to early detect problems such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral mucosal lesions. Its contents mainly includeInspection, probing, percussion, imaging examinationetc., structurally it can be divided intoBasic examination (such as dentition status)andSpecial examinations (such as periodontal probing depth), with clear priorities and taking into account both comprehensiveness and pertinence.

The first step in an oral examination is usuallyInspection, the doctor makes a preliminary judgment on whether there are any obvious abnormalities by visually observing the tooth arrangement, gum color and oral mucosa condition. For example, red and swollen gums may indicate periodontitis, while dark spots on the tooth surface may be a sign of cavities. subsequently usedprobeExplore tooth grooves or gum margins to assess the depth of cavities or pocket formation. This stage may also includeBite function test, which tests whether the tooth contact is balanced by asking the patient to bite a special test strip.

Under advanced inspection,Imaging meansX-rays or CBCT scans, for example, can reveal problems that are invisible to the naked eye. For example, apical periodontitis, impacted teeth or jaw cysts all need to be diagnosed through imaging. For patients with periodontal disease, doctors will useperiodontal probeMeasure the depth of the gingival sulcus (normal value is 1-3mm), record the bleeding points, and generate a periodontal chart. Some high-end clinics also useLaser Fluorescence Caries Detector(such as DIAGNOdent from KaVo Company in Germany), which quantifies the extent of caries through fluorescence reflection.

Modern dental examinations also incorporatedigital technology. Intraoral scanners (such as 3M's True Definition) can generate 3D tooth models to replace traditional impressions; saliva testing can analyze the number of cariogenic bacteria. Some institutions provideOral cancer screening, identify mucosal abnormality with the help of acetic acid staining or special light sources (such as VELscope). Children's examinations focus on caries risk assessment of deciduous teeth (such as the CAMBRA model) and instruct parents to use fluoride toothpaste (such as Colgate children's version).

Taken together, oral examination is the first line of defense in maintaining oral health. From basic inspection to digital testing, the core lies inEarly detection, early intervention. It is recommended to have a comprehensive examination at least once a year, and it can be shortened to half a year for high-risk groups (such as diabetics and smokers). Currently, mainstream equipment manufacturers on the market includeDentsply Sirona (dental imaging equipment), Satellite (periodontal probe)etc., and home self-examination tools such as plaque revealing agents (such as GC Company's Plaque Check) can be used as auxiliary means.

Quote sources:
1. Chinese Stomatological Association's "Technical Specifications for Oral Health Examination" 2021 Edition
2. American Dental Association (ADA) official website preventive care guidelines
3. Equipment manufacturer: KaVo DIAGNOdent manual/3M True Definition product manual