Overview of oral examination contents

Oral examination is an important means to evaluate oral health status, mainly includingTeeth, gums, tongue, mucosa and maxillofacial regioncomprehensive inspection. Its core content can be divided into three categories:Basic examination (such as dental caries, periodontal disease), functional assessment (occlusion, joints) and auxiliary examination (X-ray, oral cancer screening). Among them, periodontal examination and dental caries screening are the focus, while oral mucosal lesions and jaw development problems need to be further diagnosed with imaging. Examination tools include probes, mouth mirrors, periodontal probes, etc., supplemented by digital imaging technology when necessary.

Detailed process of oral examination

The first step isInspection and palpation, the doctor observes the tooth arrangement, color and gum condition through the mouth mirror, and palpates to determine whether there is any swelling or tenderness. For example, bleeding gums may indicate periodontitis, tooth discoloration or cavities that require further treatment. The second step isperiodontal probing, use a probe to measure the gum pocket depth (normal value is 1-3mm), if it exceeds 4mm, it may be periodontal disease. At the same time, the degree of tooth looseness is checked and abnormalities are recorded. At this stage, a preliminary judgment can be made as to whether teeth scaling or subgingival scaling is needed.

Functional and special inspections

After the basic inspection, it will be evaluatedOcclusion(such as floor covering, jaw opening) and temporomandibular joint function (mouth opening, snapping). For children, it is also necessary to check the replacement of deciduous teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth. Special inspections includeOral cancer screening(observe white spots, red spots) and saliva secretion test. People at higher risk (such as smokers) may need fluorescent testing or biopsy. In addition, digital oral scans or panoramic X-rays can assist in the diagnosis of cracked teeth, impacted teeth and other problems.

Assistive technology and follow-up

Modern dental examinations are often combined withimaging technology, such as periapical radiograph (single tooth), panoramic radiograph (entire teeth) or CBCT (three-dimensional imaging). Data show that about 30% of proximal caries need to be discovered by X-ray. After the examination, the doctor will issue a report and develop a treatment plan, such as fillings, root canal treatment, or orthodontics. Some institutions use AI to assist in image analysis, but final confirmation by a doctor is required. Regular checkups (every 6-12 months) can prevent serious lesions.

Summary and suggestions

Oral examination is a key link in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases and needs to be coveredStructure, function and potential pathologies. Daily brushing and flossing should be carried out with Pasteurized teeth, and high-sugar diet should be reduced. For dental consumables, well-known brands such as 3M (resin materials) and Dentsply Sirona (dental equipment) provide reliable products. It is recommended to choose a regular medical institution to ensure the professionalism of the examination.

Quote sources:
1. "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Stomatology" (Chinese Stomatological Association, 2022)
2. American Dental Association (ADA) standard procedures for oral examinations
3. Documentation on dental materials from the official website of 3M Company