Comprehensive Evaluation: Our office values the importance of a thorough initial examination of all of our patients.

At your first visit we will perform the following:

• Oral cancer screening*/soft tissue examination
• Hard tissue examination/check for decay
• Periodontal examination/determine the health of your gums and supporting structures
• Tempromandibular joint (TMJ) examination
• Radiographs as needed
• In some patients it may be appropriate to gather additional diagnostic information such as photographs and study models

All of the above diagnostic tools will be used to make an accurate diagnosis and to determine the best treatment for each patient.

*Oral cancer screening is performed at the initial visit and then at every subsequent periodic examination. Oral cancer kills more people in the U.S. than cervical cancer or melanoma. Approximately 30,000 new cases of oral and throat cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. If oral cancer is diagnosed in the early stages (stage I) the cure rate is high >90%. However if not diagnosed until later stages (stage III and IV), the prognosis is not as good.

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