Dental Diagnostic Services offered in Houston

What is Diagnostic?

It is the detection of the identification of a disease disorder or condition. It involves collecting information on symptoms, signs, test results, history and background. It is diagnostic in Houston that allows for effective prognosis. This then dictates the fate of a patient’s health.

Diagnostic services in dentistry are necessary to determine the dental problems that different patients present. These services ensure that patients are appropriately treated for the oral problem they have. Diagnostic has to precede any dental treatment offered. This also applies for the complex surgical procedures, as well as the small dental works like plaque removal. Technically, only a dentist can determine your diagnosis.

How is Diagnostic Useful in Dentistry?

All dental works are preceded by a thorough diagnostic session by a dentist. A general dentist will first examine the state of your health to determine the prognosis. Based on your prognosis, your treatment can be performed by that dentist or another dental expert.

Different dental experts exist to ensure high-quality service provision for patients. For example, pediatric dentistry is set up to cater to the oral needs of patients. An orthodontist, on the other hand, handles all alignment issues of teeth. However, to determine which dental expert will handle your treatment, diagnosis is necessary.

Some of the areas where diagnostic services are useful to include the following:

• Tooth decay – even while tooth decay symptoms are obvious, diagnosis is still necessary. Tooth decay can be detected at an early stage through diagnosis. Your dentist will check the depth of the depressions in your teeth. Any dark discolorations will also be considered as indicators of tooth decay.
• Dental trauma – sometimes the damage on a tooth is internal, without any manifestations externally. Dental trauma can cause heightened sensitivity on teeth. It also could mean that the central part of your teeth has succumbed to damage.
• Periodontal disease – you know those times when your gums are acting up unusually? It could be a case of periodontal disease. The different stages of gum disease manifest differently. Without a diagnosis, it is hard to find out whether or not you are suffering from gum infection, especially so, gingivitis. Besides, waiting too long before your treatment allows the infection to progress. Progressions of the gum infection develop into periodontitis that has far worse consequences on your oral health than gingivitis.
• Tooth wear – did you know that wearing down of teeth is also a dental problem that requires treatment? Much as teeth are built to last a lifetime, they may not always get that far. Teeth grinding and bad eating habits are some of the reasons your teeth may wear. Surprisingly, many patients live with worn out teeth because they have no idea. Only a diagnosis can bring to light this problem, allowing you to take favorable measures to manage it.
• Missing teeth – this is a common oral problem. Most patients are aware of when they are missing a tooth. However, very few recognize the challenges that come with missing a tooth. For one, losing a tooth poses an orthodontic challenge. With time, your teeth may begin shifting to try to occupy the space. This throws off the alignment of your teeth. Besides, it becomes a weak link that can result in the loosening of adjacent teeth. One problem, therefore, results in many other dental issues. A prognosis will help your dentist customize a treatment plan that will ensure that the rest of your teeth are securely held in place.
• Receding gums – the recession of gums is an indicator of gum infection. However, the recession is not as apparent as you would think. It starts slowly and progresses with time. The more receded your gums are, the riskier it is for your teeth. The gum tissue works hand in hand with the jawbone to hold teeth in position. When the gums are receding, it means the support for your teeth is weakening. In time, you will notice that your teeth look bigger. This is when part of the tooth’s root is exposed. Such a problem can lead to wobbly teeth, which eventually, fall off. With diagnostic services, your dentist can detect gum recession in the initial stages before it advances.