Evaluation by Dr. Maddox

Dr. Maddox and her team of experts will gather all the necessary information in order to diagnose and develop a treatment plan for your needed and desired care. Comprehensive radiographs (X-rays), images, and charting will give Dr. Maddox the information she needs to fully explain your conditions and determine the best course of treatment for you. Her goal is to take care of you in a comfortable and comprehensive fashion, answering all of your questions along the way.

Radiographs (X-Rays)

We offer digital radiographs (X-rays). Digital radiographs use less radiation and are safer for you than traditional film-based X-rays. You will find that Dr. Maddox researches the latest trends in technology to find the solutions that most effectively promote your overall health, safety, and comfort. Radiographs are a necessary diagnostic tool in the field of dentistry. More than half of each tooth is hidden and surrounded by bone. The only way to truly evaluate the health of your teeth and the bone surrounding your teeth is through the necessary, diagnostic radiographs.

Oral Cancer Evaluation or Screening

As a comprehensive dental practitioner, Dr. Maddox provides you with routine oral cancer screenings. As your dentist, Dr. Maddox is the only medical professional in a position to routinely evaluate and detect abnormalities. Early detection is important. There will be 41,000 Americans diagnosed with oral cancer this year and 12,500 related deaths. The death rate from oral cancer is especially high due to late discovery of the disease. The prognosis is more positive with early detection. A patient who does not seek regular, continuous care from a dental professional is putting their health at risk by delaying a diagnosis in the early stages of oral cancer. We are dedicated to providing this potentially life-saving procedure for you.

ORAL CANCER STATISTICS:

• Deaths due to oral cancer equal one person every hour per day
• Death rates are high not due to the difficulty of the diagnosis but due to a late diagnosis
• 90% success rate if detected early
• Three times more common than cervical cancer

Sealants

A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars). This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids and guarding against disease-causing bacteria. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth. However, toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to efficiently extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food. Dr. Maddox will evaluate every patient to determine if treatment with sealants would be a benefit to them. Many young adults have never experienced a filling appointment in their lifetime due to the application of sealants! Ask the Lake Pointe team today if you are a candidate.

Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease

Fifty percent of all adults have some form of Periodontal Disease (often without realizing it). Periodontal disease is chiefly responsible for adult tooth loss, bleeding gums, bad breath, and receding gums. Truthfully, it is easily prevented with proper hygiene, home care, and professional treatment. If diagnosed in its early stages, periodontal disease treatments are easier, less invasive, and more effective. Your visit with Dr. Maddox includes a complete evaluation of your gums and supportive tissues. You will have access to advanced periodontal therapy to heal and restore your oral health.

Signs and symptoms of Periodontal Disease include:

• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
• Pus around teeth
• No pain associated with this disease until it is too late…

TREATMENT PLANNING

Dr. Maddox and her dental hygienist will work together to develop a treatment plan especially for you–one to maintain your existing good oral health or one to fight the periodontal disease while improving your level of periodontal health. Dealing with this disease at its earliest stages and attempting to veer away from surgery is what Dr. Maddox and her team desire.