Diagnostics
Our Comprehensive Exam: The Foundation of Everything We Do
“We look deeper than most dentists — because most problems are found before they become emergencies.”
Most dental offices do a check-up. We do something different. At Advancements in Dental Care, our standard comprehensive examination is designed to give Dr. Aust a complete, whole-mouth picture of your oral health — not just a surface-level look for visible problems. Before any treatment plan is ever proposed, before a single procedure is scheduled, we need to know exactly what we're working with. This thorough evaluation is the reason our treatment plans are so accurate, our outcomes so predictable, and our patients so confident in the care they receive.
Our exam process is not about finding problems to fix — it's about understanding your oral health completely, so that every recommendation we make is grounded in the full truth of your situation. Patients who have been to other dentists frequently tell us they've never had an evaluation this thorough. That's not a coincidence. It's a reflection of Dr. Aust's belief that comprehensive information leads to better decisions — for the dentist and the patient alike.
What It Involves
The Most Thorough Evaluation in General Dentistry
A comprehensive exam at Advancements in Dental Care is a methodical, multi-step evaluation of your entire oral health picture. It includes a review of your dental and medical history, a thorough clinical examination of your teeth and gums, an assessment of your bite and jaw function, and advanced diagnostic imaging when appropriate.
For patients who are considering major restorative procedures — particularly dental implants — we go even further with what we call a Detailed and Extensive Examination. This is a significantly more in-depth evaluation that employs cone beam CT imaging, 3D treatment simulation, multiple diagnostic tests, and concludes with a comprehensive written report. It is one of the most thorough diagnostic processes available in general dentistry, and it is the standard of care Dr. Aust applies before any major implant procedure.
The comprehensive examination is the document from which your entire treatment plan is built. It gives Dr. Aust — and you — a clear, honest picture of your current oral health, what needs attention, what can wait, and what options are available. No guesswork. No shortcuts.
When It's Used
Conditions We Evaluate
Dentofacial Anomalies
Conditions where the structure of the jaw, bite, or facial skeleton prevent the mouth from functioning as it should — including significant misalignment, skeletal discrepancies, or structural abnormalities affecting chewing and speech.
Complicated Perio-Prosthetic Conditions
Complex conditions involving both periodontal (gum and bone) health and the need for prosthetic restoration. These cases require simultaneous management of gum disease or bone loss alongside the planning of implants, bridges, or full-arch restorations.
Complex Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD/TMJ)
Conditions where the muscles and joints connecting the jaw to the skull are not functioning correctly — leading to jaw pain, clicking, limited range of motion, headaches, and sometimes radiating ear or neck pain. TMJ issues must be evaluated and addressed before major restorative work.
Facial Pain of Unknown Origin
Unexplained pain in the face, jaw, or head that may have a dental origin. The comprehensive exam investigates possible dental causes including nerve involvement, bite problems, TMJ dysfunction, and referred pain patterns.
Conditions Requiring Multi-Disciplinary Consultation
Cases that benefit from — or require — coordination with other specialists, including oral surgeons, periodontists, orthodontists, or medical physicians. Dr. Aust coordinates care across disciplines when needed to ensure the safest and most effective outcomes.
Pre-Implant Assessment
Any patient requesting dental implants — whether a single tooth or a full arch — receives a detailed examination before treatment begins. This is not optional. Understanding the exact state of the jawbone, nerve anatomy, and surrounding structures is essential to safe, accurate implant placement.
The Detailed Exam
What Happens Step by Step
Medical and Dental History Review
We begin every comprehensive exam with a thorough review of your dental and medical history, including current medications, past procedures, known allergies, and any systemic health conditions that may affect dental treatment. This information directly shapes the treatment plan we build for you.
Clinical Examination of Teeth and Periodontium
Dr. Aust systematically examines every tooth for decay, fracture, wear, and existing restorations. The gum tissue and bone levels are evaluated for signs of periodontal disease, recession, or infection. Probing depths are measured to assess gum health. Bite alignment and occlusal function are evaluated. Any findings are documented in detail.
Advanced Imaging — Including CT Scan When Indicated
For standard care, we take conventional X-rays. For complex cases and implant evaluations, we utilize cone beam CT (CBCT) technology, which generates precise 3D images of your teeth, jawbone, nerve pathways, sinuses, and surrounding anatomical structures. These images provide diagnostic information that flat X-rays simply cannot capture. CBCT imaging is completed quickly (approximately one minute for the scan itself, with a total appointment of about 30 minutes) and involves a radiation dose significantly lower than a conventional medical CT scan.
Image Interpretation and Detailed Reporting
All diagnostic images are interpreted with care and the findings are compiled into a structured report. For detailed and extensive examinations, this report is comprehensive — documenting every relevant finding in language that is clear and accessible to the patient, not just clinical shorthand. You will understand what we found, what it means, and what the options are.
3D Treatment Simulation
For implant cases, we use the CT image data to perform a digital simulation of implant placement before surgery. This allows us to determine the optimal position, angle, and depth for each implant, identify any anatomical obstacles, and plan for bone grafting if required. Surgical simulation dramatically increases precision and reduces the risk of complications.
Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the findings of the clinical exam, we may conduct additional diagnostic procedures including: caries susceptibility testing (to assess your biological risk for tooth decay), pulp vitality testing (to assess the health of tooth pulp, especially relevant before implants or crowns), diagnostic casts (physical models of your teeth that show bite relationship and tissue contours), and non-ionizing diagnostic procedures to detect early changes in enamel, dentin, or root surfaces.
Smile Design
For patients undergoing cosmetic or restorative procedures, the examination includes a smile design assessment. This involves evaluating 35 distinct aspects of your smile — including tooth proportions, gum line symmetry, midline alignment, lip support, and overall facial harmony. The goal is to design an outcome that not only functions correctly but looks natural and beautiful within the context of your unique face.
Comprehensive Treatment Plan Presentation
Once the examination is complete, Dr. Aust sits down with you to walk through the findings and present a clear, prioritized treatment plan. This isn't a quick handout at the front desk — it's a real conversation about what we found, what needs attention, what your options are, and what the expected outcomes and costs look like. You leave with complete clarity about your oral health and a roadmap for moving forward.
The Standard of Care
Why This Level of Thoroughness Matters
I've been practicing dentistry for over 20 years, and I can tell you with certainty: the most expensive dental problems are always the ones that were missed or postponed. The tooth that needed a small filling three years ago that is now a root canal and crown. The bone loss that went undetected until it was too late to place an implant without extensive grafting. The bite problem that wasn't diagnosed until it caused irreversible wear on a dozen teeth.
The comprehensive examination is the defense against all of that. It is the most important appointment in your dental care — not because it's glamorous or high-tech, but because it is the moment where everything we do afterward is grounded in accurate, complete information.
At Advancements in Dental Care, we don't rush the diagnostic process. We don't skim. We don't skip. We take the time required to truly understand your oral health in full — because that is the only way to provide care that we can stand behind completely.
If you haven't had a thorough examination in years, or if you've been told you need major work and you'd like a second opinion, call our office at (708) 485-0340. A comprehensive evaluation is always the first step, and there's no commitment beyond the appointment.
Ready for a Smile That Works?
No referrals needed. Call to schedule your consultation. on your schedule.