Oral Exams

Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!

Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.

We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.

At Morrison Dental Care, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.

Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.

For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Morrison Dental Care, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.

Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.

As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Morrison Dental Care, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.

Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.

If you're visiting Morrison Dental Care for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.

To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.

Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Morrison Dental Care.

We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.

At the office of Morrison Dental Care, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.

Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.

Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.

If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.

Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.

Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Morrison Dental Care is here for you!

Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.

While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.

You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.

Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.

At the office of Morrison Dental Care, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.

For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.

An oral exam is a clinical evaluation performed by a dental professional to assess the health of the teeth, gums, jaws and surrounding tissues. It helps detect early signs of dental disease such as tooth decay, gum disease and abnormal wear from clenching or grinding. Early detection allows for simpler, more conservative treatment and can prevent complications that affect comfort and function.

In addition to identifying dental problems, an oral exam includes screening for soft-tissue changes, signs of infection and indicators of systemic conditions that can manifest in the mouth. Regular exams support preventive care by reinforcing home hygiene, identifying lifestyle factors that affect oral health and guiding treatment planning. Overall, routine oral exams are a cornerstone of maintaining long-term oral and general health.

For most patients, scheduling an oral exam twice a year aligns with best-practice preventive care and allows the dental team to monitor changes over time. Individual needs vary, and people with a history of periodontal disease, frequent decay, complex restorations or certain medical conditions may require more frequent visits. Your dentist will recommend an interval based on your risk factors, oral health status and any ongoing treatment plans.

Consistent, timely exams make it easier to catch problems at an early stage when treatment is typically less invasive. They also provide recurring opportunities for professional cleanings, reinforcement of home care techniques and updates to preventive strategies. Following the recommended schedule helps protect both your oral health and the long-term stability of dental work.

A comprehensive oral exam begins with a review of medical and dental history and a discussion of any concerns or symptoms the patient is experiencing. The clinical portion includes a visual inspection of the teeth, gums, tongue and soft tissues, an assessment of occlusion (bite) and an evaluation of the temporomandibular joint for signs of dysfunction. The clinician will also check for signs of clenching or grinding and note areas of wear, fracture or restoration failure.

Diagnostic images such as bitewings, periapical films or a panoramic radiograph may be taken as needed to visualize tooth roots, bone levels and other structures not visible on clinical exam. A periodontal evaluation gauges gum health and pocket depths, while oral cancer screening inspects the head, neck and intraoral tissues for abnormalities. At the conclusion of the exam the dentist or hygienist will explain findings and outline recommended next steps for prevention or treatment.

Dental x-rays are commonly recommended as part of an oral exam when they are needed to diagnose decay between teeth, evaluate bone levels, or assess root and jaw structures that cannot be seen visually. The type and frequency of imaging depend on the patient’s age, symptoms, risk for disease and clinical findings; not every exam requires every type of film. Modern digital radiography minimizes exposure and allows images to be viewed immediately for more efficient diagnosis and treatment planning.

Digital x-rays use very low doses of radiation and safety protocols such as lead aprons and thyroid collars may be used for added protection, especially for children and pregnant patients when absolutely necessary. The diagnostic benefit of targeted dental images typically outweighs the minimal risk, and dentists follow industry guidelines to limit exposure. If you have concerns, your dental team can explain why a particular image is recommended and how it will inform care.

An oral exam includes a systematic inspection and palpation of the lips, oral mucosa, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, gums, and the head and neck lymph nodes to identify suspicious sores, lumps, color changes or persistent lesions. The clinician looks for signs that warrant further evaluation, such as ulcers that do not heal, red or white patches, or abnormal tissue texture. Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and better outcomes.

When findings are uncertain, the dentist may recommend adjunctive screening tools, follow-up evaluations or referral to an oral medicine or ENT specialist for biopsy and definitive diagnosis. Patients are encouraged to report any unusual oral symptoms between visits, such as persistent soreness, difficulty swallowing or unexplained numbness. Timely communication and routine screening are key components of an effective oral cancer detection strategy.

Yes. Many systemic conditions produce signs or symptoms that first appear in the oral cavity, so a thorough oral exam can provide clues to broader health concerns. For example, dry mouth, oral ulcerations, gum inflammation and unusual lesions may be associated with systemic diseases, medication side effects or nutritional deficiencies. Dentists are trained to recognize these signs and communicate findings that may warrant medical evaluation.

Research increasingly links oral health with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory problems, so maintaining oral health contributes to overall wellness. If the dental team identifies indicators of a potential medical issue, they can coordinate care with the patient’s physician or recommend appropriate tests and referrals. Collaboration between dental and medical providers helps ensure comprehensive care for the whole person.

For a first oral exam bring a list of current medications, any recent medical history or changes in health, and information about previous dental treatments or concerns. If you have dental insurance or previous x-rays from another office you may bring them, but do not include costs or billing questions in the medical history itself. Being prepared with a summary of symptoms, medications and past procedures helps the team evaluate your needs efficiently and safely.

It is also helpful to arrive with any questions you have about oral hygiene, restorative options or preventive care so they can be addressed during the visit. If you have anxiety about dental visits, let the team know—many offices offer strategies to improve comfort and communication. At Morrison Dental Care in Clifton Park, NY, the team emphasizes clear explanations and patient education during the initial visit to build a personalized plan.

Oral exams for children focus on growth and development in addition to caries prevention, monitoring primary tooth eruption and assessing bite and jaw development. The clinician evaluates fluoride exposure, dietary habits and homecare techniques appropriate for the child’s age, and screens for early orthodontic indicators that might warrant monitoring or referral. Behavioral guidance and positive reinforcement are also part of pediatric exams to foster healthy lifelong habits.

For adults, exams often emphasize maintenance of restorations, periodontal health, oral cancer screening and management of wear or TMJ issues that can develop over time. Risk factors such as medications, systemic health conditions and previous dental history influence the adult exam and follow-up schedule. Both pediatric and adult exams are tailored to age-specific needs while maintaining the same preventive and diagnostic goals.

Professional cleanings performed by a dental hygienist complement the oral exam by removing plaque and hardened tartar that cannot be eliminated with home care alone. Removing these deposits reduces the bacterial load that contributes to cavities and periodontal disease, and polishing removes surface stains to improve comfort and appearance. Cleanings also provide an opportunity for the hygienist to measure periodontal pockets, document tissue health and record changes since the last visit.

During the cleaning visit patients receive tailored homecare instruction, demonstrations of brushing and flossing techniques and recommendations for products suited to their needs. Combined with regular oral exams, professional cleanings are an essential preventive measure that helps preserve natural teeth and maintain overall oral health. Ongoing monitoring during cleanings allows the team to detect emerging issues early and coordinate timely care.

You should contact the dental office promptly if you experience acute symptoms such as severe or persistent tooth pain, swelling, bleeding that does not stop, a loose permanent tooth, or signs of infection such as fever and facial swelling. These symptoms may indicate an urgent condition that requires earlier assessment and treatment to prevent progression. Even changes that seem minor—new sensitivity, a sore that does not heal, a lump or persistent bad breath—should be reported for evaluation.

For non-urgent concerns, a brief phone call or message to describe the issue allows the team to triage and advise on next steps, which might include an expedited appointment or self-care instructions. Staying in communication between regular visits helps ensure problems are addressed before they become more complex. Your dental team is a resource for both prevention and timely intervention when issues arise.