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 Nova Dental, 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 Nova Dental, 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 Nova Dental, 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 Nova Dental 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 Nova Dental.

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 Nova Dental, 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 Nova Dental 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 Nova Dental, 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.

A routine oral exam is a systematic evaluation of your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and surrounding soft tissues to detect signs of decay, periodontal disease, and other oral conditions. The clinician inspects tooth surfaces, checks gum health, assesses bite and tooth wear, and evaluates the function of the temporomandibular joints. This visual and tactile review forms the basis for identifying areas that need preventive attention or further diagnostics.

When needed, the exam is paired with a professional cleaning, digital x-rays, or targeted diagnostic tests to reveal issues not visible to the eye. Hygienists remove plaque and tartar while dentists interpret imaging and perform an oral cancer screening, explaining any findings in plain language. Patients leave with clear recommendations for home care, follow-up intervals, or referrals when specialized care is required; at Nova Dental, we prioritize clear communication and an individualized plan for each patient.

Most adults benefit from a checkup every six months, but the ideal interval depends on individual risk factors. Factors that alter frequency include past decay, periodontal disease, certain medications, systemic health issues such as diabetes, and habits like tobacco use. Your clinician will recommend a schedule tailored to your needs based on findings and risk assessment.

Children and some adults with stable oral health may be seen annually, while patients with active disease or complex restorative work may need more frequent visits. Regular exams allow the team to monitor changes, update preventive strategies, and catch new problems early when treatment is simpler. Maintaining the recommended schedule helps protect both oral function and long-term overall health.

Oral exams detect local problems and can reveal signs of systemic disease, since conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and vitamin deficiencies often produce oral symptoms. Chronic oral inflammation and infection have been linked to broader health concerns including cardiovascular disease and respiratory complications. By managing oral disease early, clinicians help reduce inflammatory burden and support general wellness.

Exams also provide an opportunity to review medications, symptoms such as dry mouth or unusual sores, and lifestyle factors that influence both oral and systemic health. When findings suggest a medical connection, the dental team coordinates with physicians to ensure comprehensive care and appropriate testing. This collaborative approach ensures that oral health contributes positively to a patient’s overall medical picture.

Your first visit typically begins with a review of medical and dental history and a discussion of any concerns or symptoms you may have. This information helps the clinical team identify risk factors such as allergies, medications, past dental treatment, and systemic conditions. Open communication about habits like tobacco use, oral hygiene routine, and diet helps shape a personalized care plan.

The physical exam includes inspection of teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, palate, and jaw function, and it may include periodontal probing and an oral cancer screening. Digital x-rays or other imaging are obtained if indicated to check for decay between teeth, bone levels, or underlying dental issues. At the end of the appointment the clinician will explain findings, answer questions, and outline next steps for prevention or treatment.

Oral cancer screening is a visual and tactile evaluation of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks, palate, and throat to identify lumps, persistent sores, discolorations, or unusual tissue changes. Dentists look for asymmetry, texture changes, persistent ulcerations, and areas that do not heal within a typical timeframe. Any suspicious findings are documented, photographed when appropriate, and monitored or biopsied according to clinical guidelines.

Screening is risk-based and includes counseling about risk factors such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and HPV exposure. When a lesion is concerning, the team will discuss referral to an oral surgeon or ENT specialist for biopsy and definitive diagnosis. Early detection improves treatment options and outcomes, which is why routine screening is a critical component of every comprehensive exam.

Digital x-rays provide high-resolution images of tooth roots, bone levels, and areas between teeth that are not visible during a clinical exam, helping detect decay, infections, and bone loss early. They expose patients to less radiation than traditional film and the images are available immediately for discussion and record-keeping. Because images can be compared over time, digital radiography helps clinicians monitor progression and measure treatment effectiveness.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is used selectively for complex cases that require a three-dimensional view, such as implant planning, assessment of impacted teeth, or detailed evaluation of jaw anatomy. CBCT images allow for more precise treatment planning and risk assessment in surgical or restorative procedures while minimizing surprises during care. Your clinician will recommend CBCT only when the additional information will directly influence diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Periodontal evaluations assess the health of the gums and supporting bone using visual inspection, probing depths, and measurements of attachment levels around each tooth. These measurements identify gingivitis and periodontitis as well as sites at risk for future breakdown, guiding decisions about cleanings, scaling and root planing, or specialist referral. Clinical findings are recorded and compared over time so the team can monitor treatment response and disease progression.

Gum disease is multifactorial, so evaluations also consider systemic health, smoking status, oral hygiene, and genetic predisposition when creating a care plan. Treatment recommendations range from increased preventive visits and targeted hygiene instruction to nonsurgical therapy and coordination with a periodontist for advanced disease. Ongoing maintenance is critical to preserve results and reduce the risk of tooth loss and related health complications.

Children and teenagers receive many of the same core exam components—visual inspection, growth and development assessment, and preventive guidance—tailored to their developmental stage and risk profile. Exams for younger patients also focus on eruption patterns, early orthodontic screening, and habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing that affect dental development. Fluoride recommendations, sealant placement, and anticipatory guidance for diet and oral hygiene are common preventive measures for pediatric visits.

Frequency of visits and the use of radiographs are adjusted to balance diagnostic benefit and safety, and clinicians take special care to create a comfortable, age-appropriate experience. Early, consistent exams establish healthy routines, allow timely intervention, and reduce the need for more invasive treatments later in life. Parents are involved in education and planning so home care supports clinical efforts effectively.

Regular oral exams detect early signs of decay, gum disease, and bite-related wear before they progress to more complex conditions, allowing for conservative, preventive interventions. During exams the team also reinforces individualized homecare techniques and provides professional cleaning that removes hard-to-reach plaque and tartar. Early correction of minor issues and consistent monitoring reduce the likelihood of emergency visits and extensive restorative work.

Exams also identify functional issues such as bruxism or malocclusion that can cause gradual wear, jaw pain, or headaches, and they prompt timely management strategies like night guards or orthodontic referral. By combining clinical assessment with imaging and risk-based scheduling, the practice builds a proactive plan that protects oral health and supports long-term outcomes. This preventive focus helps patients maintain comfort, chewing function, and a healthy smile over the years.

Prepare by bringing a current list of medications, a summary of medical history, and notes about any symptoms such as pain, sensitivity, dry mouth, or changes in oral tissues. Avoid eating strong-smelling foods immediately before the visit and continue normal oral hygiene unless otherwise directed by your clinician. Arriving with specific concerns or goals—cosmetic preferences, sensitivity triggers, or worries about sleep or TMJ symptoms—helps the team prioritize the exam.

Ask clear questions about findings, recommended next steps, and how suggested homecare or treatments will address your concerns, and request clarification if any terms or procedures are unclear. If you prefer a particular communication style or need coordination with a primary care physician, let the team know so they can document and accommodate your needs. To schedule or discuss availability at Nova Dental’s North Haven or Cromwell locations, contact the office during business hours.