What does a ‘complete dental physical’ actually include beyond a basic exam?
Intraoral photographs documenting the entire mouth. Study casts mounted on an articulator. Comprehensive periodontal charting beyond pocket depths. Bite analysis and occlusal mapping. CT scans where indicated. Cosmetic simulations for anterior cases. Joint sonography where TMJ symptoms exist. Genetic susceptibility testing where periodontal history warrants it. Comparison to historical records for risk-trend analysis. The complete dental physical replaces the routine exam for complex-case patients because the routine exam misses the diagnostic data the case actually needs. Insurance coding does not include this level of work and patients pay for it directly. The depth of the diagnostic work is one of the things that places the practice in the ‘category of one’ for the patient evaluating where to go.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.