Dr. Downing Moua leads our general dentistry with a strictly comprehensive approach. With his Kois training, he continually deepens his knowledge of the field and his understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships behind oral health conditions.
He believes this approach leads to better diagnosis and long-term management of each patient’s oral health, regardless of their background.
During your first exam with Dr. Moua, he performs an extremely thorough evaluation both inside and outside your mouth. He palpates your muscles, lymph nodes, and TMJ, evaluates your soft tissue, and screens for oral cancer. This process lets him see how all of your oral structures relate to one another, which is why his approach is so detailed and comprehensive. If one problem is causing side effects elsewhere, he’ll explain the connection so you understand what it takes to improve your overall wellness.
After this broader assessment, he examines each tooth individually, checking for decay, wear facets, how your teeth bite together, and signs of periodontal disease.
We use digital X-rays to screen for pathology, decay and other irregularities as they relate to your oral structures. X-rays are essential for assessing areas that are not visible to the naked eye during a clinical exam. Our investment in digital imaging provides our patients with more efficient appointments. It also reduces radiation by 50-75% and eliminates harmful chemicals for processing conventional types of films.
Along with checkups and digital X-rays, our general dentistry includes oral cancer screenings and simple extractions when a tooth can’t be saved. Both help us look after the health of your whole mouth.
Lumps, bumps, and sores that don’t heal can be warning signs of precancerous tissue, especially when they appear along or just beneath your tongue or near the back of your throat. Dr. Moua screens every patient for oral cancer as part of our general dentistry, since early intervention is crucial for successful treatment.
During the screening, your face, neck, lips, mouth, and the back of your throat are checked for anything unusual. Because it is part of your regular checkup, the exam adds only a few minutes to your visit.
“An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer.”
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “Oral Cancer”
Our general dentistry focuses on preserving your teeth whenever possible. Unfortunately, that’s not always an option, especially after aggressive gum disease or trauma. Occasionally, we may need to perform a simple extraction to relieve your pain. Sedation options are available to help keep you comfortable.
Many damaged teeth can be saved with a filling or crown, so extraction is usually a last step. When a tooth can’t be repaired, removing it can ease your pain and protect the rest of your mouth.
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, “Tooth Extraction: Simple vs. Surgical Tooth Removal”
People with generally healthy teeth and gums tend to do best with a preventative cleaning and exam every six months. However, if you have a history of gum disease (periodontitis) you may need to schedule visits as frequently as every 3-4 months to prevent relapse.
We do not. More complex procedures such as endodontic therapy or oral surgery are referred to a nearby dental specialist.
Different types of dental X-rays serve different purposes. Full-mouth images are typically taken about once every 3-5 years, while bitewing X-rays are taken about every year. Individual tooth X-rays are taken as needed.
Our care coordinators will outline a detailed treatment plan that includes procedures, fees, estimated insurance allowances and time requirements for your review.
Are you past due for a checkup with our general dentistry team? Contact us to reserve an appointment.
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