Teeth
Not all tooth decay problems require dental fillings but if left untreated, it can lead to abscess and toothaches.
If we identify any decay developing, we will point it out to you and provide a detailed diagnosis.
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Written by Dr. Cheng Eng Wah
Going for a dental check up every few months is and should be an important part of your oral hygiene routine. While you can keep up with dental care at home, professional cleaning at a clinic is required to remove plaque that personal dental care cannot.
At i.Dental, we have a team of dentists and oral hygienists that can provide a full suite of dental services. A thorough examination will be done followed by the necessary treatment to keep your pearly whites clean.
A dental check up is a routine appointment when the dentist checks on your dental condition, does a thorough cleaning and gives advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene.
It is recommended to schedule a dental check up every 6 to 12 months. This can allow you to identify any early signs of dental diseases and to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Dental check ups allow you to get advice from your dentist regarding good oral habits, check for any possible issues to get them treated and do a routine cleaning.
During a check up, our dentists will share their advice and information about adopting good oral health habits. This will allow you to learn more about dental hygiene and how to take charge of your oral health.
In fact, the World Health Organisation states that the majority of oral health issues are preventable. All it takes is to have good habits!
Most oral health problems can be easily cured if detected and treated in the early stages. A check up allows you to catch issues early before they become too serious or irreversible. This is especially important in cases where the signs are not visible to the eye.
If detected early, you can avoid more expensive and invasive treatment in the future.
Clock in a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums during a dental check up! This helps to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases.
At i.Dental, this may include one or more of these:
Here is what to expect during a dental check up at i.Dental:
Your dental health check up begins with a medical history update in which our clinical staff will check with you regarding any drug allergies or medications that you may be taking.
Next, you will go through a thorough assessment of the following:
After the assessment, we will explain more about your dental condition and raise any concerns.
Not all tooth decay problems require dental fillings but if left untreated, it can lead to abscess and toothaches.
If we identify any decay developing, we will point it out to you and provide a detailed diagnosis.
Signs of gingival diseases include bad breath, tooth loss, loose teeth or pockets between teeth and gums.
If we notice any of the above signs, we will share possible treatment options to improve your gum health.
Your feelings matter to us. Thus, our staff will chat with you about your satisfaction level regarding your bite.
If you have crooked teeth and your bite can be corrected, we can propose suitable orthodontic solutions.
Should a separate treatment plan be required, we will provide an explanation on the options so you can make an informed decision.
Once you understand your options, the next step is to clean your teeth via scaling and polishing. In some cases, topical fluoride treatment and airflow stain removal may be done if required. This will depend on the patient’s teeth condition.
Scaling involves using an ultrasonic scaler to loosen hardened plaque (calculus) with gentle vibrations. Thereafter, a water spray is used to wash off any debris.
Polishing is done with a spinning brush to remove plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth, while smoothing the surface to prevent dirt from accumulating easily.
It is recommended to get topical fluoride treatment done every 3 to 12 months.
Benefits include
If required, we will recommend this treatment for you.
Airflow stain removal uses a jet of aerated water (usually a combination of air, water and sodium bicarbonate) to remove plaque from the teeth.
It also polishes your teeth simultaneously. This is an effective method for plaque removal and is done for patients with more serious teeth stains.
X-ray examinations may be required to detect any possible decay or other dental problems that you may have that are not visible. Our dentists will be able to advise if it is necessary.
To end off the check up, we will provide dental advice including
The frequency of going for a check up is usually every 6 to 12 months, but this is dependent on your dental condition.
The cost of a dental check up at i.Dental depends on the type of treatment that you need.
A simple consultation and oral examination costs $21.60 to $54 (includes GST). Thereafter, scaling and polishing will be done and this can range between $64.80 to $162.
Topical fluoride treatment and airflow stain removal may be done if necessary.
Consultation and Oral Examination
(Inclusive of GST)
Scaling and Polishing
(Inclusive of GST)
Topical Fluoride Treatment
(Inclusive of GST)
Airflow Stain Removal (Prophyjet)
(Inclusive of GST)
To make dental treatment more affordable, CHAS, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation card holders are eligible for subsidies for certain services.
Here is a general guideline of the subsidy amounts for dental check ups:
Consultation | Up to 2 consultations per calendar year^ | ||||
Scaling and polishing | Up to 2 scaling and 2 polishing per calendar year | ||||
Fluoride treatment | Up to 2 topical fluoride per calendar year |
^With a 6-month interval between the 2 consultation claims in the calendar year. Only applicable to initial consultations for new patients or follow-up consultations where the dentist suggests a new treatment plan and conducts a full oral examination.
The amount stated above serves as a guideline only. The final amount payable is dependent on the complexity of the respective procedure.
Started in 1989, our dentists and dental hygienists at i.Dental have accumulated over 30 years of experience in the industry.
i.Dental has 4 dental clinics in Singapore conveniently located near MRT stations in Tanjong Pagar, Ubi and Yishun.
A dental check up will usually consist of a consultation followed by scaling and polishing. Any additional treatment such as topical fluoride and airflow stain removal may be done as required.
The time required for each portion are as follows:
Dr. Cheng, Clinical Director and Founder of i.Dental, recommends scheduling a dental check up every 6 to 12 months. As every case is unique, it is best to consult your dentist so that they can advise on a suitable frequency based on your dental condition.
Generally, a dental check up should include a/an
The best way to maintain oral hygiene is to cultivate good dental habits! Some of these good practices include: