Dental Risk Factor Assessment
Are You At Risk?
- Would you like to avoid future dental problems?
- Have you experienced continual or recurring tooth decay, broken teeth or perhaps, gum disease?
- Would you like to finally overcome these problems?
- You can end the continual cycle of dental repair . . .
The secret is to control your RISK FACTORS!
In general, a Risk Factor is anything that increases your chances of developing a disease.
Dental Risk Factors include the various destructive porcesses that cause dental disease and that ultimately lead to the loss of teeth. These Risk Factors can adversely affect both your dental and general health. It is important to eveluate your risk factors so that your oral heath as well as your overall health will not be compromised.
Dental Risk Factor Assessment 
As part of your Comprehensive Dental Examination, your Dental Risk Factors will be assessed as being either LOW, MODERATE OR HIGH. Any risk factor that is found to be in the moderate to high risk range should be improved or illiminated in order to avoid ongoing and future dental health problems, discomfort or possible loss of teeth.
When Risk Factors are lowered or eliminated, dental disease problems will not occur. There is a difference between being "repaired" and being "healed". Fixing a cavity or a broken tooth is a repair process. It addresses today's problem only. Preventing cavities or broken teeth means you are healed - free of future dental problems.
A Personalized Preventive Program and a Treatment Plan to control or eliminate Moderate to High Risk Factor areas will be developed and discussed with you personally.
All four Risk Factor Areas are interrelated
Controlling Your Risk Factors
There are Four Major Risk Factor Areas that must be managed or eliminated in order for you to have optimum dental health and to keep your teeth for a lifetime.
We will evaluate these Risk Factor Areas to determine if you are at risk. Preventive or corrective measures will then be recommended.
Out-of-control Risk Factor Areas lead to specific dental disease problems. Shown below is a summary of each risk factor area and how they affect your dental and general health.
Bacterial Risk Factors
Moderate to High levels of dental disease-causing bacteria ultimately lead to tooth decay, gum disease or other oral infections.
CAUSES: 
- Harmful Bacterial Levels In The Mouth
- Mouth pH Levels (acidity)
- Active Cavity Levels (Number of active cavities)
- Dietary Risk Factors
SOLUTIONS:
Reduce harmful bacteria levels by eliminating active cavities and replacing defective fillings & restorations that harbor bacterial growth.
Neutralize the acidic oral environment when needed with the use of proven and effective prescription home care products.
Begin a regular Personalized Professional Hygiene Program to maintain and monitor dental health.
Functional Risk Factors
Moderate to High Functional Risk Factors cause destruction of tooth structure, weakened teeth, sensitive teeth, and affects your ability to chew properly.
CAUSES: 
- Large / Leaky / Defective Fillings
- Unsound Tooth Structure
- Bruxism (Grinding & Clenching of the Teeth)
- TMJ (Jaw Joint) Symptoms
- Missing Teeth
SOLUTIONS:
Develop a treatment plan to eliminate defective fillings that are harmful to remaining tooth structure and may cause tooth nerve damage.
Strengthen weakened tooth structure.
Control or eliminate destructive Bruxism to avoid tooth wear and breakage over time.
Replace missing teeth Whenever it is purposeful functionally and cosmetically.
Improve the bite relationship when it is destructive to the teeth or jaws (TMJ).
Esthetic Risk Factors
Moderate to High Esthetically Compromised teeth affect appearance, value for one's teeth, self-confidence, well-being, social interaction and in many cases, career advancement. An attractive smile is more highly valued and often better cared for.
TEETH THAT ARE: 
- Discolored
- Unattractive or Have Unsightly Fillings
- Chipped, Cracked or Fractured
- Under-sized or Have Gaps
- Severely Worn
- Missing
SOLUTIONS:
It is our belief that anyone can benefit from some improvement to their smile. For some, only a minor improvement will suffice, while others may require a complete smile makeover. In any case, it is always a personal decision. Very often, improving one's smile is a matter of right timing, budgeting and affordable payments.
A cosmetic consultation is the first step to planning and improving any smile. All options are explored and discussed.
Physiological Risk Factors
Medical and Dental research has proven that there is a definite connection between dental health and general health.
A Low to Moderate level of oral health leads to a higher risk of developing associated medical conditions of the body that can affect the brain, heart, lungs and certain organs.
CAUSES: 
- Periodontal (gum) Disease
- Snoring / Sleep Apnea
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Tobacco Usage
SOLUTIONS:
Eliminate the presence of any dental disease (risk factors) to reduce the likelihood of serious general health involvement or consequences.
Regularly monitor all Dental Risk Factors.
Recommend medical referrals when indicated or appropriate.