Comprehensive exam is a thorough evaluation of your oral health and sets the foundation for future dental exams. Unlike regular dental checkups, the comprehensive exam is in depth and may take about one, two and a half hours to complete. It involves a full examination of your muscles, joints, bite, teeth, gums, and tissues. Comprehensive exams are typically conducted for new patients or every three to five years for existing patients, depending on their past and current treatment. The comprehensive exam is composed of several parts which fall into three main categories, the preclinical exam, the extraoral exam (outside of the mouth), and the intraoral exam (inside of the mouth). For the preclinical exam, your doctor may begin with an interview where you will discuss your medical history and your presenting concerns as another part of the preclinical exam. Your doctor may take a series of dental X-rays to examine your teeth and root structure in more detail, as well as evaluate the bone supporting and surrounding the teeth. For the extraoral exam, your doctor may begin with massaging the muscles on your temples, jaw, neck, and shoulders to see if there is any sensitivity or pain that could be related to a larger issue with your chewing system. Your doctor may want to examine the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the primary joint involved with chewing and jaw movement, by feeling the area while having you perform a series of movements. The joint is checked for any sensitivity, pain, clicking, or popping sounds. The intraoral exam includes checking the soft tissues inside your mouth as well as the muscles, throat, tongue, and any indications of oral cancer. In addition to checking for pain or sensitivity, any abnormalities are noted that could require additional attention. Your doctor may also examine your teeth and gums conducting a visual and hands-on probing to check the structural health of your teeth and vitality of your gum tissue, noting any areas of concern. If an occlusal exam is conducted, your doctor brings the entire chewing system together by looking at the way the teeth touch and come together. This helps evaluate the overall health and alignment of your bite. Your doctor may want to gather some additional records that will help with the fact-finding process. Sometimes a diagnostic model of your mouth is created from taking impressions of your teeth. This model helps to further evaluate your teeth and explore possible solutions. Finally, photographs of your mouth may be taken to allow your doctor to create a visual record of the appearance and condition of your teeth at the time of examination. Once all aspects of the exam have been completed, your doctor will review their findings with you and discuss any areas of concern. By completing a comprehensive exam, both you and your doctor will be equipped with all the information you need to ensure you achieve your oral health goals.