At Enso Dentistry, we believe that exceptional dental care begins with exceptional diagnosis. Before we recommend any treatment, we take the time to understand you, your oral health, your concerns, your goals, and the biological factors that influence your long-term dental wellness.
Too often, dentistry becomes reactive: a filling after a cavity, a crown after a fracture, treatment only after something hurts. While there is certainly a time and place for repairing damage, our greater purpose is to help patients move beyond that cycle.
Our goal is to practice predictive dentistry. By combining advanced technology, careful examination, comprehensive records, and thoughtful clinical judgment, we identify disease, risk factors, and early changes before they become larger problems. This allows us to develop personalized strategies that preserve healthy tooth structure, prevent future complications, and support a lifetime of oral health.
Because the best dentistry is not simply about fixing teeth—it is about understanding why problems develop, preventing them whenever possible, and helping you keep your smile healthy for decades to come.
To accomplish this, every new patient visit is organized into four phases:
- A Comprehensive Consultation
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Records
- A Detailed Diagnostic Examination
- Your Personalized Findings & Treatment Plan
Phase 1: Private Consultation
Your first visit begins in our private consultation room.
Before we look at your teeth, we take the time to get to know you.
During this conversation, we will:
- Learn about your goals and concerns.
- Review your medical and dental history in detail.
- Discuss any previous dental experiences that may be important.
- Answer any questions you may have.
Every patient is different, so we tailor the remainder of your visit to your individual needs.
Phase 2: Comprehensive Diagnostic Records
Accurate diagnosis begins with gathering the right information. Modern technology allows us to see far more than what is visible during a traditional examination.
3D CBCT Scan
Our state-of-the-art Sirona 3D CBCT scanner provides a three-dimensional view of your teeth, bone, jaws, sinuses, and surrounding structures.
Unlike many practices, every CBCT scan is also interpreted by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist for a comprehensive review of the entire scan. This additional expert interpretation helps identify important findings that may extend beyond your teeth alone.
Digital iTero Scan & Clinical Photography
We create a precise digital model of your teeth using our iTero scanner, along with a comprehensive series of clinical photographs.
These records allow us to:
- Study your bite accurately.
- Monitor changes over time.
- Detect tooth wear and tooth movement.
- Plan treatment digitally.
- Help you better understand your own oral health.
Digital Intraoral Radiographs
Digital intraoral radiographs allow us to detect areas that cannot be seen during a visual examination, including decay between teeth, bone levels, existing restorations, and other hidden conditions.
Gum Health Assessment
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile.
Depending on your needs, we perform either:
- A simplified Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR), or
- A comprehensive full-mouth periodontal chart.
For anxious patients—or whenever appropriate—we often begin with a simplified screening and complete the detailed charting during your first hygiene visit. Our approach is always individualized to your comfort and clinical needs.
VELscope Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer remains an important health concern, and early detection can make a significant difference.
VELscope is a completely non-invasive, light-based examination that helps identify abnormal tissue that may not yet be visible under normal lighting. It serves as an important adjunct to a traditional oral cancer examination.
DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity Detection
Some cavities are difficult to detect during a routine examination.
Our DIAGNOdent laser helps identify areas of early decay that may be difficult to detect visually, allowing treatment to be more conservative whenever possible.
QPD Bite Analysis (When Indicated)
If you experience:
- Pain when biting
- Tooth sensitivity while chewing
- Difficulty locating the source of discomfort
we may perform Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD) to help identify cracks, occlusal problems, or other causes of biting pain.
Phase 3: Comprehensive Examination
Head & Neck Examination
A healthy smile involves much more than teeth.
TMJ Evaluation
We perform a focused assessment of your jaw joints, including:
- Joint function
- Joint movement
- Joint sounds (clicking or popping)
- Muscle and joint tenderness
- Symptoms related to the articular disc
Range of Motion
We evaluate how comfortably and normally your jaw opens and moves.
Bite Evaluation
Your bite influences how your teeth function over a lifetime.
We assess:
- Tooth contacts
- Bite relationships
- Functional movements
- Areas of excessive force
Facial Esthetics
We evaluate facial proportions, smile harmony, lip support, tooth display, and other facial features that influence both function and esthetics.
Intraoral Examination
Airway Assessment
A healthy airway contributes to overall health.
We evaluate:
- Mallampati classification
- Tongue size and posture
- Tongue mobility (tongue ties)
- Arch form
- Soft palate anatomy
Bite & Occlusion
Many dental problems begin with bite imbalance.
We carefully evaluate how your teeth fit together and function during everyday movements.
Wear & Occlusal Disease
Tooth wear is one of the most common reasons adults lose healthy tooth structure.
We look for:
- Grinding
- Clenching
- Fractures
- Erosion
- Tooth wear
- Occlusal disease
Gum Health
Periodontal disease remains one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
We carefully evaluate your gums and the supporting tissues surrounding your teeth.
Cavities
We diagnose cavities using information from:
- Visual examination
- Digital radiographs
- DIAGNOdent laser
- Digital iTero scan
Combining these technologies improves diagnostic accuracy.
Salivary Gland Function & Dry Mouth
Healthy saliva plays a vital role in protecting your teeth.
We assess salivary gland function and identify signs of dry mouth, which can significantly increase the risk of cavities, erosion, and tooth wear.
Oral Cancer Examination
Every comprehensive examination includes a thorough visual oral cancer screening of the lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, floor of the mouth, and surrounding tissues.
Phase 4: Your Personalized Findings & Treatment Plan
At the conclusion of your examination, we organize and prioritize everything we’ve learned into a simple written summary.
Rather than overwhelming you with information, we help you clearly understand:
- What is healthy.
- What should be monitored.
- What deserves attention soon.
- What requires immediate treatment.
Together, we develop a treatment plan that reflects your health goals, priorities, timeline, and budget.
Our hope is that this first visit leaves you with something many patients have never experienced before: a clear understanding of your oral health, confidence in your diagnosis, and a personalized roadmap for keeping your smile healthy for years to come.