A man in a dental office, holding his mouth open with gloved hands, while wearing a blue surgical gown and mask.

Oral Exams

At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we take a practical, prevention-first approach to oral health. Regular oral examinations are the foundation of that approach: they let us catch early changes, tailor care to each patient's needs, and keep small issues from becoming bigger problems. Our goal is to give you clear, honest information about your mouth so you can make confident choices about your dental care.

Oral exams are more than a quick look inside the mouth — they are a focused assessment that considers teeth, gums, soft tissues, jaw function, and overall risk factors. During each visit we combine a careful clinical inspection with any necessary diagnostic imaging and a conversation about your habits, medications, and health history. That combination helps us paint a complete picture of your oral health and plan treatments that protect long-term function and appearance.

How We Begin: Your First Oral Examination

Your initial oral exam is designed to build a reliable baseline. We start by reviewing your medical and dental history to identify conditions, medications, or past treatments that could affect your oral health. This intake helps us prioritize areas of concern and select any diagnostic tests needed to get a full understanding of your current status. We also listen closely to your goals — whether you’re focused on comfort, function, or improving the look of your smile.

After the history, we perform a thorough hands-on exam. That includes a careful inspection of tooth surfaces, gum tissue, tongue, and the inside of the cheeks, plus an evaluation of how your teeth come together when you bite. We check for visible signs of decay, gum inflammation, mobility, and abnormal wear patterns that may indicate grinding or clenching. A gentle examination of the jaw joints and muscles helps us assess TMJ function and identify areas of tension or discomfort.

When appropriate, we supplement the clinical exam with diagnostic imaging to view what cannot be seen with the naked eye. Digital x-rays or other imaging tools allow us to evaluate the roots, supporting bone, and areas between teeth where cavities often begin. All findings are reviewed with you in straightforward terms so you understand what we observed, why it matters, and what options — if any — we recommend to preserve or restore your oral health.

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Oral Health and Whole‑Body Wellness

Oral health is intimately connected to overall health. During an exam we look for signs in the mouth that may reflect broader medical issues — for example, changes in gum tissue, persistent mouth sores, or unusual dryness. These findings can sometimes signal conditions such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or side effects from medications. Identifying oral signs early means we can recommend appropriate medical evaluation or adapt dental care to support your general health.

Research continues to clarify links between oral inflammation and systemic conditions. While causation and pathways are complex, it’s clear that chronic gum disease and untreated infection create inflammatory burdens the body must manage. Our exams prioritize early detection of gum inflammation and infection so we can intervene promptly with preventive measures or therapy, reducing the potential impact on other aspects of your health.

We also assess risk factors that influence both oral and systemic wellbeing — tobacco use, diet, alcohol, and stress-related habits like grinding. Counseling on these topics is an important part of an oral exam. We focus on achievable changes and practical strategies that lower risk, improve daily function, and protect the mouth as a vital component of total-body care.

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Keeping Problems Small: Routine Exams and Professional Cleanings

Consistency is the single most effective strategy for preventing dental problems. Routine exams combined with professional cleanings allow us to remove mineralized plaque (tartar) from areas you can’t fully reach at home and to monitor early signs of decay or gum disease. For most people, twice-yearly visits balance prevention and practicality, but we tailor recall intervals based on each patient's risk profile — some patients benefit from more frequent monitoring.

Professional cleanings do more than brighten the smile. They reduce bacterial load and inflammation, polish away surface staining, and give us a chance to reinforce homecare techniques. During your visit, our hygienist will demonstrate targeted brushing and flossing methods and suggest tools that match your needs, such as interdental brushes or specialized floss for tight contacts. Education is personalized to help you maintain results between appointments.

Early problems are generally easier to treat and less likely to require complex procedures. During routine exams we document and track small changes over time so that when treatment is needed it can be conservative and predictable. Through preventive care and timely intervention we aim to preserve natural tooth structure and the long-term function of your bite.

Seeing Beneath the Surface: Modern Dental Imaging

Visual inspection is essential, but imaging extends our view to structures hidden from plain sight. Digital radiography gives us quick, clear images with minimal radiation exposure, enabling us to detect decay between teeth, evaluate the health of tooth roots, and assess the supporting bone. The clarity and speed of digital images also make it easier to explain findings to patients and to include images in their digital records for long-term tracking.

Digital images are flexible tools: they can be enhanced, magnified, and shared with specialists when collaborative care is needed. Because images are stored electronically, they become part of a comprehensive record that helps us compare changes across visits and make evidence-based decisions. When more detailed views are necessary, three-dimensional imaging such as cone-beam CT provides precise information for complex diagnosis and treatment planning.

Throughout every imaging decision we weigh benefit against exposure and choose the least invasive option that will provide the clinical information needed. If radiographs are recommended, we’ll explain which views are planned and how they contribute to a safe, accurate diagnosis and a clear treatment strategy.

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Which Radiographs Might Be Recommended and Why

The types of x-rays we select are driven by the clinical question we need to answer. Bitewing images are commonly used to check for early decay between the back teeth and to evaluate bone levels supporting the teeth. Periapical images focus on individual teeth and their roots, which is helpful for assessing infections, root integrity, and the surrounding bone. A full-mouth series provides a comprehensive baseline when a detailed assessment of every tooth is warranted.

Panoramic films offer a broad overview of the jaws, sinus areas, and developing or impacted teeth — they’re efficient when planning extractions, implants, or orthodontic evaluation. Cephalometric images provide a side-view profile useful in orthodontic planning or when jaw relationships must be assessed. For implant planning or complex surgical needs, three-dimensional cone-beam imaging can offer exceptional detail for precise placement and predictable outcomes.

We only recommend the imaging necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and plan effective care. Each recommended image serves a purpose in understanding your oral health and guiding treatment decisions that preserve function, comfort, and appearance. When imaging is part of your exam, we explain what the image will show and how it fits into your overall care plan.

At Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), our oral exams are structured, evidence-informed, and centered on each patient’s needs. By combining clinical assessment, personalized education, and appropriate imaging, we help patients maintain healthy, functional smiles over a lifetime. If you have questions about what happens during an exam or want to schedule an assessment, please contact us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you accepting new patients?

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Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!

How often do I need to get a dental checkup?

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Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.

What if I haven't been to the dentist in a long time?

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We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.

At Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.

Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.

Should pregnant women get a dental checkup?

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For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.

How can I improve the appearance of my smile?

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Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.

As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.

Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.

How should I prepare for my dental appointment?

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If you're visiting Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD) for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.

To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.

Does Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD) treat patients of all ages?

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Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD).

What if I'm anxious about seeing the dentist?

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We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.

How much does dental treatment cost?

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At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.

Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.

What if I have dental insurance?

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Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.

What is the best method of replacing missing teeth?

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If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Is flossing as important as brushing?

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Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.

Do you still need to see a dentist if you have dentures?

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Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.

What should I do if I have a dental emergency?

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Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD) is here for you!

Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.

While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.

You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.

Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.

Why choose the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD)?

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At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.

For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.

Conservative, Compassionate, Committed to You

Achieve your best smile with us. We offer a full spectrum of cosmetic and general dental services for your family's oral health and aesthetic needs. From routine cleanings and preventive care to advanced restorative and cosmetic treatments, we're dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.

Where Personalized Care Meets Comfort And Expertise.

We invite you to discover more about our dental office and the comprehensive care we provide to patients of all ages. Our friendly team is happy to answer your questions, provide information, and assist you in scheduling an appointment at your convenience. Don’t wait—give us a call today and let us help you experience the excellent dental care you deserve!

Office Hours

Monday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
By Appointment Only
Saturday
By Appointment Only