Diagnosis is the discovery and identification of problems, and it is one of the Dentist's primary jobs.  Diagnosis can be simple or very complex - but generally requires a thorough clinical and radiographic examination, and review of your medical history.  Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning is required before any successful treatment can begin.

Dentists study for many years to be able to recognize and diagnose the problems which can occur in the mouth.  Tooth decay and periodontal disease are the most common problems diagnosed - but they are only two of the hundreds of oral conditions which can occur.  The links at left describe some of the conditions diagnosed on a daily basis in the dental office.

High Tech tools are becoming available help with dental diagnosis. Dr. Reck utilizes the IACT Orthodontic Patient Educator, which is the latest computer software program which can simulate a patients’ malocclusion and the proposed treatment methods all on a lap top computer right before the patients’ eyes so that they can get a preview of how their treatment could be accomplished.  Invisalign orthodontic patients also can see their proposed treatment and final possible result on a computerized simulation called Clincheck, which utilizes high-tech computer CAD technology to actually program time lapse step by step movement of the teeth to their new position.

Last modified: 05/03/04