Dental Exams

A visit to the dentist should be about more than just checking for cavities. At Symmetry Modern Dentistry, our comprehensive dental exams in Little Rock are the starting point for understanding your total health. We move beyond the traditional focus on individual teeth to evaluate the complex system that connects your mouth, jaw, and airway to your entire body. Led by Dr. Stephen Deal, our practice is dedicated to discovering the root causes of chronic pain, sleep issues, and orthodontic problems, helping you find a path to lasting wellness.

We believe that your mouth is the gateway to your overall health. How you breathe, swallow, and hold your jaw profoundly impacts your energy levels to your sleep quality. Our unique examination process is designed to uncover hidden issues within your oral and facial structures that could affect your well-being.

More Than a Check-up: The Symmetry Modern Dentistry Approach

A standard dental visit often focuses on immediate problems. Our approach is different. We see your oral health as a key piece of a much larger puzzle. During your comprehensive exam, we examine how your teeth, muscles, and joints work together as a complete system.

Dr. Stephen Deal has dedicated his practice to this integrative approach. He uses advanced training and technology to see what others might miss, connecting symptoms like headaches or fatigue back to their source in the jaw and airway.

Your Specialized Dental Exam in Little Rock

Our goal is to build a complete picture of your health. Your exam with us is a thorough, investigative process that includes several key evaluations.

Airway and Breathing Evaluation

Shallow breathing or a blocked airway during sleep can cause serious health issues. We carefully screen for signs of sleep-disordered breathing, a condition that affects millions of people.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A common condition where your airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing and poor sleep.
• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS): A milder breathing issue that can still disrupt sleep and cause daytime fatigue, headaches, and anxiety.

An underdeveloped jaw or improper tongue posture can contribute to these issues. If we identify potential concerns, we can guide you toward effective sleep apnea therapies that address the underlying cause.

Jaw Joint and Muscle Health (TMD Assessment)

Chronic headaches, neck pain, or a clicking jaw are often signs of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Instead of just treating these symptoms, your dental exam focuses on why they are happening. We assess:

• The health of your jaw joints (TMJ)
• The function of your chewing muscles
• The balance and stability of your bite

By understanding the source of the strain, we can develop a plan to provide lasting relief from TMD and craniofacial pain.

Facial Growth and Orthodontic Analysis

How your face and jaws develop determines the foundation for your adult smile and airway. Our exams include a detailed analysis of facial growth, especially for younger patients. We look for:

• Proper development of the upper and lower jaws
• Sufficient space for all adult teeth
• Healthy patterns for breathing and swallowing

Identifying potential issues early allows us to use early orthodontic intervention to guide growth and prevent more complex problems. This proactive approach supports a lifetime of better breathing and a stable, healthy smile.

Schedule Your Comprehensive Dental Exams in Little Rock

If you experience chronic pain or fatigue or have concerns about your orthodontic or sleep health, a standard check-up may not be enough. The comprehensive dental exams at Little Rock’s Symmetry Modern Dentistry offer the clarity and answers you need.

Let Dr. Deal and our team provide you with an evaluation that looks at the bigger picture. Take the first step toward understanding the connections between your oral structures and overall well-being.

Schedule Your Comprehensive Exam Today