Complete Oral Exam vs Recall Exam
Complete Oral Exam (COE)
A complete oral exam is a thorough, baseline check of the mouth along with a review of overall health and risk factors. It is done at the first visit to a dental office or after long time gaps.
During a COE, a dental team:
- Collects/ reviews the medical history, medications, allergies, and past medical treatments
- Takes any necessary Xrays and intraoral photos/ digital scans
- Examines each tooth for cavities, cracks, wear, failing fillings and previously done dental work
- Checks your gums and supporting bone for signs of inflammation, bleeding, mobility and other possible signs of gum disease
- Performs comprehensive soft tissue and oral cancer screening
- Examines the bite, jaw joints, airways, and frenum attachments
- Discusses your individual risk level and create a personalized prevention and treatment plan
Recall Exam (CheckUp Visit)
A recall exam is your regular routine short checkup focused on monitoring and maintaining your oral health since your last full exam.
At a recall exam, a dental team:
- Updates your medical and dental history and note any new symptoms
- Checks your teeth, gums, and soft tissues, comparing to previous records
- Reviews existing fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures
- Monitors gum health
- Take limited Xrays
- Often combines the exam with a professional cleaning and polish
Both visit types are important: the COE sets your baseline, and recall exams help us keep everything healthy over time.
Want to know which exam you’re due for? Send us a message or call the office — we’re happy to help you stay on track with your oral health.