Most dentists are reluctant to stray from recommending a six-month checkup schedule. There is good reason for this, for example: In pediatrics I have witnessed in a child an undetectable cavity progress to a cavity large enough to nearly expose the nerve of the tooth in just six months. Had they elected to return on a one-year checkup schedule the child would have had an abscess and an emergency before the check up was accomplished. Pre-cancerous lesions can show up at a six-month checkup and be treated appropriately. If the check up interval is 12 months, that lesion can be frank cancer with a very different treatment outlook.
The dentist looks at a large number of factors for a patient when determining his approach for care. This includes: history of cavities. Risk level of new cavities. Diet patterns that will affect teeth and other mouth tissues. Existing diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Current medications which will affect oral conditions. Existing history of typical changes that occur at current check up intervals. Habits and lifestyle patterns like smoking, Drinking, coffee, etc.
