Your First Visit
Comprehensive Oral Exam and X-rays
Your first visit to our dental spa is the most important one. From the moment you're welcomed we want your dental visit to be unlike any you've had before. We want you to feel total trust and confidence in our abilities, and we promise you our full attention as we listen to your concerns and special needs. The smile analysis and thorough exam we perform are designed to determine current conditions and anticipate future needs so we can help you keep your teeth looking great and functioning properly. We take the time to carefully explain your treatment options in order to help you make informed decisions that affect the future of your dental health. We believe that exceptional dental care is a partnership between patient, doctor and the professional dental team.
Please plan on spending at least an hour with us for your initial visit. You will appreciate the time we take in learning about you and your dental expectations and how we may best serve you.
Here is a sample of what you can expect:
- Time to discuss your concerns, desires and expectations
- Review of your medical and dental history
- Necessary x-rays to help diagnose your dental needs
- Smile evaluation
- Evaluation of the temporal mandibular joints (TMJ) and related muscles
- Evaluation of occlusion (how the teeth fit together)
- Oral cancer and soft tissue screening exam
- Complete periodontal recording and evaluation for gum and bone disease
- Complete recording of all missing teeth, existing teeth, and all restorations
- Careful evaluation of the condition of each tooth and existing restoration
- Discussion of your treatment options and sequence of appointments
- A customized treatment plan
- Discussion of fees and payment options
- Satisfactory and comprehensible answers to any questions you may have regarding what you’ve heard
Cosmetic Evaluation
Some new patients come to us only interested in finding out about our cosmetic services. The same care and attention is given to these patients with a customized exam focused on aesthetics and addressing questions and concerns relative to their potential new smile.
We begin the appointment by discussing your concerns, desires for your smile and your expectations for what we can provide. Photos are taken to better visualize what can be accomplished. Dr. Dennis works up an initial estimate of the procedures anticipated and the approximate cost. If you are interested in exploring the financial options we provide, this can also be discussed at this first appointment.
When you decide to go forward with the proposal, you come in for a second appointment where you ask any questions that may have come up since the initial visit and decide on the shape and color you want. Impressions are taken and sent to the lab for a “mock up.”
About two weeks later you can see what your new smile is going to look like before it’s even started! Some patients have committed to having the treatment prior to this, but some like to see this “mock up” prior to making their decision. Financial arrangements are finalized at this appointment. During the 2 week wait, most patients choose to have Zoom Whitening done here.
The next step is coming in to have the teeth prepared for the porcelain veneers or crowns. You will wear temporaries for about 4 weeks while the porcelain is fabricated in the lab. During this time, especially the first week, you will monitor how these temporaries look and feel. If adjustments need to be made, this is the time to let us know.
Four weeks later, you’ll come back to have the temporaries removed and the porcelain veneers or crowns placed. You’ll leave with a beautiful smile!
Patient Education
Educating patients is an integral part of our practice philosophy. We believe that as you become more knowledgeable about your oral health and well-being, you will understand the benefits of proactive rather than reactive dental treatment. Contact us today to find out more.
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