Welcome! It’s great to see you are interested in becoming a patient at our dental clinic.
As a first time patient, we often recommend you schedule a full comprehensive oral examination and x-rays.
During this 1-hour comprehensive dental exam, the doctor will assess the overall health of your teeth and gums and recommend any treatment you might need, including the frequency at which you should be having cleanings. We pride ourselves on being very open with our patients, so the dentist will take time to explain where and why they are recommending certain treatments.
What if I already had a comprehensive exam done recently at my previous dentist?
No problem at all! However, because we haven’t seen you before and have no history on your teeth, we would still be required to perform an initial or specific exam to confirm if you require any treatment. If you have dental insurance, we highly recommend checking with your insurance company to see if you would be covered for another new patient exam before your appointment.
What if I only need to look at a specific tooth?
If you just need the doctor to look at a specific issue, like a sore or broken tooth, you can see the dentist for a specific examination only. As it suggests, this type of exam focuses only on a specific area or tooth that you are concerned with. During this exam, the dentist may need to take an x-ray to determine the inner health or status of the tooth below the gum line.
Does my new patient exam include a cleaning?
Unless you have booked a back-to-back, 2-hour appointment for both a new patient exam and cleaning, an examination by the dentist does not include a cleaning by a hygienist. We strive to make sure we are booking you for the appointment you want when you first contact us, so don’t be afraid to ask extra questions if you are unsure of what will be done during your appointment.
Can I bring my x-rays taken at my previous dental clinic?
You are welcome to transfer your old x-rays to us when you have your first exam. However, it is good to note that any x-rays older than 9 months may no longer be an accurate representation of the current state of your teeth and bone which can change over time. In order to give the dentist a more up-to-date view, the doctor may also take new x-rays for you.
A typical cleaning is 1 hour, and will usually include scaling, polishing, and/or fluoride.
If you don’t visit the dentist often, or haven’t been in a while, you may require additional visits in order for the hygienist to clean all your teeth thoroughly. If you are a returning patient, your cleaning appointment may also include procedures like a check-up or x-rays.
All fees for services rendered are ultimately the responsibility of the patient. However, we will gladly submit claims and estimates on your behalf electronically so you get reimbursed faster. Also, if you use your credit card to make payments, you can accumulate points and get paid back by your insurance provider at the same time!
We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, Debit, and cash.
For our patients looking to pay their outstanding balances, you are welcome to come by the office or pay over the phone. Please note that phone payments must be made with a credit card only.
You should visit us at least twice a year to have your teeth checked and cleaned, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.
Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential for preventing dental problems and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. In addition to cleaning your teeth and checking for cavities, our dentists will perform other important steps to maintain your dental health, including:
- Medical history review: In order to take proper care of your dental health, our dentists will keep up to date on the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and your overall health
- Examination of diagnostic x-rays: X-rays are essential for detecting tooth decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss, and can help to determine tooth and root positions
- Oral cancer screening: Our dentists will check your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer
- Gum disease evaluation: We will check your gums and the bone around your teeth for any signs of periodontal disease
- Examination of tooth decay: Using special dental instruments, we will check all of your tooth surfaces for decay
- Examination of existing restorations: We will check the status of your current fillings, crowns, etc.
- Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, nearly invisible film that forms on the teeth and is made up from food debris, saliva, and living bacteria. These bacteria continually grow and produce toxins that inflame the gums and can eventually cause periodontal disease
- Removal of tartar: Tartar (or calculus) is plaque that has been left on a tooth’s surface long enough to become hardened and firmly attached. It can form both above and below the gum line and must be removed with special dental instruments
- Teeth polishing: Our dentists will help you to remove stains and plaque that could not be removed during teeth brushing and scaling
- Oral hygiene recommendations: We will review oral hygiene aids with you and recommend the ones that are best for your case (i.e. electric toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.)
- Review of dietary habits: Eating habits and dental health are strongly connected. We will help you to make the best dietary choices for your dental health
As you can see, we do much more during your visit than simply checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. You should schedule regular check-ups to ensure we are able to provide you with the best possible care!
We understand that sometimes the dentist can be a scary place for some patients. That’s why we pride ourselves on having some of the friendliest, empathetic dentists and staff around. We want you to be comfortable with every aspect so if you are feeling anxious about coming in, we recommend coming in for a free consultation first.
In this consultation, you can discuss with the dentist any treatment you believe you might need, and ask any questions about the office and our procedures and to get a general feel of our clinic. If you are not quite ready to come in, why not have a read of some of our online reviews to see which of our dentists might suit you best.
We also provide oral sedation via nitrous oxide that will help relieve much of your anxiety. If further sedation is required – we will refer you to one of our Dental Anesthesia colleagues to help with your treatment under full sedation.
If you have any questions at all, give us a call or send us a message through our website!
If you have any emergency for whatever reason, please call us as soon as you can and we will try to accommodate you. Remember we are open on Saturdays and Evenings to make scheduling convenient! Emergencies can be anything from tooth pain, broken teeth, swelling of the face to teeth that have come out from trauma. Call us today!