First Dental Visit
The first dental visit can be apprehensive for a lot of people, including adults and children. If the first visit is more calming, patient anxiety will be less. A patient needs to know precisely how the procedure will go for the patient not to experience fear of unknown. We ensure that our patients feel less discomfort during dental procedures.
First Dental Visit Steps
- Health History Review
- Digital X-rays
- Screening
- Treatment Planning
- Dental Cleaning
Time needed: 45 minutes
How is your First Dental Visit?
- Health History Review
During the first appointment, our doctor will determine whether your health history will be affected by dental cleaning. In patients with severe illnesses like heart disease or joint replacement, additional antibiotic prophylaxis may be necessary. It will be the patient’s physician who will determine and prescribe prophylactic antibiotics as needed. As per the recommendation, it is vital to take prophylactic antibiotics 1 hour before the dental cleaning appointment to ensure adequate blood levels of medication.
- Digital X-rays
Our goal is to take a few x-rays as possible, and at the same time, it is essential to take enough x-rays to have diagnostic material. We use digital X-rays that uses much less radiation than traditional film x-rays. X-rays, along with clinical examination, help the doctor to create a comprehensive dental treatment plan.
- Screening
Our doctor will do intraoral (inside the mouth) and extraoral (outside the mouth) examination. The examination includes oral cancer screening, evaluation of dentition (teeth), and gums. Teeth are evaluated for decay, fracture, erosion, abrasion, wear facets, etc. Gums are checked for periodontal disease by evaluating pocket depths with a periodontal probe.
- Treatment Plan
After a thorough examination and with the help of digital x-rays, our Doctor will create a comprehensive dental treatment plan. The treatment plan includes periodontal treatments like Dental Cleaning or Deep Cleaning and restorative treatments like Dental Implants, Root Canal Treatment, Dental Bonding, Dental Veneers, Dental Crowns, Dental Bridges, Dentures, Extractions, etc. Our doctor will determine the priority of the treatment with the patient and will make a plan to the number of visits needed for the procedure.
- Dental Cleaning
At the end of treatment planning, the dentist or hygienist completes a dental cleaning. However, the patient will be rescheduled if the patient needs a deep cleaning. The dentist will need more time to finish a thorough dental cleaning.
Dental cleaning involves a few steps. First, the dentist removes more prominent plaque and calculus with an ultrasonic scaler. A hand scaler follows an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque between teeth and in tight spaces. The teeth are flossed and polished with prophy paste (coarse paste).
At the end of the dental cleaning appointment, our doctor will review the brushing techniques and reinforce oral hygiene methods.