The first dental visit in our office is one of the most important appointments you will ever have. It is also one of the most undervalued and misunderstood. We frequently receive calls from prospective new patients who say “I don’t want any x rays or exam, just a cleaning” or “I have a bad toothache and just want it pulled” or “I have this hole in my tooth and I just want it filled.” In our office all new patients receive a comprehensive clinical and x- ray examination and a complete medical history review. Once we have established a baseline together, we determine our goals and how to achieve these goals. With each subsequent appointment, we make progress toward our goals, revising as necessary.    

As a doctor my obligation is twofold: to recommend the optimal treatment specific to your needs and, if you came to us because of a particular problem, to educate you why this dental problem happened. The only way to do this is by taking a complete medical history and performing a comprehensive clinical and x-ray examination.  The medical history combined with the clinical and x-ray examinations alert us to your oral habits, existing dental conditions, and any probable crisis you may expect and, assists us in determining your future prognosis. Our tools are state of the art, our methods scientific. We do not have a “conference room” for case presentation because there is no need to return for a “consultation”.  We show you the digital images, discuss risks, benefits and treatment sequences and then together we determine the best treatment option for you.

The full set of x-rays allows us to screen for abscesses, cysts, bone cancer, bone support for existing teeth, impacted and missing teeth, undetected cavities and much more. Bite wing x-rays are the only way to check for cavities between the teeth. X-rays are an essential diagnostic tool before beginning any treatment and can also uncover a condition at an early stage before you begin to experience any signs or symptoms that something is wrong.

Once charted, the comprehensive clinical examination remains a part of your permanent record. We often use an intra-oral camera to record and show you what we are seeing. Every tooth is checked for bone support, gum disease, nerve damage, decay and more. Existing restorations and conditions are evaluated. All the soft tissue including gums, tongue, roof of mouth, floor of mouth, cheeks, lips, salivary glands, throat and mucosa are evaluated for existing lesions or disease.  

You may be surprised to know just how important the medical history is in a dental office. Oral infections and periodontal (gum) disease have been positively linked to heart attack, stroke, pre-mature births and diabetes. Some surgeons will not operate on patients who have uncontrolled gum disease or rampant decay. People with artificial joints and heart disease often need to be pre-medicated with antibiotics before dental procedures. We require a complete medication list to avoid the possibility of prescribing a medication that reacts adversely with one you are currently taking. We utilize a software program designed specifically for this purpose.

Combing the highest quality materials available today and state of the art dental equipment, we provide uncompromised comprehensive dental care to all our patients. The first dental visit consisting of a comprehensive clinical and x-ray examination and medical history review is possibly the best value you will ever receive, and, one of the most important to your overall and not just dental, health.