Your First Visit/Dental Check-Up
We prefer to prevent rather than treat
Maintaining a good daily brushing and interdental cleaning routine will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. A check-up appointment with one of our Dentists will ensure your cleaning routine is being effective and keeping your teeth and gums disease free.
What should I expect?
When you arrive you will be greeted by one of our friendly Receptionists. You will be asked to take a seat in our comfortable waiting room.
During your check-up appointment your Dentist will enquire about your previous dental experiences and your expectations. They will also listen to and talk through any concerns you have.
As we are focused on trying to prevent decay and gum disease your Dentist will ask about your regular cleaning routines so that they can monitor your progress after our examination.
During your check-up appointment your Dentist will conduct a thorough examination of the whole of your mouth, including your teeth, jaw, gums and soft tissue. During the examination your Dentist will take notes of any areas of concern and will then discuss them with you afterwards.
Your Dentist will examine all the surfaces of your teeth and check the condition of any existing fillings, crowns and other restorative work to ensure it is all working for your benefit. They will also examine all your gum tissue around the teeth and make a number of measurements which aid diagnosis and allow us to calibrate any changes that occur from visit to visit.
As part of every examination we also look at all your oral soft tissues; this is the oral cancer examination of your lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, floor of mouth, and the opening of your throat. If there are any contentious signs we refer immediately for detailed assessment by those who specialise in this area.
Sometimes X-rays are appropriate to check for tooth decay or the effects of gum disease. When X-rays are used we have a digital system which allows us to see crisp, clear images on screen within a few seconds and at the same time use significantly less radiation than was the case when film was used.
With all this information we can explain what we have seen and what we might recommend for you. We are committed to open discussion to the point where you are clear in your own mind as to diagnosis, treatment planning, appointment scheduling and fees.
Hygienists
Your Dentist may recommend a visit to one of our Hygienists who will ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and will also provide information on your oral care at home. Our Hygienists will help restore your oral health, helping to keep your teeth and gums disease free.