Your first visit with a dentist near you can be a little overwhelming for some people. Once you know what to expect, the process won’t seem so scary. A lot of people are apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. Read on to find out how your appointment will go and the steps involved.
After being greeted by the receptionist, she or he will give you some forms to fill out about your oral health and maintenance in the past. Upon completion of the forms, the dental hygienist will bring you to an exam room.
In the exam room, you will find a comfortable, adjustable chair. A hygienist or certified dental assistant is the person you will spend most of your time with while in the office. Their job is to clean your teeth using various tools and instruments, scraping off any tartar or plaque. They will polish your teeth and do a preliminary look through, marking off anything they want the dentist to pay special attention to. If X-rays are necessary, they will perform those by putting mouth guards in your mouth and asking you to bite down while they take the picture from outside the room. An X-ray vest will be placed around you to keep you safe.
Once they have compiled the dentist’s necessary information to look at, they will present it to them. The dentist will come in and do a check themselves, examining your gums and soft palate, throat, neck, and face for any abnormalities. If there were any findings such as a cavity or some gum disease, the dentist would discuss treatment options. You will discuss your general oral hygiene, lifestyle and diet and you will be given tips for better cleaning techniques if applicable. At the end of your visit, you are usually given a new toothbrush and floss, along with an informative pamphlet for your reference on occasion.
Your dentist will not perform an exam at every visit afterward. You won’t necessarily have to see your dentist at each appointment, either. Check ups are typically just a simple cleaning, which generally happens twice a year if there are not other problems presenting themselves. An exam is more comprehensive and always done by your dentist. This appointment usually occurs once a year unless there are other issues such as cavities that need to be treated.
Your dentist in SW Calgary accepts insurance plans, which usually cover some of the costs for check-ups, cleaning, and exams. If there is a problem with your teeth, you will be given a quote on how much it will cost, which you can present to your insurance company.
Sometimes you are referred to a specialist. A specialist treats things like periodontal disease which is a gum disease that requires specialized cleaning and scaling below the gum line. An orthodontist is referred to if there are spacing or crooked teeth that need attention. These issues are usually fixed using standard braces.
Dental problems can be expensive if you don’t plan. Ensure you know what your insurance plan covers and speak with them about any additional services you might require.
If you are a new patient looking for a dentist in SW Calgary, call our team at Bow Trail Dental and we would be happy to walk you through your first appointment. Our team is highly skilled, passionate and experienced. We welcome you with open arms and look forward to providing high quality dental treatment to you and your family.