Your first dental visit to our facility will begin with a complete medical and dental history review. Many persons need to be "pre-medicated" with a dose of prophylactic antibiotics due to existing medical conditions prior to any type of dental visit. Or you may have other past dental experiences or conditions that you would like to make us aware of prior to your dental treatments.

    This is usually followed by a thorough radiographic exam using our minimal exposure, digital X-ray technology; coupled with a thorough oral exam, cancer screening, and periodontal evaluation. Most patients can also receive thorough dental cleaning at this time, provided other dental needs are not more pressing. Infected teeth or active gum disease are problems that should be treated prior to polishing  your "pearly whites".

     The ADA and most insurance companies encourage two professional cleanings per year and we help our patients to keep to this schedule as it makes your visits easier and promotes more than just your oral health. If you are one of the many who have active or controlled gum disease, gingivitis, or periodontitis, twice a year may not be frequent enough to control the gum disease process. Many patients require three or four periodontal maintenance visits per year, With proper documantation, most insurance policies will provide benefits for these needed visits as well.

     We will do our part to be "Heart Smart". Many patients are suprised to learn that there is a close relationship between heart disease and gum disease. By properly managing your oral health, you may further reduce your risk for heart disease. Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, may be linked to progressive gum disease, also a chronic inflammatory disease that affects about 75% of adults in our country. Untreated, gum disease will destroy supporting jawbone and ligaments, and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.