Dental appointments are an essential part of caring for your teeth. Nonetheless, many Oakville residents avoid making the journey to the dentist’s chair due to time restraints or anxiety. Although some nervousness is normal, you shouldn’t let that stop you. There isn’t anything to fear.
At Oakville Place Dental, we want to make your visit as easy and comfortable as possible. If this is your first time at our clinic, we understand you may have many questions. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate any anxieties that you may be experiencing.
Keep reading to learn what to expect before and during your first appointment at Oakville Place Dental.
When you contact the team at Oakville Place Dental to make your appointment, ask how long a cleaning and exam usually take. That way, you know how much time to take off school or work without feeling rushed or anxious about getting back. It’s a good idea to add extra time on top of the estimate, just in case.
Not sure how you can squeeze a dental appointment into the middle of your busy day? No problem. Schedule an end-of-day appointment so you can go home immediately after your visit.
The appointment will likely take longer if it’s been a while since your last visit to a dentist’s chair. Furthermore, additional time is needed to go over your personal details and insurance before the start of your appointment.
You may also need to fill out a digital informational packet online. Your new patient form will ask for your personal information, informed consent, dental history, medical history, and insurance policy. Completing these forms before your appointment saves time on the day of.
You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. By arriving early, it will give you enough time to fill out any essential paperwork and give our staff ample time to set you up in our system.
Don’t forget to have your driver’s licence and insurance information ready when you check in at the reception desk.
Your new patient information forms are vital to getting you set up in our clinic. Not only do they bring us up to date on your dental and medical history, but they also help us to get to know you as a person.
After all, the more we know about you, the better care we can provide. We create highly personalized dental plans and services for all our patients based on their unique history and goals.
Based on your complete medical and dental history, we can identify factors that significantly impact your oral health. We can determine if you are at a heightened risk for developing specific conditions and then focus on targeted prevention.
At Oakville Place Dental, we are committed to working with your insurance company and billing them directly whenever possible.
First, we take x-rays of your teeth. It’s essential to have X-rays taken if a couple of years have passed since your last appointment.
The X-rays provide a complete look at what’s happening inside your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structures. We’ll be able to detect dental cavities, tumours, cysts, and bone loss. Plus, we can check the position of your teeth.
The dentist will also complete an oral cancer screening during your comprehensive exam. This examination includes looking at your jaw, neck, tongue, and inside of your mouth. You should be checked for oral cancer every year.
During your first visit to Oakville Place Dental, your dentist will review your oral health history, medical history, and dental x-rays. You have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have and your goals for your oral health.
Your dental team will examine your mouth to check for any issues like gum disease, cavities, or developing conditions. We’ll look for pockets or gaps between teeth and gums using a periodontal probe. This tool measures the depth of gum pockets and helps your dentist find problem spots.
Once this exam is complete, we work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. There will be time to discuss different treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your dental health.
First, a dental hygienist covers your chest with a plastic or paper cloth. There will be a tray of metal and/or ultrasonic tools that the hygienist uses to clean your teeth.
Working one tooth at a time, they scrape off any plaque or tartar that has accumulated on the tooth’s surface or along your gum line. Tartar is a hardened plaque and cannot be removed by at-home brushing, so this step is significant. Over time, plaque and tartar buildup can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
In the last cleaning stage, we polish your teeth using a tool with a spinning head. This tool removes some staining and ensures that any remaining plaque is removed. Your smile will look brighter, whiter, and healthier in the end.
We will ask you to rinse one last time with fluoride mouthwash. Typically, you will rinse between each stage of the cleaning process.
We want you to be comfortable during your visit. Our hygienist team is as gentle as possible, so there is little discomfort during or after deep teeth cleaning. Please let us know if we have tooth sensitivity beforehand to discuss options. There are numbing options available to lessen your discomfort.
The longer you want in between appointments, the more tartar builds up on your teeth and around the gum line. Having this tartar removed can be uncomfortable at times, but it shouldn’t be painful.
However, you can avoid unnecessary discomfort by scheduling regular cleanings at Oakville Dental Place. You should come in every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning.
Oakville Place Dental provides a broad range of dental services, including regular cleanings, cosmetic procedures, orthodontics, and emergency surgery.
Our priority is ensuring that you and your family have a positive, comfortable, and pain-free experience every time you visit our clinic. Every member of our team is committed to providing exceptional service and care.
Additionally, we will work with your insurance company, billing them directly for applicable services whenever possible.
To book your first appointment, call Oakville Place Dental at 905-842-6030 or contact us here.
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