Consulation

Every new patient may receive an initial consultation with a specialist at no cost. During this meeting, many things may be discussed including an introduction to our specialists and a the services that we provide. Each new patient’s health history will be reviewed and any medical concerns as related to dental treatment will be discussed. We will then talk about your dental concerns, and discuss ways in which we may be able to help you. Examples will be presented of each case type and the extent of treatment necessary will be clarified.

At this point it is your decision to become a patient of ours and complete a dental exam with diagnostic images.

Digital X-Rays

Diagnostic images are periodically necessary to evaluate anatomic structures such as bone levels associated with teeth, periodontal condition, and proximal tooth structure. Visual examination only is effective on structures that are directly visible. RISKS: There is radiation exposure associated with dental x-rays. We use digital x-rays which minimize the exposure to about one tenth of regular film radiation. We utilize the latest in technology for maximal patient safety.

A full set of recent x-rays is necessary for every new patient either previously taken (at another office) or taken in our office after the initial consultation. These images will aid the clinician in proper diagnosis or guide in the progress of treatment

Comprehensive Evaluation

After the initial consultation and review of your health history and x-ray evaluation, a dentist will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth and oral strucutres. In this evaluation, each one of your teeth are evaluated for existing conditions and previous dental treatment. The periodontal health of your gums and alveolar strucutres are assessed and a cancer screening will be performed.

Diagnodent

A diagnodent is a laser diagnostic tool that allows the clinician to determine questionable areas on the surface of your teeth. Often, stains will have the same appearance as cavities. A diagnodent is one of the most conservative ways to make an early diagnosis and effectively treat small cavities before they become big ones!

Mounted Casts

After diagnosis is complete, more thorough records may be required. On more complicated rehabilitation type cases, molds of your teeth may be need to be taken in order to further evaluate your teeth.

These records may be mounted on a device called an articulator to simulate the working movement of your jawbones. A prosthodontist is the master of this type of diagnostic instrument and many anatomic elements will be evaluated to determine which type of restoration would be most suited to your condition.

Diagnostic WAX-UP

After the mounting procedure is completed, a diagnostic wax-up may be made of your teeth to predict the outcome of your customized dental treatment. This wax-up serves as the ‘roadmap’ to your treatment and gives you a chance to see what the outcome may be before any treatment is done on your teeth!

Treatment Conference

All previous steps lead to the treatment conference. This is a meeting in which the treatment plan is finalized. All considerations are discussed: Time Involved, Finances, Projected Outcomes and Contingencies.

It is at this point that your input is extremely necessary. Any questions you have about the treatment proposal will be answered, and all of the resources will be combined in order to help understand the information presented.