What Happens During Your New Patient Exam

Your first dental visit to our practice gives us a baseline understanding of your oral health and lets you decide if we’re a good fit for your needs. Most new patient exams take about 90 minutes and include X-rays, a cleaning, and a thorough check of your teeth and gums. You’ll leave knowing what’s going on in your mouth and what, if anything, needs attention.

Getting Started: Your Dental History

A new patient exam builds the foundation for your care by documenting your current oral health status and any concerns you want to address. We look at everything from cavities and gum health to bite alignment and jaw function. This comprehensive approach catches small issues before they become expensive problems.

The appointment begins with paperwork covering your medical history, current medications, and dental history. We ask about things like whether you grind your teeth at night, if cold drinks make you wince, or if you’ve been avoiding the dentist because of bad experiences. These details matter because they affect how we approach your care. 

X-Rays & Examination

Digital X-rays show us what’s happening under your gums and between your teeth, where visual exams can’t reach. The sensor goes in your mouth for a few seconds per image, and the pictures appear immediately on a screen we can review together. We typically take a full series during your first visit, which includes 18 to 20 images covering every angle.

These X-rays reveal cavities forming between teeth, bone loss around roots, infections at tooth tips, and wisdom teeth positions. The radiation exposure from digital X-rays is about 80% lower than old film versions, roughly equivalent to a few hours of natural background radiation. We point out anything unusual in the images and explain what it means in plain terms.

The clinical exam comes next. We check each tooth for decay, cracks, or worn fillings. Your gums get measured at six points per tooth to assess periodontal health. Depths of three millimeters or less indicate healthy gums, while measurements of four millimeters or more suggest gum disease. We also examine your tongue, cheeks, and throat for anything abnormal, though oral cancer is rare in patients without risk factors like tobacco use.

Professional Cleaning

The hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing misses, especially along the gumline and between teeth. Polishing comes next. The hygienist uses a special paste and spinning brush to smooth tooth surfaces and remove stains from coffee, tea, or red wine. Your teeth feel noticeably cleaner afterward. We finish with floss to clear anything loosened during cleaning.

Most patients tolerate cleanings well, though some sensitivity is normal if you have gum recession or exposed roots. We can apply numbing gel before starting if you’re worried about discomfort. The whole cleaning usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the amount of buildup you have on your teeth.

Creating Your Treatment Plan

After reviewing everything, we discuss what we found and what needs to happen next. Maybe you have three cavities that should be filled within the next few months, or perhaps you need a deeper cleaning to address early periodontal disease. We prioritize urgent issues first, then plan out less pressing treatments.

Your customized plan might include:

• Immediate needs like treating painful infected teeth or cavities 
• Preventive care, such as sealants for cavity-prone molars or a nightguard for grinding
• Restorative work, including fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy for damaged teeth
• Cosmetic improvements like whitening, bonding, or veneers, if you’re interested
• Ongoing maintenance with a cleaning schedule based on your gum health

We break down costs and timeline for each recommended treatment. Most insurance plans cover preventive care fully and a portion of restorative work, though you’ll want to verify your specific benefits. For treatments you’re unsure about, we explain what happens if you wait versus addressing it now.

What’s Next?

Schedule your next cleaning before leaving our office, typically in six months, unless your gums need more frequent monitoring. If we identified treatment needs, you can make those appointments too or call back once you’ve thought things over. We’re not pushy about scheduling everything immediately because dental decisions should feel right, not rushed. So if you are interested in having us as your dental provider, our team at Parker & Pennington Dentistry is located in Jacksonville Beach, FL.