Your First Visit

At your first visit, our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible, to provide you with an honest assessment of your dental health, and to help you understand any treatment you require. You will receive a thorough and comprehensive oral examination and a customized plan for the healthy beautiful smile you and your family deserve!

A prevention program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress and recurrance of dental diseases and conditions.

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.

Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.

Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.

Dental Radiographs
Dental radiographs (x-rays) are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

Dental Exam
A comprehensive dental exam consisting of five phases will be performed by Dr. Spaulding on your initial dental visit. At regular check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will also include the following:

• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
• Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer. We now use VELscope to detect oral cancer. This technology has allowed us to better serve our patients by providing a preventive exam to identify signs of oral cancer that cannot be detected by the dentist eye alone.
• Gum disease evaluation: a complete periodontal exam to the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
• Tooth by Tooth Examination: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay, wear, fractures, and conditions.
• Complimentary Aesthetic smile analysis: Dr. Spaulding will evaluate your smile for aesthetic beauty by conducting a color analysis, evaluating alignment, spaces, wear, and gingival contour.

Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleaning (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following services as per Dr. Spaulding's recommendations:

• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is a hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gumline and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that formas on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
• Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
• Dental Therapy: Gingivitis treatment, Periodontal Treatment, Gum Therapy

We promise to work hard to ensure your first visit is the beginning of a mutually trusting and long relationship.

How To Prepare

Quality dental care requires a team effort. We understand your first visit to a new dentist can be stressful. The following are a few suggestions to help you relax and to help us maximize Dr. Spaulding's time to address your dental health needs.

• Schedule your first appointment on a date and time when you'll be most relaxed.
• Arrive a few minutes early to your appointment.

What To Expect

The following is a summary of what to expect as a new patient to our office. Your first visit should take approximately 1.5 hours.

• Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by our friendly Treatment coordinator where we will have a private consultation with Dr. Spaulding to discuss your dental care desires, history and process your patient information
• Dr. Spaulding will greet you and listen to your dental health needs, concerns, and expectations. The dental examination will only begin after all your questions have been answered and you are completely comfortable with proceeding.
• We will take any necessary x-rays. We offer digital x-rays with instantaneous results at 90% less radiation than traditional radiography systems.
• Dr. Spaulding will perform a comprehensive dental examination consisting of five phases. This involves a screening for oral cancer, a tooth-by-tooth charting to indentify and record the current condition of your teeth, and periodontal charting to assess the condition of your gums, an x-ray and occlusal evaluation, and a smile analysis for aesthetic smile enhancement options.
• We will provide you with an honest dental health report based on your x-rays and dental examination. If needed, Dr. Spaulding will use an intra-oral camera to provide you with a video tour of problem areas. She will then outline the procedures, and recommendations in a customized format required to address your dental health and discuss any alternatives and/or options you may have.
• Dr. Spaulding's highly trained professional hygienist will complete a comprehensive general cleaning or initiate the recommended therapy for treating gum disease.

At Dr. Spaulding's Cosmetic and Family Dentistry we believe that you should be an active participant in your dental care, including your diagnosis and treatment. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in making a conjoined decision with Dr. Spaulding and our treatment coordinator. We provide the latest in advanced technology and ditial communications. These sources allow you to take part in making an informed decision about your oral health. And we are here to assist you in creating the plan that fits best for you and present all of your financial and treatment options. At Dr. Spaulding's, we are committed to helping you develop a plan that you are confident and happy with. This is just another reason Dr. Spaulding and her team are committed to the best patient care.

** During your consultation appointment, we will take a number of diagnostic measurements and photos so please put aside 120 minutes in your schedule for your initial evaluation appointment with Dr. Spaulding and her staff.**