Office Visits
Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, high quality dental care. We understand that you, or your child, may feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We are sensitive to your needs, and it is our goal to make you feel comfortable visiting our practice while providing the best care possible.
Your first visit is all about you – your comfort, your happiness, and your health.
Your first visit is spent assessing your current oral health. If you have been visiting another dentist who has already generated X-rays and reports, it would be helpful if you brought those to your first appointment. If you would rather us call and get your records, please let us know so we have them prior to your first appointment.
For a new patient exam and cleaning, we need about an hour and a half. However, if you have not seen a dentist in a long while it may take longer.
- First, you will meet Dr. Stefani and talk about your concerns.
- He will have his assistant take a series of digital X-rays to check for cavities as well as bone loss and other issues.
- Dr. Stefani will use these X-rays to do a comprehensive dental exam that includes charting of all your existing dental work.
- He will want to know and understand the history of your mouth.
- He will note any new issues such as cavities, broken teeth, and any other concerns.
- He will also do a head and neck oral cancer exam.
Once Dr. Stefani has completed his initial assessment, he or our hygienist will scale your teeth, polish them, and provide a fluoride treatment, as well assess any gum recession and conduct dental probing which evaluate bone loss.
A second visit to our hygienist may be necessary in some cases if it has been a long time since your last hygiene appointment and you have a lot of tarter built up on your teeth.
Bring your smile, but also remember to bring these with you to your first appointment:
- Your completed patient information form
- Your insurance card
Regular checkups are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile!
The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist every six months for regular checkups and routine teeth cleanings to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
We understand that you have a busy schedule, so when you're preparing to visit the dentist, please remember that your appointments can last between 45 and 90 minutes.
For a new patient exam and cleaning, we need about an hour and a half; however, if you have not seen a dentist in a long while it may take longer.