How To Get More From Your First Dental Visit

If you’ve been away from the dentist in a while, and have (finally!) decided to get back on the wagon, your first visit is a great opportunity to start a good, long-term relationship.

To begin, I strongly recommend you choose your dentist based on a referral from friends, family or co-workers. Strong online reviews can also be an alternative if you’re new to an area.

To help ensure the optimum first visit–because it tends to be more involved; you are new to them and they to you–here are some tips:

Before Your Visit

1. Check out the website, location, reviews, and what services are offered, and ensure they match your needs.

2. When making the appointment, get the highlights–insurance questions, verify appointment time, appointment length, etc.

3. You know there will be paperwork, so check if it’s available online.  If not, make plans to be there 10-15 min ahead of your time. If you carry dental insurance, remember to bring your card. This gives you plenty of time to get it done, or else paperwork will spill over into the time the dentist or hygienist could be giving you their attention.

4. If you’ve had x-rays within the last year, request them from your previous dentist, or get new ones taken. Regular check ups and x-rays are key to staying in maintenance/small problems-easier-to-fix mode instead of darn-I-have-an-emergency-and-it’s-gonna-be-painful-and-cost-twice-as-much mode.

During Your Visit

5. If you have specific questions or issues, be sure to ask them (write them down and make a list if you think you might forget).

6. If you have any appliances you want checked, such as a night guard, retainers, snore guard, etc., take them with you so the dentist can check the fit and even freshen them up.

7. If you feel the discussion with your dentist is too complicated, please do not hesitate to ask and clarify. Discussions about your oral health should be a two-way street. And knowing the ‘why’ makes the ‘what’ and ‘how much’ easier to understand and modify if/when needed.

8. At the end of the visit, be sure to ask any questions that come up during your appointment. You can also consider buying any recommended products (they’re often at better prices than retail or pharmacy). Pick up a business card or two as well, so as to have their contact info handy.

9. Relax! Every dentist and their team are aware that most people are somewhat anxious and uncomfortable during a dental visit. If something is uncomfortable, say so. Modern tools and technology can make dental treatment much more comfortable than in the past.

Keeping an open mind and a good attitude can allow the dental team to do their best, and in return, you get their best. Most dentists really do want to try to keep your visits comfortable and pleasant, and help you achieve and maintain great oral health. And your first dental visit can pave the way.

Ready to find your dental home? Call or email us:

(214) 522-3110        www. raodentistry.com

A Ridiculously Simple Way To Improve Your Smile

Do you feel that, as an adult, you’ve missed the boat on straight teeth?

Maybe you never had braces growing up.

Or you did, but never wore retainers (oops!) and things have shifted since.

What if having straight teeth didn’t matter then, but it matters to you…now?

The simple answer that your teeth may be looking for is Clear Braces.

Clear Braces are the modern adult’s straight teeth solution.

They are:

• esthetic
• convenient
• removable
• effective

As an adult, you get to decide what your perfect smile is. If you’ve discussed porcelain veneers and cosmetic bonding with your dentist, and decided those are not the way to straight teeth for you, orthodontics may be the option ‘X’ that marks the spot.

Being clear on what you want

If you know your goal–and you very well should–is to dot every “i” and cross every “t”, perhaps traditional braces are the way to go, because they offer more control and can do more.

Heck, if your bite is off kilter, using clear braces to correct it is like using a tugboat to pull a tanker. Getting a proper diagnosis and deciding which one you’re a better candidate for is KEY.

When the solution is clear

Now, if want to improve what you’ve got, to correct a relapse from previously having braces, especially if your front teeth look like drunken sailors trying to prop each other up……well, clear braces may be the perfect solution to get them looking like the guards at Buckingham Palace instead.

The popular brand making airwaves is Invisalign. While it’s a great system (and we have it available), we work with one called Red, White and Blue. Same principles, similar method, half the cost, great results.

If you think your ship has sailed on straight teeth and a confident smile, you may want to do a double take. There’s another one in the harbor, clearly waiting just for you.

Did I get you hooked? Call or email us and we’ll get you straightened up in no time (well, almost):

(214) 522-3110                            www.raodentistry.com

Photo credit: chokphoto