At Leavitt Dentistry, we believe that your first visit to our office should be about more than simply checking for cavities and sending you on your way. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to understanding each new patient’s oral health.
Keep reading to learn more about the new patient experience, which includes an optional virtual consultation, comprehensive oral and periodontal examination, digital X-rays and scans, and discussions about what our findings mean for your future care.
Start with a Virtual Consultation
If you’d like, you can begin your new patient journey with a virtual consultation with Dr. Leavitt. This may be helpful if you have questions about a specific dental concern, you’re considering cosmetic or restorative treatment, or want to understand more about what your first appointment will involve. It’s a great way to begin the conversation if you’re comparing different dental providers and want to know if we’d be a good fit for you.
A Comprehensive Oral Examination
At your first in-person appointment, our team of trained providers will examine your teeth and the surrounding structures to fully understand your oral health. Doctor Leavitt will look for tooth decay, cracks, chips, wear and damaged teeth; make note of any existing fillings, crowns, or other restorations; check your bite and alignment; and determine whether there are any areas of concern that may require monitoring. We will do an oral cancer screening of your entire mouth and check your jaw health.
As part of this examination, Dr. Leavitt will also consider your periodontal health, which plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy smiles. He’ll look for inflammation, bleeding, gum recession, bone loss, and other signs of periodontal disease.
Identifying any potential concerns early can help prevent them from becoming larger problems in the future. Whatever Dr. Leavitt’s findings are, he’ll consider them in the context of you as an individual patient rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all treatment approach.
Full Digital X-Rays and Scans
Next, we’ll perform full digital X-rays and 3D scans. This imagery can identify issues that may not be visible during a regular examination, helping Dr. Leavitt visualize your tooth roots, jawbone, the areas between teeth, any developing cavities, infections, or other abnormalities.
3D CBCT scans can be especially valuable when evaluating patients for implants, wisdom teeth removal, or other oral surgery. They provide detailed information about the teeth, jawbone, nerves, sinuses, and other structures, which helps Dr. Leavitt plan future care and procedures.
Discussing Your Overall Health
We always discuss new patients’ medical history and overall health on their first visit. The mouth is not separate from the rest of the body — it’s important for us to know about any medications you take, existing health conditions, sleep and airway concerns, and nutrition in order to properly plan your dental care. Understanding your overall health helps Dr. Leavitt make more informed recommendations and, if necessary, coordinate your care with other medical professionals.
Creating a Personalized Care Plan
The most important part of a new patient appointment isn’t taking X-rays or completing an exam; it’s understanding what the findings mean. Dr. Leavitt and his team will go over their findings and determine what needs attention, what should be monitored, what preventative steps should be taken, and what (if any) treatments may be appropriate.
We’ll have a conversation with you to help you understand why a particular treatment is recommended, whether it’s preventative care and routine monitoring, restorative procedures, orthodontic care, cosmetic treatments, or periodontal care. We want you to be an active participant in your dental care and ensure your personalized care plan aligns with your goals.
What You Can Do to Prepare
If you’re a new patient looking forward to your first appointment at Leavitt Dentistry, it will help your everything go smoothly if you do a few simple things to prepare, including:
- Completing our questionnaires and digital paperwork to help us understand your dental history and needs
- Bringing a list of medications and relevant health information
- Preparing to discuss previous dental experiences and concerns
- Thinking about current symptoms or changes you’ve noticed
- Considering your personal goals, such as improving the appearance of your smile or replacing missing teeth
- Preparing questions about recommended treatments or preventive care
The Superior New Patient Experience at Leavitt Dentistry
At Leavitt Dentistry, our new patient experience is designed to help us get to know you and your oral health. Our goal is to help you gain a clearer understanding of your dental health and how to achieve your goals. If you’re ready to get started, feel free to begin with a virtual consultation or contact us to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to develop a personalized plan for your smile!