Visiting the dentist can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Even if you keep up with great at home oral care habits, visiting a dentist is the only way to prevent serious health issues from occurring with your oral health. Knowing what to expect at your dental appointment can help you stay calm, and feel more ready to approach your vital cleanings and exams!

Your Dental Appointment

Visiting the dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and exams is extremely important when it comes to preventing bigger complications with your oral health. If any issues do arise, Dr. Brian Chan will be able to identify and treat them typically before extensive procedures are needed. Here’s what you can expect at your dental checkup appointment:

• Conversation: All new patient appointments start with a personal conversation with Dr. Chan. This is a great way for everyone to get to know each other. At Classic Dental Smiles, we highly regard relationships and the trust that is given to our staff. We want to get to know you, understand your concerns, and develop a treatment plan that fits into your life, your budget, and meets your needs.
• Photographs and X-rays: With your permission, we then take a full set of color photographs and x-rays. These images help Dr. Chan to see areas of your teeth and gums that are otherwise not visible, and therefore he will be able to better identify any concerns. At our office, we only use digital x-rays, which means instantaneous pictures, high clarity, and the lowest amount of radiation possible. The settings are so low that if we turned it down one more notch, it would turn the machine off!
• Exam: Dr. Chan will then do a complete examination of your teeth, gums, and surrounding structures. We screen for oral cancer, jaw joint problems, teeth problems, etc. We also take note of the health of your gums to ensure that gum disease isn’t a possible problem, as well as checking for many other signs of possible health issues that could arise in the near future. After the exam, Dr. Chan will be able to recommend the best treatments to meet your needs that fit your schedule, budget, and concerns.
• Cleaning: One of our hygienists will typically then conduct your professional teeth cleaning. Even if you brush and floss regularly, home care alone simply isn’t enough to fully clean your teeth. Specialized cleaning instruments will be used to remove any tartar or plaque buildup from the surface of your teeth and below your gum line if needed. Typically then your teeth will be flossed and polished. Overall, this process, when performed regularly, makes it more difficult for tartar to build up, keeping your teeth clean!

Dentist Appointment Rancho Bernardo CA

If you have any questions about what to expect for your dental appointment, feel free to contact our office today for more information! We look forward to helping you keep up with your oral health, and our team can help schedule an appointment to visit our experienced dentist today!