New Patient Exam: What To Expect At Your First Dental Exam

Signing up with a new dentist in Ormond Beach, Florida, is a big decision, but we are glad you’ve chosen Cooper Dental Group as your preferred dental home. Our dental team will make your onboarding as smooth as possible, and it won’t take long before you feel like part of our larger dental family. 

Your comfort is our priority. We always care for all our patients like family. From the moment you enter our office to when you leave, rest assured your visit will be stress-free.

What to expect during your exam

Optimal oral health is more than brushing and flossing your teeth at home. We are glad you’ve taken the first step towards all-rounded dental care. Regular dental exams allow us to detect and address oral issues before they become major headaches.

As a new patient in our office, your first oral exam is much more than inspecting your teeth with X-rays. It’s a comprehensive exam and consultation with one of our dentists, Ruano or Crain, in addition to X-rays.. 

A dental exam is painless, so you’ve nothing to worry about. The dentist scrutinizes your teeth, gums, and other oral structures to look for signs of decay, infections, misalignment, etc.

What we look out for in your first dental exam

During this first visit, we’ll start by getting information about your medical history, dental history, current medications, etc. We’ll also listen to your dental concerns and goals to customize a procedure plan.

Once we have your basic information, your dental exam will involve:

• A visual exam: The dentist will use an intraoral camera to take close-up photos of your teeth and gums and display them on a screen. During this visual exam, we can spot signs of gum infection, decay, overcrowding, lesions, etc., to design a proper procedure plan
• Oral cancer screening: An oral cancer exam lasts no more than five minutes but can be life-saving. The dentist will inspect your mouth for any abnormal lesions or bumps that may indicate the presence of mouth cancer
• Digital X-rays: Digital radiographs are an essential part of the dental exam to diagnose problems under the surface or between teeth. Not every dental exam involves X-rays, but if they haven’t been taken in the past six months, we’ll recommend them to keep track of your oral health over time
• Teeth cleaning: If there are no significant issues with your smile, we’ll professionally clean your teeth to eliminate built-in plaque and tartar. After teeth cleaning, we’ll polish your teeth for a smooth and shiny finish

Should you require care after your exam, your dentist will take you through the options. We won’t rush or pressure you. Instead, we’ll present you with diverse procedure choices, associated costs, and anticipated timelines. We aim to empower you to make an informed decision about your dental care. 

Dentist Near Me Accepting New Patients

Cooper Dental Group is welcoming new patients. Whether it’s time for a dental exam or other care, we’re here to help you.

Call 386-672-0955 to schedule an appointment and experience how we can help keep your smile bright and healthy!