Choosing a new dentist can be a difficult decision. Online reviews as well as suggestions from friends and family can be helpful, but they can only get you so far in making your final choice. To learn why you should choose My Family Dentistry, it’s important to know what to expect during your first visit to our dental office in Powell, TN.
At My Family Dentistry, we save time for many new patients through our intake process where we learn about your oral health history. We begin with gathering data to better understand your needs and goals, as well as focus on diagnostics. We believe the key to reaching those goals is through building a relationship with you over time.
What To Expect During Your New Patient Dental Exam in Powell, TN
If you’re a new patient in for a hygiene exam at My Family Dentistry, then you have already saved yourself a lot of time. It means that you have already gone through the screening process in our front office to show that you:
- Have had regular dental care in the past
- Have pretty good oral health overall
- Don’t have any major oral health problems
This lets our team know that you have maintained your oral health properly over the years, possibly removing the need for a cleaning on your first visit. Instead, we can spend this time talking about the goals you have for your smile.
As dental hygienist Taylor explains, “So when you’re in the hygiene chair, we do not promise a cleaning. This is just because it depends on your health and your history, and there’s a lot we need to talk about.”
There is a diagnostic portion of your visit, however. Taylor goes on to explain that:
There is a multi-step process to our exam and we’re very thorough in the diagnostics portion of it. We’re also very thorough in our cleaning as well, so we don’t want to cause a time issue or have to rush through to get all of it done. Typically we check for the three diseases — cavities, gum disease, and occlusal disease [bite and airway problems]. We also perform thorough questioning, exams, and muscle checks. We may also ask further questions depending on your answers, especially into your dental history. Then, of course, we take X-rays.
Cavities
Cavities are the most common health condition in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). What’s unfortunate is that they are easily prevented with basic oral care. By checking for this issue, we help ensure that you stay protected from this common problem that can wreak havoc on your teeth.
To learn more about cavities, what causes them, and how to prevent them, click here!
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that nearly half of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease (periodontal disease). This disease gradually attacks your gums and bone, eventually leading to tooth loss. Your risk of gum disease only increases as you get older, so it’s important to seek treatment immediately, or even better, prevent it altogether.
Click here to learn more about the causes of gum disease!
Occlusal Disease
Occlusal disease affects your bite, or how your upper and lower teeth are aligned and connect. A poor bite can occur for a number of reasons, including:
- Incorrect teeth alignment
- Unbalanced bite
- Grinding your teeth
- Clenching your jaw
When functioning properly, all your oral and facial muscles work together. Unfortunately, an imbalance can lead to stress and needs professional attention to correct it.
What Makes Our New Patient Exam Different From Other Dental Offices in Powell, TN
Dr. Wesley Mullins, Dr. Austin Owen, and the rest of our team take enormous pride in the response we receive to our new patient exams. Time and time again, our new patients are amazed at how thorough their initial exam with us is. Jordan, one of our dental hygienists, has worked at previous dental offices and can provide a unique understanding of why that is.
She says:
With other offices that I’ve worked at, they focus on what the patient considers symptomatic or what fires the patient thinks need to be put out. It’s not, ‘How can we help you become overall healthy?’ Instead, it’s “You’ve got some cavities so let’s address those and let’s get your cleaning.” It’s not, “Well tell me about your history. Tell me about your life. Tell me about your hopes and fears and goals.”
At My Family Dentistry, we understand that your oral health is more than having a bright smile — your oral health is a part of your overall health. That’s why we believe that relationships are the foundation of helping you achieve the best oral health possible as well as the smile that you deserve.
“We are completely different from any other office for new patient exams in a lot of different ways,” Jordan explains. “First of all, we try really hard to build a relationship with each patient. We allow a lot of time to take our time and get to know them. We also perform really thorough exams with data collection.”
This combination of relationship-building and thorough exams is where we truly shine. It allows us to go deeper than other dental offices, addressing more than surface issues and providing you with a smile that you can’t wait to show off.
Are you ready for your new dental exam in Powell, TN? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
At My Family Dentistry, we begin with gathering data to better understand your needs and goals, as well as focus on diagnostics. We follow a relationship-focused philosophy that helps us to support your goals over the long term.
My Family Dentistry is open Monday through Thursday. Give us a call at (865) 947-6453 or you can schedule an appointment online.