First Visit FAQs

1. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY FIRST VISIT?
2. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?
3. DO I NEED X-RAYS?
4. DO I HAVE TO BE REFERRED BY A GENERAL DENTIST?
5. WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST VISIT?
6. WILL THE EXAM HURT?
7. WILL I NEED SURGERY?
8. CAN MY TEETH BE SAVED?
9. WHEN WILL I GO BACK TO MY GENERAL DENTIST?
10. WHAT IF I HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE BUT CHOOSE NOT TO HAVE TREATMENT?
11. IF I have insurance, Will I have to pay for my INITIAL exam?
12. Are your doctors “in network” FOR ANY INSURANCE PLANS?

ANSWERS TO FIRST VISIT FAQs

1. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY FIRST VISIT?

Periodontal diseases, as well as a patient’s individual risk factors for the diseases, are often diagnosed through a Comprehensive Periodontal Examination. During this exam, your Periodontist will discuss your chief complaint, review your medical and dental histories, and perform a clinical examination and radiographic (X-ray) analysis. In some cases, microbiologic, genetic, biochemical, and other diagnostic tests may be performed. This is the time to discuss with your Periodontist and his team other risk factors that might contribute to Periodontal Diseases. It’s important to be specific with him about your health history, especially the presence of any artificial heart valves, knee or hip replacements, and any previous treatment of cancer that utilized intravenous use of Aredia or Zometa for high blood levels of calcium. The drug Zometa is also used by many women who have annual intravenous infusions to treat osteoporosis.

2. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?

After your initial Exam, a second appointment with your Periodontist called a “Treatment Conference” will be scheduled. This will be for your Treatment Conference with the Doctor, where he will review your radiographs with you, go over his exam findings and diagnosis in great detail, and explain his personalized Treatment Plan for your particular situation, and any other treatment options that may be available to you. We recommend that you bring your spouse, family member, or Significant Other with you to this conference, as they are often helpful in the “Question and Answer” aspect of the conference.

Occasionally, minor surgical procedures, like a Crown Lengthening, can be scheduled for the same day as an Exam for an isolated procedure. However, more complex treatment plans, or complex medical histories, require evaluation and planning that is far too extensive for a same-day surgery—and, consequently, a second appointment is necessary to actually render treatment.

3. DO I NEED X-RAYS?

Bitewing X-rays taken by your General Dentist are only meant to target the above-gumline portion of your teeth to check for caries, cracks, and other structural issues. A periapical X-ray shows the complete length of your tooth and the surrounding bone.

Your Periodontist will need current periapical X-rays that reveal the amount of bone damage from infection and remaining bone support for each tooth to assess your overall condition. We use state of the art digital radiography and imaging with a fraction of traditional X-ray radiation.

If your Referring Dentist has taken a “full set” of periapical X-rays, please request that these be forwarded to our mailing address. If there is not enough time for your X-rays to reach us by mail before your scheduled examination appointment, please pick up your X-rays from their office and bring them with you to your appointment. Digital X-rays can be emailed to us at (email address). If additional films are necessary, we can take them at your exam appointment.

4. DO I HAVE TO BE REFERRED BY A GENERAL DENTIST?

Our doctors believe that your right to choose a dentist is an important freedom. We work closely with your referring dentist, but a referral by a dentist is not required to visit our office. We also welcome referrals from patients and friends of our practice.

5. WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST VISIT?

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first appointment (or before):

• Your referral slip from your General Dentist (may be faxed to us at (915)593-7478, and
• Any X-rays that were taken at their office, if applicable (digital X-rays may be emailed to us at (email address).
• A list of medications you are presently, or have recently, taken.
• If you have a medical condition that may be a concern prior to surgery (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are currently taking any medication (i.e. heart medications, insulin, oral diabetes medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.), please alert our office.
• Patients under 18 years of age must bring a parent or guardian with them to their Exam, Treatment Conference, and Treatment appointments.
• If you have medical or dental insurance, please provide us with a sample claim form and a copy of your insurance I.D. card. You may fax this information to us at (915) 593-7478. This will save time, and allow us to help you process your dental claims.

6. WILL THE EXAM HURT?

We strive to be very gentle and caring while performing all of our procedures. The Periodontal Exam can usually be completed with little or no discomfort.

5. WILL I NEED SURGERY?

Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be controlled without it. Your Periodontist will make specific recommendations to you, based solely on your individual health condition.

6. CAN MY TEETH BE SAVED?

The recent advances in Periodontal Treatment allow your Periodontist to successfully treat most teeth.

7. WHEN WILL I GO BACK TO MY GENERAL DENTIST?

Regular visits to your General Dentist are an important part of periodontal maintenance. If crowns and fillings are needed, your Dentist will provide them. Your Periodontist will communicate directly with your General Dentist regarding your planned treatment in our office, and will work closely together to coordinate the steps involved in the restoration of your overall dental health.

8. WHAT IF I HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE BUT CHOOSE NOT TO HAVE TREATMENT?

Periodontal Disease is a progressive, usually painless infection that silently dissolves the bone that supports your teeth. Generally speaking, the longer you live with active infection, the greater expense is incurred to restore your dental health. Delay can also narrow future Treatment Plan options, due to the continued bone loss caused by unchecked infection. You also need to know that dentures are never as effective or comfortable as your own natural teeth. They “ride”, so to speak, on top of existing bone, and do not “exercise” it. Consequently, once in a denture, you will continue to experience even greater bone loss that will, in turn, cause your denture to be ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and potentially embarrassing. There are also serious health complications related to periodontal disease that should be addressed to avoid future health risks.

9. IF I have insurance, Will I have to pay for my INITIAL exam?

We are a fee for service practice and payment is due upon completion of the procedure … we take all the major credit cards and we’ll be happy to submit your claim electronically for you; these get processed immediately by the insurance company.”

10. Are your doctors “in network” FOR ANY INSURANCE PLANS?

The State of Texas does not allow “closed” insurance plans (excluding providers). Covered procedures can be rendered by any appropriately-trained, licensed professional. When you come in for your first visit, we will be happy to do a complimentary benefits check for you to see how and if your insurance carrier will help with your periodontal treatment plan.