First Visit to a Periodontist
Although most everyone knows what to expect when scheduling an appointment with their dentist, it is common for patients to be uncertain about what is involved in scheduling a periodontist washington dc visit, why it is necessary, and what to expect. While a general dentist is able to address common oral health issues, such as a cavity being filled, a root canal, and/or non-surgical interventions, oral health issues affecting the periodontium are best treated by a periodontist.
The need for periodontal care is typically determined by your general dentist, who will likely provide you with a recommendation of a trusted local clinic or individual. If you have a good, trusting relationship with your general dentist, there is a good chance that whoever they recommend will also be a good fit to meet your specific oral health needs. All the same, it is important that you feel confident with the person providing care to you and/or your family.
If it has been recommended that you schedule an appointment with a periodontist, it is important to understand the underlying reason, why a periodontal examination is necessary, and what you can do to prepare for the initial visit. To help you in this manner, please refer to the following.
What to Expect from the First Visit
Once you have scheduled an appointment for your first periodontal visit, be sure to bring along a list of your current medications, your dental insurance information, and if applicable, a referral form and/or relevant X-rays.
Although every patient will have a slightly different experience, your first periodontal appointment will typically begin with a review of your dental and medical history. Next, they will examine your jaw joints, neck, and head, the structures in your throat and mouth and your gums and teeth. They will also use a special probe to measure the depth of the pockets of your gums. Healthy gums should have a depth of 3 mm or less, whereas patients who have developed periodontal disease will have pockets that are deeper than this. If necessary, an X-Ray may be taken to inform possible treatment options.
Once this information has been collected and the examination is complete, a diagnosis will be made and a treatment plan that is informed by your medical history and current periodontal health will be developed. Your periodontist will explain the underlying cause of whatever issue you may have, what treatment options are available, what treatment approach they believe is best, and an overview of what to expect during the recommended treatments. They will then ask if you have any questions, and once these have been answered and a treatment plan has been developed and agreed upon, your first visit will be complete and a follow-up appointment can be scheduled.
Questions to Ask and Things to Consider
Scheduling your first appointment with a periodontist is an important first step in enjoying good oral health; however, it may be helpful to consider and write down any questions you have ahead of time to ensure you address all your concerns and are clear on what underlying issues are present and what steps are necessary to correct them.
When scheduling your first visit, it is also important to make sure you have researched the clinic and that it meets the characteristics you are looking for in receiving care. Be sure to consider the following before scheduling your first appointment:
- Geographic proximity: Is the office located close to where you live, work, or socialize?
- Qualifications of staff: Where did the periodontist receive their degree and how long have they been in practice? Are they board certified? If so, how recently have they been certified?
- Treatment philosophy: Every periodontist will have a slightly different philosophy when it comes to treatment. Some periodontists are inclined to suggest surgical intervention to immediately address and correct the issue, whereas others focus on non-surgical approaches and making lifestyle changes to slowly correct the issue. Either approach is valid, but it is important that you are aware of and feel confident in their approach to providing you with care.
- Cost, insurance, and financing options: Every clinic has slightly different methods for handling payment, what types of insurance companies they work with, and options for financing. Before scheduling any major periodontal procedures, have a discussion and/or research the clinics policies to ensure you are receiving care in a manner that does not cause undue financial hardship.
- Available treatments; While most clinics offer the same basic services, there are certain procedures that may or may not be offered, such as Pinhole Surgical Technique or Wilckodontics, as well as cosmetic procedures, such as LANAP or laser gum depigmentation. Some clinics also specialize in certain types of procedures, such as dental implants or cosmetic procedures. Ask your periodontist candidly what their level of expertise, familiarity, and comfort is when performing the type of procedure, you require.
- Available sedation levels: Although many periodontal procedures can be performed without the use of dental sedation, it is important to know what types of sedation are available and whether they are certified to administer IV sedation.
- Clinic amenities: In addition to making sure you are receiving care from a proficient periodontist who understands and aligns with your treatment goals, it is also important that you feel comfortable in the space where you will receive care. This includes a relaxed décor and calm environment, and staff that are courteous and make you feel confident that you are receiving optimal care tailored to your unique needs.
Cost of Your First Visit
Every periodontal clinic should have a baseline rate for the cost of an initial examination, however this cost may be impacted by factors such as the severity of your case, whether X-Rays or other diagnostic exams are necessary, and whether dental sedation is required. Although the initial visit is generally painless, some patients who struggle with dental phobia may require mild sedation, which will increase the overall cost.
Patients who have dental insurance may find that this visit is covered in part or in full. Patients who do not have dental insurance may consider enrolling in a dental plan or explore financing options, which are offered at many periodontal clinics. If financial concerns are preventing you from seeking the treatment you need to maintain your oral health, discuss these issues with your periodontist, who can provide additional suggestions to ensure you receive the treatment you need.
When Do I Schedule a Follow-up Appointment?
How soon you need to schedule a follow-up appointment will be determined by your treatment plan and whether surgical procedures are required, such as a tooth extraction, dental implant, gum contouring, crown lengthening, etc. Frequency of periodontal maintenance will depend on the severity of your case, your susceptibility for developing periodontal disease, and the level of self-care you practice at home. Patients who have good general oral health may only need to schedule periodontal maintenance every six months, whereas patients who are more susceptible to periodontal disease, or who are in the early stages of treatment may need to schedule periodontal maintenance every three or four months until the disease is corrected.
Additional factors that will impact the recommended frequency of visits include your commitment to at-home self-care and lifestyle habits, such as the type of foods and beverages you consume on a regular basis and/or use of tobacco products. To reduce the frequency of periodontal maintenance, practice good self-care, eat a healthy diet, and avoid use of tobacco.
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