What to Expect during Your First Periodontal Visit
Like many Americans, you have probably been seeing a general dentist since you were young. General dentists assist with dental recommendations, ensuring that your teeth and gums are healthy through routine cleanings. However, when you lose a tooth in an accident or you suffer from a gum condition, then your general dentist will likely refer you to a periodontics and implantology specialist like Central Florida Periodontics & Implantology.
The Specialty of Periodontics
Periodontists begin their career with all the training and experience of a general dentist. However, they take their learning a step further by undergoing an additional three years of specialized training focusing on gum and bone health, the parts of the body that support teeth. This experience gives them the ability to treat a variety of dental and gum conditions including gum disease, connective tissue grafting, and the placement of dental implants to replace lost teeth.
During your first visit to a periodontics and implantology office, here’s what you can expect:
Expectations for a Positive First Periodontal Visit
For the best first experience, it’s advisable to arrive 15 minutes earlier than your appointment. A team of friendly, knowledgeable staff members will greet you and give you all the appropriate first-time periodontics and implantology forms to fill out.
Once you’ve completed the forms, you’ll be escorted to one of the specialists’ comfortable and relaxing rooms where you will meet a board certified periodontist. That periodontist will use the forms you filled out and a brief interview with you to understand the reason for your visit and what you need to move forward.
During this consultation, your periodontist will inquire about:
- Any preexisting health concerns
- Your medical history, including any medications you are currently taking
- Daily lifestyle, including diet
- Any dental concerns related and unrelated to the reason for your visit
- Any concerns about various treatment options
First Visit Examination and Treatment Diagnosis
You can also expect the periodontist to perform a brief dental examination to add his or her notes to your medical file. This examination generally begins with a look at your head, neck, and jaw for any signs of temporomandibular joint disorder. He or she will then examine your mouth, teeth, throat, and gums. Depending upon your condition, you may also have X-rays taken to determine issues related to underlying bone loss.
The periodontist will use this information to establish a baseline and create a customized, detailed treatment plan that’s specific to you and your needs. Possible treatment recommendations include:
- Advanced periodontal treatment
- Bone grafting
- Crown lengthening
- Dental implanting
- Extractions
- Gingival recontouring
- Gum grafting or repositioning
Once you and your periodontist have agreed on the best course of action for your treatment, you’ll be re-escorted to the front office. There, staff members will consult with you on scheduling the appointment for the procedure.
Scheduling Your Treatment Visit(s)
Most treatment plans can be done at the periodontics and implantology office during a convenient one- or two-hour session. Some more advanced cases might require surgical treatment in which you may have to refrain from strenuous activities for a couple days following the treatment. But many periodontal diseases can be efficiently treated with the latest laser technology that is painless and requires minimal post-treatment downtime.
Contact Central Florida Periodontics and Implantology
For more information on periodontics and implantology, or to schedule an appointment to speak with your local Orlando specialists, contact us today at Central Florida Periodontics and Implantology. Both our Winter Park offices are staffed by an experienced and caring team of dedicated professionals that ensure all of our patients have their surgical and administrative needs met as effectively and efficiently as possible.
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