Your First Visit

The adult mouth has 32 teeth; that is a lot of teeth to keep healthy! It is necessary to have a full view of all the teeth to allow us to see the surfaces the unaided eye cannot view. X-rays allow us to see between the teeth, under fillings, determine the level of the bone that supports the teeth, check for infection, evaluate anatomic structures, and a number of other areas. You may bring a copy of X-rays that were previously taken at your prior dental office; however, if they are more than a few years old, a new set of X-rays should be taken to update your record. Please visit our dental X-rays page … Click to open this link in the same window … for more information.

Periodontal disease … Click to open this link in the same window … is present in some form in more than 80% of the adult population. Just like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, many adults do not know they have it unless they are screened by their healthcare provider. We evaluate every new patient’s gums for periodontal disease.

The dentist … Click to open this link in the same window … or hygienist uses X-rays to check the bone support and uses an instrument called a periodontal probe to measure how tight or loose the gums are around the teeth. They also look for signs such as bleeding, plaque, and tartar, and inflammation to determine if periodontal disease is present. If periodontal disease is not detected, you will see our hygienist for your cleaning. Patients with periodontal disease may need to return for a special cleaning called scaling and root planing … Click to open this link in the same window … . Please visit our page on gum disease … Click to open this link in the same window … to learn more.

Oral cancer … Click to open this link in the same window … can strike anyone, not just those who smoke. In fact, oral cancer is on the rise in young, otherwise healthy people due to infection with strains of HPV (human papillomavirus). Dr. Gretzula and your hygienist will look at your cheeks, tongue, gums, throat, floor of your mouth, and neck to determine if any abnormalities are present.

Additionally, the use of the VELscope® light is recommended for each patient. Since oral cancer begins as a very small lesion below the surface of the tissue, it is difficult to detect in its earliest stages. The use of the VELscope® light can aid in the early detection of pre-cancer or abnormal lesions. Please visit our oral cancer and VELscope® page … Click to open this link in the same window … to learn more about our oral cancer screening.

The doctor will evaluate the integrity of any existing restorations such as crowns … Click to open this link in the same window … , dental implants … Click to open this link in the same window … , or dental fillings … Click to open this link in the same window … that may be present in your mouth. She will feel and listen to your TMJ … Click to open this link in the same window … and check your teeth for cracks or wear that may be due to clenching or grinding your teeth.

Lastly, the doctor will check your teeth for any new cavities and discuss the average cost of dental fillings needed, if any. An esthetic consultation may be included if there are areas of your smile you wish to improve upon. Please see our cosmetic dental services page … Click to open this link in the same window … for a comprehensive list of procedures we offer, such as teeth whitening Stratford.

Based on the findings of these four areas, Dr. Gretzula will discuss her recommendations and your options for treatment, including pain-free laser dentistry … Click to open this link in the same window … . You will both create a treatment plan that is best suited to your expectations, needs, and budget. You will meet with our treatment coordinators to discuss any insurance coverage you may have, set up a financing plan if necessary, and schedule your next visit.