First Adult Dental Visit Expectations

,
Dr. Matthew Hannan | My Dental Advocate
First Dental Visit Expectations | Smiling dentist with smiling female patient

According to the American Dental Association, (ADA) 42% of individuals don’t see a dentist as often as they would like.

Meanwhile, 85% of Americans believe their oral health is essential to their overall health.

It’s safe to say that Americans have room for improvement when receiving dental care; however, many pitfalls keep us out of the dental chair.

Recommended Reading: Overcoming Obstacles at the Dentist

Need Dental Advice? Ask Dr. Hannan!

Adult Dental Visit Expectations

Before your visit, if possible, complete relevant medical and dental questionnaires online.

Take advantage of this opportunity to expedite your dental visit on the day of your appointment. Completing them online provides adequate time to answer each question thoroughly and without feeling rushed

Also, if you take any medications, you can document them more accurately from home.

Key Steps

  • Dental x-rays
  • Periodontal evaluation
  • Intraoral and extraoral exams
  • Teeth evaluation
  • Treatment plan
  • Financial presentation

Arrive no later than 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete any subsequent documentation.

Key Benefits

  • Ease concerns
  • Stay attentive during visit
  • Ask appropriate questions
  • Leave with a better understanding of your oral health

Step 1: Dental X-rays

Patient vitals and dental x-rays will be completed first. A full-mouth x-ray series consists of a panoramic x-ray and 18-20 individual x-rays.

  • Panoramic X-ray: Gives a broad view of teeth, jaw, sinuses, and bone structure, including wisdom teeth, by rotating around your head for 20 seconds.
  • Individual X-rays: Focused images (bitewing and periapical) to check for specific problems like decay, fractures, infections, and other dental issues in specific teeth or areas.

Full mouth radiographic x-ray series occur every 3-5 years, and individual x-rays occur yearly or as directed by your clinician.

Related: Learn more about dental x-rays

Step 2: Periodontal (Gum) Evaluation

The periodontal evaluation, or gum measurements, will be completed by the dentist or a registered hygienist. They may inquire about your brushing habits, dental history, and overall oral health. They will screen for two gum diseases; gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Related: Read more about Prophylaxis

  • Gingivitis: Inflamed, bleeding gums without bone loss. It’s manageable and reversible.
  • Periodontal Disease: Gum inflammation with bone loss. It’s not reversible and linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Managing it is crucial.
Related: Learn more about Scaling and Root Planing

The clinician will use a periodontal probe (millimeter measuring tool) to evaluate the space below your gums, and the dental assistant will document a series of numbers. Then, the dentist will discuss scaling and root planing if periodontal disease is present.

Periodontal Probe Measurement Guide

  • 1-3 mm: shallow pockets and gum tissue is tight around the tooth
  • 4-5 mm: attachment below the gum line may be failing
  • 6-7 mm: attachment is compromised and bone loss may be occurring
  • 8 mm: advanced gum disease is present and immediate attention is needed

Step 3: Intraoral & Extraoral Exams

The dentist may palpate under your jaw, behind your ears, and around your neck to look for abnormalities. Inform your dentist if you smoke, use chewing tobacco, consume alcohol, or have a family history of oral cancer. Early detection is key to long-term success.

Common Areas

  • Lips
  • Tongue
  • Floor of the mouth (below tongue)
  • Soft palate
  • Hard palate
  • Gum tissue

Step 4: Teeth Evaluation

Teeth evaluation consists of visual, tactile, and radiographic assessment. This examination allows the clinician to diagnose any treatment.

Many dentists use magnification loupes up to 3.5x to better visualize the teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Next, the dentist may use a dental instrument (explorer) to screen for cavities. If the explorer sticks, a cavity may be present.

Learn more about cavities and how dentists manage them in the article below.

Related: Learn more about Cavities

Step 5: Treatment Planning

Treatment planning and patient understanding are best when the dentist and patient communicate actively.

After the dentist sits you up and explains their findings, they will discuss treatment options and alternatives. It’s essential to understand why treatment is recommended before moving forward. The patient can lose trust if you cannot visualize the problem or understand the issue.

The dentist can easily visualize many problems for the patient between the x-rays, periodontal probings, and intraoral pictures.

If you are confused or unsure why treatment is necessary, now is the time to ask any questions.

 Recommended Reading: Top 5 Best All-Natural Whitening Toothpaste

Step 6: Financial Presentation

The financial presentation occurs between the patient and the treatment coordinator. If you have insurance, verify that it’s active and apply for treatment estimates.

The dentist should prioritize the treatment based on your chief complaint, such as treating a painful tooth before replacing a missing tooth.

Be sure the dentist addresses your complaint!

The dentist should discuss treatment alternatives along with financial considerations.

An efficient dental team will have a seamless handoff between the dentist and the treatment coordinator to eliminate confusion.

Related: Best MDA Recommended Products

My Experience & Expertise

After your visit, it’s essential to evaluate your experience.

Common Questions

  • Was the dental practice accessible and accommodating for your schedule?
  • Was the dental team welcoming and considerate of your experience?
  • Is the dental practice clean, well lit, organized and efficient?
  • Was the hygienist thorough and understanding?
  • Did the dentist address your chief complaint?
  • Was the dentist empathetic and conscientious of your time?
  • Was the treatment plan clear and concise?
  • Is the financial commitment realistic?
  • How did the visit make you feel?

Need a second opinion? We can help! Learn more. Knowledge is power when cultivating healthy dental habits. The more informed you are, the better positioned you’ll be to prevent avoidable and potentially costly dental procedures for you and your family. Watch for future blog posts, where we’ll continue sharing important information, product reviews and practical advice!


Sources

About the Author

Dr. Matthew Hannan, also known as “Dr. Advocate,” is a board-certified dentist on a mission to provide accurate dental patient education. He attended Baylor University before completing dental school at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. He now lives in Arizona with his beautiful wife and 4 kids. Dr. Hannan believes everyone should access easy-to-read dental resources with relevant, up-to-date dental research and insight to improve their oral health.

Matt Hannan, DDS Signature | My Dental Advocate

Connect with Dr. Hannan!

Fried eggs in pan | My Dental Advocate
Adult Dentistry | Dr. Advocate’s Insight

101 Foods to Eat After Dental Surgery, Implants or Wisdom Teeth Removal

Are you worried about the food you should eat after having dental surgery? If yes, then you are not alone. Dental procedures such as wisdom teeth removal, implant placement, and root canal treatment are standard procedures…

5 Best Electric Toothbrush for Travel | My Dental Advocate
Adult Dentistry | Buying Guide | Dr. Advocate’s Insight | Oral Health | Product Review

Top 5 Dentist-Recommended Electric Toothbrushes for Travelers

If you’re always on the go, you know how challenging it can be to maintain your oral hygiene routine. That’s where electric toothbrushes come in handy. They are portable, compact and can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy…

Gain Clarity with Our FREE Second Opinion Guide

Unsure About Your Dental Diagnosis?

Receive clear, expert second opinions online within 48 hours. Start today!

5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
“My five-year-old son was experiencing severe pain in his mouth and jaw region that required me to pull him from school and take him to his on-call doctor. We didn’t receive any official answers from his doctor visit but My Dental Advocate service was so helpful! Utilizing this service gave me peace of mind as a mother.”
(Received Clarity)
Krista
Arizona
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
“I reached out to My Dental Advocate for a second opinion after finding them online. They quickly responded with a full report informing me that they agreed with the findings and even explained why it needed to be extracted. I highly recommend them for an online second opinion!”
(Saved $3000)
Rita
Texas
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
“I was on an extended trip traveling for work, and went to a corporate dental office that I was unfamiliar with. Upon performing an x-ray, they identified a few inclusions and were pressing me to schedule. With My Dental Advocate, I was able to get a second opinion and feel more confident about the urgency of treatment.”
(Received Clarity)
Michael
California

Product Reviews

Our 250+ dental product reviews (and counting), curated by an experienced dentist, are the most comprehensive online.

Toothbrush Genie

State-of-the-art chatbot designed to help you discover your perfect toothbrush in just a few simple steps!

Cavity Risk Assessment

Cutting-edge digital tool designed to evaluate your individual cavity risk based on your responses to a series of questions.

Gum Disease Assessment

Discover your gum disease risk with our quick and engaging 6-question assessment!

Product Reviews
Blog Posts
Money Saved

Easiest Second Opinion, Ever!

  • Confidently upload x-rays (plus any other documents) to a board-certified dentist via HIPAA-secure email.
  • Within 48 hours, you receive an expert second opinion affirming your current treatment plan or recommending alternative treatment options.