New Patient Dental Examinations
We take pleasure in welcoming new patients and thank them for choosing our office. As part of the new patient experience, each new patient may choose the type of examination they would like to have – a routine exam or a comprehensive exam.
Routine Examinations
This is a less extensive exam in which all parts of the system are screened to determine if a comprehensive exam is necessary. Patients may call this a “check-up”. Because it is less extensive, it may not show us everything we need to know.
Comprehensive Examinations
This exam begins with personal time set aside for talking with Dr. Walther. We can talk about your concerns, needs and desires, what you value in your dental experience, or anything else you deem important. We will also review your medical and dental history as well as any other forms you have completed.
Next, together we examine the entire dental health system – the teeth, gums, bones, soft tissues, TMJs (temporomandibular joints), and the muscles that move the jaw. Finally, we will take all appropriate x-rays and photographs.
We prefer this type of examination because it allows more time than the routine exam, which in turn, allows us to gain more knowledge. We can only treat what we know. Additionally, the patient can ask as many questions as they would like, and asking questions is the best way to learn!
After your comprehensive exam, Dr. Walther will:
- Evaluate the information gathered at the exam and then compare and contrast it to a standard baseline of health
- Determine if any part of the system is unhealthy
- Make a specific diagnosis of each unhealthy condition
- Create a personalized treatment plan with specific therapies for specific conditions, as well as future and follow-up care that may be needed
- Determine a sequence of treatment and an estimate of the time needed to complete treatment
At your consultation appointment, you and Dr. Walther will:
- Thoroughly review the results of your examination
- Consider your treatment options and decide which ones are best for you
- Agree upon the sequence of and time necessary for your treatment
- Discuss all fees
- Be certain all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction and understanding
Comfort Care
We place priority on emergency exams, or comfort care, above any other type of exam. It is our goal to see any patient experiencing dental pain or discomfort the same day, if their schedule permits. During a comfort care appointment, Dr. Walther will examine the problem tooth or area, take x-rays as needed for diagnosis, and provide palliative treatment (usually a temporary measure, which may require an additional appointment to complete treatment), prescribe medication as needed, or refer the patient for specialist care, if necessary. Our goal is to help alleviate your initial pain and discomfort, but to also create a plan for you to prevent any future painful experiences.
