Your First Checkup After a Hiatus from the Dentist

If it’s been more than a year since you’ve visited the dentist, it is very likely that you have some dental work ahead of you. This expectation alone can cause a few worries, specifically because you’re not sure what your dentist will find, but try not to worry too much. Keep reading for a brief overview of what you can expect during your first dental checkup after a lot of time away from the dental chair.

New Technology and Treatment Options

There are always new advances in dentistry, more efficient and much simpler ways to treat or discover old problems. This means that you will probably experience something new during your visit. For example, intraoral cameras allow for the dentist to assess and diagnose oral health issues like oral cancer.

Your Visit Might Take A While

Meeting a new dentist or re-kindling a previous relationship with an old one, your visit may be a bit longer than what you remember. It will take time to know each other and for them to get familiar with the condition of your dental health. You will likely need a new set of X-rays. This gives your dentist insight to any problems that may be lurking below your gums. You will also receive a physical exam where the dentist will inspect your teeth, gums, lips and other oral tissue. They will also check to see if you have any problems working your jaw and if your bite is properly aligned. Once your exam is complete, you will get your teeth cleaned. Because you probably have quite a bit of bacteria and plaque that has built up below your gum line that will need to be removed, your cleaning may take a little extra time as well.

A Discussion of Treatment

Once your exams have been completed and your X-rays have been viewed, your dentist will take time to discuss any issues they may have found and discuss a few ways to treat them. During this portion of your dental visit, you should absolutely ask questions, voice worries or concerns and share any dental goals you may have. Once your health is on track, your dentist can help you determine how to help you achieve your ideal smile.

Skipping dental visits is not uncommon, but missing a full year can definitely cause a few problems with your dental health. This may be your first visit in a long time, but your dentist is not going to judge you. They are very aware of how life can be. Their only goal is to help you get the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.

About the Author

At HM Dentistry, Dr. Hamid Mirsepasi has been transforming smiles since 1997. His dedication to providing personalized, top-quality dental care allows him to help his patients achieve the smiles they deserve. Dr. Mirsepasi earned his Graduate Prosthodontic Specialty Certificate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey and has completed advanced research to earn a Master of Science in Dentistry from the same university. At HM Dentistry, you can receive a wide range of dental treatments that include preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and much more. If you’re ready to get your oral health back on the right track, visit the website or contact the office at (972) 231-5744 to schedule an appointment today.