What to Expect at Your First Visit

At our practice, we approach dental care with a biologic, whole-body perspective. Your first appointment is not just about your teeth—it's about understanding your health, your goals, and how we can support your overall wellness through individualized dental care. Here’s what you can expect when you become a new patient.

Before Your Appointment: Thoughtful Preparation

We send you detailed paperwork ahead of time to help us better understand your current health, lifestyle, and wellness goals. Completing this form thoroughly and in advance allows us to:

Ensure our values and philosophy align
Give you time to reflect and respond thoughtfully
Review your information before your appointment so we’re fully prepared to support you

A Warm Welcome and Initial Screening

When you arrive, we’ll begin with a personal tour of the office so you can get comfortable with the space and meet our team.

Once you're settled in the chair, we take your blood pressure—an important step for two reasons:

Health screening: Many people don’t regularly visit a doctor, so this helps catch undiagnosed high blood pressure.
Safety during treatment: Dental visits can naturally raise blood pressure. Knowing your baseline helps us prevent any stress-related complications during your care.

Comprehensive Review & Charting

We start by reviewing your medical and dental history and the forms you’ve submitted. This helps us understand your background and identify any connections between your dental and systemic health.

Next, we perform detailed dental and periodontal charting:

Tooth-by-tooth evaluation (fillings, crowns, implants, etc.)
Gum health (gingivitis, recession, mobility, etc.)
All findings are recorded in real-time by a team member to create a complete and accurate digital record of your mouth.

3D Imaging (No Radiation!)

Using a high-resolution camera, we take a radiation-free 3D scan of your mouth. This gives us:

A full digital model of your teeth and bite
A visual tool to discuss potential issues like cracks or cavities
A way for you to see what’s happening in your own mouth

Personalized X-Rays with Minimal Radiation

We believe in personalized imaging—never a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll discuss your unique needs and determine the right type and frequency of x-rays to:

Catch issues like hidden decay or bone loss early
Minimize your radiation exposure
Use AI-powered x-ray analysis to spot subtle changes in enamel, helping us prevent invasive treatment later

Microscopic Oral Microbiome Analysis

We collect a small sample of your plaque and look at it under a high-powered microscope. This gives us an up-close view of your oral microbiome—the community of bacteria in your mouth.

We assess:

The types and activity level of bacteria
Signs of inflammation, infection, or imbalance
The presence of parasites or immune cells

This helps us create a plan to improve your oral and systemic health by addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms.

Optional Saliva Testing for Deeper Insight

If indicated, we may recommend a saliva DNA test to identify the specific bacterial strains in your mouth. This is especially useful for:

Chronic bad breath
Periodontal disease
Frequent cavities

Knowing the exact bacteria helps us personalize treatment and understand risks to your overall health—including heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and more.

Whole-Mouth Exam by the Dentist

After your records and images are gathered, the dentist will come in for a comprehensive clinical exam, which includes:

Teeth and gums
Lips, tongue, throat, airway, joints, thyroid
An oral cancer screening (included in all exams)

You’ll also have the option to upgrade to an enhanced fluorescence-based oral cancer screening, which helps detect tissue changes earlier than visual exams alone.

Building Your Personalized Plan

Once we’ve gathered all the information and talked through your health goals, we collaborate—you, the hygienist, and the dentist—to design a personalized treatment plan.

This might include:

Gum therapy
Infection removal
Functional or aesthetic improvements
Long-term prevention strategies

We aim to meet you where you are and guide you toward where you want to be—at a pace that supports your overall health.

Will I Get My Teeth Cleaned?

That depends on the complexity of your needs. If your mouth is generally healthy and your case is straightforward, we may be able to complete hygiene therapy at your first visit.

However, if your oral health is more complex or you're starting a biologic restoration plan, we may need a separate appointment. We never rush and always prioritize doing what’s best for your long-term health.

Our Philosophy

We’re not your average dental office. We:

Practice biologic and minimally invasive dentistry

Focus on prevention and education

Use the safest, most advanced technology

Personalize everything to your body, your values, and your goals

Your first visit sets the tone for a long-term partnership in health—not just dental maintenance. We’re honored to care for you.