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If you’re seeing a periodontist (gum specialist) for the first time, you’re probably wondering what to expect. In most cases, our new patients are referred by a general or family dentist in the Conroe area. Others call us directly for a second opinion, especially if they’re considering dental implants.

When you visit us for a new patient appointment, here’s what you can typically expect:

A Thorough Exam and Consultation

Your periodontal evaluation will include a comprehensive screening and charting of your gum and bone attachment levels around each tooth. We’ll also review your medical history to discuss any relative health conditions that may need to be considered during treatment.

In most cases, no treatment will be performed at this initial consultation. This is simply a time for us to gather all of the information we need before making appropriate treatment recommendations.

Diagnostic X-rays

There are only so many things we can see by looking into your mouth. Because we have a periodontist in The Woodlands area, he focuses on managing oral health concerns that relate to the bone and gums that support your teeth. As such, we’ll need to have a comprehensive set of digital X-rays taken to fully evaluate the integrity and shape of your oral anatomy. Sometimes we’re able to use the images taken by your family dentist, but in most cases, we will capture new images in addition to the ones sent in your referral paperwork.

A 3D CBCT scan will also be taken. This digital image allows us to see all angles and aspects of your smile, rather than what’s limited to two-dimensional X-rays

How Long Will it Take?

Most of our new patient appointments will last somewhere between 1-1.5 hours. We want to take our time to fully evaluate the extent of your oral health needs and coordinate the appropriate treatment plan.

Discussing Your Concerns and Care Plan

Before you leave, you’ll know exactly what therapies are recommended, how long they will take, and approximate costs (we’re in network with insurance providers like Cigna; flexible financing plans are also available.) Your care plan will be an outline of the next steps, be it a series of laser gum treatments, dental implant surgeries, or other soft tissue therapy.

Communicating with Your Dentist

If you were referred to us by your general dentist, we will communicate with their office to let them know what recommendations we have, any follow-up care that’s needed, and if a collaborative effort is necessary. For instance, we often work with your general dentist to provide same day dental implants similar to “All on 4” treatments (Teeth Express.)