Your First Visit
Our Focus Is On You
We take whatever time is necessary to understand you and your concerns. We will ask you to complete and return a thorough medical and dental history along with a dental evaluation prior to your first appointment. This allows us to become familiar with you and your concerns in advance.
The first appointment is an information gathering session where your doctor will review your history, being sure that you have fully expressed the matters that concern you. We believe that open and honest communication is the cornerstone for any successful treatment. Once the doctors have accomplished the examination and accumulated all of the necessary information, you will have a diagnosis appointment. It is at this appointment where the comprehensive diagnosis is presented and there is an open discussion of treatment alternatives.
Our New Patient Examination
We consider ourselves physicians of the oral-facial system. Therefore, our exam is not just limited to the “teeth and gums.” It is a complete assessment of the component systems that comprise total health and lasts 1-½ to 2 hours.
During the initial examination, we will:
- have a thorough discussion of your medical and dental history
- perform a TMJ evaluation
- perform an examination of the head and neck, including cancer screening
- perform a dental evaluation
- take radiographs (x-rays)
- obtain models of your teeth
- take photographs
An initial periodontal (gum) assessment and cleaning by one of our hygienists is done at a separate appointment where the sole focus is on the evaluation of your periodontal health.
Our Diagnosis
The diagnostic process we use is different than you find at most dental offices. We diagnose in an order that helps us determine what will look and function the best for you. This is not the sequence of treatment. The logical treatment sequence will vary from this path. It is important to us to help you understand your problems, for only then can you choose the treatment that is right for you.
At your Diagnosis Appointment we provide a comprehensive overview of all the issues involving your oral health:
- Esthetic Diagnosis – Are the components of the dental and facial anatomy within the esthetically acceptable parameters unique to the individual? These components include: tooth position, gingival levels, arrangement, contour and color.
- Functional Diagnosis – How’s the bite? This involves evaluation of the muscles of mastication, the jaw joints (TMJ’s), and the relationships of the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth in the various positions of the jaw joints. This evaluation often yields great insight into why teeth are worn, drifted, or broken the way they are. “Form follows Function” is very true in the mouth.
- Structural Diagnosis – This is the more classic aspect of dentistry, where we identify how strong and dependable the teeth and supporting bone are in your mouth. Are there cavities, large fillings, cracked or missing teeth? We look to answer if they will last the rest of your life.
- Biologic Diagnosis – This is the assessment of the living (gingiva) tissues of the mouth. Are they healthy or diseased?
Once the correct diagnosis is made, the options for correcting your problems are presented. The doctors will help you understand the issues, treatment options, and the expectations of each option. Together we can choose the treatment that is right for you!
Our Treatment
At Wooddell & Passaro Dental Group, your treatment is fulfilled with care and compassion, utilizing a vast array of resources. The specialists we work with provide the best treatment possible and your treatment is expertly coordinated throughout each stage. We use only the highest quality materials and work with only the best labs around the country.
