Your First Visit to Parsa Dental
At Parsa Dental in Sun Valley, CA, we understand you may have questions about what to expect on your first visit with us.
As our patient, we make sure that we understand the goals you have for your smile. During your first appointment, we take the time to listen to your goals, conduct a comprehensive exam, as well as understand any potential health concerns as they tie back to your smile and oral health.
During your appointment, you can expect to discuss your dental concerns, your goals, your medical history, and any current oral health symptoms you may be experiencing. We will also conduct an exam and meet with you about your concerns, taking time to answer any questions you may have.
Depending on your oral health history and goals, most new patient appointments last anywhere from 60-90 minutes.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- A copy of your dental insurance card (if you have insurance)
- Recent X-rays (if taken within the last six months) and/or dental records
- A list of all medications you take (if any)
- Contact information of any medical specialists
- Completed new patient forms (you can also arrive early to complete them in our office if that’s easier.)
- An adult over the age of 18, if you’re a minor
Save time by filling out forms ahead of your appointment
Are you ready to smile?
We know visits to the dentist aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. We promise our friendly and welcoming team will make you feel comfortable and give you the best dental care.
What happens at my first visit?
Comprehensive Exam
As a new patient, you will receive a comprehensive exam, allowing us to get a complete picture of your oral health and identify any potential issues early on. The exam helps us understand your specific needs and create a customized treatment plan.
Digital X-Rays
At Parsa Dental, we utilize digital dental x-rays as a part of your comprehensive exam to get an understanding over your overall oral health. The X-rays allow us to see the tooth as well as the bone support around the teeth to help us identify issues such as tooth decay, infections, and bone loss.
We use digital X-rays, the gold standard in dental care in our practice. Digital x-rays produce clear, high-resolution images with minimal radiation and allow us to diagnose and treat any issues that may be present more accurately. Incorporating digital dental X-rays into our new patient exams is crucial in helping us to provide the highest level of care to our patients.
Screening for Oral Cancer and Gum Disease
During your appointment, our dentist will conduct a visual examination of the head and neck and check for any signs of oral cancer or precancerous tissue. If necessary, we may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells.
We will also check for signs of periodontal disease, a silent disease of the gums that, if left untreated, can affect the health of your body as well as cause tooth loss. Gum disease evaluation includes measuring the depth of the pockets between your gums and teeth, the height of bone around each tooth, as well as evaluating the overall health of your gums. By including these screenings as part of your regular dental visits, we can identify any potential issues early on and take the necessary steps to treat conditions while in the early stages.
Preventive Cleaning
Regular preventive care is essential to oral and overall health. These preventive visits “cleanings” involve removing plaque and tartar, which can build up on the teeth over time and lead to tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated. If you have active gum disease, a different type of care will be necessary.
During your preventive care visit, our dental hygienist will gently remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of teeth and below the gumline. These visits also help us identify potential issues early on, allowing for prompt treatment and helping to prevent the need for more extensive and costly procedures down the road.
Oral health experts recommend scheduling preventive dental cleanings every six months to keep your smile (and health) looking and feeling its best.
If You Need Any Treatment
If our dentist at Parsa Dental finds that you need additional care, we will discuss our recommendations with you and provide you with an individualized plan. This plan will outline the specific steps of your care and may include a combination of different procedures and/or therapies.
Depending on the nature and complexity of the additional treatment, it may be necessary to schedule additional appointments to complete the necessary procedures. It is important to follow your treatment plan as directed to achieve the best possible outcomes. If you have any concerns or questions about your treatment plan, don’t hesitate to let us know, as our Sun Valley dentist will be happy to discuss them with you.
Insurance and Payment Information
Our office accepts various insurance plans as well as financing options to help patients with the cost of their dental care. If you have dental insurance, your plan may cover a portion of your treatment. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your specific insurance plan and to bring your insurance information with you to your appointment. Our team is happy to assist you with understanding your insurance coverage and in submitting any necessary claims. If you do not have dental insurance or if your insurance does not cover the full cost of your treatment, financing options are available. These may include payment plans or third-party financing through companies such as CareCredit. Our team is happy will be happy to provide you with information about these options and to help you find a solution that works for you. We believe that everyone deserves access to oral care.
Ongoing Preventative Care
Are you due for a dental checkup or cleaning? Do you have a tooth that needs attention? Call Parsa Dental in Sun Valley, CA, today to schedule your new patient exam.
