Congratulations on Taking the First Step
toward achieving that beautiful, healthy smile you deserve! Optimum oral health is a choice and a lifestyle, and we are excited to be your personal resource and dental partner in this journey. So Dr. Kenner and his Team can get to know you and best understand your specific dental needs, we begin our dental relationship with a Comprehensive Initial Exam.
At this first meeting, we will complete many of the steps you are probably already familiar with from visits to other dental offices. However, with our commitment to provide outstanding care and a unique dental experience, there may be a few differences we would like to tell you about.
Getting To Know You
We will begin your first visit with a warm smile and an emphatic Welcome! Once we have made you comfortable, one of our wonderful dental assistants, Laura or Loretta, will begin with listening to you about your dental and medical history, and how you would like our Office to help you with your dental goals. If you are anxious about dental treatment and would like to utilize one of our options for sedation during any upcoming procedures, they will begin discussing that with you as well.
The next step will be to gather information about the current condition of your teeth. This is done through x-rays and two other steps that we are proud to offer, CariVu illumination and photography. Our digital X-rays offer highly detailed images, yet emit very low levels of radiation. These images provide information about any cavities that may be present between the teeth, areas of bone loss, presence of infection, or abnormalities of the bone.
Digital illumination, or CariVu technology, is something that many other offices do not have. It is an invaluable diagnostic tool that uses infra-red light, no radiation at all, to detect early decay beneath fillings and between teeth that conventional radiographs cannot detect. In addition, it allows visualization of known decay in a dimension different from that seen in x-ray views, so precise removal of only the decay can be done, preserving as much healthy enamel as possible.
How many words does a picture say? When it comes to communicating the condition of your teeth, a picture says a lot. In addition to radiographs and CariVu imaging, we will also take a complete series of diagnostic photos of the teeth and your smile. These photos will allow you to see what we see in your mouth and will be used for your smile design and cosmetic makeover.
Soft-tissue / Periodontal Exam
Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease and strokes, making the health of your gums as important as the health of your teeth. During the initial exam, Dr. Kenner will evaluate the space between your teeth and gums to determine if there are signs of gum disease. When disease is present, gums pull away from teeth, leaving “pockets.” Deeper pockets are signs of more severe gum disease.
Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults and needs to be treated immediately. Other contributing factors to periodontal disease are diabetes and smoking, so it will be important to talk to Dr. Kenner about these if they pertain to you.
Oral Cancer Screening
Although oral cancer is rare, Dr. Kenner believes in prevention and early detection so he will conduct a thorough screening, looking for any tissue or spots that look suspicious. In the event abnormal looking tissue is detected, we are able to provide biopsy procedures or DNA sequencing for analysis and diagnosis.
Cosmetic Consultations
If you would like to improve the appearance of your smile, Dr. Kenner can help you achieve that beautiful, rejuvenated look you desire. At your first visit, Dr. Kenner will talk with you about your specific goals and discuss not just what you don’t like about your smile, but what you do like as well.
Once we determine your dental anesthetic goals, then one of our Team members will work with you to gather needed records to develop and design your smile makeover. This includes specific radiographs, photography of the teeth and face, along with impressions of your teeth for study models. With all this information collected, Dr. Kenner will begin designing and creating a mock-up of your new smile. This process will require a second appointment to review the proposed treatment, the mock-up of your smile, and to answer specific questions you may have about the process.
Dental Implants
How do I replace a missing tooth? What are my options? These are common question we get from patients as the options can seem a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, Dr. Kenner has a passion for implant dentistry and helping patients replace missing teeth with dental implants. Dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth. If you are missing teeth, Dr. Kenner will be able to discuss your options and answer your questions at your Initial Exam.
If you are ready to replace one or more of your missing teeth with dental implants, getting started is easy. Simply contact our office and schedule your no obligation dental implant consultation. Dr. Kenner will evaluate your condition, gather the needed x-rays and photographs, and develop a treatment plan customized for you. For more information on dental implants, visit our Dental Implant page.