First Visit to a Periodontist
Many people are uncertain about what to expect during their first visit to a periodontist. In fact, many people are unfamiliar with the field of periodontics until they develop an issue related to the periodontium that their general practice dentist is not qualified to address. This includes a range of issues, such as advanced gum disease, bone grafts, or placement of dental implants. If you have been told you need periodontal care and are concerned about what to expect from your first visit, please know that at Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to making sure your experience at our clinic is as comfortable as possible.
You can also feel confident knowing that you will receive care from oral health professionals who are at the forefront of oral surgery education and leaders in the fields of periodontal services and implant dentistry. For example, Dr. Pikos founded the Pikos Institute, a globally recognized teaching organization that provides surgical and technology-based training for clinicians throughout the country to perform predictable, prosthetically driven implant dentistry. Additionally, our Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are certified to safely administer intravenous (IV) anesthesia should you require this level of sedation. Our resident prosthodontist is Dr. Philip J. Hedger, who specializes in restoring and replacing missing teeth and is highly trained in bridges, crowns, dental implants, dentures, cosmetics, treating TMJ/TMD, and same day prosthetics for Same Day Teeth®.
What Will Happen at the Initial Evaluation?
One of our biggest priorities at Coastal Jaw Surgery is ensuring that our clients are as comfortable as possible, which is why we provide complimentary beverages, neck pillows, blankets, reclining chairs, and free Wi-Fi for your tablet, phone, or computer. This is also why we provide a comprehensive offering of dental sedation, including IV sedation.
For your first visit, we do ask that you bring your dental insurance information, a list of current medications, and any relevant X-rays and/or referral forms with you. When you arrive, you will be greeted by our friendly front office team who will be happy to check you in. After you have checked in, your first appointment will begin with a member of our staff performing a thorough review of your oral and physical health history, a discussion of what your current needs or concerns are, and an examination of your current oral health. This will include examining your teeth, gums, jaw joints and other areas of the mouth.
We may also take a full 3D, high-resolution X-Ray of your jaw and bone structure to determine the underlying health and structure of your jawbone and teeth, as this will provide us with necessary information to inform your personalized treatment plan and may help identify underlying issues that need to be addressed.
Once the examination is complete, a doctor will meet with you to explain the results of your X-Rays and provide their treatment recommendations, along with a treatment plan and estimated cost and time expected to complete the procedure. If you would like, we also have a patient care coordinator who can meet with you to discuss available payment and financing options. Once all of your questions have been answered and concerns addressed, we will schedule your next appointment.
Using the Latest Technology To Guarantee You Optimal Results
At Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to being engaged with the latest in dental technology in order to provide our patients with the highest level of care. This is why each consultation includes a thorough examination by one of our implant specialists, a full 3D, high-resolution X-Ray of your jaw and bone structure to inform your treatment plan and ensure optimal dental implant placement, and a computer-generated image of what your implant and restoration will look like, if you are seeking this type of care.
Additional ways we ensure you receive care that is designed for maximum accuracy and comfort by utilizing the most advanced dental technology, which includes:
- 3D Cone Beam Digital X-Rays: A low-radiation device that develops a full 3D, high-resolution view of your bone structure and jaw and is used to improve precision for restorative and cosmetic procedures.
- Tooth Colored Restorations: We are committed to providing you with restorations that look and feel just like your natural teeth.
- Telescopic Loupes: We are better able to diagnose and treat underlying issues due to the magnification provided by our high-quality surgical loupes.
- Intra-Oral Cameras: Intra-oral cameras allow us to examine the inside of your mouth, which enhances our ability to diagnose and treat underlying issues.
Helping Patients With Dental Phobia
At Coastal Jaw surgery, we understand that many people have some anxiety or fear when it comes to having an oral surgical procedure performed, which is why we take every step we can to ensure that our patients are as comfortable as possible when they come to our clinic. One of the ways we ensure that our patients are comfortable is by offering dental sedation to help alleviate anxiety. In addition to making sure you receive care in a calm and comfortable manner, providing dental sedation also ensures that we are better able to perform any procedure you are having done.
Our Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are certified to safely administer and take continuing education on how to safely administer intravenous (IV) anesthesia. If you require IV sedation, the process will involve administering the sedation through your vein, which will quickly put you in a place where you are not quite awake and not quite asleep. You will remain conscious but will be less aware of what is happening while the procedure is performed. Though not recommended for all patients or all procedures, IV sedation is a good option for patients who are scheduled for longer, more intensive procedures or for patients who have significant dental anxiety. One of the benefits of this type of sedation is that you will likely not even remember the procedure being performed, which means that you will not create memories that can contribute to a preexisting state of dental phobia, which may reduce any future anxiety or fear towards future visits.
Cost of Your First Appointment
Following your initial examination, our patient care coordinator will meet with you to discuss available payment and financing options. We accept traditional insurance and are happy to file and track your insurance claim and assist with insurance family plans. To help facilitate this process, please have your insurance information prepared at your appointment, including your insurance and identification card. To help you maximize your benefits, we are also happy to provide a written diagnostic report and X-rays to your insurance company if necessary.
Please note: Dental insurance only covers part of your total expenses and remaining out-of-pocket expenses must be paid following service. We accept cash, debit cards, and most major
If you are not covered under a dental insurance plan or have concerns about the total cost of treatment, please let us know and we will do our best to help provide you with the care you deserve. At Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to providing you with high-quality oral care in a manner that is simple and efficient. To help meet your unique budget and needs, we offer the following financing options:
- Lending Club Patient Financing
- GreenSky® Patient Financing
- Carecredit® Healthcare Financing
Scheduling Your Follow-up Appointment
If you have any additional questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation or learn more about our clinic and services, contact us today at (800) NEW-LOOK or fill out an online form at https://coastaljaw.com/appointment-request/
We look forward to providing you with the care you need in a safe and comfortable environment!