We can’t wait to make you part of our dental family!
Dental Appointments At Holt Dental Care In West Jordan, UT
Your first visit here at Holt Dental Care will typically consist of a cleaning, an examination with the dentist, and a review of your treatment options. If you accept treatment, we can begin with that treatment immediately. However, a complex medical history or treatment plan may require a further evaluation and a second appointment. We’ll make sure to accommodate your schedule.
To help your visit go as smoothly as possible, please come prepared with the following information:
- A list of any or all medication that you’re presently prescribed and taking
- Your dental insurance information
- Patient forms filled out
Having this prepared and ready for your appointment will save you time and allow us to make your first visit the very best experience.
Dental X-Rays
One of the main goals of a dental exam is checking the teeth for any signs of decay or cavities. The earlier the dentist catches these problem areas, the easier they’ll be to treat, but they often aren’t visible to the naked eye in the early stages. There are many crevices between and around teeth and other small spaces that are difficult to see, and obviously, we can’t see the inside of teeth at all without some help from technology. That’s where X-rays come in.
Panoramic X-Rays
The panoramic X-ray is the wide shot that lets the dentist see the entire dental arch in one image. It shows not only erupted teeth but also incoming adult teeth and wisdom teeth, which is great for being able to see if there will be enough room for them or if they need some extra help or extraction. Panoramic X-rays also help to identify dental cysts, tumors, and abscesses that develop below the gumline in the dental roots and jaw bones.
Bitewing X-Rays
To get a closer look at an individual region of the dental arch, we use bitewing X-rays. These are the ones where you have to bite down on a piece of plastic to hold the X-ray film in place, then wait for the beep. Normally we’ll take four in total, one for each quadrant of the mouth. These are better than the panoramic shots at showing the gaps between teeth and make it easier to spot cavities and tooth decay.
Periapical X-Rays
If we ever need an extreme close-up of a tooth, we might take a periapical X-ray. These are only necessary when it already looks like there’s a problem with that tooth and we need to see it in greater detail, and we can take these X-rays alongside the bitewings.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Next, the hygienist will begin cleaning the teeth. They use a small metal tool called a scaler to scrape away any tartar in between the teeth and around the gumline. Then they’ll polish the teeth using a lightly abrasive paste and a polishing tool. This gives your teeth a nice, deep clean and removes any remaining tartar. They finish the cleaning off with flossing.
The Dentist Examines Your Teeth
Once the hygienist is done, it’s the dentist’s turn. They’ll review your X-rays, check your teeth and gums for signs of decay and gum disease, measure the depth of your gingival pockets, check for swelling and redness, test how well your teeth come together when you bite down, and examine your neck, lymph glands, and mouth for signs of oral cancer. When they finish, they’ll discuss treatment for any dental work you need and give you tips on improving your daily dental care routine.
We’re so excited to see you at our West Jordan practice. If you have any questions, please call (801) 282-5839 or send us an email. You can also learn more about us on our business page.