New Patient Exam & Cleanings in Tuscaloosa

Receptionist welcomes a patient to the office.

You will always receive a warm welcome from one of our friendly staff members.

Get an accurate diagnosis with our thorough New Patient Exams

Your initial visit starts with a full New Patient Exam. This is where we first get to know each other. An important part of your first visit is a friendly discussion with one of our doctors, in which they’ll note any concerns you may have about your teeth or smile. The doctor will use this information in creating your treatment program, taking into account your lifestyle and budgetary needs.

  • Digital X-rays

    New Patient Exam | CleaningsWe use low-radiation digital X-rays to get an intricate view of your mouth, teeth and gums. In some cases we will also take a panoramic (full-mouth) X-ray.

  • Oral Exam & Consultation

    New Patient Exam | CleaningsYour questions, goals and concerns are a vital part of any consultation. We consider your oral health as well as cosmetic issues. We review your dental and medical health history and conduct a thorough oral exam, including a periodontal (gum) exam and an oral cancer check.

This information, together with your X-ray results, tells us what we need to know to work out your individual treatment plan. We’ll cover options available to bring your teeth, gums and smile to a healthy, attractive condition.

New Patient Special Offer

$49 Exam, X-rays & Consultation

Our special offer for new patients includes the following:

  • Comprehensive exam
  • Review medical history
  • Digital X-rays
  • Oral cancer check
  • Consultation with the doctor
  • Smile evaluation

Usual cost of this comprehensive exam is $140

To make an appointment, call 855-440-2467 or click here to request an appointment online.

Gentle, thorough Cleanings

New Patient Exam | CleaningsOur dental hygienists have been part of our dentistry family for many years. They’re known for their easygoing but professional approach. Highly trained and experienced, they’re expert at giving a thorough, gentle cleaning. They use modern, effective ultrasonic scalers to clean away plaque. The ultrasonic vibrations comfortably remove buildup from your teeth.

Essential to a successful cleaning regimen is oral hygiene education. Our friendly hygienists always take the time to help patients of all ages with their oral health and teach them about the latest innovations in home teeth and gum care.

Prophy Jet for that polished look

Your cleaning includes a final brightening with polishing tools to whiten and smooth your teeth. For heavy stains and calculus (tartar) build-up, our hygienists use a special air polishing system called a Prophy Jet – a high-tech alternative to traditional abrasive teeth polishing.

Gum Disease Treatment

When the results of your periodontal exam show that you have a “pocket” size of greater than 3 millimeters, it’s time to get in under the gum line and clean the roots of the teeth as well. Our ultrasonic scaler gently blasts away hard-to-reach plaque and calculus from below the gum line. A special antibiotic can then be delicately introduced into the pockets to promote healing and help prevent further gum problems.

How gum disease comes about

New Patient Exam | CleaningsOur mouths are naturally full of bacteria that form a sticky, colorless film on the teeth, called plaque. Brushing and flossing gets rid of plaque, but poor oral habits or conditions such as systemic illness, medications and smoking can contribute to a buildup of plaque, which forms a hardened substance called tartar, or calculus.

The calculus forms on both the tooth crown and tooth root. When on the root, the rough nature of the calculus causes the root to separate from the gum, creating a pocket.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bad breath or a persistent bad taste in the mouth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Gum recession and loose teeth, which are symptoms of advanced gum disease
  • Abscesses, which can form in the deepening gum pockets

Effective Gum Disease treatment

New Patient Exam | CleaningsIf gum disease is found, it needs to be treated aggressively to halt its progression and reverse the gums to a healthy state. Our hygienists perform a Deep Cleaning, also known as root scaling and planing.

Using hand instruments as well as our ultrasonic scaler (to loosen the calculus with sound vibrations), calculus is removed from your tooth roots and the roots are “planed”, i.e. made smooth to encourage the gum tissue to reattach.

Arestin® Therapy

To eliminate residue bacteria in the pockets, we also use Arestin® Therapy, a locally administered timed-release antibiotic treatment. The Arestin microspheres go to work killing the bacteria that contributes to gum disease.

To make an appointment, call 855-440-2467 or click here to request an appointment online.