What happens at an initial consultation appointment?
This visit is of the utmost importance. At the first appointment, we aim to understand your concerns and what you hope to achieve with treatment, carry out a detailed examination of your clinical condition and discuss appropriate treatment options and costs with you. We start by taking a full history prior to a comprehensive assessment of your teeth, gums and oral cavity. This is important to ensure that no aspect is missed when considering the appropriate treatment plan and we would encourage patients to give their medical and dental history and what their expectations are.
Appropriate radiographs (x-rays) will be taken if needed. We aim to ensure that only necessary radiographs are taken and will contact your dentist for copies of any relevant films that have been taken to avoid duplication. For diagnosis of pathology, the assessment of sufficient bone structure and the identification of nerve positions 3D Radiographic examination (CBCT) is often required.
Once all the data has been gathered, we will discuss appropriate treatment options and costs. Where the case is complex a second appointment may be needed to allow time for the necessary planning and discussion. A clinical report will then be written and sent to your dentist and the cost estimate for our treatment will be sent to you. Please note that you would also require a quotation from your own dentist or Prosthodontist for their part of your treatment.
We often get telephonic requests for quotations by patients who were told by other practitioners that they need certain treatments. However, we need to do a thorough examination of all the tissues in the mouth before we can decide on a specific course of treatment for each individual patient.
Self-referrals
If you do not have a dentist but need to see a Specialist in Oral Medicine and Periodontics, we are happy for you to contact us directly. We do not undertake general dentistry; however we can arrange an introduction to a suitable dentist for general care based on your location and your dental needs.